WARNING FOR SUGGESTIVE THEMES. (Nothing graphical or extreme.)


We promised each other.

It was the day of our graduation, and we promised each other.

Then we forgot; it was shut out to the back of our minds, probably lost forever.

But they say…

…A Heart Never Forgets
Chapter 01

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It was a beautiful autumn day. It was cloudy, which meant very little sun, just how I loved it. But it wasn't cold, a thin hooded sweatshirt would suffice, there was a cool wind blowing swiftly, leaves crunched under people's feet as they walked over them. The sakura trees were nearly naked. It was a perfect day in my books.

The name is . I am currently twenty one years old. My looks are pretty okay I guess. My body isn't fat, nor is it skinny. Just right. I'm not much to brag, but I guess I must look good enough; I get an average of two to three love confessions every other month. My hair is dead straight, only a couple of inches off my shoulders and layered wildly naturally black. My eyes were probably the only interesting and brag worthy part of my body. They were a dull grey, almost a very faint blue; Not very common for a person with one hundred percent oriental decent.

I just finished my four years in Tokyo University as a major in digital illustrations and graphics. I am currently walking around the busy streets of Tokyo, heading for a job interview for CGI Japan. If I land this job, I could make a hundred thousand a year, just on my first year. That is, if I get the job.

However, I heard the President for the Tokyo branch had a really big stick-up-the-but, if you know what I mean. I also heard he was young and handsome. I decided to look as cute as possible, I mean, a woman is allowed to use what Kami-sama gave her once in a while right? I was just hoping that even this strict man was just another man, with one brain in the head, the other in his pants.

I stopped in front of a tall and lavish looking building. I stepped into one of the rolling doors and quickly pushed my way in, walking up to the reception desk, smiling at the familiar face. She was watching a drama on the computer when I decided to pick on her a little, "Tsubasa-san, what do you think you are doing while on the job?" I said in a stern and low voice. The said figure had frozen in her spot and quickly closed the window. Quickly shuffling to get up, I began to laugh.

"-chan! How cruel of you to play such a prank on me!" she cried.

"You shouldn't be watching dramas while on the job anyway. I was just teaching you a well deserved lesson." I teased.

She pouted and glared at me. "Mou, some best friend you are. So mean."

I laughed and handed her a piece of paper. "Good luck, this guy is a real grandpa, even if he is actually your age. I would date him if he wasn't so boring."

"We shall see, maybe I can get into his pants and land the job." I laughed.

"You won't get it with that attitude, silly child." She laughed along with me.

"Well, I am confident my skills alone will land me this job, mother." I mocked her.

She sighed and threw a pen at my direction. "I am only five years older then you!"

I laughed and nodded in response. "Then don't call me a child, and stop acting like you are five years younger then me!" I ducked my head quickly from another incoming pen.

Secretaries sure have a lot of pens to waste.

As Ayame signed of the paper and given me a note with the directions, I walked towards the fancy looking elevators. They had gold doors, with intricate silver and red designs on it. In the center across both doors of each of the eight elevators, in bold black letters, it read "CGI JAPAN".

The job I was trying to land was to be manager of the Video Games Development in the Tokyo branch. I would be working right alongside the Tokyo branch President, the same person I was about to meet for my interview.

'DING'

I quickly shuffled into the open elevator and pressed the button for the seventy sixth floor. It was the highest floor of the building. My nerves began to break down a little and I rehearsed answers in my mind over and over again. I had to land this job no matter what. A few other who had joined me in the elevator gave me odd looks, some understood how I felt and wished me luck.

The ride to the top seemed faster then I preferred. Taking in a deep breath I walked to the double door labeled "President's Quarters: Tezuka Kunimitsu".

I blinked once, then twice.

"No way!?" I whispered to myself. I smiled, the tension I felt gone.

Knocking at the door, it only took a few seconds for a reply to come. A promise made during our high school graduation renewed itself in my mind. It was probably happiest memory I had of my life.

~^V^V^V^V^V^V^~


"Kunimitsu, I guess this means we go our separate ways ne?" I smiled softly.

He held me in his strong arms, a secret affection he had only shown to me.

"Sometimes, I wish that I had confessed my feeling for you sooner, then those regulars of yours wouldn't have to put us in such an embarrassing situation to get us together, and so that you would have held me in your arms like this sooner."

His grip tightened as his firm voice graced my ears. "Let's promise to come back to each other, and love each other forever."

I laughed and held on to him tighter. "Who knew, the Tezuka Kunimitsu, captain of the Seigaku high school tennis club would actually say something so carefree and careless." I teased.

", will you return to me?" he asked.

"Yes, I will."

"It's a promise then. We will separate our own ways, and build our futures, and then when we are ready, we can get married. I can support you and build a family."

"Already thinking about a family? Looks like even Mr. Stoic has a separate brain in his pants."

He blushed at my teasing before looking down on my figure, about a head shorter then his own.

Our lips met in a loving embrace, our last kiss.

We pulled apart, knowing it could be years till we see each other once again. I was staying in Tokyo while Tezuka was to go abroad to study in England.

Slowly walking in opposite directions, I heard his voice call out to me for the last time.

", don't be careless."

I smiled and shed tears, though he could not see.

"You too." I whispered just loud enough for his ears to catch.

And then we walked away from each other.

~^V^V^V^V^V^V^~


"Come in", a firm voice spoke. It was low and husky, even sexy.

Letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding in, I slowly opened the door, entered the room, and turned to close the door politely. I took in a gasp of breath; the room had a beautiful view of Tokyo. I could see it even with the huge wall of windows across the room from me.

Behind a desk, was a familiar looking man on a lap top. I studied his features. He still had those piercing brown eyes. His hair was a little longer then it was in high school, he was probably to busy to get haircuts more often, though I liked it. It gave him a rougher and younger look. His suit was well tailored and spotless. It was black, and underneath he wore a plain white polo and a black, red, and white stripped tie. It was very professional looking. It suited him.

His eyes met mine, his gaze apathetic. I decided to be professional.

"Thank you for taking this time to interview me Tezuka-san."

"Ah, -san, the company is very impressed with your file. It is just part of my job."

I felt a little hurt, did this mean he forgot all about our promise? The only reason he was seeing me, was not to fulfill his promise, but just to do his job? I could have sworn that in the silence of that moment, I could clearly hear the shattering pieces of my heart falling.

I smiled. "You are still the same Tezuka."

Time really does change everything and anything, and long time promises seem to always be forgotten.

~^V^V^V^V^V^V^~


The constant ringing in my humble sized apartment made my head ache.

Other then the job interview I had attended on Monday, the rest of my week had been a total disaster. No exaggerations. I had lost my job at the local bakery; they closed down and ran away with my last pay-check, which was also the month's rent and grocery money. I had found out yesterday, that if I was late with my rent one more time, my land lord would vacate me immediately. It is fair to say, my head ache was expected.

Hence, it took longer then usual for my brain to register that the ringing was my phone.

Quickly getting up, I made my way to phone and picked it up, trying to sound as casual as possible.

"Moshi moshi?" I asked, my voice cracking a little.

"-san?" a voice on the other end had asked. My heart stopped, and my brain was slow to register the new information. It was Tezuka. For a second, I had secretly wished he had called me to admit that he had never forgotten our promise, just for a second.

"Ah, Tezuka-san, it's a pleasure to hear from you." I heard some movement from the other end of the phone.

"I bring good news. You're hired." My week was finally starting to look up.

~^V^V^V^V^V^V^~


"Thanks so much again Aya-chan, for letting me crash at your place like this."

Ayame's long brown hair flowed off her shoulders and she smiled at me, her hazel brown eyes sparkling.

"How could I let my little -chan die on the streets alone?" she teased.

Even though I landed my new job, and was soon going to make a lot of money, I wouldn't be starting for another two weeks. Therefore, I was late with rent, and was kicked out on the streets and left to die.

Luckily, my best friend, Tsubasa Ayame, the same secretary for CGI Japan let me crash at her place. Ayame and I had met in school, she was a senior on her last year, and I was a freshman. She took courses in business. Though she was at the front desk the day of my interview, she is actually a personal secretary of Tezuka and she has closed a lot of deals. Hence, she had a good amount of money in the back pocket.

And she also had a good amount of space in her lavish condo. It was a two bedroom, just perfect.

"Ne, -chan, it gets lonely here. Why not stay permanently? For now you can cook as payment, and when you have settled down in your new job we could half the rent?"

I contemplated on the idea.

"How come you never thought of this three years ago when you bought the place?" I asked smiling widely.

Tonight, was going to be a good night. And tomorrow, was going to be my first day on the job.

~^V^V^V^V^V^V^~


"Okay -chan, I will be briefing you on your responsibilities and current project for the next ten minutes or so, so listen first, then ask questions."

I nodded, feeling both excited and nervous.

"You're first project is big. The company wants to really test you out before they invest huge amounts on you and your work. You will be designing a line of characters for a new role playing game they are developing. You will be working with the storyline writer, he will tell you his views on the character's looks, and you make them come to life."

She took in a deep breath before continuing, "Everything will be criticized by Tezuka-san, he will be checking up on your progress at least five times everyday, you never know when he will come. This means no slacking off."

I sighed, "I think I will need to buy a portable coffee maker."

Ayame smiled at me sympathetically and spoke once more, "You're responsible to write down a one page report of your progress each day and present it to Tezuka-san before you leave each day."

"How about if he leaves before me?"

"First off, I said questions after, and second off, I really doubt anybody could stay here longer then that workaholic. Ayame laughed.

I smiled, sounded like typical Tezuka to over work himself more than needed.

"Oh and don't forget, your deadline for the first draft is exactly two weeks from today!" I nodded before she continued.

"I will now give you a quick tour of the places you need to know."

~^V^V^V^V^V^V^~


"That is that!"

I jumped up and hugged Ayama tightly.

"I thought it would never end!" I screamed in joy as soon as Tezuka had entered his office, his right hand massaging his forehead. We had ended the tour back in Tezuka's office.

"Tezuka-san, how did the meeting go." Ayame asked professionally. I was impressed by how easily she could change and manipulate her demeanor.

"As well as it could go." His reply was straight, short, and to the point; like always.

"Ah, -san, I look forward to your good work." He greeted me professionally and reached out a hand for me to shake.

"Thank you very much Tezuka-san. I look forward to your guidance, please take care of me." Two could play at this game of forgetting the past.

I just wish it would hurt less.

~^V^V^V^V^V^V^~


It had been exactly one week since I had started my brand new job and a week away from my first payment. I sat in a desk most of the day creating art, only getting up to grab more supplies. If I had one thing in common with Tezuka Kunimitsu, it would be the fact that I took deadlines very seriously and became a total stiff neck when it came to serious matters.

But it is also fair to say, unlike Tezuka, I was human. And I needed rest. I was absolutely exhausted, but it paid off since I was a week ahead of the deadline. The first draft was finally complete. The storyline author approved the characters, he complimented me. He had said this was the first time that he was completely satisfied and proud of a first draft creation of his characters.

Now, I just have to hope Tezuka will be just as happy with it and approve the draft for finalization.

Hence, I was calming my breathing down before I knocked on his office door. The past week had been a little awkward. Actually, a little awkward would be a major understatement. Tezuka seemed to have a great sense of timing, for everytime he checked on me, I would be caught in the most idiotic positions.

One time, I had tripped over a trashcan I had never seen before and landed face first towards the floor. Only to realize a tube of paint had been carelessly dropped on the floor without the cap and my hand had landed on it, causing paint to fly into the air, and land on my head. Not very amusing. Oh, and I threw the trashcan…into the trashcan.

Just yesterday, a co-worker who had been working with paint slipped and a bucket of water landed on me, wetting my white, silk, button up shirt. Then Tezuka decided to walk in right when I was trying to pry the wet top off me, he talked to me about work etiquette and how inappropriate sexual behavior in work would not be allowed. After I explained to him, rather angrily, the situation, he gave me that darn "I-don't-really-care" look and simply said, "Don't be careless".

Due to the series of unfortunate events, which the above two are just simpler examples, I felt that if Tezuka was not impressed by my hard work, I would kill him on the spot.

Let's hope for the best.

I knocked.

©Shi-Chan