A Kiss of Challenge

Kyoko's eyes slid shut instinctually as the man grabbed her by the collar, pulling her to himself and immediately covering her lips with his own. She didn't have time to be confused, she just reacted, and she had to admit, she was enjoying hersel—

Kyoko's eyes shot open as she comprehended what, exactly, was going on.

Waugh! Shotaro is kissing me! He's kissing me! Why? WHY?! What is that dork doing?!

She tried to jerk away for a second, but her body wouldn't respond. But unlike with Reino, nothing supernatural was holding her in place. Why couldn't she tug away?

Wait a second, Kyoko. Focus. He's not in love with you, so why would he be doing this? He could be trying to get me to be his maid again, but even the dork's not that stupid. We're enemies now, and affection from his part would be useless at this point.

He must be taunting me.

The jerk.

That must be it. He thought I was going out with the Beagle (idiot Shotaro! I wouldn't go out with that stupid dog if he was the last man on Earth) and now that he might have finally gotten it through his thick skull that I have no interest in romance he's rubbing my face in it! It's all his fault I can't love anymore! And now he's trying to make me wish I still had that human emotion! Ooooh, he makes me so mad!

Yet, she still wasn't pulling away… despite the grudges that started popping out from behind her shoulders.

Yes, Shotaro, I like this! Yes, I wish you hadn't ripped out my heart and stomped on it and made it impossible for me to look upon any other man in love!

I mean any man in love, of course.

Wait. Could this be…

Is he challenging me? Challenging me to revive my feelings of love?

Makes sense. That idiot does like to pick fights with me. And he probably is cocky enough to think that where he is now in the entertainment industry I couldn't beat him. Hmph. So, Shotaro has the gall to try and see if I could rebuild what he destroyed in me? I'll bet he would. He still thinks of me as some weak and plain woman, huh? That he holds so much power over me I wouldn't be able to repair myself?

Kyoko smirked into the kiss and her grudges slowly retreated.

Very well, Shotaro, the girl thought as she leaned closer to the boy, pressing her lips even deeper against his. If this is a challenge…

I accept.


Author's notes: Yes, I realize Kyoko probably isn't -that- dense in matters of love to misinterpret Sho's actions to that extent. But given her history… -sweatdrop- Anyway, this is pretty short, but I don't really dislike it. I kinda like how Kyoko casually and easily dismisses the possibility that Sho's in love with her. -sweatdrop-

Also, at the start, I wasn't sure if that was correct or not— in the manga it looked like her eyes were closed, but I wasn't sure.