Chapter One: A Dangerous Deal

Rima wasn't your average sort of girl, who would gossip about the various things she liked or try to climb the popularity hierarchy. Nor would she worry about boys and who they liked. That's why everyone gossiped about her, saying that she was lesbian or transgender. She proved them wrong just a few days after the rumors started. Allegedly to stop the rumors, Rima asked Fujisaki Nagihiko, the third most popular guy in the school, to be her boyfriend. Of course, Nagihiko, being the (read: playboy) nice person he was, accepted her request, much to the chagrin of the other girls in the school.

The most popular girl in Seiyo Academy, Yamabuki Saaya, was pursuing Nagihiko at that time, due to being rejected by No. 1 and No. 2. When Saaya heard that her plans were thwarted, she vowed to get back at "that little shrimp". And so, this resulted in Rima being bullied very… subtly. Because no one wanted to get on a Fujisaki's bad side, the bullies would always do it so that Rima wouldn't know who did it. Although, it was kind of obvious when a username of "TheWonderfulAndAmazingYamaSama" sends the message, "You will NEVER truly win the heart of my Nagihiko-koi! He will ALWAYS belong to ME, you little slut!". But of course, Rima didn't let it get to her. She was later rewarded for her patience by Nagihiko breaking up with her. And of course, of all the people, he chose Amu as her replacement. He dumped her, because Amu asked him to. Not because he didn't love her, not because he was a sick playboy, but because Amu, her best friend, asked him to. And this leads us to the situation of today, with Rima curled up in her signature ball in the corner of the classroom.

Rima didn't understand. Why would Amu, of all people, try to break her? She wasn't really upset with Nagihiko, because she had expected it sooner or later with a guy as popular as him. But Amu? Amu's betrayal hit her as hard as a speeding car, nearly breaking her queen-like facade. She curled up tighter, trying to keep her composure. Eventually, she sighed and decided that thinking about the problem would only make it worse. She rolled out of my fetal position, only then realizing there was someone else in the room with her.

Across the classroom, Ikuto was just as confused. He originally thought that, as a good friend and knowing about his crush on Amu, Nagihiko would gently reject her. But apparently Nagihiko wanted Amu more than he valued his friendship with Ikuto. Ikuto barely refrained from slamming his head on the table in frustration. Hearing a sigh, he slowly turned around and saw none other than Nagihiko's latest victim, Rima Mashiro. However, to Ikuto's surprise, Rima didn't look how most people look after being dumped. Instead, she just looked done.

"Aren't you mad at Nagi for breaking up with you?" The words slipped out of Ikuto's mouth, curiosity overpowering the urge to keep rumors from spreading that "the badass Ikuto" was associating with the outcast Rima Mashiro. He shrugged it off, seeing as there was almost no one in the school at this time anyway.

Rima glanced over skeptically, arching her left eyebrow. "Who says I'm not?" she replied.

"Well, you don't really look mad," he said, looking at her face. Her eyes had no hint of anger, just resignation. But at Ikuto's words, he saw a spark flare in her golden orbs.

"I am mad. But not at Nagihiko. I'm mad at Amu, for freaking betraying me!" Rima shrieked.

"Oh," he said. It made sense to Ikuto now, the resignation, the anger when he mentioned her looking mad. An idea suddenly flared to life in his mind. "Well, how about a truce?" he suggested.

"What do you mean?" she answered, the eyebrow that had just settled into it's previous position shooting up again.

"I mean," he explained, "I want revenge on Nagi for taking Amu, and you want revenge on Amu for taking Nagi. So, do you want to make a deal so we can both take our revenge?"

A smirk crossed her face. "I like that idea. What are you suggesting?"

Ikuto mirrored her devilish smile and responded, "Well, as the most popular guy in the school and the valedictorian, I can get a lot of favors done for me. Pretend to sprain your ankle or get a cold or something, and wait for me in the nurse's office around noon."

Rima said, "Deal. One condition though," she held up one finger. "Neither you nor I are allowed to get together with Amu or Nagihiko respectively until one month after the deal is complete."

"Deal."

The newly formed team shook hands and left the school in opposing directions. Ikuto knew this was risky, but he did it anyway. Because a deal formed through a common enemy was a very dangerous deal indeed.

A/N: Sorry if it's kind of crappy, I wrote it in a rush.