Preface

She didn't see it coming. Not at all. Not even a clue. Kei Takishima stood there, on his knees with a tiny velvet box in hand. He wasn't his usual self. He was tensed, afraid. Totally not Kei-ish at all. His dirty-blond colored hair swayed as the low breeze blew past the S.A green house. His usual mocking smile was twisted in an odd way, slightly angled downwards and quivering. His light brown eyes showed a dim light of hope. It was weird to see Kei lose his confidence, very. His stance was still, statued on his knees.

Hikari's eyes widened, surprised by her boyfriend's sudden stance. Takishima was kneeling in front of her. That could only mean one thing and she knew very well of it, a challenge proposal. A/N: Yes, she very BLUR! her eyes flashed with excitement as she switched to battle mode; pulling both arms out into a fist and pushing her left leg backwards into a fighting stance.

"I'm going to beat you." She grinned as she held her fighting stance. Takshima blinked and sighed heavily as he got up. Hikari prepared herself for the first strike. He smoothen his tux and placed the little box into his coat pocket. That made Hikari frowned. 'Where's the action?' she thought, trying to decipher her opponent's move.

"Hikari…" he breathed slowly. His serious tone made her changed to defense mode. Her eyes sparkle at the jolt of excitement.

"You do know I've just proposed to you, right?" he asked darkly. A dark aura engulfed his presence showing no mercy to anyone. Hikari blinked, staring at him. 'What is his problem? Fight already!'

"Yeah. I know." She answered wryly, unimpressed by the lack of action of her rival.

"Then?"he grimaced, his face composed hiding the demon within. Hikari pursed her lips, thinking hard. Takishima waited as usual.

As the silence pursued, Hikari's jet black hair tussled in the wind

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Chapter 1: A Proposal

It had been 5 years after the S.A graduation; each S.A member parted their ways and went on with their lives, many of them studied abroad. (Yes, including Takishima) except Hikari who stayed behind. She's currently studying at the elite Japanese Metropolitan College under scholarship without a doubt, considering her grades and all. Being a twenty year old college student, Hikari matured. She was much more taller; around 6ft or so, much more leaner and muscular ( Yeah, she works out). But the only thing that never changed was her passion for a challenge. And, that catapulted her to fame ever since her sophomore year. Every sports record and every prize and trophy won. That's Hikari, naturally beating everyone, except one particular person.

"Good morning, Hanazono-senpai." A frosh greeted

"uh-uh…Good morning."

"Ohaiyo, Hanazono-sama," another greeted

"Ah-Ohaiyo." Hikari responded

That was the 37th person that greeted her. And, her jaw was aching from all that smiling. Hikari never thought that fame would come with it's price. Being an S.A member usually brought a herd of students positioned in a straight line and greeting her when she arrived at school. But back then it was different, it was only greeting once. Then, the end. But now…as Hikari flexed her arm, throwing her hair backwards. A bunch of fangirls/ frosh squeled again. A Hikari Hanazono fanclub.

She does not need this type of attention. So with a swift fleet, she made a break for it. Escaping the fangirls and not to mention fanboys wasn't easy. But for Hikari, it's piece of cake when you can lob fences and climb trees with an inhuman speed.

At a piece on undisturbed meadow that hung far, far away from the school grounds, Hikari settled onto a bench –she made herself, being a carpenter' daughter- and sighed heavily.

'Peace at last.' She thought.

The bench was perched under a shady tree on the hill top. Orange sunlight streamed through the thicket of leaves as Hikari flipped her books open. A small bookmark fell onto her lap. Hikari blinked, picking up the bookmark and smiled. The bookmark was a dried leaf laminated with the S.A badge from the past. Next to it held a picture of the whole S.A clan; the hyper Tadashi posing a peace sign, sweet Megumi and her twin Jun clinging onto Ryuu, her best friend Akira and him, her number one rival, Takishima standing next to her. It brought back memories and how much she missed them and him.

Ever since the S.A went their own ways, Hikari hasn't heard much from them, just e-mails and postcards. But that was enough for her. Kei's condition was a little different, though. Akira was currently pursuing culinary arts at France and Tadashi, her soon to be husband (It made headlines everywhere. So, Hikari knew) was taking up Schooling and Management in the States. Both Jun and Megumi were studying music in Germany. Whereas their big brother/nanny/protector/guardian, Ryuu was studying zoology at China (Ryuu's into pandas these days. There were a lot of his pictures posing with a panda when Hikari received his postcard. And, Jun and Megumi were not happy; they glared at it in the picture) Sakura, Yahiro and Kei were studying Business and Finance in London. Kei was very reluctant on leaving, let alone spending the next few years with the devil duo. Well, his main reason was Hikari, his Hikari being prowled by males during his absence. Secondly, his Hikari is super dense and blur. Thirdly, his Hikari might get into trouble and an accident. Lastly, his Hikari might miss him, so would he. Still, it circles onto his Hikari.

After much –no, a lot- of persuasion –by his parents, grandfather, Hikari etcetra- he finally agreed on a few conditions. Hikari must accept surveliance at school times. All males must at least keep a limit of three feet away from her in the school grounds unless given permission. And, Hikari must know nothing of this except for the surveillance. But Kei being Kei worries a lot. Therefore, he calls her at least twice a day, visits at least once every month and he would come back and spend the entire semester break with her.

Hikari didn't like it, a little. Well for starters, when he came by to visit and spotted her being mauled by a few seniors (indefinitely, male ones). He made a public statement through the college P.A system stating that "Hikari Hanazono is Kei Takishima of the Takishima Group's girlfriend. And, anyone (particularly the male ones) who comes near her within a three feet radius will be directly transferred to Osaka and Kyushu." There was a certain uneasy aura –Kei's Devil Aura- when it aired. The P.A members were also rumored to have been hospitalized due to over excessive shock.

But some guys came, tried and failed. The next thing they know they were shipped off to Osaka or Kansai. Hikari, blur as usual didn't notice at all.

To be continued….