Disclaimer: Bakuten Shoot! Beyblade and all its seasons and characters belong to no other than Takao Aoki himself. I do not earn profits in writing fanfics as well, simply because it's just a piece of crap made by mine. So if you're planning to sue me, that's too bad for you.

Warning: This fic contains shounen-ai, which means two boys in a romantic relationship, as the story progresses. I doubt if this would turn into YAOI, but let's just wait and see. Anyway, this is AU, which also means that characters may act OOC, if not, total OOC (Perhaps, in Kai and Rei's case). So BEWARE.

Coupling/s: Mainly, Kai/Rei and probably, Takao/Max as well (later chappy).

Inspired by: My adviser/teacher who tells us about how Math helped her to meet her husband. (You'll get the idea once you read this.) However, for the sake of originality, I make some twists. (Clue: Conflicts)

Hello there! So you're reading my fic? Wow, I feel so blessed! Anyway, I can't actually say that this is my first ever fic written since I've been writing fics since long I can remember, so all I can say is that this is my first ever fic posted in I'm not actually sure if this fic is good or not since I don't really have much confidence about this, but after shinigamitenshi, who I really adore so much (Thank you so much! 3), betaed this and received a nice compliment from her, I guess I am in a drive. So, yeah, I might as well try putting this one for everyone's view and hope for the best whether the readers might like it or not.

So do I make myself clear? If so, then this will stand for the rest of the fic (except probably the constant warnings and A/Ns). Hope you enjoy everyone! And don't forget to leave a review after this! Ciao! Signs off

- - - - -

AND WHO SAYS WE NEED MATH?

Prologue - Math is EVIL!

Just when I thought that my life was the hardest thing to deal with, I yet again realized another thing that could surpass that.

Math.

Gods! Just the mention of it brings my head into spin, not to mention it increases my adrenaline. Honestly, why is it that we are required to learn math? Its not like we need that in our daily lives, do we?

... Okay, okay. Scratch that. Maybe we still use it in some other ways. Such as counting your friend's black eyes - in my friend's case, that is - everyday God has made in his life or counting countless sheep when you cannot sleep at night. But really, are we required to solve hard algebraic expressions in our daily lives? I guess not. As if counting one to gazillions is not enough...

I know what you're thinking right now. Why am I ranting so much about this subject, you ask? I might as well give you the details of what happened to me before I became the Anti-Math person that I am right now.

"Rei," started my teacher in Math, Mizuhara-sensei. She placed three papers on her empty desk and spread them out for me to see one by one. "Tell me this isn't true."

I tried my best not to cringe at her comment, but failed miserably to do so. I know I have no rights telling her that she was wrong when I know to myself that I'm the one amiss here, however, from the way she told me those words, it was as if I had harmed her physically and her dignity as my teacher in Math as well.

Gulping, I raised my head and looked away. "That's... the truth,"

I knew she was hurt from what she heard from me. Massaging her forehead, a sign of nervousness I knew all too well, she looked at the scattered test papers before her then to me again.

"But Rei!" Disappointment was present in her voice. "You failed the tests!"

I nodded. Why was it that accepting the truth always hurts? "I know,"

"And you know it will reflect in your grades, don't you?"

I gulped again. "I do," I answered, closing my eyes to shut out all thoughts. That's right. I failed our periodical test, not because I didn't study or pay any attention to it, but rather that test was too damned hard to solve! But what happened, happened. So there's no way I could change the past but to...

I paused when I heard my teacher sigh. "I really don't know what to do with you," she admitted softly. "As far as I am concerned, you excel in all my subjects, including Math somehow, so I don't understand why or where on Earth this happened to you now," she let out a sigh. "Is there any problem with you and your family at home? If you want, you can share your thoughts with me. We could talk this o--"

"I'm sorry, but that's not the point, sensei," I answered clearly, waving my hands dismissively before her. Everyone in this school knows the fact that my parents are not in Japan, but rather in my hometown in China, because I am just an exchange student in this country myself. We still have communication, though. "It's just me who has the... problem... anyway..."

There was a short silence. Mizuhara-sensei sighed once more before looking at my brutally murdered test papers then back at me again. "Rei," she took a deep breath before standing up to meet me in the eye. "You're going to have to attend summer class this year with me."

Ouch.

I knew all along that that was coming, but I never thought that that would be so soon. Too soon for me to accept the fact that I, Rei Kon, was about to take summer class. Another year filled with horrible days... Never in my life have I thought I would take any summer class at all! And it's hard, you know? That's probably why I was standing like that - unmoving and with gaping mouth like I was stoned for all eternity, or maybe much worse than that.

I was, in all truth, already planning to ask-- no, no, no, BEG my beautiful blond sensei for her to give me yet another chance and that I'll go study again to take yet another exam when she suddenly interrupted me.

"But since this is your first time," she started, giving me with new hope. "I guess I'll give you another chance,"

God only knows how my face lit up in joy when I heard that. It's as if the sun descended its warm sunrays upon me after long, cold rains. I was ready to rejoice - really, I was! - when suddenly (again), sensei said something that made me think otherwise.

"But this time, I'm going to refer you to a very good Math Major I know as your tutor for this one week before the test day," she clasped her hands in joy. "You'll have to stay with that person for the rest of the week for that person will do the rest of my teachings..."

Hey, wait. Did I just hear it all right? Mizuhara-sensei isn't the one who will teach me that damned Math?!

"So you're not the one who's going to teach me, then, sensei?"

Mizuhara-sensei broke out a smile. "I probably won't," she answered truthfully, "I think my ways of teachings doesn't work for you at all, so I guess you'll need a different approach of learning Math. Who knows? It might be more effective than mine,"

I blinked. "Like what?"

She smiled once more. "You'll see,"

I could see myself clearly, drowning in the mist of rolling darkness like the idiot that I was already was, while I took in everything - and I mean EVERYTHING - my sensei told me.

I sat back down on the chair behind me for support, slightly massaging my aching temples. Sometimes, I just wish I had Einstein's mind, I thought to myself. Otherwise, I would have passed that damned Math exam with flying colors...

Because right now, I'm totally doomed.

And that's about it. Annoyed? Good. Happy? Not good (Unless you want to receive a punch from me, that is). Honestly, I was not really much of a Math-hater before, but it's my great mistake to just realize it now. Like they always say, regrets always come at last.

So is it because of my Math teacher why I failed that test? No, she isn't the one to blame, really. All my life as a student in Mieken College, I find Mizuhara-sensei to be the kindest and the most refreshing teacher I have ever met. She makes it sure that everyone in the class understands the lesson and will always be willing to give an example to a certain problem just so we would comprehend it better. It just so happens that she is assigned in Math this year, not to forget that MATH really isn't my forte - Cooking, anyone? - And as time passes, and as that subject gets a lot more difficult than anything else, I am not able to catch it anymore. Heh... Talk about weak points and all that... 1

"Rei-kun," I hear someone say, snapping me out of my thoughts. Blinking, I rise from my armchair and turn my head to the owner of that voice, only to see Mrs. Mizuhara standing on the door of our room. "As I promised, I finally found you're tutor. Do you mind if you come with me to meet him?"

Of course, me, being a nice student as I am, nod and join her outside the door. "Sure," I answer politely, flashing her my usual Rei smile. "I don't mind," I continue as we walk through the corridor of our campus in companionable silence.

So why is it that Mrs. Mizuhara is here and wasting her time over me, you ask again? Just so, to remind you all, I am an honor student myself. Still don't believe me? Then hand me a gourmet pan and different sumptuous ingredients need in cooking, and you might find yourself served with a palatable meal that can beat any high-quality restaurants in this world. And no, I am not being narcissistic or anything. That's what you called self-confidence. At least so, I still have something I could be proud of about myself!

After some time of looking anywhere except for my teacher's face, (Too embarrassed from failing in our test.) I've noticed two kindergarten kids - one boy and the other, a girl - chasing each other around the same hallway, making me remember a certain event that has once occurred in my life.

A deafening crowd of laughter,

A mocking smirk,

A stupid crumpled love letter,

The long strands of cut black hair,

And the unforgettable humiliation I only felt that very day.

I suddenly feel a cold wind passes through my spines, waking me from that little nightmare somehow.

I guess this is not the right time for me to think about it...

"By the way," starts my teacher, probably noticing the once companionable silence is already turning into an awkward one. "This will be free. However, I'm expecting for a bit of changes from you after one week, okay?"

"I'll try my best," I answer back, lowering my head. 'Try', being the keyword. I mean, one week? I just can't tell her my final answer when I still don't know if this whole one-week-seminar-with-a-math-major would work on me. I don't want her to expect too much for nothing, you know.

Surprisingly, as if she is reading what is on my mind, she pats me on the back. "Don't worry," she assures, smiling at me like it would save me from this evil subject called Math. "I'm sure you'll find this easy after this seminar. That's why I picked a Math major who's around your age to be your tutor, because I believe that you can understand each other more than you do with me." She explains.

Inwardly, I have to frown. Really, would it make any difference if people around my age and those who are a year older than me teach me the same subject I am bad at? It doesn't make any sense to me at all! But remembering the efforts Mrs. Mizuhara makes just for me to pass yet another exam of hers, I just nod and agree to what she has said.

"Mrs. Mizuhara?"

My teacher looks at me. "Yes?"

"Who is my tutor?" I ask, and then suddenly, thought of making it more appropriate. "I mean, what's that Math Major's name? You -"

She chuckles as we turn to the left. "Oh, I'm sorry!" She says with a smile. "Your tutor will be -" she stops suddenly in our little walk when she realizes that we have finally reach our destination. "- We're here!" She opens the door of the room, which happens to be the Math Club itself.

Somehow, I feel disappointed. Just when Mizuhara-sensei is about to tell me who my tutor is, she suddenly announces that we are there. I really want to know who would that be - who wouldn't? - At least then, I have an idea of who he is and all.

When the door is fully opened, both of us step inside. I notice a certain someone with slate-blue hair sitting on some random chair in the corner of the room, reading a thick book with his back facing us. I have this hunch I've already seen this person somewhere or before, but I'm afraid that I might be mistaken, (Too immune to this kind of stuff) so I let fate answer my question for me.

"We're already here," she announces yet again, louder to be heard by that person, "I already have Rei Kon with me."

I can swear that person stiffens at the mention of my name, but I think it best not to ask that person about it. "Uhm, hi," I say shyly, bowing slightly even though he can't see me. "N- Nice to meet you. I hope you can help me with my problems regarding Math and please bear with-" I stop when that person suddenly closes his book and stands up. His crimson eyes firmly focus on our way as he heads in our direction...

My eyes suddenly turn wide.

Do I just say crimson eyes?

"Oh, before I forget again," says my teacher sheepishly, as said Math Major is already in front of us. "This is Hiwatari Kai-kun, the Math Major I'm talking about a while ago. He's the greatest when it comes to this subject, really." She adds proudly. I watch in horror as my teacher pats the aforementioned boy by the shoulder like a kind pet that's actually hiding its true colors from its enemy, or in my case, from me.

Could destiny be any less cruel for me?

A familiar smirk is playing on his lips as he looks up at me. "Long time no see, Rei." He greets me in a nice-to-see-you-old-buddy way and I hate it so much.

"You, too, Hiwatari." I make sure I pronounce the last word harshly, but that only make him smirk more. The nerve of that guy! How dare he say my name with no any formalities at all after all the things he have done to me before?! 2

Mizuhara-sensei blinks, totally oblivious of what is happening between us. "Am I missing something in here?" She asks, looking at both of us. "You two know each other?"

Both of us nod at her as we exchange sharp looks again, but in all honesty, I am already shaking in fear inside.

Oh damn! Now I have my damn archenemy as my tutor!

Only God knows how much I want to dissolve right from that spot, as the images of my past nightmares return to me again once more...

- - - - -

My first attempt in writing humor/romance genre. I hope I do not spoil anything at all .

1 Mieken is not a made-up place. In fact, Mieken is near Nagoya, the place where I was born!

2 In Japan, people who call each others' names with no any formalities such as -san/-kun/-chan at all is an act of disrespect. Unless of course you're close and know each other very well, then you can call each other in first name basis.

Anyway, comments are welcome!