Chapter 1

Ryo Akiyama has an infamous reputation as the heartbreaker of Cyber High School. Contrary to the typical image that comes to mind, he is not cold or indifferent toward the advances of the girls nor does he toy with their feelings. In fact, he is intelligent, outgoing, and kind to all. Moreover, he is the president of the school and received top grades. His traits made him Mr. Popular with both genders; even some guys send him love notes. The male population of the school followed him like a leader and all the girls in the school adored him and worshipped him almost like a God. Eventually, Ryo became accustomed to all the attention he received, but he secretly wished to be treated just like a normal person with flaws ad weakness instead of the "Perfect Ryo." As a result, he turned down the girls' numerous advances, gently, of course. The number of rejections adds up and resulted in his heartbreaker status, but that was still not enough to discourage his fan girls.

"Ryo! Please take this letter, my deepest expression of love is sealed inside." A brunette girl handed a decorated envelope to Ryo while blushing furiously.

Ryo blinked in surprise for a moment but quickly collected his calmness. This had happen many times, but he just isn't interested in a relationship with these girls. He needs someone to see him as the real Ryo, not the Ryo on the outside. Slowly, he pushed the envelope away.

"I'm sorry, Aya I'm just not ready for a relationship yet. I feel honored to receive your love, but just not yet."

Aya looked dejected for a moment as she retracted her hands, but soon regained her vigor. She looked up to Ryo with sparkles in her eyes.

"Okay, Ryo Akiyama! You will not give up! I will make you fall in love with me!" Aya shouted while pointing her finger at Ryo with determination. "Remember! I LOVE YOU!"

Students around turned toward the commotions, as Ryo looked on embarrassed at this situation. Even though he is used to attentions, such blunt confession was still new to him. Usually, the girls would just stalk him and pretend to "accidentally" meet up. In this situation, the normally collected Ryo is flustered as he try to shut Aya up before causing more unnecessary attention.

Standing near the lockers at the end of the hall, Rika Nonaka can't help but witness the scene happening right now. Rika is known as a loner because she is cold and independent. She doesn't blend in with girls her age since she considers them unworthy of her attention. The girls despised Rika for her I-Don't-Care attitude, and most of the guys are intimidated by the aura she emits. Appearance wise, Rika can be considered a rare beauty. She has crystal clear blue eyes, milky-white skin, small body frame, and a fiery-red hair. If she wants, she could be the girl version of Ryo. Unfortunately, that's exactly what she disliked.

"Hn. A bunch of clowns making a fool of themselves." Rika said out loud for herself to hear as the others crowded around the Ryo and Aya. She stayed far away from the scene because she prefers to be alone. Besides, she would rather not get close to Ryo if she has to. She is greatly annoyed by the fact that he is Mr. Perfect when she knows nobody is actually like that. In fact, she hated the façade that everybody puts up in school that's why she tried to survive her four years of high school garnering the least attention she could. That said, Rika moved away from all the commotion to her next class before the bell rings and create more chaos in the hall.

She walked to her Calculus class and arrived there just as the bell rang loudly throughout the school. She heard the scramble of footsteps in the hall as students pushed and squeeze to reach their class on time. Rika just sat down in a seat at the back of the classroom. She only looked up when she saw her childhood friend, Takato and Henry arriving at the door.

"Hey, Rika, how is it goin'?" Takato and Henry took seats in front of Rika.

"Same as always." Rika replied curtly.

Takato, Henry, and Rika have been friends since middle school. Back then, Rika was the bully, Takato the victim, and Henry the peacemaker. They were three different people who somehow matched when they came together. So as they grew physically, their bonds also grew. By the time they are in high school, they knew each other like they knew the back of their hands.

"Rika, have you heard that Ryo turned down another girl?" inquired Takato. "I wish I can be that popular too…"

"So that you can get your girl Jeri?" asked Henry teasingly.

Takato blushed at the comment and stuttered, "N-n-o, that's no-o-t the reason at all."

"Yea, sure." Rika cut in sarcastically. Then she and Henri both burst out laughing at Takato's flustered face, because they both know that Takato has a crush on Jeri since forever.

"Very funny guys, what about you Rika? You like anyone?"

"…."

"Ohh, could our Rika be crushing on somebody? She's all grown up. I feel so proud." Takato faked a teary eye.

"I wonder who is this 'lucky' guy." Henry joined in.

Rika's facial features immediately twisted into a look of annoyance while Henry and Takato laughed. That's the three of them, three friends who enjoyed pestering but supporting each other all the way.

It was lunch. Instead of taking a break from the stress of school to enjoy a delicious meal, Rika was pulled into her counselor's office concerning some of her extracurricular activities.

"Please sit down Rika." Her counselor, Ms. Tomoko gestured to the chair in front of her desk. "I called you here today because I received a call from your mother. She wishes for you to become more social."

More social? That's just great, groaned Rika inside her head.

"Your mother suggested that you befriend girls your age by participating in clubs or teams. We strongly recommended you to participate because it is also a good for your college apps." Continued the

"Clubs? I don't do clubs." Rika shrugged off the suggestion and lean back in a manly fashion.

"Well, you have to 'do' now and the choices are either the Cheerleading Team, Fashion Club, or some other popular clubs in school."

Rika almost gagged at her options. There is no way she will never go near Fashion Club and she would rather die than be peppy all day. Knowing that she has no other choices, she told the counselor she will be announcing her decision tomorrow and excused herself from the office.

Once outside, Rika sighed in resignation. 'Geez, thanks mom!'

On the way home, Rika explained her predicament to Henry and Takato reluctantly after being attacked by their constant questions. Her two male friends were giddy from the news because it was the chance of a lifetime to see Rika interacting with others! After their initial fun and Rika's annoyance was over, Takato and Henry set their mind to help their friend with choosing the right club. Takato suggested the Band while Henry recommended the Science Team. Rika turned both of these down without a second thought. The trio continued to walk in silence until…

"I know! The Performing Art!" Takato shouted.

Broken out of their reverie, Rika and Henry turned to look at him strangely.

"I think Rika would be perfect! I mean she does have a pretty appearance. Adding on as a bonus, a SUPER-DUBER ,awesome voice!" continued Takato

"…yeah! Rika, you should sing. You do have a very nice voice and it would be a waste for you not to show it off." Joined in Henry

"…." Rika looked as if she is deep in thoughts. "..but I don't like performing."

"THEN THERE IS NOTHING YOU LIKE! C'mon Rika, you just have to do it. You know me and Henry both love your singing."

"First of all, it's "Henry and I." Second of all, I completely agree Rika. Don't let your talent go to waste." Henry tried to persuade Rika.

After a moment of silence, Rika nodded hesitantly She preferred to hide her talent in public due to an incidence in the past that scarred her fragile soul. Rika used to sing openly until elementary school. She participated in a Talented Show and won it all with her fantastic performance. However, it caused intense jealousy among her peers. They begin to bully her and belittle her skill, making her feel inferior. That's why Rika refuses to sing in public. Only when she is alone or with her real friends does she relax herself to sing. It was also this incidence that she steeled her exterior and made sure that nobody would ever pester her again.

This whole club thing with the counselor could not be avoided since it involved her mom. Of course, she could just ignored that too, but she knew her mom would never leave the subject alone.

All of a sudden, high school just became her worst nightmare.

Ryo's mind is occupied, usually with schoolwork or the student body, but today is the image of a girl. She is the most beautiful girl he ever met and her aura caught his eyes immediately.

"Did I ever see her in this school before?" Ryo muttered to himself.

Earlier today, while Aya was proclaiming her undying love for him, Ryo caught the stare of a girl standing down the hall. She is different from others from first glance. First, she doesn't flock to him like all the other girls, in fact, he could swore he saw a ridiculing glare from her. To Ryo, it seem like a challenge from the girl, as if saying try to catch me if you can. Ryo, being Ryo, cannot resist such challenge. Second, she sure is beautiful, a little tomboy, but an exotic beauty nonetheless.

"I want to meet her again…."

Suddenly, Ryo is shocked out of his thoughts when a pair of arms wrapped around him in a tight embrace. He looked back to see Aya hugging him.

"Ryo! Ryo! The Performing Art Club will be hold a recital this month! Guess what? I am the lead singer!" an excited Aya jumped up and down while not losing her grip on Ryo. " You have to come! I already reserve your ticket!"

"um..Sure, Aya, I'll be there." Ryo replied.

"Yes, then you can see how wonderful I am and fall in love with me!"

Without knowing anything, Ryo had just made the decision of his life. Little did he know, he is going to cross path with the girl who intrigued him so.

-To be Continued-