The Devil beside Me

Little Falcon: Despite my grueling obligations, I refuse to be tied down to writing essays alone. So my muse appears to have been entertained by my stubbornness and granted me this two-part story. I sincerely hope you like it.

Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!

His Slice

"I'm not hungry," that was the first time he knew something was wrong. It had only been a few months since they won their first Grand Prix but the Group A decided to take their skills to another level so they used the summer vacation to train in Paris. The main campus was more than willing to cater to their hunger for perfection. At times, the gang used their facilities but more often they found themselves in bizarre pastry shops or stalls, learning things never written in any textbooks.

The "Sweet Princes" watched their only female member quietly climb the stairs. The two exchanged puzzled looks as the other one eyed the untouched chocolate cake, intended for her consumption alone. She never skips dessert… not ever.

That night even with his light turned off, his caramel colored eyes stared at the dark ceiling of the small room he stayed in. Ever since her absence at dinner, something in his gut felt wrong, like a built-in radar that detected something ominous ahead. I knew it… Paris is a mistake. He roughly pulled the blanket over body and forced his eyes to sleep.

The next day, not one of the guys mentioned anything about last night and just like usual they commenced with their normal routine of trying something unconventional in the main campus.

"Ma-kun, Ichigo seems to be better now," his best friend, Andou, muttered as they shared a workspace for a while.

Before Kashino would've turned away when he was caught staring at her by anyone but this time he held his ground. "She better be, the next Grand Prix is growing close," his tone was strictly professional, not revealing his concern. After all, he was the only one who she failed to convince that she's fine.

"I'm telling you its true! I saw them! Henri-sensei and Mari Tennouji are together!" A group of giggling girls passed by the baking hall, their high-pitched voices almost impossible not to hear.

Time stood still inside; not one dared to even breathe. All eyes were on her. "Ichigo…" her Sweet Spirit, Vanilla, flew to her side in worry. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who Henri Lucas is to her, especially when you see the way she lights up whenever he was around.

"That's just unfounded rumor, Ichigo-chan," their perpetual philanderer, Hanabusa, immediately offer the comforting rose.

Taking the candy confection, she made a weak smile. "Iie (No), I saw them yesterday… but don't worry I'm completely okay with it. It's not like I'm in love with Henri-sensei," she pulled her hands up in front of her in defense, trying to reassure everyone with her forced laugh.

Unconsciously, he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth as he heard her endless babbling, a thing she does when she's in a pinch. Without hesitation, Kashino made several long strides to close the distance in between them. Ichigo stopped talking almost instantly and averted meeting his gaze. "You idiot! You don't have to smile… don't force it," he gently knocked his knuckles on her forehead.

Everyone else let out a sigh of relief as Ichigo raised her head and nodded silently.

Needless to say, with everyone's agreement, practice was cancelled that day.

"Kashino, why are we here?" His Sweet Spirit rubbed her sleepy eyes as they neared the double doors of the baking hall.

"This is nothing Chocolat. Go back to sleep," after watching the groggy fairy fly away, he set his eyes on the twin doors. When was it? When his instincts began dictating where to find her precisely. This time it led him here.

Without a sound, Kashino approached the doors. The hand that was supposed to push it open fell short upon hearing a muffled sob from the other side. Something in his chest felt painfully tight because he knew that voice all too well.

His hand landed on his side then bulked into a fist together with the other one. Several overwhelming emotions fought inside him.

Rage. Immense anger. The need to hurt Henri Lucas was very tempting even if he wasn't a man of violence. The need to return even a fraction of pain she feels would be more than enough. However, Kashino knew who he was up against. Despite the height he had astonishingly acquired over the years or even the built he was proud of, physical blows on the older man's face would never satisfy him. it wouldn't be enough… not by a long shot. Henri Lucas' skills are legendary so to an apprentice like Kashino even matching-up to his skills was impossible. Besides Ichigo worships the very ground the guy walks on. To her, he was the physical manifestation of perfection… a god. And right now, he was committing blasphemy by wishing this "god" didn't exist.

Frustration. Paralyzing disappointment. He knew this a long time ago… that no matter how hard he tries… it had always been about him. Her sobs became more audible as if she had lost her will to hold it back. He directed his lethal glare at the unmoving doors. Ichigo… can't you look at me instead?

Pity. Indescribable wretchedness. She was clearly in pain by the way he heard her unrestricted cries and yet he can do nothing, not even be in the same room as her. For the two years they spent together, he can predict that when he enters the room and offers his shoulder, Ichigo will just force a smile that would hurt her more. Deep inside, he knew that the only person who can stop her from crying was the one who made her cry to begin with. Obviously, that person isn't him.

Something else he fails to acknowledge. To him it was still uncertain, but it was enough to overpower everything else. It was the one that made him stay by those doors and listen to her pain all night long.

That was the time; she lost a part of her smile.

"We're in our last year in the academy. Don't you think you've given her enough time to heal?" Andou said out of the blue as he sat beside his childhood friend on the bench by the pond.

By now, Kashino Makoto finally accepted what it is he feels for Ichigo. Everyone, including Hanabusa, was aware of it even before he admitted it. How can I even begin to tell her when I know real well that she's still not fine? With a casual sigh, he looked at him and to the packages he was holding. "That's a lot even if it's supposed to be Valentine's day today," he pointed out.

"You know how they (girls) like to give tokens at every occasion on the calendar," Andou chuckled. He was always the big brother figure- all patience, no room for selfishness. "You'd get a lot too if you stop hiding here. Anyway, have you given her your chocolate?"

"I didn't make any," his chest felt heavy as he recited the things that came next. "I just… want to see her smile again," he said something utterly irrelevant. Forget being with her… seeing her ditzy smile is more than enough.

"Ma-kun, are you… giving up?" His reply was a loud silence.

As expected his shoe locker was literally overflowing with tokens and love letters, Kashino didn't even bother picking up even one. Every girl he passed was earnestly looking at him, dreaming that he'll bestow her with his renowned creation but a lot of hearts were broken when he didn't even spare them a glance.

Entering the classroom, his caramel liquid eyes saw only one person despite the others present. "Oi Amano," he called as he walked over to her desk.

"Hai!" She automatically replied.

"Come to the baking hall tonight," he said under his breath, making sure it's just between them.

"O…kay?" Tilting her head in bewilderment, she watched him resume his intended seat.

Ichigo being herself was late as usual. However, on contrary to the usual, Kashino didn't mind. "Come here, I'll teach you how to make something," he didn't even look up upon her noisy arrival.

"Eh?" Reluctantly, she began to step forward.

"Don't tell me you were expecting something else?" He flashed his arrogant smirk and that act alone melted the ice.

After yelling at his ear for a long time, she finally calmed down. "What are you going to teach me anyway?" Her chestnut brown eyes wandered to the open recipe book. Her pupils dilated upon seeing the illustration of the exquisite pastry. "But this is…"

"Hatsukoi… First Love," he muttered as he made a distance in between them.

"Why are you…?" Ichigo can no longer afford to finish her sentence as tears began to hinder her vision.

"Making it contains basic skills that you have yet mastered. I think it's only logical to use that recipe," his tone was indifferent as he began to gather the ingredients.

For a long while, she followed her with her eyes… unable to even utter a syllable. "I… I don't want to…" because I won't be making it for anyone else but him.

"Oh grow-up, you think you can be a patissiere if you selfishly choose what you make?" Each word was like a physical blow… to both of them

Rubbing the unshed tears from her eyes, Ichigo burned with determination as she began to take lessons from the sadistic prince. By the time the sun was peeking from the horizon, she had perfected it.

It was like poking a fresh wound over and over again. From his stolen glances, he saw her smile growing wider with each step done. However, Kashino could tell that she wasn't smiling because she perfected a skill… she was smiling because she remember him. He felt betrayed… and found it pathetic.

"Kashino… thank you," her gratitude made a vice-like grip on his heart. This was the closest thing he'll ever hear from what he wanted her to say.

Propping his elbow on his desk, he leaned his head on his hand as he stared at her snoring blatantly in the middle of a lengthy lecture.

"Hey, I heard you taught how to make that. What are you thinking? You know how sensitive she is to things related to that guy," they didn't really hate Henri Lucas however, they made it a point to speak of him vaguely just in case.

"Nothing." Kashino let out an amused chortle as the teacher threw a piece of chalk at the sleeping student, only to have it evaded nonchalantly by the still snoring Ichigo.

When the bell resounded throughout the halls, everyone piled out the door gradually. "Is that… HENRI-SENSEI?" One of the girls squealed as she pointed at the window on the third floor.

"Don't tell me…" Andou didn't have time to finish due to the human stampede dividing them.

Makoto's gaze landed on a certain person who was looking up at the window as if praying. Unable to tolerate another second of the scene, he tore his gaze away and sauntered off.

I've made my decision… I've made my decision. He recited mentally like a mantra as he made his way back o the dorms. As if on cue, his phone rang upon his arrival. Without checking the number, he answered the call. This was something he didn't predict… but it was certainly on time.

At the wee hours of the night, something impelled him to wake up. Not having enough will to silence his subconscious, here he was making his way towards the school garden. Sleep instantly left his eyes as he caught sight of a familiar silhouette under the full moon.

Her long wavy locks glimmering like threads of silver, her skin glowing like expensive porcelain, her dark chocolate eyes shining like gold. Her tears were like liquid mercury as they trickled down her cheeks but what made her beauty breathtaking was the genuine smile on her face.

There it is… the smile that he never forgot; the one he taught he'll never see again; the one that made his knees weak and his heart race; the one that makes him feel warm and shiver at the same time… the one she lost years back.

Just like that… he fell in love with her all over again.

"Henri-sensei… dumped me…" her voice was broken but it was still melodic. "He said that what I feel for him is a kind of affection a daughter has to a father… and that he the one he loves is Tennouji Mari," her tears fell one after another but she made no move to wipe them away.

Standing by her side, Kashino too, looked at the brilliant moon. "Then why are you smiling?"

"I don't know,"

"Why are you crying?"

"I don't know," she shook her head roughly.

"Are you mad at them?" His questions sounded way too casual.

Ichigo's gaze traveled to the pond's glassy surface, reflecting the silver moon. "Iie… not at all," she honestly replied.

As if sharing the same thought, Makoto nodded his head. "Souka (Is that so)… then you really love him," he felt her eyes on him. Quietly, he turned to face her fully. "You definitely love someone… if you don't hate them for not loving you," he flinched inwardly as he stated his very predicament.

"Did you… plan all this?" Just with her jubilant tone, he knew that the old Ichigo was back.

"No, everything was purely… coincidental," Can you love me now? I don't think I can wait any longer. Without hesitation, he tenderly wiped her tears away before he left.

Upon arriving in his room, the first thing he did was dial his phone. "Madam, I'll be honored to represent St. Marie," he spoke in a different tongue.

"ICHIGO!" Her roommate, Ruri, was the one who peeled the blanket off her then shook her violently. "KASHINO LEFT FOR THE AIRPORT!"

Her eyes flew open upon hearing the news. "W…what? WHY?" She swam out of bed and into her change of clothes.

"He accepted a long-term exchange student program from a famous academy in Germany," Ruri answered as she assisted her friend search for her other sock.

Even if I told myself that I'll wait, I can't deny the fact that I also want to be happy.

An announcement about his flight made him look back before finally walking away.

I'm the one who doesn't stop when I know I'm tired… but I'm the one who gives up when I know I did my part.

Little Falcon: I know still hazy, right? All will be clear once her slice is up. Don't forget to read and review.