A new version of me and my friend's fanfiction. I thank some people from DeviantArt.

A young female student was waiting outside for the Host Club to end for the day. She started pacing in front of the door, having nothing else better to do.

'I wonder when he'll shown up,' she thought nervously. She knew she wanted see him, but at the same time there's a part of her that's nervous of looking at him. According to others, it wasn't uncommon to be a bit nervous around someone you liked, especially if you were just beginning to like him. She only started to figure out she's starting to like a certain host, Hikaru Hitachiin.

She would have gone into the club, but the high-pitched squeals of girls drove her crazy. She wasn't that kind of girl.

She was what you would call a more rational girl. She preferred doing things like singing, being artistic and even Martial Arts. Of course she had at least one thing that made her stand out from most girls. She had a slight fondness for frogs. When Mayumi was a little girl she had snuck into a party that had actually been at Hikaru and Kaoru's home, searching for a frog. She had seen the two of them throw the frog at their aunt. Instead of freaking out like all the adults, she had gone after it herself and helped it back into the pond.

The twins had actually followed her to see what she was doing, even questioning why she was doing what she was doing.

"I just wanted to help the frog get back to his home," Mayumi had told them.

"But aren't girls supposed to be afraid of frogs?" Hikaru had asked.

"Not me, I like frogs," Mayumi answered honestly.

"Hmm, too bad you can't tell us apart. You'd probably be interesting, " Hikaru remarked before he and Kaoru walked off.

'He thinks I might be interesting?' Mayumi thought. From that point on, Mayumi had felt like there was something about Hikaru Hitachiin that she long to make her own. Something about his brutal honesty made him seem like a person she'd like to be around.

Nothing compared to her. As far as Mayumi's concern, she wasn't anything special. She's just like any other girl at Ouran. A girl that behaved properly, spoke softly and always does her best to appear decent and good looking in public. This means a regular morning routine of applying different face and body creams, a careful process of make-up applying, a regular "fancy" hairstyle, a specific balanced breakfast design to help keep her fit and trim. All this is done in the hopes of helping her to stand out as the most sophisticated woman in high society. But in the end, did she really stand out? Was there anything that really made her different from the other girls she goes to school with? She stopped and looked at herself in a window. Vibrant red hair past her shoulders and down her back, large brown shining eyes and pale pink lips. As far as she could tell, she could get lost easily in a crowd of her peers and no one can pick her out. She hated the uniform she had to wear to school, as she wasn't into puffy shoulders and the umbrella skirt. But with all that, she's that much unoriginal, and that means there's no way she'll ever seem interesting to Hikaru Hitachiin.

Though, she was in the 'D' Class status, which mostly consists of children from Yakuza affiliated families.

She saw Hikaru and Kaoru coming back from their club.

"So do you think he'll last long?" Mayumi heard Hikaru ask his brother.

"He doesn't have a choice, does he?" Kaoru replied.

"Yeah, sucked to be him," said Hikaru.

"Um," Mayumi finally spoke up when the twins were near her. Both turned and looked toward her.

"Oh, hello Miss Otake," the two said casually, the same way they'd address any other girl, before moving forward.

"Um wait!" Mayumi quickly said without thinking. Hikaru and Kaoru both turned and looked at her with questionable looks. A long pause filled the hallway where they all stood.

"Yes?" Hikaru finally asked.

"Uh," Mayumi sputtered.

'Oh no, now what do I do?' She thought in a panic. "I overheard you saying that 'he won't last long'. Who are you talking about?"

The twins looked at each other, and identical devilish smiles crept up on their faces. "Why do you want to know?" They asked together.

"Um..." Mayumi had no idea what to say. She couldn't just blurt out 'I want to spend time with Hikaru', that'd be weird. As her mind scrambled to make sense of something to say, her lips blurted out something that she wasn't keeping track of.

"I heard there was a new boy in the Host Club, and I was wondering if you were talking about him. I heard he's cute."

"Yeah, apparently he's sooo amazing and attractive," Hikaru added, rolling his eyes, "The girls can't get enough of him. Why? Are you interested in him?"

"N-no, I was just wondering who he is. Everyone can't stop talking about him."

"He's the cutest guy in our grade, or so I'm told by the dozens of squealing girls in my class."

"Same here. 'Oh, Mayumi. Have you seen the new host? He's absolutely perfect!" she said using a high pitched tone, causing Hikaru to laugh.

She smiled. Being around Hikaru, she soon realized that it took a lot to make him laugh. Hell, it took a lot of effort to get Hikaru, Kaoru too, to get them to see her apart from all the other girls, to see that she was different, that she was...interesting. Little by little, she was able to convince them. Kaoru came around much easier than Hikaru, but in the end he let his walls down, ever so slightly, and come to trust her. It took so long, but for this moment to happen, it was worth it.

"Hmmm. You don't seem curious about this new guy." Kaoru said.

"Should I?" she asked, genuinely confused.

"All the girls are."

"I guess I'm not like those girls." The twins smiled their signature mischievous smiles as an idea they both thought up came to mind.

"You hear that, Hikaru? She's not like the other girls, fawning over the new guy." Kaoru whispered to his brother, though it was clearly meant to be heard.

"Oh my, how refreshing. A girl that doesn't act like other girls."

That stung Mayumi's heart a bit. 'They make it sound like I'm not a girl.'

"How about we introduce you to this new host?" Hikaru offered.

She blinked back in surprise. "Are you inviting me to your club?" The twins had never invited anyone to go with them to the infamous host club before. 'He actually wants me there...' She smiled warmly at the thought.

"Yeah. so what do you say?"

"Okay."

'At the Host Club'

The two twins sat down at their usual table and Mayumi took a seat on the opposite side to them. Just as Hikaru and Kaoru were gonna call over Haruhi a quiet 'Um…' got their attention.

Looking to the side Mayumi saw a girl that had long black hair in a ponytail, crystal-clear blue eyes, and a leather jacket wrapped over her shoulders. Her ice-like eyes were searching the clubroom and she was nervously tightening her grip on a black bag in her hands. This girl was Akane Morinozuka, little sister to the club's Mori-senpai, and cousin to the adorable Honey-senpai. She was also a member of the music club and loved to sing as well as play the piano. But what she was most well known for was her delinquent background. Rumor has it that she was kicked out of her last school for starting a fight with a teacher, and was sent here so her brother can look after her. Though she usually had club activities to attend to, you could usually find her hanging out with her brother and cousin in the host club.

"Oh hey, Akane." Kaoru called out as he spotted the girl.

"Kao-chan, do you know where Mitsukuni is?" Akane asked. Mayumi thought it was strange that a tough girl like her would address Kaoru like that.

"Honey-senpai is waiting for Mori-senpai's kendo meeting to finish."

"Oh, okay." Akane's eyes shifted to Mayumi now, and were looking at her questionable. "I've never seen you in the club before, Mayu-chan."

Inwardly she thought, 'Mayu-chan?' but instead she said, "Yeah, it's my first time."

"Want a lollipop?" The girl offered up her bag, which was shown to have many different types of lollipops inside. Mayumi blinked. 'I guess she has a thing for lollipops'.

"Sure." Mayumi chose one wrapped in an orange wrapper and the twins choose one for themselves as well.

Reaching into her own bag, Akane pulled out a blue lollipop and stuck it in her mouth after freeing it from its wrapper.

"I hope you have fun Mayu-chan." With that she turned and coolly walked away to another part of the room, humming a tune as she went.

'So she's a sukeban who's secretly girly? Interesting,' Mayumi wondered as she watched her leave.

"Yo, newbie. Get over here." Hikaru called out from his table with Kaoru and Mayumi after Akane had left.

She observed the brunette host, noting the annoyed look on his face as he walked over to them.

"Yes, Hikaru?"

"I want to introduce you to a friend of mine," he said before turning to Mayumi, "This is Haruhi Fujioka."

"I don't think I've seen you before. Are you sure you're in my class?"

"You probably don't recognize him without his dorky glasses and ugly sweater," Hikaru said, laughing. She laughed nervously with him, although what he said was a bit rude.

"So you're the scholarship student I've heard so much about! You must be a genius if you got into my class, I barely managed to pass myself."

"Oh, I'm no genius. I just studied my butt off the entire summer break." Mayumi giggled, causing Hikaru to frown.

"Okay Haruhi, maybe you should get back to work if you want to pay off your debt."

"But I didn't catch her name-"

"Oh no, is that Kyoya adding another hundred yen to your quota?"

Haruhi hurried away, not wanting to increase her debt. Mayumi glared sternly at Hikaru. Kyoya was on the other side of the room talking to Tamaki, so there was no way he could see Haruhi with them.

'Outside the club.'

"What was that about? I was having a conversation with Haruhi."

"Oh, you're interested in Haruhi, so you came to us to get closer to him? That's pretty shallow." Hikaru said, leaning on his brother and looking at his nails.

It hurt Mayumi to hear Hikaru call her shallow, but she had to play this up somehow. This could be her something to make her stand out.

"I didn't expect you to be so forward either, Otake. I thought you were a shy girl." Kaoru added, cocking his head and looking at her.

"Well, I just... decided to go for it!" She said, smiling nervously. That is true, more or less... right?

Hikaru sighed and looked at Mayumi. His head was leaned back against Kaoru's shoulder, and since he refused to move his head he had to give her a sideways glance in order to see her. Suddenly an idea struck him as he stared at the smiling girl, and he looked up at Kaoru. The two shared some kind of epiphany, and smiled once more.

"You sure know how to pick em', Otake." Kaoru said, crossing one leg and leaning on his brother's shoulder.

"Haruhi's a tough nut to crack. Really anti-social, you know?" Hikaru continued.

"How about we play a game?"

"Game?" Mayumi repeated, confused and a bit scared.

"If you can get Haruhi to like you, we'll take back what we said about you being shallow."

Mayumi looked at what she had somehow gotten herself into, and tried placing her bets. If she played the game she might be able to spend time with Hikaru, but he'd think that she likes Haruhi. Or she could not play the game, but then they'd probably think she was boring and not talk to her anymore.

Mayumi looked straight at the two with beaming determination on her face and said, "Alright, I'll play your little game. What are the rules?"

"You have two weeks to get Haruhi to say he likes you. If he doesn't, you lose. If he does, you win."

"What happens if I lose?"

"You have to admit to Haruhi that you played this game with us, and you have to call yourself shallow when you do it."

"And if I win?"

"Duh, you get a boyfriend. So, are you ready?"

Mayumi smiled. "Ready."

"Great. Then, the game starts now!"

"Oh look, here comes Haruhi now," Kaoru said as the club room door opened again and out walked the kid.

Mayumi looked at him a minute, and felt a sudden wave of regret for accepting the contest. Another look at Hikaru, though, and she made up her mind.

"Haruhi!" She said, smiling and waving.

"Hello." Haruhi replied politely, smiling back.

"Is it true that you're a new host?" She asked, putting her pointer finger on her bottom lip in a cute gesture.

"Host? Oh no, I'm just an errand boy," Haruhi quickly said, getting flustered.

"Riiiggghht, I'm Mayumi Otake. I'm in the same class as you." Mayumi continued, getting annoyed but quickly recovering.

"Nice to meet you. I hate to be rude but I have to go." Haruhi said bowing his head and starting to walk off.

"Wait!" Mayumi called out.

"Yes?" Haruhi asked.

Mayumi's head was spinning at this point. She had no idea what was going on, and she was never that great at acting. She was running out of last minute dialogue. "Why the rush?"

She mentally slapped herself. What was this, an old 70's soap opera? Even for something off the top of her head, she felt stupid.

"Well I have to go catch my bus so I can get home." Haruhi explained.

"Well if that's the case, allow me to be nice and offer you a ride home."

Okay, that wasn't acting. This time Mayumi was just genuinely being nice.

"Oh, no, that's okay. I can take the bus. You don't need to go out of your way for me." He replied, getting even more flustered.

"Come on, it's the least a classmate can do. Besides, I want to get to know you."

Haruhi stared at Mayumi for a minute, then smiled. "Okay, I guess one time won't hurt. Thank you!"

"Well, that was a bit unexpected," Kaoru said when he saw Mayumi grab Haruhi and walk off with him.

"Yeah," said Hikaru actually sounding impressed. He shook his head. "It doesn't matter though because something tells me Haruhi is a tough nut to crack."

"Um," Haruhi tried speaking up as Mayumi's dad drove his simple car, compared to most rich families, down the street.

"Yes?" Mayumi asked calmly.

"This really isn't necessarily," Haruhi tried to insist.

"Will you stop with that? It's too late now, so just go along with this, okay?" Mayumi replied. She may had to be polite in public, but her true self was fiery. And Haruhi was starting to see that.

"Um, okay," said Haruhi.

Mayumi turned and looked at her.

"So, tomorrow, I'm going to make sure to request you," she said with certainty.

"Oh, um, okay thanks, I guess," said Haruhi.

"Yes, you should be thanking me," Mayumi insisted, "I'm not like those other girls who go crazy over nothing you know. I think you and I will have a nice time together."

"I kinda had a feeling you weren't like them."

"What?"

"Well, no offense, but you seem a little more aggressive than the other girls. You're not so, what is the word?" Haruhi fished around, snapping his fingers.

"Princessy?"

"I guess, although most are kind of nice. Except for this one girl who really doesn't seem to like me," said Haruhi.

"Oh, who?" asked Mayumi.

"I heard Tamaki call her "Princess" or something."

"Yeah, that doesn't help narrow it down when it comes to Tamaki," said Mayumi, in a flat tone of voice.

"Well her name starts with an A, oh yeah, Ayanokoji," said Haruhi.

"Oh god no, not her!" Mayumi moaned, knowing who the girl was. That girl was super possessive over Tamaki. She couldn't understand how the blonde host could handle someone like her. "Ok, it's official. I'm coming over tomorrow to the club." Haruhi laughed, which made Mayumi smile. 'I get the feeling we'll get along perfectly.'

Soon enough, they arrived at Haruhi's apartment.

"I can pick you up tomorrow too, right Dad?" Mayumi asked, awaiting her father's approval.

"Sure, why not?" her dad said enthusiastically.

"Uh you don't have to do that," said Haruhi.

"No trust me, we should come and get you," said Mayumi.

"Oh, okay. See you tomorrow."

"Likewise," Mayumi said as the window rolled up. she waved goodbye as her dad drove away.

As soon as they left, Mayumi began to think. 'Guess the game will have to wait a little. I'm not going to have that witch have her way.' She always hated Ayanokoji ever since she saw her true character.

"Who is this girl anyway?" Haruhi said to himself as he headed to his apartment. 'At least it was nice to not to have to take the bus home. It was a lot quicker and cheaper, that's for sure.' But he wondered why Mayumi disliked Ayanokoji so much. Sure the girl was a bit of a pain, but as long as you stay away, she wouldn't be a problem right?

The next day, when Haruhi came out of his apartment, he could see Mayumi's car waiting for him like she had promised.

'Wow, she's about as stubborn as the guys in the host club,' he thought as he made his way down.

"Good morning, Haruhi. Looking well," Mayumi greeted.

"Oh, Thank you, " said Haruhi, getting into the car. "You know you really don't have to do this right?"

"Too late now, let's go," said Mayumi's father as he took off. After a few miles, Mayumi turned to Haruhi and whispered into his ear.

"Listen, try not to get on Ayanokoji's bad side. Just smile and act natural around her."

"Oh, ok," said Haruhi. He figured it was probably the best option in dealing with such a woman, but how bad could Ayanokoji be?

"I'm telling you from experience, she's no good. I'll admit, back in middle school, I was no angel myself. But I was nothing compared to her. I was one of those tough girls. You know, shove a few people to show them you're not someone to mess with. Ayanokoji, on the other hand, she was a really mean girl. Spreading rumors, stealing people's stuff, framing others for things they didn't do. She was relentless. One time, I saw her insult a girl in the bathroom, to the point of tears! I'm not saying this to make her look bad, I'm just warning you to be careful."

"I know. I can tell you're not that kind of girl. Thanks for the warning."

"That's what friends are for."

They arrived at the front of the school and waved Mayumi's dad goodbye before walking towards the entrance.

"So I'll see you during the club, okay?"

"Right, bye Mayumi." And with that, they went their separate ways.

'At the Host club'

Mayumi sat still with a proper posture on the couch at the host club. This was out of her comfort zone, but she was making the best of it. It was time that she took Ayanokoji off her high horse. She was much too comfortable with treating others like they were lower than her.

"Hey Mayumi," Haruhi says smiling as he takes his seat with a tray of teacups and an expensive teapot.

"Hey there, Haruhi. I'm glad you invited me, this is nice," Mayumi said giving her best smile to the brunette. It wasn't a lie, even though she was a little uncomfortable, the setting was nice.

Haruhi poured tea into two of the cups. "I'm glad that you think so," He said lifting the cup to his thin lips. Before he could even get a drink of it, an outside force angled the cup. Two fingers tilted the cup so that the hot tea would spill over Haruhi's uniform, having him cry out in pain. His eyes followed the fingers up to the face of Ayanokoji. He and Mayumi narrowed their eyes.

"Oops," She said with a smug smile on her lips as she turned to walk away. Mayumi immediately stood up.

"What's your problem?" Mayumi demanded to know. Ayanokoji's mouth formed an 'o' shape. No doubt she was surprised that Mayumi just stood up to her.

"My problem? I don't have one," she said in a smug tone. "Tamaki!" She called, raising her voice to summon the prince. Almost instantly he took a place by her side.

"What is it?" He asked looking between all three women concerned.

"This guest... Mayumi is harassing me verbally and I-I can't take it," She cried dramatically looking at Tamaki begging for help. Mayumi's mouth fell open in surprise. Ayanokoji was seriously pulling that card?

"Tamaki, she spilled tea all over Haruhi on purpose," Mayumi said loudly pointing at Haruhi. This caught the attention of the others now. They began circling. Tamaki's violate gaze drifted to Haruhi's soaked front side.

"Is it... True?" Tamaki asked looking at Ayanokoji almost sounding as if her were hurt.

"It must be because Haruhi isn't one of us..." She started and bit her lip.

"More like she's jealous of Haruhi because he spends more time with you, Tamaki," Mayumi told him. "The other day, I saw her throw Haruhi's bag in the pond when she thought no one was looking."

"I had a feeling it was you," Haruhi turned his gaze at Ayanokoji.

"I was hoping you two could be friends, but Princess I'm sorry. You're not classy enough to be our guest. Haruhi is one of us and even more," Tamaki said with a stern sigh.

She stared at him surprise for a moment. "But why, Tamaki? You idiot!" She yelled as ran out the room, but not before casting Mayumi a 'this isn't over' look.

Then Tamaki turned to Haruhi. "Hmm, now how am I going to punish you? Because it is your fault after all. Your quota is now one thousand!" He said.

Haruhi stared at him in horror. "One thousand?" Tamaki went over to Haruhi and gave him his hand.

"Come on. I've got high expectations for you, my little rookie." He winked at him.

"Thank you for standing up for me," Haruhi spoke up now from behind Mayumi.

"Anytime," Mayumi smiled, but she was nervous for what kind of wrath Ayanokoji would reign upon them. Slowly she picked up her own cup of tea and clinked it against the one Haruhi was still holding.

"To the start of a beautiful friendship," Haruhi laughed and drank smoothly this time. Mayumi lifted the cup to her lip to drink to the statement when she caught Hikaru's eye. It was unmistakable, he could tell that she was already starting to take the lead in their game. Without looking away from Hikaru she tilted the cup and took a big drink of the tea.

Kyoya came up with a bag and gave it to Haruhi. "This is the only spare uniform we have. Sorry, but it's better than a wet one, right?"

Haruhi looked inside and then back to Kyoya. "Thanks a lot, you guys. I'm gonna go change."

As the brunette host left, Akane approached to Mayumi, glaring angrily at the doorway. "That girl was cruel to our Haru-chan. I would've done something about her sooner if Takashi had let me."

"In the end, she got what she deserved," Mayumi simply said.

Akane smirked back. "Yeah, you know, you're an alright girl, Mayu-chan."

Mayumi smiled as they went to find Haruhi.

"Haruhi, here you go, I brought you some towels." Tamaki spoke walking passed everyone and opening the curtain to the small changing room Haruhi was changing in. Everyone watched in amusement as they watched their blonde leader freeze. "Haruhi?"

"Yeah?"

"So, you're a girl?" Tamaki felt his face heat up once he heard Mayumi break into laughter behind him.

"Biologically speaking, yeah." Haruhi spoke calmly as if it wasn't that big of a deal. Though Tamaki felt himself blush in embarrassment that he didn't know.

"Did you seriously not know Haruhi was a girl?" Mayumi laughed and got her answer as she saw Tamaki shrink in his place.

"Haru-chan is a girl?" Akane asked, her head tilted to the side.

Mayumi face-palmed. "Yes, she is."

"Oh, okay," Akane shrugged, before walking over to Mori and Honey's side.

"She's not very aware of things, is she?" Mayumi mumbled quietly.

Once Haruhi had changed into the girl's uniform, she calmly walked out of the changing room to be met by Tamaki letting out a wild cry while gripping his hair.

"Listen Senpai, I don't really care whether you guys recognize me as a boy or a girl. In my opinion, it's more important for a person to be recognized for who they are rather than for what sex they are," Haruhi spoke calmly while trying to readjust the bow on her dress.

"Well isn't this an interesting development." Kyoya spoke up with a slight smirk on his lips.

"Oh, yeah." The twins called out together, laughing lightly as Tamaki twitched in his spot.

"Ah! You know I have to say Senpai, I thought you were pretty cool earlier!" Haruhi said a large beautiful smile gracing her lips. It was that large smile that caused Tamaki's face to burn red as he slowly tried to inch himself away from the adorable girl in front of him.

"Now I could be wrong, but I think we may be witnessing the begins of love here," Kyoya said to the audience.

Akane grinned at the girl. "No need to worry, I'll protect your secret Haru-chan."

Haruhi patted Akane on the head in thanks.

Hikaru and Kaoru then came up and said in unison, "Same goes for us, Haruhi."

Mayumi, Mori, Honey, and Kyoya nodded in agreement and Tamaki seemed to be frozen to the spot.

"Being a host and getting fussed over by a bunch of girls might not be that bad," Haruhi wondered mostly to herself. Tamaki seemed to crack at that and went completely white. "I wonder how I could pull it off." She punched her hand against her hand. "I've got it. I'll just call everyone dude and bro now." Letting out a small laugh, she smiled.

"Sounds good," Mayumi laughed with her.

The host club began to clean up the clubroom, with the help of Mayumi and Akane. Mayumi helped Haruhi dry the teacups after she washed them.

"So now they know your secret," Mayumi said as she polished the surface of one of the cups.

"Yeah, although I was surprised that you knew."

"Oh, I had my suspicions. I can pretty much tell who's a boy and who's a girl."

"Thank you for not saying anything. I wouldn't know how else I would pay back my debt."

"No problem, like I said, we're friends."

"You know, all my life I had always had trouble making friends with other girls. They were usually upset that I got along with the guys so well, they thought I was trying to get the guy they liked to like me. And the girls I do manage to befriend, I always felt left out when they talked about makeup and popular bands. I often just smile and nod, and then I guess they got bored with me and drifted away. But with you, I feel like I don't have to worry about that kind of stuff, that we can talk and joke about things that other girls don't. I like you, Mayumi. I'm glad you're my friend."

Mayumi smiled, she had felt the same way. She too knew the familiar lonely feeling that came when she was with other girls. Her eyes shifted to the doorway where Hikaru stood. 'He heard', she thought, smiling mischievously to herself.

"Yo, Haru-chan!" The cry came from Akane who had finished cleaning up. "Let's play." She gestured to the deck of cards she had. Haruhi looked at the aggressive tough girl with bright eyes that danced eagerly at her to join.

Haruhi sighed. 'Stupid puppy eyes.' She thought to herself. "Okay Akane, I'll play."

The lollipop lover gave a whoop and pulled Haruhi off by her arm to play with her and her cousin. As Mayumi finished with her last cup she smirked to herself and went in search of two certain twin boys.

The twins were walking out the clubroom door, mindlessly going about their conversation when Mayumi called out to them.

"Hikaru, Kaoru."

"What is it?" Hikaru asked, putting on a bored face, a look he had perfected all too well.

"It's about the deal we made," she stated, "I'm here to collect my end of the bargain."

His dull expression broke into confusion. "What do you mean? There's no way you could've possibly got Haruhi to fall for you already."

"You said all I had to do was get Haruhi to like me, you didn't say it had to be in a romantic way."

He scowled. "Fine, you did. Congratulations," Hikaru growled, turning around.

"Not so fast. You said if I win, I would get a boyfriend."

"And how is that going to happen? It was suppose to be Haruhi but since she's obviously a girl and only likes you as a friend, you can't have her."

"You said I would get 'a boyfriend' if I won," she said, her smile growing wider, "so, Hikaru, you're my boyfriend from now on."

His eyes widened, and Mayumi could tell his spirit was broken. He didn't move, probably trying to process what had just happened as his sanity crumbled away. Kaoru just stood there, his jaw on the floor as he stared back and forth between Hikaru and Mayumi. She smirked, she had gotten them good.

Finally, he returned to the real world. "What?! No way in hell is that happening!"

"Your contest, your rules," was all she said. Hikaru emotions went into war. First he was shocked, then turned to denial, then angry, and finally defeated.

"Hikaru?" his brother called to him.

"...fine, you win," he muttered bitterly. Mayumi smiled sympathetically.

"Look, I'm not completely happy getting a boyfriend this way," she explained, "I'm not that kind of girl who'll be okay with anything just to date a guy. That's why I would like to take this at a normal pace and get to know you, okay?" He didn't say anything, though his stubborn gaze softened a bit, but only a tiny bit.

"Good. Then I'll see you tomorrow, boyfriend," she said and walked away, leaving Hikaru with his brother and his shattered pride.