Hello! Thanks for taking the time to read this! Basically this 'story' is going to be a collection of one-shots focusing on Kutau, Rimahiko and Amuto (and possibly whatever ever else pops into my mind). There might be a lot of Kutau because they are my favorite couple, but I will incorporate the other couples because I love them too! These one-shots are like a snippet into their lives, moments, words, action, thoughts and phrases that make them fall in love. There is no particular order or plot (although some might be connected with one another) , it's just a fun read. I hope you enjoy!

If any of you have an idea for a one-shot don't be shy and tell me! I'd love to write anything you guys would be interested in!

Pairing: Kutau (Kukai x Utau)

Genre: Romance/ humor

Summary: Falling in love is easy, getting the other person to fall in love with you, well that's the real challenge. Good thing Kukai Souma loves a good challenge. Maybe if he's persistent enough with these Ramen challenge, Utau might finally see him as more than a kid one day. (Set before Shugo Chara Encore! This is a viewing of what leads to Encore!)

Love Means Challenges

"The Art of Love is largely the art of persistence"

~ Albert Ellis

Kukai Soma loved a challenge. It was a fact, plain and simple. Anyone who knew him could tell how much fun he had when he was competing for something. It wasn't that because he loved the glory of winning or liked to show off, but rather he loved the feeling of accomplishment and the rush he felt from giving it his all. Whenever he competed in something, be it in sports or whatever else he was doing, he always tried his best and he always had the high sort of feeling. The heart pounding, excited kind of feeling that he just could never get enough of.

So yes, he was competitive but he'd like to think that was a good thing. It meant that he was passionate and fun, even though he did go a bit over bored at times. But being competitive wasn't a bad thing, in fact being competitive and outgoing had helped him make new friends and experience new things.

Kukai chuckled to himself, as a blonde girl with purple eyes suddenly flashed through his mind. Utau Hoshina was just as competitive as he was, if not more. Whenever they would hang out, which was whenever Utau had free time in her schedule, it was usually because she had issued him a 'challenge'. Don't get him wrong though, he enjoyed those meetings, it was refreshing and fun just being with her. It was just that he wasn't sure what his relationship to the blonde was. He would've liked to think of them as friends, but if he brought it up with Utau he was sure to get a snort and some rude comment.

Kukai sighed to himself but smiled, "I wonder why I put up with her."

Before he could continue his train of thought, his phone suddenly rang. Snatching it off his desk he looked at the screen and chuckled, "Speak of the Devil," he muttered.

Flipping open his phone he saw a picture of Utau in front of a ramen shop. 'Ramen challenge. Don't keep me waiting.'

Very Utau. Shutting his phone, Kukai prepared to leave. As he opened the front doo her shouted, "I'm heading out!"

His reply was a series of grunts from his brothers. He left quickly before one of them could ask what where he was going, or worse, ask him to do some errands on the way. As much as Kukai loved his brothers, they could be a real pain sometimes. Especially when they wanted to know something, then they were downright impossible. Kukai was glad that they hadn't found out about his friendship with Utau. If any of his brothers found out he was sure he wouldn't hear the end of it. ("Kukai is friends with Utau Hoshina?" "What could she see in him?" "Are you treating her right?" "Do we need to have THE TALK?)

Kukai shuttered. It was scary enough just imagining it.

Finally making his way closer to the restaurant he noticed that something was off. It took him a while but he realized that people were walking slower when they passed the restaurant, and that they began to whisper as they passed. The people weren't focused on the restaurant at all, instead they were focused on the blond girl, with a long white coat, large sunglasses and an even larger hat, who was standing in front of the restaurant. Kukai grinned, no way was he going to pass this up.

Silently walking up to the girl he yelled (quite loudly), "Hello great and amazing singer, Utau Hoshina!"

The people who were once trying to inconspicuously catch a glance of the unknown girl, were now outwardly staring at both her and her companion. Some had turned around because they had heard the boy yell something about a singer, while other had turned because right after his declaration came a loud noise (which distinctly sounded like a boot colliding with another person's shin) and a yelp of pain. It was quite a comical sight, even Kukai had to admit that. Him kneeling on the ground after being kicked and Utau looking like she was enjoying every minute he was in pain. For a brief second he wonder what this might look like to the bystander who had witnessed the scene, but he didn't have much time to dwell on it because Utau had already entered the store.

"That really hurt, you know?" Kukai said as he walked into the restaurant, faking a limp to emphasize his point.

Utau rolled her eyes at him, "Quit being such a kid. We both know you've dealt with worse, and we both know you deserve it. Anyway what possessed you to do that anyway?"

Kukai took the seat next to her and shrugged, "I just couldn't resist. I mean you were practically begging me to do it with that getup you have on."

"The purpose of this 'get up' is to make sure no one sees the how I am going to look in my next music video." Utau said as she took off her sunglasses and hat, fixing her hair as soon as they were off. Kukai immediately noticed that she was wearing more make up than usual and that her hair was curled a bit.

"Well first off that was a horrible and clichéd disguise," he ignored the glare she sent him, "Secondly, I don't think you should disguise yourself. You are Utau Hoshina after all, the amazing and returning singer, aren't ya?" He said with a wink.

"Still such a kid," she muttered, but he saw the way her cheeks began to turn a slight shade of pink.

"And you still keep using that term, popstar. I told you I'm not a kid." He said in an exasperated tone. He couldn't remember how long she had been calling him a kid, but no matter how many times he insisted that she was wrong she would always say he was an immature kid. Kukai was quick to learn that Utau was as stubborn as she was competitive.

"Hm," was all he got as a response. Before he could start another argument about this, the chef was already in front of them, smiling.

"Ah, you two again! I hadn't seen you in a while and was wondering when you'd stop by! It's always more lively in the shop when you two are around." The man said kindly. Utau and Kukai both sent him a smile, glad that the man was more amused by their conversations/arguments than annoyed by them.

"So what will you two be having?" He asked as he grabbed a pen and a piece of paper. Before either of them could answer a loud buzzing noise came from Utau's pocket. Flashing an apologetic smile to the man she reached for her phone to see who it was.

Turning to Kukai she said, "I need to take this for a second, do you mind ordering for me?"

He raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure you want me to order for you. I'm not sure if you'll like it." he warned her.

"It's fine, we usually have the same order when we have out challenges. Just makes sure you make it a challenge, I don't want to defeat you too badly." She teased in her mocking tone.

Kukai laughed good naturedly, already used to Utau's come backs, "Sure, sure. Now get going, wouldn't want you to miss that important phone call."

As Utau went to look for a private spot, Kukai turned his attention back to the old man. "Sorry about that, she's busy with a lot of things right now and it takes up a lot of her time. I hope you didn't think she was rude."

The man laughed, "No, of course not. It's refreshing to see young people like her chasing their dreams. What's even better thought is that she has a great boyfriend like you supporting her."

"Yeah." Kukai said before he realized what the man had said, "Wait, I mean no! No, I'm not her b-boyfriend. We're just friends. Just good friends who like to eat ramen together. That's it, that's the only thing between us. Ramen."

Kukai desperately hopped that his face wasn't as red as he thought it was. He was just glad that Utau wasn't there to witness it, because if she had he wouldn't hear the end of it. Trying to clam himself down and fighting to remove the blush off his cheeks before Utau returned, Kukai dared to look at the man again.

The man was still smiling, in fact he looked about read to laugh, "Ah, I'm sorry about that. I had just assumed that you two were together, my mistake. Being old does that to you, you know? But really boy, hurry up and make her yours already. No point on wasting time." The man held up his hand before Kukai could protest, "Now son, I've seen the way you look at her. The way you look at her means one of two things. One, you already have her and plan on never letting her go or two, you want her. Seeing as you two aren't together mean that you want her, so hurry it up! A pretty girl like that is hard to come by and if you don't hurry she might get swept away by somebody else."

At that moment the sound of heels approaching could be heard. "Think about it young man. I'll go and start the food, don't worry I'll pick some good for you and you're friend."

The man chuckled to himself as he left as very dumbfounded and embarrassed Kukai Souma at the table. It wasn't until Utau had reached her seat again that Kukai regained his senses.

"You alright? You look like someone just told you Ikuto preferred dogs instead of cats." Utau said as she sat back down.

Kukai laughed nervously and combed through his hair, "I'm fine, I was just thinking about something too much I guess."

"Don't hurt yourself. I know how rare it is for you to use that brain of yours." She said smirking at the annoyed look he shot her.

"Yeah it's as rare as you saying something nice." That was able to wipe the smirk right off her. Kukai smiled, and gently shoved her shoulder, "I'm kidding."

After that they settled into one of their typical conversations about their lives, sports, music or whatever came into their heads. It was nice, Kukai had to admit. It was always fun being with Utau, no matter what they were doing he always had a good time.

Their conversation was interrupted when the waitress set down their food down in front of them. Kukai was secretly grateful that it had been the waitress and not the old man that had delivered the food. He didn't know what he would've done if he saw the man again.

Both Utau and Kukai then both reached out for the same pair of chopsticks only to have their hands brush. Kukai immediately retracted his hand and apologized, trying to fight down another blush.

"Stupid old man." He muttered to himself.

Utau raised an eyebrow at his behavior, "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Just fine," He then reached for another pair of chopsticks and sighed. He was thankful that Utau wasn't the type of person to press for answers, if it were any other girl she would already be pestering him with a million questions.

"So are we going to start already?" The idol asked.

Kukai grinned, "I'm ready if you are, popstar."

And so it began. Utau was heartily eating her food, practically scarfing it down. Kukai was the same, but periodically he would take a glance at Utau.

As much as it embarrassed him to admit it, Kukai knew that the old man was right. He had feeling for Utau, more than that of a friend. He didn't know when it started or even how he noticed it but one day it just hit him. He liked Utau.

Whenever he was around her he felt a rush. It was a lot like the rush he felt whenever he was competing for something or just having fun. It was that thrill that excited him to no end. When he was with Utau, everything was different. He felt his heart pound when she would smile or laugh. He would get excited from even the shortest text from her. He was always determined to always see her smile and have fun with her. Everything was different with her. At first he had thought that he felt all those things because she was a new rival/friend. Kukai had never really had a true rival before. Sure, other people liked to challenge him in sports and stuff but those people never really saw Kukai. All they saw was an opponent they needed to beat. With Utau, Kukai was Kukai. He was the 'kid' who she had fun challenges with, but was also a good friend (not that she'd ever admit it).

He didn't know how else to explain it but it was different when he was Utau. He just noticed everything about her, admired her, had fun with, teased her, and over all just wanted to be with her. It was the best kind of rush he had ever felt.

"As attractive as your face is with noodles hanging out of your mouth, you might want to stop staring at me and focus on your food."

Yes, he was positive now, he couldn't possibly be more red then he was at that very moment. Even Amu would have a hard time being as red as he was. He wasn't sure what to say so he decided to utter the first words that came to mind.

"The fact that you caught me staring means you were staring right back." Kukai wanted to slap himself, maybe think before speaking really was a good idea he mentally mused.

Utau, who was slurping at down some noodles at the time, was now throwing a coughing fit. Kukai immediately sprang into action, alternating between gently patting her back and rubbing it. As soon as she stopped coughing Kukai apologized.

"Sorry, I said that without thinking," he scratched the back of his head feeling embarrassed, "I was just thinking about something and I guess I just started spacing out in your direction or something."

Utau was wiped her mouth with a napkin before glaring at him, "Well while you were having your little day dream I managed to finish my food."

"No way! I couldn't have been zoning out for that long!" Kukai protested, but as he looked at her bowl, it was empty, practically spot less.

"That's what you get for being such a kid and losing focus like that. So what's my prize?" She asked as Kukai continued to eat his ramen, mumbling something along the lines of the entire challenge being a set up.

"Uh, I'll pay for the next three ramen contests?" He asked. It was the best he could come up with, he knew she wouldn't go for it but he could still hope. Especially if she was in a good mood, good moods equal a very grateful Kukai.

Utau gave him a disbelieve look, "Just because you were distracted doesn't mean I'll go easy on you." Kukai groaned, he should've seen this coming. A winning Utau equals a very happy and conniving Utau which equals a sad Kukai. And people say he was bad at math.

"You are going to go shopping with me this weekend." Utau couldn't hold back a grin as she saw Kukai's eyes widen almost comically.

"Seriously?" he groaned, "Shopping? How am I going to be able to help you in shopping? Why not ask Amu and the rest of the girls to go with you! They'll be much better help to you than I am!"

"Am I hearing this correctly?" Utau asked, "Is Kukai Souma actually trying to weasel his way out of a bet he clearly lost?"

Kukai frowned, "You can wipe that smile off your face, I'll go. I'll go." He put his hands up in a pose of surrender.

"Good. I'll need someone to carry my shopping bags, but maybe you are right. Maybe I should have Amu, Rima and Yaya join us. Then you can carry everyone's bag, like the true gentleman you are." Utau was already laughing at Kukai's reaction. The pained look on his face was just too funny.

"Relax, I won't unleash that type of torture on you. Yet." Utau emphasized the word 'yet' before taking a long sip of her ice tea.

Kukai shook his head at her, really why did he put up with this girl. He sighed for what felt like the millionth time that day alone, "It's fine, as long as you're having fun it's alright I guess."

Utau looked at smile on his face, a little suspicious "You seem surprisingly happy for a guy who had just lost and is now being forced on a shopping trip."

Kukai shrugged, "I don't know, maybe it's because I'm aiming for a bigger and better prize for the next challenge."

"Oh?" Utau asked, curiosity evident in her voice, "and what would this so called 'bigger and better' prize be exactly?"

Kukai grinned happily before doing his usual 'charm'. "You'll see soon enough popstar."

Yes, Kukai Souma loved a good challenge, and getting Utau Hoshina to fall for him was probably going the one of the hardest challenges of his life. But, as he looked the popstart talking about how he was such a kid again, he knew that the prize at the end would be more than worth it.

Please Review for my first Shugo Chara fanfic! I hope you enjoyed!