A/N: Update~! I had this for a long time sitting there and since my wonderful beta reader found the time, here it is! By the way, I swear the plot will start making (some) sense from the next chapter. And I mean their relationship. Anyway, enjoy~!

'So what did the teachers say?' Hiroko asked her friend a little anxious but Yoshiro smirked a reassuring smile.

'Get well soon!'

'Ha ha! See? It's good that you're the class president, Yoshiro.'

'In cases such as these...so what happened with Himekawa? Did you get to talk to him?'

The atmosphere suddenly felt heavy. 'No...' she darkened; he looked reproachful but contained himself and didn't say anything until she did. 'Well...I tried going there but in the end I couldn't bring myself to do it; after all we had promised no one would know about me being his girlfriend form that crazy delinquent school of his or else I might be in danger.' she said shrugging.

/Sometime ago, at the other side of the town...

'So does anyone know what this Hiroko looks like?' Furuichi asks to particularly no one and everyone at the same time; students, less than an hour ago, were still going about in their classroom.

'Nah, I couldn't get a word out of Himekawa! To think he'd be so secretive about his own girlfriend...'

Yuka was the one who answered, shrugging; she had asked the pompadour-kun more than three times, but still, he wouldn't give them anything. Damn his patience! She was practically trying to psych him out into telling her all about this Hiroko character but Himekawa was as stubborn as a mule!

'I'm still here you know...' the "mule" said annoyed, fixing them with a glare over his glasses.

They both fell silent and went back to whatever it was they were doing. After all, Oga was still sleeping and none of the rest of the red tails that remained seemed to be willing to defend either of them.../

Yoshiro gave her an inquisitive look; he really couldn't believe any student would be so dangerous as to go and kidnap someone's friend but he could wrong-or she was. Or Himekawa only wanted more freedom to fool around with women. Well, he probably shouldn't voice that last thought in front of her-or maybe he should and then they'd break up once and for all...

But then tears came to his eyes; how would he be feeling sad and expectant at the same time in order to satisfy his weird masochistic tendencies yet have some sort of hope if she broke up and then he actually got to tell her-...?

But wait a minute; 'If you hadn't gone to Ishiyama then where the hell had you gone off to?'

She smirked; well, well, well...she didn't think he would notice so soon. She owed him an apology, she mentally noted. 'That my friend is a secret; it's a secret until I can make sure that everything will go as I please...'

He didn't like that look in her eyes; usually when she had it, it meant she was either planning something painful for someone -no matter how much she preached on about peace and shit she was violent deep down and that is what he loved about her, the masochist he was- or she was thinking of a devious self-interested plan... He shook his head. 'And you won't tell me until then so yeah...does anyone else know?'

'Err...she does.'

By "she" I take it she means Kaya-chan, Yoshiro thought immediately; she knew Hiroko might have not told her about her predicament with Himekawa but she's telling her everything else in return. After all, they had been friends since elementary school and the sole reason she held the real nature of her and Himekawa's relationship from Kaya was because she was afraid Kaya wouldn't be able to accept it and maybe stir up some trouble...

Plus, she had her reputation as a woman to uphold-if her first relationship with a man was like that then that meant that Kaya had beaten her to getting a decent boyfriend! And Yoshiro knew Hiroko couldn't stand being beaten at one more thing by Kaya-she always won so just this once, even with a "rigged" hand, she would win at something.

Heh, girls are petty, competing to everything... Yoshiro thought once more not caring to think if this only happened between these girls or not.

'Anyway I should be going, he'll be back soon and you'll want to see him alone!'

Suddenly he felt very uncomfortable being with her. When these two it's only natural when they said they'd "speak" it meant they'd fight. Always. And it never was a pretty sight. Considering the Himekawa family had a long tradition of being self-disciplined and rational, it was amazing how these two could be so loud and expressive when they fought especially because the rest of the times they'd be completely quiet or lukewarm.

'Please wait till he comes back; you do get along just f-...'

He gave her a stern look; she rolled her eyes 'fine, just go.'

He heard her splutter something offensive about men and how they didn't like people messing with their toys -he could swear he heard her cursing the "man's pride"- while she didn't even pick herself off the couch to escort him to the exit. Well, he knew the way, but it still stroke to him as rude. And he only hoped he could be out of there before Himekawa comes back because, astonishing as it was, he had a very narrow-minded view on what girlfriends should be or act like with or without their boyfriends: they should be faithful no matter what, mild-natured, caring and always protect their boyfriend's reputation...

How the hell Himekawa put up with Hiroko still was a mystery; maybe he was a masochist, like him, Yoshiro mused.

.

.

.

Himekawa was actually a little afraid to return to his apartment; usually he'd be feeling neutral, troubled or sometimes even displeased but this once he felt he had something to "look forward to" namely a good old lecture from Hiroko. After what's-his-face warning, he had expected things to go very south when he finally returned so if it weren't for the fact he was so hungry he could die -and she was an excellent cook conveniently placed right underneath his own apartments- he wouldn't have gone to her.

He smirked at the thought; she was a pain in the ass alright, but she was his first friend ever and she held some sort of a...special place in his heart; and even if they were only pretending to be dating for the most part, she was loyal and didn't do anything to embarrass him. She didn't deserve that message she got, he should somehow apologize-...but very discreetly and without saying the actual words of course; maybe he should get her something nice.

He waltzed right in-he figured there was no use beating around the bush; but as he did he found someone he hadn't expected...Yoshiro.

'Hello.' said Himekawa, trying to sound casual.

He failed pathetically; Yoshiro cringed. He's really scary...he thought dry-mouthed.

'Himekawa. Well, um, I was leaving now...' muttered the young man, trying his hardest to look fixated on nothing but his shoes; he then stumbled to his feet and out of the apartment, being out of Himekawa's very oppressive sight in less than seconds. 'Hold your ground Himekawa-kun.' he said good-naturedly, poking his head from the door...just as Himekawa was already slamming it shut to his face.

A loud 'Ouch!' was heard while Himekawa walked to the living room...

.

.

He hadn't expected to find what's-his-face here and it sort of annoyed him but he knew she would never dream of trying anything with him so...never mind, he'd get this over with, eat and then go to the apartments on the next floor -his apartments- to cool off. Well, these apartments, downstairs, were also his but only in a case of an emergency. They were too second class, really...

'So...I'm here.'

She hated how he'd always state the obvious; he was standing right in front of her!

'I can see that; butyou have some explaining to do-and start with why the hell did you send me that message?'

Oh the drama over one measly message, he really wasn't one for this sort of thing...and she knew it so she only did this to get him angry, like she was; he rolled his eyes to her intentions - not that she could see it behind his glasses, though. 'I was never going to send it so don't bust my chops about it.'

'You might have not intended to send it but you wrote it all the same so that means the intent was there! So why did you send me that message?'

OK, he wasn't a person to be driven over his breaking point as he would usually settle things like these with his fists before they got out of hand but...Hiroko was a very good friend; and his hypothetical girlfriend. No matter what sort of things he might have done to other people's women he would never harm his own because there are just things a man can't do. So what other choice did he have? Shout. And Hiroko being Hiroko she just had had to overanalyze every little thing, great. He could never quite fathom how he and she were friends since they were the exact opposite...or maybe that was the reason they stuck together.

'Why would I-are you joking? Have you realized the situation we are in right now or do you think I'm enjoying this?'

'Maybe you are, I wouldn't know; you never talk to me anymore unless you want to eat or ask me to cover for you! And don't let me get started on your girlfriends!'

'Oh please!' Not this shit again...

'Don't plead me!'

'For the umpteenth time that is over and past me and I...Iwon'tdoitagain.'

I'll try not to anyway...he completes in his mind as an afterthought.

'Did you just think that you aren't sure either you'll be able to do it or not?'

He had no idea how she did that, guessed what he was thinking, but it crept the hell out of him. '...no...'

'Are you lying?'

'...yes...'

'Bastard.' snapped she apathetically. 'How many of them will they be in the future? How can you even do all of these things you unfaithful asshole? And, don't tell me, you had more than one at the same time...'

He shrugged somewhat arrogant 'Well, yeah...'

She gaped.

'I...was sort of joking, I never realized...' she was trying to find the right words; it was too much of a shock. '-who are you anyway? Casanova...? Oh I should so tell on you for-!'

That alerted him 'Relax I wasn't-!'

He tried to intervene, but he couldn't. When she would go in overdrive like she was most certainly doing now nothing stopped her but a smack to the head...or chocolate. And -since he would never hit her- he knew for a fact there was no chocolate of any form in the house to hurl at her -she'd thrown it all out because she said she had started gaining weight which was true if anyone asked him- he knew she wouldn't stop until she wanted so he would sadly have to suffer through this.

Thank god she had already reached the end of her speech when he finally paid attention to her again.

'...genuine interest in someone I'd understand but no' she drawled, flailing her arms, for extra emphases 'you wanted a bloody-harem; what's next?'

'I told you those girls were nothing more than a distraction and god knows I needed one-after all, I'm a gentleman but a man at the same time and I have needs!'

'You are a gentleman-you? Don't make me laugh!'

But he realized that her bark was louder than her bite while he was also reminded of what made him so sour...'...and who are you to tell me I was wrong, huh?' his delinquent face was on 'when you're about to do the same thing? I thought I was explicit when I said you weren't allowed to cheat on me; hadn't I told you that even if I did something with another if you ever did it to me I'd kill you? So why were you with that friend of yours? Our contract was clear...'

What the hell was he talking about? The clogs in her brain started turning... 'What friend of mine? Are you mental?'

'The one who just left...' he continued, going so close to her that should she lean forward she'd bump into his chest; his scary countenance was all over the place and he didn't feel like obliging her. She should squirm in fear; childhood friends or not she was still annoying and if she was also cheating on him...he would not have it. He had standards for the woman that was supposed to be with him: a Yamato Nadeshiko, just like his mother, who patiently put up with her husband's cheatings and still comforted him when he needed it.

Sure, he didn't like the shit his mother went through but this girl...she was neither. She was nothing close to a Yamato Nadeshiko or his mother and he just wanted to shove the mannerisms down her throat so she'd stop being such an uptight bitch.

Still, she failed to notice the undertone of his words and only laughed; he was very displeased to say the least. 'You mean my best friend Yoshiro who's been my friend ever since I was twelve? Get real...besides, I wouldn't cheat on you; on the contrary of you -who had his whole school by now I presume- I honour our agreement.'

'Oh...' it was weird; three whole years and she had never had a real relationship-no wonder she was so touchy and sour all the time.

But then he realized...

'Are you still a virgin Hiroko?'

She blushed immediately. 'Well, that's none of your business. Of course you already know the answer to that since I have just told you what I've just told you thus you asking me can only mean you want to make me feel uncomfortable.'

His smirk was growing and growing while listening to her and watching her play with the hem of her blouse uncomfortably as she finally sat down on the couch.

'Aw, my little girl is still a girl after all.' said he in the end, sitting next to her, raffling her hair; he resisted the urge to tag on her cheek like he used to when they were younger.

She pouted and elbowed him on the ribs. 'Shut up, pervert! It's none of your business.' snapped she for the second time, still looking away while her whole stance screamed "dignified".

'Sure it is; I am your boyfriend after all...so what, should I just take you-?'

She profusely blushed and elbowed him on the rib once again 'Shut up! Are you mental? How can you even-?'

He was thoroughly amused to how inexperienced she was - especially compared to the experienced him - and he couldn't fight the laugh that emerged from his throat. 'Ha ha, you completely misunderstood my intentions, I didn't mean anything dirty about it!' but then he realized 'Wait a minute wait a minute wait a minute...you mean to tell me you've never even kissed someone?'

The couch suddenly felt so small and he felt too close for her tastes, as his hand was still on her head...

'Well, only once when I was 14 but that was completely innocent...'

His eyes snapped wide open. 'No...?' he wondered out loud...how did she live? Then again, you can never miss what you've never experienced. But no, maybe she was a self-sufficient woman but he never waited for her to ask him anything-especially as far as this mess was concerned- so he wouldn't do that now...

He would take matters into his own hands!

He immediately grabbed her as he crushed his lips upon hers; she didn't fight back though, she was merely over-surprised by his sudden boldness.

I wonder what she's thinking right now...

Hiroko's brain seemed to have stopped on one thought and one thought alone: Oh my god oh my god oh my god!

'Mmmm...'

'Mm...'

Maybe he shouldn't be too aggressive with the girl-first experience and everything, so he stopped and he pulled back, pulling her up with him.

She blinked owlishly, feeling numb as her cheeks burnt redder. 'Wh-what was that for...?'

Look at that, she's actually kind of cute blushing like that. 'Well, no one should become an adult without being properly kissed at least once.'

What?

'And since I'm your boyfriend a shame for me, too.'

What! 'You mean to tell me you kissed me because you felt sorry for me?' she deadpanned, feeling her temper rising.

'Um...well...'

'And because you're a self-centred jackass?' she prompted, more irritated than three seconds.

'Yes...?' OK; she's no longer cute.

'UGH!'

She shoved him all too violently, stood up and marched off; she couldn't believe he could be so inconsiderate and self-centred -well, she essentially could, but she never imagined him being like that to something that concerned her, especially something so private!

He should have kissed her because...anything-she didn't know, anything would be better! Because he felt like it, because what the hell they are a couple but not that...but she had to remain calm and not shoo his sorry ass out of her apartment -completely disregarding the fact it's his apartment she was residing in- because she had a plan. A plan that could come to fruitage only with the said asshole's help; so she waited...

She laughed and rubbed her hands together; he-he...she'd get what she want without anyone realizing how she played them.

Watching her from the living room, Himekawa figured she was finally going insane.

.

But her earlier reaction unnerved her. She'd been doing such a good job, preaching against violence but truth be told, she had many violent impulses...that she didn't want people to know about.

Himekawa is like this now because she had horrible and severe anger issues as a child and he always had to stick up for her -the good boy he was- and he always ended up getting beaten or beating up people. Truthfully, he had protected her a lot of times from dangerous acquaintances or people who'd like to harm her just for shits and she'd always been thankful for it; it was just that lately -the last three years that is- she's forgotten to shown him her gratitude...

.

.

He smothered a laugh as he watched her push him back and walk away...today was a very interesting and out of character day for Hiroko, the pacifist, but a very nostalgic day for Hiroko the bad-tempered brat. Heh, at this rate she would be rolling up her sleeves again; he sincerely hoped she wouldn't though because she seriously sucked at fighting -any kinds of it- which was why he had gotten more scars than salutes when he was young or generally why he had gotten so good at fighting himself.

Well, he guessed he had to thank her for that...well no matter; he really wanted to eat.

'Hiroko, prepare me something to eat. I'm starving!'

'Huh! I have no obligation to feed you hoodlum! Go somewhere on your freaking own and get your freaking food.'

'But you've cooked haven't you? Why should I eat fast food?'

'...my food is way too pure for the likes of you to eat.'

He rolled his eyes; he didn't know what her problem was but the past two months she's been giving him a hard time and he was getting tired of this. 'Have you eaten yet?' he asked worn-off; he blamed her bad mood on the fact she'd never had sex...or her period. Whichever sounded more sexist at the moment because he really wanted to mentally torture her since she was always reading his mind.

How do you like it now, huh?

'No, I have actually been waiting for you-how stupid can I be?' I bet the bastard just thought something sexist about women and kitchens...

'Then be a good girl and bring us both to eat; if there is one thing you're good at then it's cooking.'

She fired up immediately; she grabbed his head and banged it against the table...but just in her mind. If she wanted get what she wanted she should be calm about this and just hit him with her razor sharp whip-err, she meant wit, right. She swore she meant wit.

And cooking was the one thing that took away her edge and made her do something creative and beautiful instead which was why she was so good at it; her late father, God rest his soul, had told her that when you have a dangerous impulse you should ease it away with a good productive and most of all peaceful hobby; thus cooking.

And it was really working...when she was actually cooking. But now she was mad and she had nothing to cook and she really, really wanted to grab his pompadour and cut it off!

'...Fine!' was all she managed to say, after fighting with herself for some time and staring at Himekawa furious -a stare he pointedly ignored- and then stalked off to the kitchen...

She had made chicken with mushrooms, carrots, lettuce and bamboo with a nice salty sauce, just as Himekawa liked it...why was it that every freaking time she cooked she always thought of what he would like to eat and nine times out of ten she would chose to make the food that would please him instead of her? Well, they had many same tastes -they did grow up together- but if the time came to choose between her favourite and his favourite she would choose his favourite; what a stupid habit...

She pouted as she was putting the servings into plates and prepared the side dish -steamed rice- and brought out the drinks: nothing more than beer today as the tension between them was already heavy and she was a very bad drunk so should she overdo it she knew they'd have a huge fight...thus better stay away from the liquor.

'Ittadakimasu...' said she bored, disposing the plates on the table all too indelicately.

He gave her a raised-eyebrow look, not too thrilled. 'Don't I feel all pumped now to eat my food?' snapped he annoyed; her malcontent was destroying his appetite and generally, if there was one thing that could ruin his mood, that was bad-tempered women. Just like the one in front of him. And their parents wanted to marry them? He just couldn't see himself spending the rest of his life -or at least a portion of it because god bless divorce- with such a sour woman. It did no good to him; he was used at looking beautiful smiling women.

Her eye twitched very annoyed being this close to slapping him at the back of his head; but she only offered a fake smiled instead as she sat down across from him. 'Well, if you don't like the food do tell me so I won't have to cook for you again.' she said, the smile fixed on her face more fearsome than a glare.

'I never said the food wasn't good I only said your mood wasn't. Oh well' he snapped his chopsticks apart 'ittadakimasu.' said he, much more excited than the girl.

He removed his glasses; he hated eating at the table with them on. Well, he was so adamant about wearing them because they made him look more badass and dangerous coupled with his pompadour, especially to those who didn't know him -and women- and they were a great addition to his delinquent attire-and of course his awesome Hawaiian shirt.

But he wanted to see his food. So he set them aside.

=:=:=:=:=

She could hear herself munch and down her food, she could hear Himekawa drink his beer and devour his -as soon as he walked through her door with none watching other than her, his table manners were thrown out the window. She could even hear the clock on the wall ticking...and ticking...and ticking time away.

But why? Oh yeah; there was an incredible silence! It was one of those weird but not awkward silences that helped both calm down and just be without feeling bad about it. Apparently it did well for her nerves, too as she felt astonishingly soothed; her anger seemed to dissolve into the sauce of her mushrooms and then eat it away with her food. Hum, anger tasted salty!

It was about time she put her plan to work. 'How was your day then?' asked she completely out of the blue; he looked up, taken by surprise, just as he was swallowing his last bite of luscious chicken. She knew he was about to ask for seconds -thus his mouth would be less occupied- which is why she asked him then on the first place: he wouldn't be able to avoid the question by using that as an excuse.

He blinked a couple of times while he raised his plate as well, knowing she would refill it either he asked it with words or not.

'...It was...odd; a short girl stole my cell phone and gave it another girl and they read the message I sent you...out loud. Which is why they know your name and that you are my girlfriend; tch, the bastards, I'll teach them.'

She was listening the last part very interested -almost froze in front of him with the plate in her hands- but then she placed it gently in front of him and sat, next to him this once, bringing her own plate in front of her. 'That sounds very trying; why did they do that though?' I thought they were never to know who his girlfriend was...the thought crossed her mind, crossing her, but she suppressed it for now.

Wow; she took that rather well... 'Well...I may have something to do with it...you know, the whole thing about me wanting to poke my nose into other people's business...'

She rolled her eyes amused 'always the same Himekawa, wanting to know everything...'

'Yeah, but that way I get to have a lot of information and for a-'

'-future CEO of the Himekawa corporation is very important to have all sorts of information on your hands, I know...'

He gave her a mean look for stealing his line as he ate a mouthful; she stuck her tongue out playfully.

'Stop doing that.' said he finally, as he swallowed his mouthful.

'Stop doing what?' she echoed innocently, even if she knew full well what he meant.

'Stop completing my sentences, it's weird.' explained he, stopping his fork from going into his mouth. Thinking about it, this added to the "weird things she can do that scared the crap out of me" list...

'I don't do it in front of other people...'

She replied so fast, it stopped him from eating again. 'You're doing it in front of me and that's more than enough.'

'Well, it isn't my fault we are friends since forever and I just know what you are going to say...'

For the third time he couldn't eat his chicken; a vein popped out. 'But I've told you it gives me the creeps so stop doing it...'

'I can't help it...' said she innocently still but she was smirking evilly.

This was the umpteenth time he couldn't eat his fork's food; he started getting angry...and she started enjoying it... '...so you're doing it just so you can piss me off or is there a deeper meaning to it-like proving we are meant for one another after all since you even know what I'm going to say?'

'Oh darling you say the craziest things...'

'The craziest things? We are to be married' at the mere mention she turned very red 'in case it has escaped your notice and let me eat my food first damn it!'

She laughed at the last part; he was so predictable!

'And when we do-'

Now it was the perfect time to put her plan into motion, ' "If" we do Tatsuya; don't forget that nothing is decided yet.'

'No, I'm pretty sure it's decided; when my father says "we'll see" he means "we'll break it to you when you can handle it"!' he said in such a way that it meant the argument was irrefutably won by him.

But she wouldn't let it go, not this once! '...your father wants it only because your mother convinced him he wants it! Why are you fighting me on this-you should be the one against it the most, you're the one with the busy sex-life so just team up with me and we can make it!'

'No!' he exclaimed absolute and hit his fist on the table firmly.

She was a little surprised by this sudden movement but continued unfazed -even if she involuntarily drew herself back a little-. 'Why not?'

'If I go against my father I may even lose my position as the future heir of the corporation!'

She twisted her hand in the air, dismissing it like an unimportant matter; that drove him crazy!

...And he would never eat his damn food at this rate!

'He'd never go through with it, you know that; you are the most spoiled brat I have ever met and he wouldn't let you choose your own companion? No way! Besides, is money all you care about?'

'Yes...' she rolled her eyes indignant 'that women and food; is that bad? The only things necessary in life-should I care for something else?'

'Yes! What about keeping your promise to me?'

He looked away; he would never have thought before coming to her apartment today -well, his apartment technically- that this would end up in such a talk; and damn it all to hell, this was ruining his appetite for such delicious food! Even the beer would taste bad now... 'Look, I've already told you; it's important that I inherit the position of CEO from my father. Anyway, if you just put up with this then both you and I can get what we want; study abroad, remember?'

'If you and I get married then I'm afraid I will be buried by the "duties" of a good wife and will never be able to do anything with my life; unless of course you're disillusioned enough to think they'll allow me to continue with my studies even after we're married...'

But she kept on pressing; what was wrong with her all of the sudden?

'Alright, I admit, you might not be able to study abroad as long as we are together but your family will receive a lot of money from ours through the wedding so you will no longer be indebted!'

She was almost on her feet, almost towering over him, almost making him nervous. 'Yeah and our mothers' wish shall be granted and they'll be sisters! But we are not here to live out our parents fantasies-!'

'No, but we're here to help them; we have an obligation to them since they raised us since we were infants-'

'Not with these crap again!' she snapped looking away...but she suddenly sat back on her chair fully. She heaved a deep sigh 'alright...I understand.'

He doubted that; she was never born in such an important family where all members had a specific part to play. That was why she would never understand why he needed to feel like he had to fulfil his family's wishes...

'You have no intention of going against your father about this. Fine, I will find a way to make things right on my own; no need to worry you.' she gave in, in the end and sprawled on her seat.

But then she smiled and looked away again, -her chin resting on her hands- like plotting something...

Now he was sure his beer would taste even worse.

A/N:Ta dah! I hope you didn't mind the no participation from the rest of Ishiyama because they are coming on the next chapter! Stay tuned till then! And please review and message, or either one! Feedback is always valuable and much appreciated!