A/N: Bold is when people in the story are conversing in English.

Chapter 1

Lust At First Sight

Yeah, I knew I had to do something. Whatever that something was, it had to defy Project C. It had to be something good, it had to be something I knew that if I didn't do, I would regret it for the rest of my life. It had to be something smart, important, and significant.

My thoughts fluttered through all sorts of things heroes did. I wasn't cut out for being a hero and the only logical thing I could do was to take the initiative to find someone to save. I could only save maybe two people at the most, based on all the supplies I would have for the oncoming Epidemic.

I had to do something that wouldn't make me believe that the world was about to a god damned, god-forsaken place... completely. And plus I needed to keep my sanity. Emotionally, mentally, and physically. So... saving someone for accompaniment seemed most logical.

Of course I wouldn't pick some random girl off the streets with just looks. She had to be worthy. However cruel I may seem, I would not try and save any male as they would be more likely to survive without my help (forgive me if it sounds like I'm a sexist), they would not really help me "physically" (though do not assume that's what I'm solely seeking), and most of the men in Osaka were insolent assholes.

But where would I start 'searching'? Train station? Fuck no. God knows what kinda filth wreaks there. Mall? I shook my head in slight disgust at the idea. The University of Osaka? I smirked and nodded. Yeah. A school. Where there's education, there's less ungrateful bitches.

The morning dawned beautifully as the first day of June was born. Orange and blue filled the sky, partially covered by the scattered clouds. The fresh morning air made me feel jubilant as I made my way slightly hastily towards my car parked outside my small house.

It was a FT-HS Toyota. A couple years old. Though it was nice, it wasn't the car I wanted. It was gift from my brother and he wouldn't take no for an answer.

I backed away onto the road and drove away fast, feeling as if the two weeks left were two hours. I couldn't waste time. I pushed the gas as much as I could, taking the shortcut that would beat morning rush hour.

Music filled my ears as I decided to break the silence. It was Chevelle. A great band. I smiled in excitement and motivation. I was going to choose someone today. I nodded my head several times in sync with the song and raced passed other slowing cars.

Songs continued to play until the 70 km distance was gradually reducing. What seemed like 10 minutes was 45 minutes. Osaka University was only about 10 km longer and when I would get there, I would observe the area for hours. Not in vain... but this would be the weirdest thing I'd never think of doing before Project C.

I had pulled into the guest parking lot of Osaka University quicker than I thought. I could see the students piling into the front entrance. I got out of my car and hit the wet ground with exhilaration, not minding the many, many stares of students. It was the loud stereo of my car that had attracted the crowd. I bent down, almost forgetting to take my car keys out.

I could hear the slight chit chatter of the interested girls and the undoubtedly envious; jealous guys. Was my car that nice? Kids those days....

I leaned on my car and observed the premises, waiting for the packed students to enter the building. I hated crowds. I jammed my hand into my pocket and plied out the small box of cigarettes. I lit myself one and started walking towards the small park next to the university. As I walked towards the nearest bench, the grass crunched beneath me.

I would wait till lunch... when everyone would come out. Feeling like a homeless hobo, I nevertheless gotten into a sleeping position on the bench and puffed the remainder of the cigarette. My eyes fell heavy and the now-small cigarette fell out of my lips onto the ground. The smoke escaped out of my lungs through my opened mouth and it was completely silent now. I would have entered the building, but it would be deemed retarded to randomly enter a class and start observing people.... Sleep was my best option for now.

--

My eyes slowly opened to a blur. I quickly sat and and rubbed my blurry eyes only to open them again to see that the sun was high above my head. "What the fuck?!" I whispered hoarsely to myself. It must've been at least 2:30. I slept way past lunchtime. I looked around the park and there was no one but a female student to my right about 15-20 feet away from me. I didn't take interest at first and continued to rub my eyes again. I leaned back on the bench, placed my arms around it and sighed in disappointment. "God... damn it..." I whispered with difficulty.

Shaking my head, I looked to my right again. My eyes slightly opened up, locked to her. My pair of eyes wouldn't move anywhere else but where that female student was sitting.

She was looking down on large book, circling keywords by the look of it. But it wasn't that she was studying that kept my eyes locked upon her. It was that she was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. It was like god dropped a suitcase full of money right in front of me.

Take action! My head shouted. But I was locked in my position. Maybe because approximately 20 feet away behind her was a guy with punkish-type clothing walking towards her.

It was June and he was wearing a hoodie that looked extremely thick. What the hell was this kid thinking? Seconds later, he jumped over the bench and landed on his ass, sitting right next to her. I could hardly make out what he was saying in Japanese, "Hey, babe. What did I tell you about studying? Hmm? I told you to fucking stop... and here I am looking at you... studying. WHAT did I tell you, huh?!" He smacked the book out of her hands and it pathetically dropped on the ground.

I frowned in slight anger and I could feel myself compelled... but I controlled and continued to watch.

She embarrassingly looked up to him. "I... I'm sorry... I just... father keeps telling me to go to school... and I want to have an education. I need one...." She said to him in a high tone voice. I could BARELY make out what she said.

"You think that's an excuse? You think that I'll forgive you just because you 'want' to have an education? And as for your father, I'll take care of him. I'm tired of all the excuses you've been making for him."

"No! No, please. Please! Don't kill him, please!" she pleaded, "I'll do... anything."

I could see a slight smile emerge from his lips. After a second of mental imaging, I couldn't take it anymore. I stood up from my bench, adrenaline rushing through my veins. I walked powerfully towards them and frowned furiously. It only took him a few seconds before he noticed that I was approaching him.

"Who are you? Get out of here!" He shouted to me.

"Hey, I'm going to be honest with you. What you said to her displeases my ears to a great extent. I won't tolerate the shit you are feeding to this woman."

I lowered my head a bit and looked at him with my intense face. It was a no-bullshit look I pulled off quite well. The girl looked at me with a shocked and worried face. I could realize how much more beautiful she was from the corner of my eyes. But I would save the gawking for later.

The punk's annoyed face quickly transitioned from an annoyed face into an angry one. He shot up off his bench and stared up at me. He was a little bit shorter than me which made me feel the slight advantage. "Motherfucker, how DARE you speak to me like that? You know who the fuck I am?!" He yelled.

I rolled my eyes, still keeping my intense face. "Listen you Yakuza shit. I don't give a damn if you're the son of low-life, arrogant prick who bosses around you little pussies. To me, the Yakuza is nothing but a little tea gathering compared to my experiences! Now get lost, punk. Or face the consequences." I spoke in fluent English.

The punk seemed to understand my English and he grunted; screaming in extreme anger. He charged towards me and threw a potentially dangerous punch. However, I had trained in self-defense martial arts 6 months prior and his reckless punch was no match for me. I deflected his punch, grabbed his wrist and twisted it around roughly until I heard a satisfying CRACK! He screamed in monstrous pain.

"See what I mean? Pussies..." I continued to hold him steady so I could prepare and deliver a powerful punch, first class.

My fist impacted with his nose and I could hear another satisfying crunch. He was bleeding profusely but I did not care. Dropping him onto grass, I looked to the woman to my right and assured her that, "he is knocked out."

She held her hands to her mouth in slight shock, only putting them down after I beamed a smile at her. "Hello. I'm Far Ridgefield." I said pleasantly. I bent down to pick up her fallen book to return it to her.

She graciously took it back and looked at the punk on the ground. "I... I don't know what to say... Thank you."

"Do not be... I can't let this kind of thing happen within my sight. I was glad to help you."

She played out a small fake smile and gathered her things. "Oh no..."

I continued to stand there, thinking of what to do. It was a bit awkward. "What?"

"My father is busy... I remember... and now that Takaro-san is..." she looked to the punk again, "I don't have a ride..."

"No problem... where do you live?"

She looked down to the ground in obvious embarrassment. "N-...nowhere. Now that Takaro-san...-"

"Please, don't use honorifics for this punk kid. He doesn't deserve it at all. And I am more than willing to provide you a place to stay. Please do not think that my embracing is driven by that of a pervert or pedophile." I held out my right arm towards her and smiled sincerely.

She looked at me with a small hope and happiness. She stood up to take my hand and shake it. "I am Miyuki Fukui." Her hand was soft and luscious. I definitely knew who I was going to pick now.