Rainvilla: I actually use some familiar Japanese terms so I hope you all know what it means. If not, just note me in the reviews so I'll give you the meanings in the next chapters. So, this is where the real story begins…

Japanese vocabulary for today: Baka = stupid or idiot

Chapter 3: When I Met My Opposite

"So soft… so comfortable… and so… so dreamy," I thought, feeling the perfect comfort of the cushions underneath my body.

I feel like I'm floating. So, I must not wake up. I don't want to wake up. I don't want to wake up from this sweet dream. I bore deeper onto the warm sheets and shut my eyes tight to keep me from going away in my deep, sweet slumber. But, the rays of sunlight were irritating my eyes so I had no choice but to get up.

"Why can't you just permit me to stay in my dream?" I said warily to myself but was also like confronting to the bright, radiating sun trying to greet me a good morning. My dream was just so perfect, though I really didn't remember much when I woke up. The only thing I was sure about is the feeling of being oddly too comfortable. I rolled my eyes and flexed my arms as I got myself from the bed.

"Wait…" I scanned the surroundings and was quickly stunned because of what I saw.

"This isn't my room. This is a-," I said anxiously, trying to analyze my new environment. All I could say is…

"This is a PRINCESS' PINK BEDROOM!" I shouted will all my lungs realizing everything back then wasn't just some too–good–to–be–true illusion but it was really a reality. I glanced on the ticking pink clock and popped my eyes open of seeing that I only have fifteen minutes left before class starts.

"Tie… school bag… shoes," I reminded myself of everything I need as I hastily put on my school uniform.

The fifteen minute budget time of going to school wasn't a big problem in my home but in this bedroom that is way too big than the combination of all our three bedrooms, waking up late is a really big problem. I had a really hard time managing to be in a hurry.

"Done!" I thought, victorious.

I rushed down to the hallways all the way down to the stairs. This too spacious mansion is an intervening factor to my success.

"Got to go," I said cheerfully, skipping through the door but I paused unwillingly upon hearing my stomach growl, protesting to me.

So I scrambled towards the kitchen to find anything edible on the fridge. The servants were all too busy with their tasks, thus ignoring me while I pass.

"I'm really hungry," I mumbled to myself. Just when I was about to give up finding anything that is ready to eat in the fridge, a delicious smell was caught in my senses. It led me all the way to a blessing laid on the long, dining table.

"Pancakes! Omelets! Sandwiches!" I exclaimed too eagerly and reached out for the miracle foods. I looked around guiltily to see if no one was around. Someone else was supposed to eat this delicious and yummy breakfast. Then, I stared back to the breakfast on the table.

"I'm so sorry… but I really am starving to death," I mumbled, deeply sorry of what I was about to do.

I gobbled all the food I can down to my stomach and was thankfully full. I drank the lemon juice with one gulp.

"Huh? What's this?" I wondered noticing the small piece of paper beside the empty glass of juice. I picked up the note.

Sakura,

Good morning! Eat up the breakfast laid on the table to earn you a lot of energy for the day. Good luck with school!

Yelan Li

P.S. Take with you the bento on the table.

A small smile formed in my lips after I have read Mrs. Yelan's note. She is just so kindhearted.

What a great day. She definitely made my day although I was very late for class.

Today was like any other school day of my life. I'm late for my first class and I am currently kneeling outside in our classroom with my hands over my head. Then, I had my worst for the day. The worst part is being stuck for three hours consecutively on the lamest and sometimes the most terrifying classes of all time. First, there was chemistry with all those discussions and memorization of the elements of the periodic table, followed by our literature class which mainly talks about classic novels.

The last but not the least is the worst and most horrible among them all, a face to face with my Algebra class.

"Sakura, are you all right?" Rika asked, creasing her forehead.

I sat down with my group of friends in lunch looking like half–dead. It sure has been a tough morning.

"I'm all right, just starving," I answered quickly to stop them from worrying.

I wonder if I failed again in this morning's Algebra quiz.

"I know what you're thinking," Chiharu said warily.

She also hates Math like me but in our circle of friends, I probably suck at Math the most.

"Stop worrying about it guys, cheer up!" Naoko tried to console us by saying that, but Chiharu and I just heavily sighed.

Of course, Naoko may need not to worry about this morning's Math quiz because she's always number one in our Math class. She definitely got another perfect score in Math today.

"Guys, let's just eat. Shall we?" Naoko said consolingly.

"Alright, let's just eat," I replied.

I could never resist to food especially with this bento that Mrs. Yelan gave me. I lifted the lid open and was astonished by the so delicious looking food carefully placed on my lunch box.

"Sugoi!" Everyone chorused with me as I stared with awe on the food.

They looked so colorful and so luscious but most of all, they smell so yummy. I've never tasted or have seen anything like this.

"I think its Chinese food," Rika commented, the most knowledgeable in cooking among us.

I let everyone taste the dishes to all my friends and everyone praised the food. Barely noticing it, I was suddenly back to happy mood again this afternoon.

"See you in P.E. class!" Chiharu said to me eagerly.

Both of us just love P.E.

I had my worst in Math today but I also had my best to balance it. As the saying goes, save the best for last and the best part is our last subject, the P.E. class. We played a volleyball game which I totally win. I assisted our instructor in teaching my classmates some of the basic rules in the game. Sports is my passion and I do it in the best of my abilities and I do it out of strong will and happiness.

At the end of the day, I walked; skipping happily towards what I know is called my new home.

The mansion was quiet when I went home. Mrs. Li wasn't at home too. They were only a few servants attending the mansion. I didn't want to bother them so I decided to cook for my dinner. Touya is probably out to do his part time job. I also want to help our family. I want to be like elder brother who works for the family. But, they always forbid me because they care the most for my studies.

I said nothing the entire time I was eating dinner since no one was around and just blended with the silent night.

After I had dinner, I went straight back to my room and started with my homework. Being good with my studies was the least thing I could do. After a while, an unexpected visitor knocked thrice on my door.

"Come in," I said, still concentrating with my Chemistry homework.

"Ummm… I brought some milk and biscuits. Would you like some of these?" asked an unfamiliar voice from behind me.

"So, this one goes here then followed by this which results to-," I mumbled, trying to figure out the answers of my homework.

"Ummm… Ok… I'll just take this back," a feminine voice said shyly.

I just continued trying to figure out my homework and was really puzzled with it.

"Gotcha! I got the answer!" I said proudly.

Just then, I heard a creak on the floor and the door swung shut.

"Oh no!" I said catching up with the woman just behind me a few minutes ago.

"Wait!" I exclaimed to her. She turned back to me, still carrying a tray of biscuits and milk. She is pretty young but is already working here.

"I want to apologize for ignoring you. I mean, not noticing you back then," I said, my apologies a little too not understandable.

The young girl simply nodded and paced in the hallway.

"Wait!" I called back.

Instantly, the young girl turned around to wait for what I would say.

"Just curious… how old are you?" I asked.

"Sixteen," the girl answered with a soft tone.

"Oh, okay… By the way, I would love to have snacks," I said with a small grin.

The girl offered the tray of snacks right away, bowed to me respectfully and went on her way.

I went back to my room, skeptical. So, she is of the same age as I am now. But, at such a young age, she already works so hard.

A spark of idea flashed in my mind and in an instant, I made my decision. I walked out of my room, paced through the faintly, dim lighted hallways and asked for directions from servants who coincidentally passed by. I acted like a lost foreigner in a strange land or merely a lost child wanting to go home.

I have finally reached my destination. I cleared my throat to calm down my nerves. I knocked on the door twice and someone immediately invited me to come in.

"Sakura? It's already late. Do you need something?" Mrs. Li asked, bewildered as soon as I appeared in her sight.

I locked my gaze, determined of my decision regardless of my family's permission.

"Hmmm?" she asked one more time, quite looking puzzled.

It took me a few moments before I could speak.

"I-," I spilled out only the first syllable I could utter.

"I made up my mind," I thought firmly. I bowed down my head and said it out loud.

"I want to work as one of your maids for living here. Please accept me as your servant, Mrs. Li," I blurted out at last.

"But, you don't have to, Sakura. You're welcome here as a guest," Mrs. Li said, furrowing her eyebrows in concern.

"But, Mrs. Li, it's the least thing I could do to show my gratitude to you," I pleaded.

"You are taking care of Dad already, of Touya oniisan… and then, me," My mouth just spoke of what I honestly felt for the past, few days.

"You paid Dad's debt, our hospital bills, and you took responsibility of us. I don't know if there are still so many things you've done that are left unknown from our knowledge, but I am really thankful for your kindness. So, I want to be your servant, Mrs. Yelan," I said earnestly.

"I did all of those things out of free will," she replied.

"But, don't you see us as a heavy burden?" I asked, not breaking my gaze in her eyes.

"Of course, not… Your dad is like family to me. Sakura, there are certain things beyond our control. It already happened," she answered me in such a calm, soothing tone.

"But, this is my only way of paying back your kindness," I searched for words that will convince her to hire me but my mind was blank and clueless.

"You're still too young. You need to concentrate on your studies. Besides, I promised to your Dad," Mrs. Li said.

"I could manage my time. I just don't want to live here and consider every thing here for free," I replied, debating about the subject I just opened up.

Mrs. Li just chuckled upon hearing my reasons.

"Silly girl, you don't have to. You are just one unique girl, aren't you?" Mrs. Li commented.

"Please?" I requested, pouting my mouth to a frown a bit.

However, Mrs. Li didn't answer me clearly. Instead, Mrs. Li and I were just sitting comfortably on the couch talking about anything that just popped out from our minds. Just now, she was talking about her son who is so stubborn in refusing to go to school.

"I really don't know how to make him go to school. We just moved in here from Hongkong two weeks ago and until now, he refuses to go to school," Mrs. Li said, looking really worried.

"How about hiring a home tutor?" I suggested.

Mrs. Li shook her head. She must have tried that already.

"Maybe, he's home sick," I said.

Mrs. Li placed her fingers onto her chin, thinking deeply.

"I couldn't do anything about going back. My husband's business is going well here in Japan and he already decided to have this place our permanent residence," she explained.

"I see…" was all I could say.

This son of hers must really be a hard headed person.

"If only someone could just make him go to school by all means and make him go out of his room," Mrs. Li said and heavily sighed at the impossible thought.

Both of us heavily sighed while thinking of any solution.

"To make a hard headed, stubborn, good for nothing person go to school and have a normal high school life by all means… Wait, I've got a brilliant idea!" I thought.

"I'll handle it!" I said.

Mrs. Li looked at me with questions written all over her face.

"What did you say?" she asked.

And now, she's become deaf. I must have just shocked her too much with what I said.

"I'll make your son go to school and make him a good boy," I vowed to her.

This time, she sighed of relief.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes! This is the least thing I could do now. I'll do my best, Mrs. Li!" I exclaimed.

"Thank you so much, Sakura chan," Mrs. Li replied, her eyes filled with hope.

I'm definitely committing myself to this task for all the goodness and kindness that Mrs. Yelan Li has given to our family.

"I'll start tomorrow. Thank you, Mrs. Yelan for giving me this opportunity," I said.

"No, thank you, Sakura chan for trying to help my son," Mrs. Li replied cheerfully.

This time around, today wasn't like any of my ordinary school day. I woke up early and prepared myself in going to school from head to toe. After I was all done, I rose to my feet and walked straight ahead to my challenge. Last night, before I went back to my room, Mrs. Li gave me some instructions and perhaps, tips, on how to make him behave and go to school.

I understand him a little of why he's so stubborn in not going to school. School is sometimes boring and terrifying like a battleground. But for me, the school is also like a playground where you meet new friends and it is a place where friendship is long lasting. My success in this challenge is for Mrs. Li and for me too because I, myself, would really want to wake him up from his stupidity.

I swung the door open and tiptoed closer to the bedside.

His face and his body were under the blanket. So, obviously, he's sound asleep.

"Ummm… My name is Kinomoto Sakura and I am tasked to wake you up and get you to go to school!" I yelled in a strong voice at the sleeping, not listening person.

My voice is really ear piercing when I shout but he didn't even flinch. I inhaled all the air I can and tried one more time.

"YOU HAVE TO WAKE UP! GET UP! GET UP!" My voice was surely louder this time because I shouted with all my lungs.

This time, I saw him move underneath his blanket.

I peeked closer to him and I was surprised to see such an innocent looking man sleeping peacefully. His hair was a handsome, messy color of auburn. His face and skin looked so flawless with his light complexion. His features were so manly but if you look at it the other way, he was so innocent. I couldn't help but be ashamed of what I just did, yelling at him like that. My eyes were completely lost on his innocent face. Then, I felt my cheeks becoming red hot.

"What are you doing? Blushing like a red tomato while you're at a job!" I thought.

"Wait, don't disturb him," another part of me argued.

"Stupid Sakura! Get back to WORK!" my superego insisted.

"But... I'm ruining his sleep," the weaker side of me thought.

My two sides now began fighting inside my head while I just sat still beside him. However, the fighter righteous Sakura won over the fight and snapped me back to what I should be doing.

" UUUUUUUUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!" I shouted at the top of my lungs toward his right ear.

This time, his eyes opened a little and he looked at me sleepily. I quickly backed away from him and hid my blushing face.

"You're so noisy," was all he said to me.

"But, Mrs. Li… I mean… your mother orders you to go-," I was cut out with what I was saying when he abruptly placed his finger lightly on my lips, hushing me.

"Shut... Up…" he commanded me slowly but coldly.

I almost really did kept quiet and just go to school, defeated. But, I won't let this man fail me from my task only because of his deceiving, handsome looks.

"Wake up! You will go to SCHOOL today!" I said it not too loud this time but emphasized on the word, school.

He just ignored me. I talked to him calmly as I can manage for about five times until he really got to my nerves. I'm not going to give up and I'll make sure that he'll go to school by all means and I really mean that.

"WAKE UP OR I'LL DRAG YOU MYSELF OUT OF THE BED!" I screamed furiously and this may be the loudest this time.

My voice seemingly echoed against the walls. I clutched his arms tight and pulled him with all my strength. But, I ended up laying my face against his masculine chest and was now being hugged tightly in his arms. I was left speechless. I could only hear his heartbeat next to mine. Then, he whispered in my ear.

"I told you… to shut up… baka…"

Rainvilla:So, are you excited for my next chapter? I hope you like the story. I promise I'll upload the next chapter faster if you'll give me at least a few reviews. I told you… The real story just began now…PLEASE REVIEW! THANKS!