Chapter 3

the Beauty and the Bitch?

85 days to fall in love.

The whether outside wasn't so nice that day so instead of going up at the rooftop, they decided to eat lunch in the cafeteria. Though it's full of students, the lady kitsune and Sakuragi along with his gundam manage to find a place for them to sit and have their lunch.

Rukawa choose to sit in the corner next to Sakuragi. She's a bit peeve to be with his noisy gundam, except Mito to eat with them, but can't help it since they were redhead's best of friends.

Sakuragi put the bento along with the chopstick in front of her before opening his own and both murmur 'Itadaikimasu'. And it's a one of those many things she started to like about him. He's very accommodating and gentle on her, but mostly happened in front of the others or perhaps he was deceived by her physical appearance.

Since that day in her house, a lot of surprising things that comes on their way. After her father enunciated few important things in front of them before been hypnotized, many things veritably change. And since then, Rukawa forced to live with the redhead because her parents did some sort of spell to hide, not being able to find nor to locate.

She learnt many things about him specially about his private life. He's an orphan, living on his own. Although he has a grandparents and relatives who lived in Tokyo wanting him to lived with them, Sakuragi choose to stay and study in Kanagawa. They can't opposed his decision so they'll just send him his monthly allowance enough to continue his study.

She always sees him as an annoying noisy brat ever since she met him, but she's wrong. Sakuragi was actually a hard-working, kind-hearted and deep person. Outside he may look tough, yet very soft inside. To her surprise, Sakuragi was indeed a domestic type of person. She learn many simple things from him like cooking a 'commoner's food' just what he called it and some other house chores.

She agreed to cooperate and help him with the housechores when she found out that he has a part-time job, and that at least she could do for him. He spent three hours of work at night during weekend as a gasoline boy in a gas station nearby to earn some extra money for his other needs.

It was a quiet lunch between her and the redhead except from the other three gundam sitting across, keeps on uttering praises and approval about them being a wonderful perfect couple.

"Oi Hanamichi! You're so lucky to have Kaede-chan to be your fiancée, she's a real beauty...hahaha."Takamiya commented in the middle of their food.

"Yes you're right!" Ohkusu agreed. "Than those..." Pouted his lips and pointed at the girls goggling at the redhead. "bitches.." He whispered.

"Oh shut up both of you just eat!" Noma roared, and Mito just chuckled.

"Ne, Hanamichi don't forget to invite us in your wedding."

"Moron... We're still in our freshmen year, they'll need to graduate first before it's gonna happen!"

"Maa, maa...just eat guys. You're scaring off Kaede-chan..." Mito suggested calmly.

A tall tan girl in a perfectly curve body, with a long dark-brown locks approach them, smiling coquettishly towards the oblivious redhead. "Konnichiwa Sakuragi-kun." She greeted, it catches his attention.

Mito and the gundam quiver, sweat in cold when they heard the familiar feminine voice from behind. Even the rest of the students in the cafeteria turn all their attention to their table.

They hurriedly watch and curious to see the raven-hair girl's reaction when the other girl actually have a gut to greet Sakuragi in front of her. Everyone in the school known that Rukawa and Sakuragi were officially engage and living together as a part of their family traditions.

Sakuragi jaw-drop and tense, wondering on how Rukawa will gonna react on this. "Ehehe... Konnichiwa, Tat-chan." He greeted back nervously, not to be look brash in front of everyone.

The said girl sat next to him without asking their permission, then lay her lunch box and open it. "Sakuragi-kun, I made a lot of food today to share it with you. I heard you love sautéed vegetables. Am I right?" She asked sweetly, and thrust it on him. She cocked her head to check the raven-hair girl sitting next the redhead. "Rukawa-chan, wanna share?"

Sakuragi shiver as he felt a cold aura emits by the lady kistune. Everyone inside could see the blue and brown auras coming from Rukawa and the girl. It was like a war, but a silent ferocious war between the two girls.

Sakuragi had a goosebumps, putting himself in a girly fight that doesn't even utter any words was a more life-threatening that those physical fights he had been before.

His eyes caught a glimpse on his blue ring that reminded him of something very important. He glance at the kitsune down to her hand. She's wearing her red ring and realized that he promised her something that he shouldn't forget. "Ne, Kaede-chan. Did you like it?" He asked, to change the mood and cool down the tension.

Rukawa quite surprise by his sudden question but manage to answer. "Yes. Arigato... Hana. I'm done." She simply took the lunch box along with Sakuragi who also done with his food and return it to the bag.

"Gomen ne Tat-chan. We're leaving first." He said politely.

The girl abash but kept her calm. "Okay." She mumbled. Throw a quick glare at Rukawa, then pretend eating.

Rukawa scorn, but enjoying the embarrassment that the other girl receive from the redhead. Without a hesitation, she took the redhead's hand and walk out the cafeteria, walking holding hands.

"Tat-chan...me too I love sautéed vegetables...hehehe." Takamiya stated shyly, in a hearty-shaped look in his round eyes.

The tan girl scowl and shove the lunch box at him. "You pig!" She yelled and stomped her feet, leaving the poor Takamiya in dazed.

Takamiya snap quickly and grin. "Ahh... Did you see that ha...Youhei, Yuuji, Chuichirou?... Tat-chan talk to me..." He asked proudly and giggled.

"Baka!" The three shouted at him in unison.

As if it's a normal thing to do, Rukawa handed Sakuragi a bottle of cold water and took the towel from the redhead's gym bag to wiped off the sweat on his shoulder and back while both of them sitting on the gym floor. It was the break time for the practice game that afternoon.

After almost two weeks of gym maintenance, finally everything went back to normal. And more surprisingly, she's now the basketball team's assistant manager.

"Hana, I'll cook tonight." She said. Both of them decided to call each other's first name to be at ease and give themselves a chance to know each other well.

Sakuragi put down the bottle and look at her. "Ah yeah. It's your turn. What do you plan to cook for tonight?" He asked, moving closer at her to avoid his team mates to hear their conversation.

"Pasta." She replied shortly. "And..."

"Sakuragi-kun!" Someone called the redhead that interrupt their conversation.

Rukawa veins pop out from her temple when she heard the irritating voice coming from another annoying 'bitch.'

Sakuragi alarm then hurriedly stood as if he's positioning himself between the two girls. ... Ha... Haruko-chan. You need anything?" He stammered.

Haruko smile then handed him bottle of water and touch his face. "Oh...Sakuragi-kun, you're sweating." She took her handkerchief form her pocket to wipe his sweaty face. Obviously flirting at the naive redhead.

Rukawa stood up and raise her eyebrow, just to observe them while the rest of the basketball team member and audiences in the gym whose watching them could feel the tension between the two girls. Just like what they witness in the cafeteria. But this time, it's a different girl. The basketball team captain's little sister.

"Ano... Arigato Haruko-chan...hehehe..." And chill ran down to his spine when he felt the cold gazed coming from Rukawa. "No need to do that..." He moved a bit to avoid her.

"Sakuragi-kun... I'm just wondering if you're free this Sunday?" Haruko blushed.

"Eh?!" Automatically turned to look at the raven-hair girl standing behind him. "Gomen Haruko-chan... I promise to Kaede-chan that we'll watch a movie this Sunday." He lied, better than to get killed by the sly fox.

"Ne, Sakuragi-kun can you please make some time for me? I know that there is someone here practically force you to be her boyfriend. But I know I'm the one you really like from the start...right?" She asked nonchalantly.

The people inside could understand the dreadful situation he's in now. It was like a catfight between the lover and a mistress. Rukawa stood closer behind Sakuragi and hold his hand. "Hana.." She called.

Sakuragi snap and look straight at the girl in front of him. "Gomen ne Haruko-chan. I know you're a great girl, no doubt...But I'm happy with Kaede-chan now." He almost whispered as he lower his head not to witness on how he would broke her heart by those words. It's also painful for him, ever since he met her he really likes and wish her to be his girlfriend. Although he's not quite sure about that now.

Haruko ran out of the gym, tears continuously rolling down to her cheek. Sakuragi just watch her back and approach Captain Akagi to talk to him about what just happen.

Ayako standing next to her elbow her lightly. "Tsk, tsk you sure have a lot of rivals in here Kaede. You see, you're the only girl in this school who catch his attention. I know him since middle school and I don't think it's your fault if Hanamichi Sakuragi fell in love with you."

"Hn?"

"You're such a beauty compared to those ehem..bitches." Pointed at Sakuragi's cheering squad standing on the sidelines. It was her 'former brigade' but then again, because of the spell, everything dramatically change. It seems that some of her talents when she was a boy goes to Sakuragi and even the charm and fame she used to have before. "Just to warn you. Haruko is nothing. She's harmless compared to Tatsuhiko Aota. Be careful."

"Tatsuhiko Aota?" The name ring the bell.

"Haha.. Don't tell me you forgot? She's another bitch whose after your Hanamichi Sakuragi from the beginning..or shall I call her Tat-chan, just like everybody calls her."

"But...but...it's the Judo..."

"Yes. She's the Judo team captain." Ayako continued, it made her shocked. Now she understand on why that girl seems familiar. She always thought she's a transfer student, but they all said that she was a student at the school since freshman.

"Ayako-senpai. I'll be back." And she run off the gym without explaining anything leaving Ayako in confusion.

"So you finally realize it was me." The tan girl said. "It takes one to know one right..."

When Rukawa found out from Ayako that she's the Judo team captain, she hurriedly call her and insist that they needed to talk about something important. "You're under the spell too?" Both standing at the rooftop.

"Yes. And I need Sakuragi to help me."

"I see. I get it now."

"Yes you're right. He's one of a kind. He has something special that only comes out once in a blue moon."

"He's mine."

"No, not yet. Certainly, he didn't recognized me as a boy, but he has a special lucky charm that can turn me back in my original self."

"That's why you're after him from the start?"

"Yes. Maybe you don't noticed that before, but still he catch your attention too. And I won't lose to you. I still have plenty of time. He'll be mine before you reach your hundred days. And I'll be Aota again."

"Don't dare."

"Tch. I'll take him. He'll definitely fall in love with me and take away his useless life."

"What?!"

"We're different Rukawa! You need him to fall for you and devirginize you. While me, I need his pure love and life that he must be willing to give up for me to live and turn back into real me."

"He won't gonna fall for you!."

"Hahaha... So confident aren't you? He's just being nice or shall I say afraid from you...that's why he's acting like that. Anyways, he's such a darling."

"He's mine."

"Let's see Kaede Rukawa. You must know that he must love you...from the the bottom of his heart before you finally succeeded and I'm confident enough that you're not capable of doing it so I'll taking him."

"He will..."

"You're a self-centered person Rukawa. You don't care about him."

"How about you? He's willing to fall..."

"I'm not stupid...it's all an act. You can't fool me..."

"-.-"

"This is just the beginning Rukawa. I'm capable of doing a lot of things...So open your eyes and watch very carefully. Or else..." Aota flicked her finger then suddenly disappeared from her sight and she felt uneasy.

After dinner and working on their homework for school the next day, both decided to sleep early that night as both of them felt exhausted from school and practice game.

Sakuragi just went out from the bathroom and stun to see the lady kitsune lying on his bed. He approached her to check if she's still awake. "Oi kitsune...why you're here? Go to your own room."

"I want to sleep here." She said lazily.

"Eh! Nani!.. Baka kitsune! Go back to your room okay!" He yelled on top of his lungs, but bothered by his own rudeness.

Rukawa cringe, quiet hurt by his rouhgness. Aota was right, the redhead only show gentleness whenever they surrounds with other people. It's all an act. But it's part of their show. She should be grateful that the redhead never broke his promise with her. Yet, she actually needed him to fall in love with her. Even if it means taking him by hook or by crook.

Forcefully, she push him in the bed and climb on top of him, glaring. "When I said I want to sleep here. I'll sleep Here." she said solidly, coldly.

Sakuragi terrify and avoid her deadly eyes. "Ehehe...yes, yes you can sleep here." His mouth went dry and became motionless. Indeed, Rukawa as a girl was more frightened than being a boy.

"Good." She smirked. "Move."

Sakuragi try his best stand to leave but the lady kitsune's grip stop him. "Sleep with me." He shiver and at the same time nervous. He moved and positioned himself next to Rukawa. The lady kitsune spread his arm to use it as her pillow and nestled next to him.

She could feel his warm breath and hear his heart rapidly beating fast through his ribcage. He was so close to her. She felt his hand tremble but gently run through her raven mane. Then slowly, she felt the blanket covered both of their bodies.

"Oyasumi Kaede-chan..." And planted a light kiss on her forehead.

Draw a small smile to her lips. "Oyasumi Hana..."

"Sorry..Kaede-chan... I ... I almost forget. " He apologized and she smile more widely as she could feel his warmness and gentleness. "Give me more time...will you?"

"Are you scared of me?"

"Eh? You stupid fox..why should I? I mean of course not!"

"Okay."

"What okay?"

"What shall I do?"

"What?"

"You...to fall for me."

"Eh?!" Sakuragi exclaimed. "Baka...just be yourself and maybe it'll work."

"Okay."

"Let's sleep." And the redhead pulled her closer to him and encircle his long arms around her waist whilst she moved to leaned on his chest. He fell fast asleep.

She knew that up until now, the redhead still confuse about her being him before. And she couldn't blame him.

And it was her fault on why the redhead can't be with his Haruko. The redhead put on his mind that Haruko just attracted to him like the other girls in school because of the spell and he don't want to take advantage oh her. Although they already talk about it, the redhead promise that he's willing to fall for her and forget about the girl to save her life.

However with his words full of assurance that she could actually sense his sincerity and pure intention, Rukawa can't still relax and feel relief knowing that someone out there have a plan of taking the redhead away from her.

She doesn't know what kind of spell or tricks Aota had on her sleeves,but still she can't let her guard down specially that both her and the redhead's life is in the danger...

To Be Continued...