AN: I've read an article entitled 101 Things to Do in Roponggi and there is a Dragon Quest themed karaoke bar XD


"Is this the Oscars?" Yuusuke asked as they got out of the Jaguar. There was a long line of shiny cars in front of the hotel entrance and everyone who got out of it was a well known celebrity. A red carpet was laid out from the entrance and photographers stood by the side taking a picture of every celebrity who passed. "Man things like this make me dizzy."

"Relax. It's not gonna last the whole night." Hime placed her hand on Yuusuke's arm again and it made her feel nervous but at the same time happy. She wondered what she was being all excited about when it was just another party her parents are throwing. "Is my makeup still okay?" Hime asked

"Honestly I'm not an expert on that but you look nice anyway with or without one."

"Wh-whatever. Let's go."

"Yeah. The thought of free food keeps me going. Let's go!" Yuusuke said and as they marched up towards the entrance Hime felt like smacking this guy. So if the food wasn't free he wouldn't come at all?!

"Onizuka-san who is this gentleman you're with?" "Onizuka-san what can you say about your parents' new film?" "Onizuka-san is that the latest Chanel?" And these was just some of the many lines Hime and Bossun heard as they went in. inside the hotel though at least the interrogating photographers were gone.

"Ugh I feel like suffocating. You face that everyday?" Bossun asked

"Well…most of the time. When they happen to see me at the school gate or just anywhere. That's why I find it hard to go out sometimes. People always notice you, recognize you. All I want is to shop in peace."

Yuusuke didn't know what to say since he couldn't relate to what Hime was saying. So he just kept quiet until they arrived at the ballroom.


When Switch pulled up his BMW in front of the Kibitsu house an hour ago he was already reaching for the flowers he had bought. Roman instructed him to give it to Momoka but he didn't expect that Momoka's mom will be coming along with them and he didn't want to give out the wrong idea so he hid the flowers and hope that he will be given a chance to give it to Momoka soon. For now the flowers were on hold.

"Oh my this hall is massive!" Momoka's mom said as they entered the ballroom and soft jazz music was playing. Waiters darted here and there and everyone was dressed like they were in the Oscars. "Oh that's Shizuka Saotome! I better go greet her." Momoka's mom said before going off in another direction. Switch stole a glance at Roman's mom. Talking to Momoka's mom Shizuka Saotome looked like an Amazon with her height and Gucci stilettos.

"Wow Roman's mom sure is fabulous." Momoka commented as she eyed the gold bangles adorning Shizuka's wrist.

"Everyone here is fabulous." Switch answered

"Sorry I didn't tell you my mom was coming along. Believe me I really didn't really see that one coming."

"It's alright." Switch answered although deep inside he couldn't erase from his memory how the entire car trip consisted of Momoka's mom asking Switch about lots of things that weren't even connected. Just making sure that her daughter didn't hang out with anyone that might cause a disruption in her career.

"You look great in that suit Switch." Momoka said which surprised Switch.

"Thanks. Roman helped me in this one. You look great too. Really great." With or without makeup to Switch, Momoka was the most gorgeous lady inside this ballroom. The others can drool over supermodel Shizuka Saotome. Switch only has his eyes for Momoka. He couldn't help but smile at her. Her lace white cocktail dress and the pink ribbon around her waist made her look more adorable than she already is. And this same girl even complimented him. Maybe Roman was right. Maybe he did have some sort of chance with this girl.

Momoka looked up at him and wondered why he was smiling all of a sudden, she thought he looked cute just like that so she smiled back.

"Oh by the way I have something to give to you." Switch said. He didn't hear Momoka's reply because of two familiar figures catching his eye. The first one was Bossun who spotted him as well and even gave a little smile in his direction. But the sight of Bossun was blocked by something else. Or rather, someone.

What was Agata Soujirou doing here? Didn't he say to Momoka that he couldn't come because of some photo shoot? But it was him no mistaking it! Switch decided he couldn't let Momoka see him. She will really be surprised. Or worse she will be sad over the fact that Agata lied to her. But why? With such a huge venue steering Momoka away from Agata will be quite an easy task.

"Hello earth to Switch!"

"Oh sorry I was uh…I just remembered something."

"Well yeah you practically spaced out after telling me you had something to give to me."

"Sorry about that. Listen, I have to make a quick phone call. Be right back."

"O-okay." Momoka watched him ask a nearby waiter where the restroom was then go off in that direction. Okay…that was a little weird. But Momoka shrugged it off. Maybe the guy forgot something important. Meanwhile, Bossun was already checking out the food on the buffet table.

"Gosh I feel like drooling anytime now! All of the food in here looks delicious!"

"Excuse me, Onizuka-san?" An older woman in a ponytail approached them. She was in a business attire and had a lapel strapped around her. Hime figured she was probably the party planner her parents hired.

"Your parents have already reserved a table for you. This way please."

"Does this mean I can start eating now?" Bossun asked Himeko as they followed the woman.

"I guess." Hime shrugged

"Yehey!" Bossun couldn't wait to try on the different cuisines that were served on the buffet table.

"Here we are." The woman showed them to a table for four wrapped in elegant cloth including the chairs. There was a vase full of tulips on the center of the table which were Hime's favorite flowers. Looking around she noticed that this table was the only one which had tulips. The rest were roses which means her parents had definitely chosen it for her. But why a table for four? Who was going to join them?

"Thanks." Himeko said before the woman walked away.

"I'll go wash my hands first." Bossun declared so Himeko sat by herself and played with the games on her phone while waiting for Bossun. She absolutely had no idea who was going to sit with them that night.


Switch quickly tailed after Agata but made sure Agata wouldn't notice him. Now Agata was in the balcony and he could hear him talking to someone. Switch leaned his back against the wall so he wouldn't be seen but at the same time he could hear their conversation.

"Are you sure you came here by yourself? No date whatsoever?" it was a girl's voice but Switch did not recognize who it was.

"Nada. It's only you babe."

Switch did not want to know anymore who the other one was. He dashed to the male restroom and when he got inside he was panting like mad. Panicked, he pulled out his phone and called Roman but it only went to voicemail. "Damn it she's probably in Akihabara right now doing some night shopping."

"Switch?"

He looked up and saw Bossun drying his hands. "Are you okay? You look…pale."

"I'm fine." Switch replied. He took out his hankerchief to wipe his sweat.

"So you and Kibitsu huh? Lucky guy!" Bossun grinned at him

"I'm just escorting her." Switch replied coolly. "What about you? Isn't she our classmate Onizuka Hime? I never knew the two of you were close."

"We became friends a few days ago when she caught me sleeping on the rooftop."

"You were sleeping on the school rooftop? By yourself?"

"Well yeah. I was reading manga and fell asleep halfway. Then she went to the rooftop too coz she wanted some alone time."

Switch totally didn't expect that.

"But it's rare of you to go to an event like this." Bossun grinned at him like he knows what's up.

"Whatever, see you around." Switch said before leaving the comfort room. Great. Roman wasn't picking up and now his ex best friend was here. But no matter. All he have to do was make sure Momoka wouldn't see Agata.

"Excuse me, Usui-san?" A waiter asked him

"Yes. Why?"

"I was told to lead you and Kibitsu-san to your table."

"oh..okay." Switch nodded and followed the waiter. As they walked Switch looked out for any sign of Agata. So far so good. But when they arrived at the table it wasn't so good at all. It was a table for four and sitting there was Momoka and on the other side, Onizuka Hime which means…

"We're in one table? Awesome!" Bossun appeared as if by magic. He pulled out the seat beside Hime and sat down.

"Tell me this isn't happening" Switch sighed inwardly. Without any choice Switch sat beside Momoka anyway. They were all quiet as the waiter poured each of them a glass of champagne. Switch fidgeted. Gosh this is so awkward!

When the waiter left, Bossun cleared his throat. "It's nice to finally meet you Kibitsu-san." He said with a smile. Beside him, Himeko was obviously feeling the opposite. She kept her gaze down and pretended to be busy on her phone.

"Please just call me Momoka." She smiled sweetly at Bossun. "And you are?"

"Oh how rude of me forgot to introduce myself. I'm Fujisaki Yuusuke but you can just call me Bossun."

"Nice to meet you too Bossun."

The waiter returned to serve them some soup and appetizer which was fries and tempura. "Wow tempura I love this!" Bossun eagerly reached for one. Switch noticed that he and Himeko were the only ones who haven't spoken up. Obviously the two of them were not-so-pleased about the setup of this table. Then the music stopped and the lights dimmed. The four of them looked up to see Himeko's parents on stage.

"Good evening everyone! Thank you all for coming."

There was a short round of applause. Hime did not bother to listen to her parents' speech. She nudged Bossun by the elbow. "We're not gonna wait for the movie to finish. After you eat your dinner we're sprinting out of here."

"Are you sure your parents won't mind?"

"Believe me they wouldn't even notice." After a few minutes the Onizukas finished their speech and the movie started rolling. Great. This is a good distraction. Switch decided to focus on the movie while eating and just pretend he wasn't in one table with Yuusuke who also ate while watching the movie. It was an action film about an undercover model (played by Hime's mom) who was sent to Las Vegas in the guise of a modeling project but was actually there to infiltrate the hideout of a notorious gang but the twist was, the gang leader (played by Hime's dad) was her childhood friend.

Hime barely touched her soup, let alone reach for the appetizer. She went straight to the main course while paying a part of her attention to the film. When she finished her dessert Bossun was just about done. "Now let's get out of here." Himeko said

"Are you really sure?" Bossun asked. Hime sighed and grabbed his arm to pull him up. Switch didn't care where they were going. He was relieved for the awkward tension to finally subside. "Where are you going?" Momoka asked. "The movie isn't finished yet."

"Y-yeah the movie isn't over." Bossun said and Hime wanted to laugh because he made such a funny face when he's nervous. "I can grab a special copy of that just for you. And by special copy I mean not just limited edition. It will include an autograph of my parents and maybe even an autograph of me."

"B-but…" Yuusuke couldn't resist as Hime dragged him away from Switch and Momoka who just stared at them wide-eyed. "Will those two be okay?" Momoka asked

"I honestly don't want to involve myself in whatever they are doing."


Just as the two of them were about to leave the ballroom the ponytailed party planner stood in front of them just before the door. "Where are you going Onizuka-san?" she asked sternly.

"We're going somewhere." Hime answered

"Your parents strictly informed me not to let you leave until this whole party is done."

'What? But…this is an emergency!"

"Should I call your parents then?"

Oh gosh this was seriously not going well. Beside her, Bossun froze with nervousness. This was exactly what he was talking about. Hime grabbed Bossun's wrist and pretended to head back to their table. When the woman wasn't looking anymore Hime filled Bossun on the plan. "We're going through the fire escape!"

"Are you crazy?"

"Just do what I say." They walked as fast as they could, squeezing through passing waiters so they wouldn't get spotted. Yuusuke knew this plan was definitely crazy. But he also knew it will result to a wonderful memory. He closed the door behind him as they entered the fire escape. They descended down the flight of stairs as fast as their legs could carry them and when they got outside…

"Oh crap this is so far from the parking lot! Our clothes are in my car." Yuusuke said. They were already outside of the hotel. "We might get spotted if we try to get it."

Hime looked at the view before her. Bright lights everywhere, tall buildings and a cool night breeze. Such a trivial thing like that wouldn't stop a super rich kid like her. "Nevermind that I'm sure there's a store nearby."

"Halt!"

The two of them turned around to see a group of security guards coming towards them and leading them was the ponytailed party planner. "Don't let them get away!"

"Damn we have to run!" Hime said

"But…can you run in those?" Bossun pointed at her high heeled Pradas that obviously costed a fortune.

Hime grinned. "Who said I was gonna run in these?" Then she started to remove them much to Bossun's utter surprise. "Here woman you can have my Prada heels for all I care!" Hime tossed her sandals to the ground then she grabbed Bossun's hand. "And now we run!"

The two of them dashed hand in hand down the brightly lit streets of Roponggi – two teenagers in fine clothing and the girl was barefoot. Hime had never felt so alive. The cool wind blowing through her hair as she ran made her forget that she was the girl who cared so much about reputation. But not in this moment. And hopefully never will.

Hime laughed as she continued to run and she can hear Yuusuke laughing alongside her. It was like letting go of all the worries, together with her old self. She realized she was tired of pretending to be the cool, most popular girl in Kaimei. Kibitsu Momoka can have that title for all she cared. As Himeko looked at Bossun, the bright lights around them illuminating his smile even more, she knew she will have much more fun hanging out with this guy where she can be herself. And all the Pellolipops to her heart's content.

"We've lost them." Bossun said and they slowed down now that the ponytailed party planner and the guards were gone. "Whew that was a lot of fun!" Hime declared.

"Well Himeko I'm afraid the fun is just starting." Bossun grabbed Himeko's shoulders which surprised her. He turned Himeko around so that she was facing a karaoke bar. "It's the Dragon Quest themed karaoke bar!" Yuusuke squealed in delight.

"Eh?"

Without further protest Himeko went in anyway and the concierge didn't seem to care that she was barefoot. Yuusuke threw himself on the couch. "Ahhh now what song should I sing?"

Hime sat on the opposite couch. "Man my feet hurts from all that running."

Then Yuusuke suddenly stood up. "Wait here I'm gonna buy some shoes for you."

"R-really? You don't have to Bossun."

"Your feet is already turning red. Besides you might step on something sharp. I know there's a mall around here. What brand of shoes do you like?"

"Honestly I don't care about brands right now. Just get me something comfortable."

"If you say so. Alright then be back in a jiff." While he was gone Hime thought about how gentlemanly that was. He's worried about my feet… Hime giggled at how cute it sounded. "Now what song should I belt out while that guy is away?"


The ballroom was covered in thunderous applause as the movie ended.

"Wow that was really good!" Momoka said

"Yeah specially when Haruko fell from the building I definitely thought she was going to die!" Switch added

"Yeah but Sanjou saved her and it was just so sweet!"

The lights had turned back on and everyone was commenting on how amazing the movie was. Just then Momoka's mom arrived. "Oh I had such a lively time being in one table with Shizuka Saotome! Now Momoka dear the after party is starting it's time for you to sing."

"Oh…right." Momoka stood up and Switch smiled at her. "Good luck."

"Thanks." She replied before walking to the stage. And that's when it hit him: If Momoka was on stage…then she might spot Agata among the audience! And he was right there not so far from them, his arm draped around an unfamiliar girl. Switch couldn't care less who that girl was. Right now what he worried about the most was Momoka's feelings. What if she saw him which has a high probability of happening? Damn that bastard! Why did he have to lie when he could've just told her he was going with someone else? Instead of making her believe he was in a photo shoot only to appear with another girl in his arms. Switch was starting to have a sinking feeling this wasn't going to turn out well.

"To officially start off the party let's welcome teen sensation Kibitsu Momoka!"

Switch probably clapped the hardest when the spotlight focused on her and she stood in the middle of the stage as the song began. As an avid fan, Switch rarely missed a concert of hers. And in every concert he had been to, Momoka was always smiling, sometimes even dancing. But now she just stood there as she sang, her hands wrapped tightly around the microphone. Switch knew this was unusual but he doubt the rest of the audience noticed. When her performance was over, she bowed and some of the audience even gave her a standing ovation. Switch was one of them.

"That was wonderful Momoka-san!" Himeko's mom declared

"Thank you." Momoka bowed one more time before walking off the stage. But she did not return to their table. Instead she walked faster than usual, her head bent down and she went straight to the balcony area. Oh no…

Switch stood up and ran after her. He had already expected it but it still kind of hurt. Momoka was crying, her face buried in her hands.

"Momoka…"

"Oh Switch why did he have to lie?" seeing her like this made Switch want to punch Agata. "I…I saw him! He was with…"

"It doesn't matter." Switch cut her off. Momoka turned around to face him and seeing that there were still tears running down her face, Switch stepped forward to embrace her, comfort her, tell her everything was going to be fine. But instead it was ruined.

"Momoka?" Agata himself entered the balcony. "Hey why are you crying? Are you alright?" he first gave Switch a weird look before standing between them. Switch was so pissed that his hands balled up into a fist. But he restrained himself. He knew that if he actually did it, it will make things worse.

"Come I'll drive you home." Agata removed his jacket and placed it around Momoka who just stood there speechless. Switch couldn't believe it. He watched as Agata put his arm around Momoka and they walk off without even a word to Switch. Didn't Momoka feel angry/sad that she had been lied to? Why didn't she tell the guy to f*ck off?!

Oh yeah it was obvious. Girls preferred bad boy jerks like Agata and he was certainly not going to change himself just to fit in that category. Now Switch was the one who felt like crying. He stood there facing the view of Roponggi. He can even see Tokyo Tower from where he was standing. Yet he wondered why he felt so cold and so alone.