Ivan's POV:

I was awaken by a bird singing through my shattered window. My head rung as I tried to recall what happened last night... That woman... Those bright blue eyes... It all came rushing back to me just as fast as all the pain struck me again. I flinched due to my alarm ringing for school. I lifted my bruised body from leaning on the wall. I inched my way to the shower and started it. I undressed myself and stepped into the cold bombarding water within the shower.

"Who sent her...."

I leaned my head amongst the shower wall and started to think... Every time I did, instead of an answer coming to me, tears of heartbreak did.

"I Love you too...."

Thinking back to that day, the only thing I remembered was that I never said "I love you" back to my grandfather... I dreaded that fact. I only wished to see him again. At least one more time, and pay my respects, without him in pain... But anything I would say, would never bring that to reality.

After I finished bathing myself, I stepped up too the fogged up bathroom mirror. I didn't see Ivan anymore... I saw a sad child that cried over something he could never have. I looked at my face in shame and turned out to the door.

I searched for clothes that weren't blood drenched and put them on. I looked to my right, and too the corner of the room I saw my carelessly tossed denim jacket. I slipped it onto my aching bruised body.

"Perfect fit..."

I put on my converse and walked out my apartment door.

Finally I arrived at school. The only day I wanted to be left alone, people were slamming me with unwanted questions. Most of them were referring to the six guys I fought off myself the day before. Most questions were about asking me for self defense lessons, while others on the other hand were asking for my number. Loads of beautiful girls were disappointed that I had to turn them down.. I knew Ayame and I wouldn't ever be together, but I didn't want to give up any chances...

"Aww c'mon tough guy!" One of the girls commented as I rejected my number...

As I walked into class, I realized I was pretty early. The only person in the room was Ayame. I moved too the back of the class to claim my seat beside her.

"Hi Ivan! Good morning!" She gave with a morning loving look..

"Hey Ay-- ow.." I placed my hand on my bruised rib..

"You alright? You work out too hard?" Ayame laughed..

"Yeah uh-- Sure, that.." I tried to fib..

Ayame looked at me deeply...

"So what really happened? I bet they're bruises.."

"I swear this girl is almost psychic...." I thought to myself..

"Let me see..." she said sincerely..

I fought for a little but, but just gave in. She removed my jacket and started feeling around my ribs and back. At almost every touch I let out a whimper.

"Let me see your stomach..."

I raised my brow at her.

"Remove my shirt for you?" I thought...

I slightly lifted my shirt. She then tugged on it harder and lifted it up revealing my whole front.

"You alright Ivan? This looks pretty bad."

"I uhh..." I thought of what to say..

I pulled my shirt back down quickly before anyone else noticed me..

"A bunch of guys tried mugging me so I had to fight all of them off.."

Ayame giggled and squinted one eye.

"Then how come I've never seen you fight before?"

I blushed out of embarrassment and anger. I knew I should have beat up those guys in front of her. Fighting is what I do best! Well maybe besides being a pianist...

"Well I do fight!"

"Then what is your fighting style?" she asked sarcasticaly...

"Aikido and Tai chi... A little bit of Drunken fist on the side.."

Ayame laughed even harder.

"Wow you're being serious? I bet you're not as good as a fighter as Kyosuke!" She teased me..

I looked down in disappointment.. I felt something click inside of me..

"You never know Ayame.. How do you know I'm not as good of as a fighter or better than him?" I grinned...

"HA! Because I saw him fight in the illegal under--" She stopped herself..

I nodded my head in disapproval..

"Ayame.. You've been going to illegal fights?!"

"But I..." Ayame looked down in shame.

"Ayame.. I'm not mad at you, but I fear for your safety..."

She looked up at me with those beautiful emerald eyes again... So deep.. I felt like I could lose myself in them for hours... I shook my head and tried to snap out of the trance..

"Did you know I'm starting a martial arts club here in school now? If you want to prove yourself you need to try out!" She laughed..

I grinned..

"Alright then, I will! You'll see how good of a fighter I am!"

"Alright.. I'm gonna need help recruiting anyway.."

The bell rang and we both reconstructed our composure as the rest of the students rushed in. The teacher ran into the classroom following the students.

"Good morning class. I hope you all enjoyed your first day of school yesterday!"

The class gave "boos" and "sighs"..

"Settle down class.. Ivan.. I'm very sorry about yesterday.. Would you like to introduce yourself?"

As I stood up, another student started to speak aloud...

"What? This stupid Mexican?" He sat their leaned against his seat.

I ignored his statement and continued on..

"I'm Ivan Valdez and I--" I was once again, cut off..

"Wow look at this kid... Thinks an idiot like himself can stand a chance in a school like this..."

The teacher was shocked by his behavior. She quickly brought that to his attention..

"Kuzaku! Your unacceptable behavior ends now! Take this referral and leave my classroom!"

Without hesitation or sign of fear he took the referral in his hands and walked out the door. The class wasn't exactly shocked but knew what he said wasn't appropriate..

"My apologize Ivan... If you don't want to present yourself it's alright I don't blam--" I quickly cut her off..

"My name is Ivan Javier Valdez. I am from Mexico. My last remaining family past on so I needed to find another place to support myself. I came to Japan in hopes of a better life and higher learning of education...."

The teacher paused and then a smile slowly came to her face..

"Alright Ivan, thank you. You may sit down now."

I sat and things started to become a little normal. No one was staring at me anymore with that "Is he going to mug me?" type of look. I felt a bit more accepted amongst the rest of the students. You can't blame me. I am the only Mexican amongst Asians in a class room.

After we finished our lesson and assignments, we all started to communicate a little more. They asked me loads about Mexico and what it was like to live there.

"Well to be honest it wasn't that bad.. You just need to be able to run fast and know how to defend yourself."

Everyone stared at me with wide eyes.

"I'm just kidding.." I smirked..

The rest of the class laughed including the teacher. Ayame giggled a bit herself. I loved her laugh, so I wanted to make as many good jokes as possible.

The hour rolled through and the bell rang. Every student waved to me in a farewell motion. Ayame slowly made her way to my desk..

"See you last block Ivan!" She bolted out behind the rest of the class..

As I stood up I noticed the teacher. I just needed to ask about that Kuzaku guy.

"Excuse me miss..." I nervously interrupted her packing her bags.

"Oh yes Ivan? What do you need?"

"Well... I wanted to ask about that guy Kuzaku.."

She paused for a moment and thought of weather to tell me or not.

"Well you need to keep this between you and me..."

"No problem. You can trust me." I leaned over a bit.

"Well he's not really qualified to attend classes here..."

I raised my brow.

"How is that so? Why is he here anyway?"

"Well.. He mainly payed his way through.. But even then, if you can't abide to the standards or rules, you get removed from the school."

I was still trying to piece everything together...

"Apparently Kuzaku has connections, and people that know our principle. I think someone is paying our principle privately to keep him in this school no matter what he does wrong."

"How would you know this for sure?" I asked.

"The first day I brought his behavior to his attention he said "Lady I can get you removed from this school in a blink of an eye." The next day I get called to the main office. The principle made me beg for a second chance in keeping my job here. He said he didn't want any more trouble with me and Kuzaku."

"Woah... So what happened?"

She dropped her head in disappointment..

"Well I did the only thing I could do.. I begged for my job and apologized for anything I did wrong which was still something of a mystery to me..."

I sighed. I had no idea what to say.

"Well thank you. I should be getting to lunch now.."

The teacher waved farewell and I bolted off in hopes of catching up to the crowd of students...