runo: I'm glad that you enjoyed the story!
diamond heart 82: Awww I'm glad to hear how "powerful" my stories are hahahaha ^^ I'm sure you'll do / have done well for your test! (:
Taiko-Chan: When you get a new account I'll be sure to support you alright! ^^ and yes, you're right, Runo may have been impulsive in talking to Hikaru about Dan back when she had been pregnant and left behind. At least we all know the good in Dan! (:
"Yes, I need you to do me a favour."
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"Right, I'll pay you for it."
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"You're a private investigator, aren't you? Just follow wherever Dan Kuso goes and keep me up to date."
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"My motive? I don't think that's necessary."
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"That's all. I'm hanging up."
Tone dial.
The unknown person pressed a few more buttons on her phone, before lifting her up to her ear once more.
"I need you to get me a group of audience and people."
"I still can't believe you're actually thinking of doing something for Runo's birthday, Dan!"
Dan groaned. "Really, Julie? Can't you just accept that I'm a changed man already?"
"But, Dan, you never planned anything for Runo's birthdays for the past six years. You always just gave her a card from a gift shop and a bouquet of flowers," Julie protested.
"And I'm making amendments now, alright? Anyway, we're here now!" Dan stopped outside a cafe with a wide grin.
Julie blinked, stopping in her tracks beside Dan. However, what caught her eye was a stage outside of the cafe.
"Oh, look, Danny, they're having an event, and it's actually beginning in five minutes!" Julie squealed excitedly, clapping her hands.
"My, would you like to participate in the event?"
Dan and Julie spun around to look for the owner of the voice, only to see a woman with dark hair and a red dress. She smiled at the two gently.
"You get to win exclusive prizes, including the latest model of a laptop, a new watch, coupons for a buffet-"
"Alright, we're in!" Dan yelled, exploding with enthusiasm.
Julie frowned, blinking as she looked up at the overly-excited brunette.
"But, Dan, we don't even know what the competition is about!"
"May I have your names please?" The woman asked.
"I'm Dan Kuso, and she's Julie Makimoto," Dan answered.
The woman nodded her head as she penned down the names on a signboard. "Alright then, you two have been registered as number 12. Good luck in being the best couple!"
"Wait, best couple?!" The two yelped, only to be ignored when the woman walked away.
Julie folded her arms as she huffed. "This is all your fault, Dan, now what are we going to do?"
Dan laughed nervously as he scratched his head. "Let's see if we can withdraw our application."
And so, the two went on to find another crew member to ask if they could forfeit the competition, only to be rejected. The two sighed, making their way up the stage as instructed by the crew.
A few more couples stood beside them on the stage, all looking chummy and enthusiastic - the exact opposite of Dan and Julie. While Julie was rather mad, Dan had his head hung low.
"Well then, let's begin the competition! My name is Adeline and I'll be your host for this special event. Today we'll witness the passionate love that shines through these couples through a series of games and events. Now for our first item, gentlemen, please move forward," the lady in red instructed, gesturing her arm.
The males all stood out as told. A team of crew members hauled a backdrop up the stage, which had a line of holes on it.
"Ladies, please proceed behind the backdrop. I need you to stand in random order, no cheating!"
The females all proceeded on.
"Now put your hands through the hole. Gentlemen, you may turn around."
The men all turned around, but Dan was the only one who let out a groan. Imagine if Runo knew he was participating in such a competition with another girl! The brunette couldn't be more than devastated.
"Gentlemen, behind this backdrop are the girls of your dreams. Find your lover, and grab her hand! You'll be given twenty seconds from now!"
Dan rolled his eyes. This shouldn't be too hard, the brunette told himself. Julie was tan, after all. He quickly scanned across the backdrop, where he saw only three hands which were the same shade as Julie's skin. He quickly outlisted the first, which was too large to be Julie's. It was only a decision between the second and third.
Squinting his eyes at the hands, Dan noticed a hint of a silver bangle in the second hand.
"Five seconds!"
Quickly, Dan dashed towards the second hand and grabbed it. It had to be Julie - she had gushed about the bangle which Billy had brought for her all the way from Africa.
"We'll now lift the top of the backdrop. Those who haven't found their partners will be eliminated. Alex, Roger, if you may, please," Adeline asked and the two men standing on either side of the backdrop lifted the top half of it, revealing the girls.
Julie let out a gasp, clearly not expecting Dan to have been smart enough to find her, while Dan glared at the Australian unhappily.
"And our first round has eliminated seven couples already! Couple numbers one, three, four, eight and twelve, please stay on the stage."
The remaining couples watched as the eliminated couples left the stage.
"And onto round two!"
"And we have a winner! Couple twelve, who have identified themselves as Dan and Julie, have won. Dan has been a strong boyfriend, having been able to carry his girlfriend bridal style for the longest time!"
Dan quickly let go of Julie, letting the Australian fall to the ground. The famous reporter let out an annoyed shriek, getting up as she rubbed her aching bottom.
"You're lucky I train, Julie, damn lucky. You need to go on a diet - why do you seem to weigh twice as much as Runo?" Dan gasped for air.
"Hey!"
Adeline made her way to the couple, who quickly straightened themselves.
"Congratulations on being the best couple! You get to take away the latest model of laptop, and a free romantic dinner in Bakugan City! The prizes will be delivered to you afterwards, so please remember to leave your numbers with the crew."
"What about the coupons for a buffet?" Dan protested, eyes wide with horror.
"Oh? Those are the third prize!" Adeline laughed. "Anyway, as the winning couple, it is a rule that you have to kiss for ten seconds!"
"What?!" Dan and Julie both shrieked.
Adeline nodded her head, pointing at a banner at the side of the stage. "It's been stated there! Since you have completed the game and won it, you have to do it, right here, right now."
Dan and Julie turned to each other wide-eyed. Dan gulped.
"I don't want to cheat on Billy!" Julie whined.
"I don't want to cheat on Runo either!" Dan groaned. "Let's just get this done and over with."
Julie's lip trembled vigorously, but the silver-haired girl nodded her head.
The two's lips touched. There was no form of passion, just slight contact.
"Five!"
"Four!"
Ten seconds seemed to crawl by to Dan. Every second of the kiss was killing him on the inside.
"One!"
Dan and Julie immediately pulled away from each other, both sides quickly wiping their lips.
"And that was the kiss from our winners! And with that, we end today's game! Thank you for your kind participation.
"Did you get the picture?"
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"Very good. Be sure to edit the picture. Change the background, and be sure to not mention about the event at all."
Oh no, disaster strikes! Just who is this person trying to get Dan and Julie in trouble, and for what reason? Could it be Hikaru? Or Haruto? Or maybe someone else? Stay tuned for more drama!