All the girls signed up for the karaoke competition then walked off to the side of the stage. There were large collections and lists of songs they could perform and the group started looking through them with eager eyes.
"Ok, we need to decide on a group song first, something that would wow Tsukune and also secure us advancing to the next round," Yukari said looking through the music curiously.
"There's a lot here, half of them I've never heard of before," Moka said as she flipped through the pages of a music book.
"Got it," Ruby said as she turned to a page then showed the girls. They looked at it then nodded in approval.
"I think that will do very nicely," Mizore said looking to the Tsukune along with all the other girls. Sitting at a table Tsukune and Hex watched as the three judges took the stage and faced the crowd. All three were young males and were dressed casually. Jeans, tennis shoes, loose fitting t-shirts; one had blonde hair, one dark haired, and the other a redhead.
"Alright! You ready to hear the voices of angels?" the redhead called out enthusiastically, the crowd cheering out in response.
"Ok then, let's get this competition started! And may the best vixen of voices win!" another judge called out, the girls standing off to the side waving at the crowd that once again cheered out with energy. And why not, the crowd was mostly young males who came here with their girlfriends to see all the pretty young ladies, while other guys came alone to see all the pretty young ladies. Every competitor was a teenager or young adult, and every one of them a beauty.
Two of the judges walked off to the side and sat at a table reserved for them while the blonde haired judge looked to the girls.
"Ok, let's start this off with Group A! Those that signed up on that team step forward!" he cheered. Tsukune and Hex watched as their girls walked forward, with all of them waving to the crowd with smiles as everybody was cheering for them. The judge nodded then looked to the girls as they walked up to him.
"Alright, sounds like they're ready to listen. So, what will you pretty young ladies be performing for the group song?" the judge asked as he held his mic to Moka, the vampire looking at Tsukune with gentle eyes.
"We will be singing 'Discotheque' by Nana Mizuki," she said happily. The crowd smiled and sat back for the performance while Tsukune chuckled.
"They would," he said simply.
"You know that song?" Hex asked glancing to him.
"Yeah, it's something they've all done before. Watch," Tsukune said with an eager smile. Moka walked out to the center of the stage with Mizore and Kurumu alongside her, all three standing by one of the mic stands. Ruby and Yukari walked over to a mic on their left while Kokoa took one at their right. The girls looked to each other and nodded then Moka glanced to the DJ and waved to him. The man gave a thumbs up and started the song which sounded off in the speakers and filled the hall with the energetic tune. The girls all moved in rhythm as they have before and sang in unison with high precision and tone.
"Chu-lu chu-lu chu-lu pa-ya-pa! Disco lady, disco lady! Deep emotion, deep emotion!" they sang in unison as the crowd watched with awe.
"They really are something aren't they?" Tsukune said while smiling at the girls, all of them keeping an eye on him except for Ruby who was watching Hex with a coy smile. Kokoa showed an arrogant smile to hide her true feelings while the others watched Tsukune with loving smiles as they saw he was watching them.
"Yes, they really are," Hex said with a smirk as he watched all the girls moving and singing on stage.
The group of girls finished their song and dance then stood there as the crowd cheered out in approval. The three judges nodded and gave thumbs up for the performance as well. The girls looked to the boys who were smiling and clapping with the rest of the crowd, then bowed and walked back to the other competitors that were giving them sour and dirty looks. They knew this group did well and weren't looking forward to the rigid competition with them.
"I think Tsukune really liked me singing, he was watching me the whole time," Moka said bashfully as she started looking through the lists for the next song she could sing.
"Don't flatter yourself, he was watching me up there on stage, and rightfully so. My voice was the most alluring to him while my boobs were more than enough eye candy for him," Kurumu boasted while looking through a songbook as well.
"He was watching me, I was the only one with such graceful charm on stage," Mizore quipped while looking through a book for her choice of songs.
"Not that I care, but I think he was more interested in me singing than the rest of you. Guess you girls are losing your touch," Kokoa said arrogantly while going through a book, keeping a bored expression on her face to hide that her heart was beating faster from Tsukune having watched her sing.
"Ok girls, try to save the backstabbing and bloody betrayals in this for when we have the singles to sing, we still need each other for the duet portion," Ruby said shaking her head while looking through a book.
Yukari was looking through a list of songs as well, however was remaining silent as she feared Tsukune wasn't really noticing her on stage. He had looked to her with a kind smile just like with the others, but the young witch was worried that he was more interested in the more mature and well-endowed singers that she was onstage with then.
'He hardly looked at me during that; he was more interested in the others. I have to prove to him that I'm not some little girl, I have to get him to see me.'
Ruby glanced to her with a raised eyebrow as she saw Yukari wiping a tear away quickly.
"Yukari? You ok?" she asked. Yukari glanced to her then back to the book while nodding quickly.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about what to sing next," she said. Ruby looked at her carefully for a moment then back to her book.
Sitting at the table Tsukune and Hex were watching the other groups for the first round take their turns.
"So, Tsukune, I have to ask, is there any one of those girls that you'd pick to be your girlfriend?" Hex asked casually. Tsukune looked at him with a jump as Hex glanced to him.
"I mean, it's so obvious that they all like you. You're a lucky guy to have so many lovely girls chasing after you like that. I was just wondering if there was one that stood out for you," the boy reasoned with a small shrug. Tsukune smiled a bit then looked over to seeing his friends talking while offstage.
"I am lucky to have them as my friends; they're all so special to me. But I'm not sure how to choose one for being my girlfriend, I don't want to hurt the others in doing so, and to be honest it's very hard to even choose one to begin with," he said with a small smile on his face.
"Then why not take them all?" Hex asked. Tsukune looked to him with a weak smile and shook his head.
"I'm not so sure I could do that, and I don't think such an offer would be acceptable to them either," he reasoned. Hex just looked at him for a moment then back to the girls that were singing on stage.
"I guess that's where we differ Tsukune, I wouldn't be opposed to having a few pretty young girls around me all the time," he said with a shrug. Tsukune looked at him curiously then back to his friends as the girls were trying to decide on what to sing their next song and who with.
After all the group songs were done the dark haired judge walked up on stage.
"Wow, now this is a karaoke showdown, am I right?" he yelled out, the crowd cheering out loudly in response.
"Aren't there rooms above us?" Tsukune asked curiously as he looked up at the ceiling, wondering if those staying in those rooms would get any sleep tonight.
"Alright, after hearing the group songs we have decided on what groups will advance to the duet portion of this event. The winners are…" the judge started as he turned to the girls waiting off to the side, all of them watching eagerly and waiting for the results.
"Groups A and D!" he called out, with the winning groups cheering out. As the others left the hall with scowls and dirty looks the judge turned back to the crowd, which had partially dispersed as the boyfriends of the losing groups were forced to leave.
"Alright, now we will begin the duet portion. Each group will split up and we'll see how they fare in the next round!" he called out before he walked back to the judges table. The girls started talking to each other while thumbing through the pages while the boys waited for their girls' next performance.
"Ok, so who's singing with who?" Ruby asked glancing around at them.
"Moka, can we sing together?" Yukari asked looking to the vampire. Moka smiled weakly at her then glanced to Kurumu.
"Actually, I think Kurumu and I are going to sing together," she said gently. Kurumu glanced to her then to the book again with a shrug.
"Sure, why not," she reasoned simply. Moka nodded while Yukari looked at her with worried eyes.
"Sorry Yukari, but… well, I think Kurumu and I will do well together for this part," the vampire reasoned.
"But you two were just arguing a moment ago about who Tsukune liked better," Yukari whined while pointing between them.
"Still say it was me," Kurumu said simply while turning a page in her book. Moka glanced to her with a dull stare then looked back at Yukari with a nervous smile.
"Well… be that as it may, we need to advance to the next round, and…" Moka said while rubbing the back of her head.
"You just don't want a kid for your partner, isn't that right?" Yukari snapped.
"That obvious huh?" Kurumu said simply while still looking at her book. Moka glanced away while remaining silent as Yukari gave her a frustrated scowl.
"Fine, I'll partner with Mizore then, go ahead and sing with bazooka girl, see if I care!" she shouted out.
"At least I have bazookas," Kurumu retorted flatly while glancing up to the witch with narrowed eyes. Mizore looked to Yukari then back to her songbook.
"Sorry Yukari, but I'm singing with Kokoa," she said softly.
"What? You are? Since when?" Kokoa said looking to her with a raised eyebrow.
"Since five seconds ago, now help me pick out a song for us to sing together," Mizore said glancing to her with a narrowed stare. Kokoa looked at her with puzzlement then shrugged and walked over to her, the two looking through the songbook while Yukari glared at them with a tear forming in her eye. Ruby looked to her then rested her hand on the young witch's shoulder.
"I'll sing with you Yukari, it'll be a duet of witches," she said with a smile. Yukari looked to her with wonder then down as she nodded slowly with a frown.
"Ok, thank you Ruby," she said softly. Ruby nodded then looked to the others with a raised eyebrow, all of them glancing to her then quickly looking back in their songbooks to avoid eye contact.
The girls decided on their songs while the other group of singers took their turns, their performances getting a round of cheers from the crowd after each duet went. Once it was their turn Moka and her friends informed the DJ about their song selections, with Moka and Kurumu then walking onto the stage. They stood next to a mic together and smiled at Tsukune, the boy watching them with a curious smile to seeing what the two would be singing. Moka took the mic while Kurumu waved to the DJ who nodded and got a CD ready to play.
"My name is Moka and this is my friend Kurumu, we will be singing 'Everytime We Touch' by Cascada," she called out. The music started as the two girls glanced to each other before looking back to Tsukune, both only focused on singing for him and not the crowd that watched with eager eyes.
"I still hear your voice, when you sleep next to me. I still feel your touch in my dreams…" they sang together, both of them tuning the world out around them as they watched Tsukune together. Yukari watched as Tsukune smiled at Moka and Kurumu with wonder, seeming to be engrossed in their voices as well. The young witch then bit her lip lightly while watching the two girls singing with worried eyes, fearing that Tsukune was becoming even more enchanted by them than before.
After Moka and Kurumu finished their song they were met with thunderous applause, from Tsukune and Hex as well.
"Very nice," Hex commented.
"Those two can really sing together," Tsukune added with a smile. Moka and Kurumu smiled and waved to him then trotted back to the other girls who were smiling reluctantly at them.
"Ok, I have to admit that was pretty good," Ruby said with a shrug.
"Yeah, I guess," Kokoa said looking away with a dull expression.
"Should at least get you to the next round," Mizore said casually. Moka and Kurumu glanced to each other and smirked confidently, both feeling pretty good about their performance.
"Alright, let's show this crowd how it's really done," Kokoa said walking out along with Mizore. The other girls watched them walk out to the mic while Yukari was looking to Tsukune with worried eyes. Mizore took the mic and smiled softly at Tsukune while Kokoa crossed her arms and looked away, pretending that she didn't care she was onstage.
"My name is Mizore and this is Kokoa, we'll be singing 'Truly Madly Deeply' by Savage Garden," Mizore said softly. Kokoa waved to the DJ who started the music, with the vampire and snow girl then looking towards Tsukune as the crowd quieted down for the show.
"I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope, I'll be your love, be everything that you need…" they sang together, with Mizore smiling gently at Tsukune while Kokoa kept her eyes casually drifting around at the crowd so not to appear like she was staring at him, even though she was only focusing on him and him alone. Yukari watched them singing with growing concern eyes then looked down to her body with fear.
'I can still compete with them, I know I can. I can still win Tsukune, it can happen.'
After Mizore and Kokoa finished their song together the crowd applauded them with cheers, Tsukune and Hex included as well. Mizore waved to Tsukune while Kokoa glanced to him, the vampire smiling softly and giving a small wave to him as well. The two girls then walked back towards the others who were smiling at them.
"You two sounded great out there, nice job," Moka said with a nod.
"Better than the rest of these girls at least," Kurumu said with an arrogant smile and shrug.
"Oh please, we've been the best so far," Kokoa quipped proudly.
"This contest is all mine, Tsukune loved my voice, he was watching me the whole time," Mizore said smugly. Kokoa glanced to her with a dull expression and crossed her arms.
"Odd, he seemed to be looking at me. Not that I cared, but he was watching me out there," she shot back. Mizore gave her a dull glare while Ruby rolled her eyes.
"Alright, c'mon Yukari, let's show them how witches can sing," she said proudly. Yukari nodded then followed after her, looking down with concern still. They walked onto the stage where Ruby took the mic while Yukari looked to Tsukune with hopeful eyes.
"My name is Ruby and this is my young friend Yukari," Ruby said, with Yukari twitching then glancing to her with annoyance from the word 'young'.
"And we will be singing 'Spellbound' by Lacuna Coil," Ruby continued. Yukari waved to the DJ and the music started up. The crowd watched as the girls looked to them with a cool smile each.
"Burning here, in my room, feeling bad, the walls are moving closer…" they sang together, both putting energy into the words to match the beat. As the two girls sang to the music Yukari watched Tsukune with hopeful eyes, seeing that he was listening to both of them singing with a caring smile. However once the song got to the main chorus line Ruby's voice seemed to overshadow Yukari's as she sang with great passion and tone, the crowd becoming enthralled with her singing while Tsukune smiled with awe at her.
"Tell me who you are, I am spellbound, you cannot have this control on me…" Ruby sang with a more pronounced voice, her words echoing her confident smile and stance. Yukari tried to match the elder woman's singing and energy however she couldn't make her voice more noticeable. After the song ended the crowd applauded the two girls, with Tsukune doing the same while Hex gave a gentle wave of the hand to Ruby in approval. Ruby bowed and waved to the crowd while Yukari only waved slightly as she smiled worriedly. She saw Tsukune smile at her, however she was sure most of that applause and praise was for Ruby.
'This is horrible; everyone is more alluring than I am. Not only do they have better figures, but their voices… I can't compete with them. I'm going to lose him; I'm going to lose Tsukune.'
The two walked back to the other girls who were smiling in approval at them.
"Wow Ruby, you really nailed that song," Kurumu said with an impressed nod.
"I'll say. You didn't use any real magic to charm the crowd did you?" Moka jested with a sly smile. Ruby laughed and shook her head.
"No, no magic at all. I'm not a siren after all. Just giving my all to provide Hex a good show," she mused with a smirk. Mizore glanced to Yukari then raised an eyebrow.
"Yukari? You ok?" she asked. The young witch looked to her with worried eyes, noticing the snow maiden's fair complexion and aurora eyes that gave her a serene appearance, then around at everybody else.
"What's wrong, I'm sure you two are going to advance to the next round after that performance," Kurumu said with a small shrug, her breasts bouncing slightly and causing Yukari to feel her heart sinking further into despair.
"You should feel proud of yourself, you're younger than the rest of the singers here and are doing much better than them," Kokoa commented while looking around, her red hair swaying slightly in her pigtails as her emerald eyes glanced around at the competition.
"You're doing great Yukari, why are you feeling sad now?" Moka asked with a gentle smile, her long pink hair flowing gracefully behind her as her hips swayed slightly while she shifted her balance from one leg to the other.
"We won that together, I couldn't have done it without you Yukari," Ruby said kindly, the elder witch's voice being calm and assuring just as it was powerful earlier with her singing.
Yukari looked around at all the girls then over to Tsukune, feeling her heart aching as she saw him and Hex talking casually at their table.
'This isn't working, he's not noticing me here; he's noticing all of them. I can't compete with them like this, I can't match them in either beauty or singing; I can't do this. Oh god, I'm going to lose him, he might choose one of them right here and now after this contest, this is a nightmare!'
"I… I…" she said shakily as she looked down. The other girls looked at her curiously then over to the stage as the redheaded judge walked up and looked around at the crowd.
"What do you guys think? Can these girls sing or can these girls sing?" he yelled out, with the crowd going wild with excitement.
"Yeah, no way anybody above us is sleeping now," Tsukune said weakly as he looked up.
"Ok then, it's time for the singles event. And the girls that will be advancing are…" the judge said before pausing for tension.
"Moka!" the judge called out, the pink haired vampire jumping for joy.
"Kurumu!" he said, the blue haired succubus yelling out with a cheer.
"Mizore!" he continued, the snow girl smiling and looking to Tsukune with hopeful eyes.
"Kokoa!" he continued, the redheaded vampire cheering out in excitement then quickly regaining herself and looking away with a casual smile.
"Ruby!" he said, elder witch smiling and waving to Hex who nodded in approval at her.
"And Yukari!" he finished, the young witch glancing to him then down again as she still showed a worried expression.
"Ok then, let's continue this with each girl singing their own song!" the judge concluded before he walked back over to his table. The losing contenders stormed off with dirty looks at the winners while the crowd diminished slightly as all the boyfriends of the girls that lost were dragged out.
Moka and the remaining girls looked to each other with challenging smiles while Yukari continued to look down at the ground with worried eyes.
"Well then ladies, now is the time to settle this little bet once and for all, and see which one of us is the best singer of our little group," Ruby said crossing her arms before her.
"Oh, I'm going to win this, not for the money or the fame, but for Tsukune," Kurumu said arrogantly.
"I'm winning this for Tsukune. I'm going to prove once and for all that my voice is the best out of all of ours," Moka declared proudly with her hands at her hips.
"The only one who's going to win this competition is his wife, and that's me. My voice is the most alluring and enchanting out of all of ours, and Tsukune is going to see just that once this is over," Mizore stated coolly.
"I'm going to win this thing, not for Tsukune of course, but just to shut all of you up. Besides, another chance to show up my big sister in a contest, that's more than enough of a reason for me being here," Kokoa said while looking away with a smug grin. Ruby shook her head amusedly at the vampire, knowing full well that she wanted to impress Tsukune like the others, and then looked to see Yukari on the verge of breaking down into tears.
"Yukari? What's wrong? Why are you crying?" she asked. The group looked to Yukari as she whimpered and shook her head while turning away from them.
"Yukari?" Moka asked gently.
"Hey, what are you crying for, you're not out yet," Kurumu said shaking her head. Yukari shook her head then ran off crying.
"I can't do this!" she cried out as she ran out of the hall. The crowd and judges watched the little girl race out into the lobby while Tsukune and Hex watched her go with puzzlement.
"Too much pressure for her?" Hex asked glancing to Tsukune.
"I'm not sure, I wonder what got her so upset like that," Tsukune said worriedly.
"Yukari wait!" Moka said as she tried to follow after, with Ruby quickly grabbing her hand and shaking her head.
"If we leave we'll be disqualified," Ruby pointed out while glancing to the judges. One of the three judges walked forward and looked around at the remaining girls.
"Um, where is she going? Did she just forfeit?" he asked.
"She… just ran out for a bathroom break, she'll be right back, I'm sure," Ruby said with a weak smile. The judge nodded then walked back towards his table.
"Ok then, well whoever is going to sing can take the stage then," he called back to the girls. Ruby looked to the boys and shook her head, with the two boys then looking towards the lobby where Yukari had vanished.
"I'll go find her and ask what happened, she looked pretty upset about something," Tsukune said as he started to stand up. Before he could move Hex stood up and motioned for him to sit back down.
"No, I'll go check on her. You don't want to miss your friends' performances, they've been bragging all night about singing for you after all," he reasoned casually. Tsukune looked at him worriedly then to the other girls, all of them looking from each other to the lobby.
"Well, I suppose," Tsukune said unsurely. Hex nodded then walked over to the girls while Tsukune sat back down.
"What was that about?" Hex asked.
"I'm not sure, she ran off crying all of a sudden," Moka said looking towards the doorway.
"Hex, could you please go check on her. If she doesn't come back soon she'll be disqualified," Ruby asked worriedly.
"Of course, I actually volunteered to do just that so Tsukune could stay and watch the rest of you sing. Tell the judge Yukari will be going last, I'll bring her back before then," Hex said assuredly.
"Thank you Hex," Moka said softly.
"My pleasure Moka, I'll try to calm her down and bring her back. If she doesn't want to sing that's fine, I'll just bring her to Tsukune and I's table for the rest of the competition if she prefers," Hex said with a small shrug. The boy walked off while the girls watched him with concern.
"Did we say something to upset her again?" Mizore asked.
"I don't think we did, we congratulated her after each song she won," Kokoa said while looking down in thought.
"I'm not sure where that came from, maybe the stress of the contest was too much for her," Moka reasoned with concern.
"Well, the stakes are pretty high here. Speaking of which, I'll be taking my turn now and securing my place for the finals, no need to keep Tsukune waiting any longer," Kurumu boasted proudly as she walked towards the stage. The other girls watched her go with dull expressions while Ruby looked to where Hex walked out into the lobby, the elder witch showing a curious expression before looking back towards Kurumu.
Out in the lobby Yukari was sitting down on a chair near the side of the hall, looking down with watery eyes while her hands rested in her lap.
"I'm not some little kid, but that's all he's ever going to see when those other girls are around me. He's never going to see how much I love him, he's never going to give me a chance like this," she whimpered.
"Yukari?" Hex asked from nearby. The witch looked over to see him walking up to her with a curious expression.
"Why did you run off like that, I thought you were determined to win that contest for Tsukune," he asked.
"I can't win that for Tsukune, I can't win anything for him. I can't compete with those other girls; every one of them is prettier than me and more alluring. Tsukune's never going to notice me. The other girls were right… I'm… I'm just a little kid to him!" she cried out before burying her face in her hands, sobbing loudly as Hex stood beside her. He kneeled down and rested a hand on her shoulder, the girl shaking her head while crying still.
"It's not fair, I love him so much, and yet he's never going to see that. How can he, he has all of them in front of him every day. He's been more focused on them than me during that stupid contest, and why not, they all can sing and they all have stupid boobs!" she cried out. Hex raised an eyebrow to that then shook his head with a small smile.
"Well, you may be young, but your heart is just as special as all of theirs," he reassured gently. Yukari looked to him with watery eyes then towards the conference center's doorway as Kurumu's voice was heard singing her song.
"Even if that's true… I can't… I can't win him over. They only see me as a little kid, it's not fair," she said with sorrow.
"I don't see you as just a little kid," Hex said kindly. Yukari looked to him with worried eyes as he smiled gently at her.
"You're just blossoming into a fine woman, such a thing cannot be rushed after all," he reasoned.
"Thank you… but… it doesn't matter. Tsukune won't see me become a woman in time; he's going to pick one of those other girls first. He might even pick one tonight after hearing how well they can sing," Yukari said worriedly. She looked down and held a hand to her lips with a nervous expression.
"I can't lose him to those other girls like this. I always dreamed of Tsukune, Moka, and myself sharing our love with each other, we were perfect for each other after all," she said softly. Hex blinked and just looked at the girl with a raised eyebrow.
"Um… what?" he asked simply.
"But… if I really can't have both of them, if Moka really won't return my love as well, then… I just can't bear to lose Tsukune as well, I need him more than anybody," Yukari said with a few tears dropping from her cheeks.
"Did you just say you wanted Tsukune and Moka?" Hex asked plainly.
"I love him so much; I can't lose his love to those other girls. If Moka won't share him with me then she doesn't deserve to be a part of our love, it's not fair she gets to come between us like that and steal him away from me," Yukari said shaking her head, not paying attention to Hex at all.
"You want both of them to love you?" Hex asked again. Yukari looked up with a distant gaze and shook her head.
"I dreamed every night of all of us together under the sheets, with both of them holding each other and me sandwiched in the middle with a smile on my face. All of us together forever, it would have been perfect," she said softly. Hex just looked at her with a raised eyebrow then glanced away.
"Well, didn't see that coming," he said simply.
"But now Moka's threatening to take him away from me entirely, they all are. And what's worse… they're going to succeed. Tsukune isn't going to return my love, even if I offer to take him and him alone without Moka, he's going to choose another," Yukari said looking down with despair. She looked over to the conference center as cheering was heard, knowing that Kurumu finished her song with Tsukune no doubt applauding her.
"It's all over for me, he's falling further and further away from me every day, I just know it," Yukari said shaking her head with fearful eyes. She blinked then looked to Hex, the boy looking over towards the conference center's doorway still. After a pause he looked back to her, the witch staring at him with wonder.
"What?" he asked. Yukari glanced to the doorway then back to him, her hands fidgeting in her lap. She trembled a bit then quickly stood up in front of him with pleading eyes.
"Please, I want to play your game, right now!" she begged desperately. Hex looked at her with a curious eye as she held her hands together in front of her and kneeled down on the floor.
"I can't lose Tsukune, I just can't! You can change reality, you can make it so Tsukune will love me can't you? Please, can't you?" she begged. Hex looked at her for a moment then tilted his head with a slight smirk.
"Well, that could become reality, anything is possible after all," he mused casually.
"I'm begging you; let me roll to make it reality, please! I can't let Tsukune be taken away from me; I'm running out of time!" Yukari pleaded with tears in her eyes. Hex nodded slowly and brought out his dice, with Yukari looking to them with anxious eyes.
"That's quite a wish you want to make. You must be really desperate to want such a thing, forcing his hand into loving you like that," Hex said with a knowing smile. Yukari looked at him worriedly then to the dice.
"I… I can't lose him Hex, I'll do anything to have his love, anything," she said shakily. Hex nodded then held out his dice, the girl looking at them with nervous eyes then to him.
"If you win my game of chance, Tsukune will fall in love with you just as you dreamed. He'll see you as the woman you truly are and become smitten at first sight. No other girl will ever be able to take him away from you again, his heart will belong to you forever," he said calmly. Yukari gulped softly then showed a worried expression again.
"And… if I lose? What would you want from me?" she asked softly. Hex toiled the dice around leisurely in his hand while showing a calm smile.
"Your heart," he said. Yukari jumped a bit and stared at him with wide eyes.
"My… heart?" she asked quietly while holding a hand over her heart. Hex nodded while still holding the dice out in his hand.
"Yes, that's something I've always loved to gamble for; a fair woman's heart. It's a fair wager, after all you are choosing to win Tsukune's heart forever should you win, it's only fair you bet your own heart in return," Hex reasoned. Yukari looked at him with a stunned expression then down at the dice.
"If I lose… you'll have my heart… forever?" she asked nervously.
"Yes, those would be the stakes. If you don't wish to roll Yukari then you don't have to, I'm not forcing your hand in the matter," Hex said as he started to pull his hand back. Yukari quickly reached out and grabbed his hand, still keeping her eyes on the dice while she wiped away her tears with her other hand. She looked to Hex with sorrow as he watched her with a calm smile.
"Wait," she said softly. He waited as she looked back to the dice then down with concern. She could hear Moka singing in the other room, knowing that Tsukune was surely watching her with high interest and with a smile on his face.
"If I lose him… my heart will be forever in pieces anyway…" she said softly while looking back to the dice. After a while she looked to Hex with worried eyes.
"I'll do whatever it takes, I just have to win him," she said. Hex looked at her with a knowing smile as she paused for a moment, the girl then taking the dice into her hand.
"Alright, I accept your gamble Hex," she said rattling the dice around in her hand. Hex's eyes gave off a slight shimmer as he watched her with a casual smile.
"Just remember, you chose to roll the dice, I didn't force you," he said simply. Yukari nodded then rolled the dice, getting a five and one. Hex picked up the dice as applause was heard in the conference center, with Moka's performance getting a round of cheers from the crowd and likely Tsukune as well.
"If you win Hex, you're only getting a broken heart," Yukari said softly. Hex chuckled and rolled the dice, getting a four and five. Yukari picked them up and rattled them around while the boy shrugged slightly.
"I'm still willing to gamble for it, it would be worth something to me regardless," he reasoned. Yukari looked at him worriedly and rolled the dice, getting two fours.
"I will only love Tsukune, now and forever. If you get my heart you won't get my love," she said before taking the dice and rattling them again.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind," Hex said as the witch rolled again, getting a two and six. Hex picked up the dice as Yukari looked at him with remorse.
"Before the game ends, tell me, what are you really? Where did you come from, and why?" she asked. Hex rolled and got a four and three, the witch then picking up the dice as the boy smiled calmly at her.
"Now now Yukari, me telling you that wasn't part of this game. Though, should I win and your heart becomes mine, I'll tell you then," he said with a wink. Yukari looked at him with saddened eyes then down as she rattled the dice around in her hand.
"Fine, don't tell me. When I win this I won't care anymore, all I really want is Tsukune, now and forever," she said, then rolled the dice. The cubes rolled around then came to a stop, with Yukari staring at them with wonder while Hex still showed a calm smile.
Inside the conference center Tsukune watched each of the other girls take their turns singing their songs, each of them wowing the crowd along with him as they gave their all with their choices. Moka had sung 'How Do I Live' by LeAnn Rimes, giving a heartfelt performance while watching Tsukune with a loving smile the entire time. Kurumu had sung 'Me & U' by Cassie, singing it with a lot of passion and suggestive winks at Tsukune who of course noticed while watching with a nervous smile. Mizore had chosen the song 'Breathless' by The Corrs, her loving voice certainly leaving Tsukune breathless in awe along with the rest of the crowd. Kokoa had chosen 'I Want You To Want Me' by Letters To Cleo, the young vampire trying not to stare too much at Tsukune while singing it even though the song was pretty much aimed at him only. And Ruby had chosen 'For Your Entertainment' by Adam Lambert, her alluring voice and cool expression causing many in the crowd to whistle at the woman while Tsukune was captivated by her vixen like appeal.
After each song was done the judges started talking amongst each other while the girls looked towards the lobby entrance.
"Where is Yukari, she's going to be disqualified if she doesn't get back here soon," Moka said worriedly.
"Not like she had a chance to beat me anyway, she probably left to go back up to her room," Kurumu reasoned with a casual shrug and arrogant smile.
One of the judges walked up towards the girls while looking around with a shrug.
"So is your other friend coming back, otherwise we'll have to disqualify her," he said with a somewhat remorseful tone. The other girls looked to each other curiously then over to see Hex and Yukari walking back into the hall.
"Yukari, are you ok?" Moka called out. Yukari looked to her and nodded then over to the judge with a small shrug.
"Sorry, but I'm dropping out of the competition," she said simply.
"You are, are you sure?" the judge asked with a raised eyebrow. The other girls looked at Yukari with puzzlement as she glanced to Tsukune, the boy watching her with a curious eye as well. The young witch nodded then looked to the judge again.
"Yeah, it doesn't matter to me anymore, I'm done," she said casually. The other girls looked to each other with confusion as the judge nodded while rubbing the back of his head.
"Well, alright then, you can take a seat in the crowd if you wish to stay and watch, otherwise I guess you can leave whenever you want," he said before returning to his table to talk to the other judges. Hex walked back over to Tsukune's table and sat down as Yukari walked over to the girls.
"Good luck," she said with a smile at them.
"Why did you quit Yukari, you could have had a chance of winning still. Tsukune didn't even get to hear you sing by yourself," Ruby asked curiously. Yukari giggled then looked over towards Tsukune with a calm smile.
"That's ok, I don't mind," she said before she started walking towards the boys' table. As she did her eyes shifted from Tsukune over to Hex, the young witch blushing slightly as she smiled softly at him.
"I've found someone better than Tsukune," she said quietly to herself.