Author's Note: Yo, everyone! Chapter 5's up! And so the elimination and the game started and ended in the first three chapters. In the last chapter, Shun have confessed his feelings to Ruriko, and their Valentines Day was complete. But that's not the end of the day yet. Megumi doesn't want to go to the date, and had a quarrel with the athletic Kaoru. She challenged her for about something that she thought was impossible for the freshman to do, but the lass have won the challenge easily. And now, off to the noodle shop, to make Megumi lessen her pride…

Date the Girl in Your Dreams!

By: Yuki

It was almost 6:30 in the evening. Two girls were running at the street; one was in the lead, running on her stockings and carrying her high-heeled red shoes while the other followed, holding a cassette tape in her right hand. Both of them were smiling and giggling.

"Yahoo!" Shouted the one in the lead. "I wonder what Ms. Kurogane's expression will be."

"Maybe she'll be surprised that you went through the challenge that she gave you. Now, she has no other choice than to go to the date." Said the one in white dress.

"Anyway, thanks for the help, Ayami." Kaoru thanked the girl as she stopped running in front of a noodle shop.

"No problem. It was fun, and I'm sure it'll be fun again once you hand this cassette tape to Ms. Kurogane." Ayami replied.

"Let's go!" Kaoru shouted as she slid the door of the noodle shop open.

Chapter 5: My Dear Princess, Hear My Words!

Everyone inside the noodle shop glanced at the weird looking pair: one girl in a red spaghetti strap walking in the lead with an angry expression on her face, carrying her high-heeled matching red shoes with two fingers; the other shorter girl clad in a knee-length plain white collared dress with matching white boots, laughing along the way.

Kaoru continued walking with her eyes fixed in the direction of a black-haired girl at the counter. Ignoring the loud laughing of her companion and the glances from the people inside the noodle shop, Kaoru proceeded immediately at the counter, bumping a lad along the way.

The lad's head almost smashed to the bowl of noodles that he was holding. But still, for some unknown reason, he didn't feel any anger at the brown-haired girl who bumped him. All that he can do is let his eyes follow the beautiful figure and say, "Gorgeous… very beautiful…"

Kaoru smashed her fist at the counter, calling the attention of everyone, especially the girl at the other side of the counter. Her fist even made a crack on the wood. The black-haired girl glared at her, as if asking her questions like 'what's the purpose of all these scandal?' Kaoru just glared back.

Behind the two, people were asking Ayami several questions.

"Hey girl, are they going to fight? That girl with you seemed to be a gang leader." One of the children in the restaurant asked Ayami.

"Oh, no… of course not. They won't have a fight in here. And by the way, the girl with me isn't a gang leader. She is just a normal athletic school girl." Ayami answered the child's question. Several questions from the other people then followed, making the noodle shop as noisy as possible.

"QUIET!!!" Kaoru shouted. "Please?" She added with a taunting smile, making everyone seat back at their tables. She then faced her opponent again who didn't even moved an inch. The girl's eyes just widened at confusion when Kaoru grinned at her.

"What?" Megumi finally asked. "Did you come here to show me what you will wear on your date with that man?" She added with a cackle.

"Hahaha, very funny. Anyway, laugh all you can, 'cause I don't think you can laugh and taunt me after I present my gift for you." Kaoru replied. She then left the counter and faced all the people.

"Hmm… let's see…" Kaoru murmured as she strolled her eyes around the noodle shop. Ayami, who knew what Kaoru was looking for, did the same. Then, she spotted what they needed under a table on which several lads sat.

"Excuse me…" Ayami said as she approached the table. "Can I borrow your cassette, please?"

"Huh? What are you talking about? After that girl smashed her fist on the counter, I don't think she'll spare our cassette when she gets mad! We bought this on our own money!" Said one of the lads who seemed to be a war-freak, making Ayami frown in annoyance.

"But we're not going to destroy it, sir! You see, we're just borrowing it! You can't judge things without knowing everything about it, and that's what we're gonna prove! Just hand the cassette to us, okay?!" Ayami shouted. The lad then stood up and grabbed her collar, saying, "What's your problem, huh, brat?"

"I should be the one asking you that question." Ayami replied even if she's already choked.

"You two speak with sharp tongues, but you speak before you think." The lad said.

"Thanks for the compliment." Ayami replied with a grin, making the lad angrier than before. He readied his fist for a punch. But then, one of his friends stopped him.

"Stop it. That's a girl." The brown-haired lad said. "Why don't we just lend them the cassette for a while?" He added.

"After that girl made your head almost smash to your noodles, your siding with them? Very well, if that's what you want! Make sure you bring that cassette tomorrow at school or I'll make your eyes black!" After the war-freak lad said this, he pushed Ayami and left. Some of his friends followed him while some stayed at the Noodle shop.

"Gee, thanks cutie. I'll return this later." Ayami said as she picked up the cassette from the floor and placed it on a side of the counter where she can plug it for electricity. She then placed the cassette tape inside. Right after pressing the play button, she gave Kaoru a thumbs-up.

Kaoru gave a thumbs-up, too, and sat herself down. She looked at Megumi, who also sat herself down with a confused expression on her face.

And then, the record started to play…

Tape

Ayami: Um… Reiji, how are you feeling tonight?

Kageyama: Well, um… hey, I think that's a tough question. Is this some sort of interview?

Ayami: Oh, yeah, you're right. So, how are you feeling?

Kageyama: Nervous, very nervous…

Ayami: Nervous? Why?

Kageyama: I don't know why, but I'm getting nervous. Especially when Megumi comes into my mind. I don't know, but the way she acted right after the contest is making me think some sort of silly things.

Ayami: Silly things? Like what?

Kageyama: Like… like she's not gonna go here and she'll make me wait all night.

Back to Noodle Shop

Everyone looked at Megumi. The girl stood up and shouted, "Stop that cassette tape, NOW!" She glared at Ayami, but her glare didn't seemed to scare the girl. She just pushed the Stop Button and smiled at her.

"Ms. Horokawa, please stop the tape and return the cassette to the lads." Megumi begged, although it didn't seemed like she was begging at all. It sounded like she was… giving a command, which Ayami didn't like.

Ayami shook her head. "No, no, no. Why should I stop the tape?" She said.

"She's right." Kaoru budged in. "There are still more to hear." Saying this, she glanced at Ayami and she pushed the Play Button again.

Tape

Ayami: What made you think so?

Kageyama: Many things happened in the past. I don't think she have forgotten all that I've done.

Ayami: Huh? What are you talking about? What did you do?

Kageyama: Please Ayami, I… I don't want to talk about it. Let's just say that I've hurt her feelings last time.

Back to Noodle Shop

"So, he knew that he hurt me before…" Megumi thought to herself. She then looked at Ayami, as if telling her to press the Play Button. The little girl seemed to understand what she meant and pressed the Play Button again.

Tape

Ayami: Oh I see. Umm… what do you think of Ms. Megumi Kurogane?

Kageyama: She's an intelligent student and very determined person. She's very devoted to her studies and very unfriendly to other people. But still, I know that the reason why she was so unfriendly is that she thought that everybody laughed at her and didn't appreciate her.

Ayami: Um, how did you found out that reason?

Kageyama: Err… because I appreciated her talents before, and she seemed to… err… um… liked that fact… and… um… oh I dunno!

Ayami: Oh how cute, you're blushing!

Kageyama: Oh shut up!

Back to Noodle Shop

The tape continued to play, making everyone hear the sound of laughing and giggling. But the people aren't concerned about the sound, because everyone is now looking at Megumi whose cheeks were red. Kaoru tried to hide her cackles but they seemed to be heard. Anyway, what if she laughs at Megumi? That's what she deserves.

Tape

Ayami: Okay, okay. Umm, next question. Could you tell me your view of what will happen tonight? Just your fancy.

Kageyama: Okay so, we will eat and talk together tonight. And then, I can walk her home, if she agrees, that is. And then… um… nothing.

Ayami: Huh? And then… what?

Kageyama: Uh… I can give her a goodbye kiss… err…

Ayami: On the lips?

Kageyama: Err… if possible… he he…

Back to Noodle Shop

Everyone is clapping their hands. Ayami paused the tape for a while and joined in the applause.

Megumi tried to hide her cheeks, which were red as tomatoes. But still, everyone knows that she is blushing.

"Hey Megumi, relax. It's not over yet." Kaoru said. Megumi just smeared at her.

Tape

Ayami: Oh, a kiss on the lips, eh? I wish you good luck.

Kageyama: Ha ha. Thanks. I'll take a picture of us when I kiss her. Ha ha ha.

Ayami: Hee hee, make sure, huh?

Kageyama: Yeah, yeah.

Ayami: Um, okay Reiji, do you treat girls differently? How do you treat them?

Kageyama: Well, not to be rude, but I treat almost all of the girls as admirers. But there are other girls whom I treat in a special way.

Ayami: Really? Like who?

Kageyama: I treat some girls as friends now. Like Ruriko, Kaoru, and the other gatekeepers. And then…

Ayami: Other…what?

Kageyama: Other… umm… friends of her… he he…

Ayami: No, you said something like 'keepers'…

Kageyama: Keepers… keepers… Oh, I said other… baby keepers…?

Ayami: Eh? Other… baby keepers?

Kageyama: Right, other baby keepers. Because Kaoru and the others are often asked to take care of babies. You know, changing diapers, etc. etc…

Back to the Noodle Shop

"What?" Kaoru exclaimed. "Babykeepers, huh? Imagine Megumi changing a baby's diaper. Tee hee hee."

"Shut up!" Megumi defended herself. "Just shut your mouth, okay?"

"Okay, I understand that you really want to hear what Kageyama will say next. Oh well, love is like a roller coaster…"

"Shut up!"

Tape

Ayami: Oh, I see. And then?

Kageyama: And then… I treat other girls in another way, like how I treat you as my little sister. And like how I treat Megumi…

Ayami: Oh… how do you treat her, then?

Kageyama: I don't know, but I know that I treat her differently. Whenever she's around, I'm conscious about what comes out of my mouth. Sometimes, I stay quiet. It seems like I'm still guilty because of what happened in the past. I don't want to feel guilty anymore. I want her to tell me that she has forgiven me, that she will accept me as a friend; that she believes that I can change. But… I can see in the way she moves that she doesn't want me to be her friend. It made me realize that I should have died before because of everything I've done…

Ayami: Die? Why, Reiji? Have you done so many bad things to her?

Kageyama: Yes, Ayami, yes. Not only to her… but to so many other people. But I promise you I'll never do things that can harm others again. I promise you… and I want Megumi to believe that I can keep this promise.

Ayami: I know you would keep your promise, Reiji.

Kageyama: It's easy to say that because you don't know all that I've done.

Ayami: No! I really believe that you can keep your promise! You know what I see about you? I see that you are a very kind and loving person. You are too good to be my brother.

Kageyama: Ayami, thanks. If only… if only Megumi could… see how I…

Ayami: She will see that you've changed, Reiji. She will see it soon.

Back to the Noodle Shop

Megumi covered her mouth. So, Kageyama was hoping so many things from her, but yet…

"I misjudge him… He wanted to change… I thought he can't change his evil acts, and he knows that… He thought that he didn't deserve to be given another chance because of my uncaring attitude towards him… Because I made him feel that he is not welcome…He wanted another chance, but he hesitated because I am acting like I'm saying that he can't change… All of them welcomed me back after I betrayed them… but now that they are welcoming him next… I didn't join them and I acted so selfishly… He didn't pay attention to how Kaoru and the others welcomed him to a new life… Instead, he paid attention to my decision… He respected me, but I thought he didn't…" Megumi thought to herself. She felt the tears sting her eyes. Because of her pride… because she was so prideful… she snatched Kageyama's dream, his dream to live a new life, away.

Kaoru stood up. She walked to the cassette, which was momentarily paused by Ayami because the purple-haired girl felt that Megumi was crying. Kaoru pressed the Play Button again and turned the volume to its maximum.

"Hey Megumi, stop crying! Kageyama… Kageyama is talking to you!" Kaoru shouted. She jumped to the other side of the counter where Megumi was and pulled her towards a seat in front of the cassette.

"Let go of me! Ouch! You're hurting me!" Megumi shouted as she tried to remove Kaoru's grip.

"Think about all the other people that you've hurt before you remind me of what I'm doing." Kaoru said, making Megumi shut up and cry silently. Well, seeing her friend cry makes her cry, too. But yet, she didn't want to show it. She wanted to act brave. She didn't want Megumi to see her crying, right after she acted like a very tough girl…

Tape

Ayami:  *sob* Reiji… if ever Megumi is listening to you right now, what will you want to tell her?

Kageyama: Megumi… I'm very sorry. I used you for my own purpose, and I didn't even thank you. But, now I will say, that I admired you before… because you are intelligent… and because your gate… isn't negative like mine… But still, you were sad like me… I thought why… your life was better than mine… but still, you were sad… I wanted to give you a friend… a friend named Yuji Mitsuoka… Because I was afraid that you're gate will turn to its negative side, too, because I know you feel that no one cares for you… But, I just can't help you because another part of me… is jealous of you… and that side of me made you change your gate to a black one… I'm very sorry… … Now, I wanted a new life… I want to protect you from now on, just like how Shun protected Ruriko… just like how a knight protects his princess… But, seeing the pain in your eyes whenever you see me… made me realize that I don't deserve another chance… I wish I hadn't returned… Megumi… my… princess… whom I failed to serve well… I'm sorry… please forgive me… now I know that I don't deserve to protect you and make you happy… because of what I've done… … I… … … I… … … I … have always … and will continue… to L-

A click was heard, indicating that the tape was already finished.

"W-what? What did he say? He have always and will continue to what?" Megumi thought. She knew very well that she wanted to hear the continuation of that. But, it's impossible for Kageyama to repeat that sentence again.

Kaoru stood up from her seat and walked to Megumi. "Bad luck for you. It's too bad that you didn't get to hear the rest of the last sentence. It was the most touching sentence that he said… … … Couldn't you feel any pity for him? You spoke so many bad things about him, but what he returned to you was speaking very well of you. Stand up and face me, Megumi! Where's your pride?!" Kaoru shouted. Megumi then started to sob and a droplet of tear fell from her left eye.

Ayami hugged Megumi. "Please Megumi, stand up now, so she don't have to pull you again." She whispered to the black-haired girl.

"So, why can't you stand up? Have you realized who the loser really is?!" Kaoru shouted. Tears then began to stream down from her brown eyes. "I don't want to hurt you anymore, Megumi. Stand up now and say sorry, so I won't need to say things that can hurt you anymore…" Kaoru begged deep inside.

"Please Megumi! Please stand up now." Ayami pleaded. Megumi just shook her head and whispered, "No, I don't like to stand up. I don't have a face to show her right after I called her a loser…"

"Is that it?! Right after you acted so bravely, you'll just give up all of a sudden?!" Kaoru shouted. "Answer me, Ms. Megumi Kurogane!"

"I know! I know! I was wrong! I didn't even think that you were hurt when I mocked you about the fact that Ukiya liked Ruriko instead of you. All that I cared about was how I can defend myself. I was wrong! And I didn't believed in the fact that Kageyama could change! You gave me another chance, but yet I didn't even let him ask for a new life. I said no without him asking a question. I'm so selfish! I don't deserve to accept your kindness! I don't…! I don't…" Megumi started weeping. She knew that the reason why Kaoru was saying all of those things to her is that because the athletic girl wanted her to change. She wanted her to change from a selfish to an understanding person. Megumi knew very well that Kaoru understood her because, she, too, was broken-hearted.

"I want you to be a better person. You deserve all the kindness that we are giving you. You just don't think that you do deserve all of those. You are just the one who is pushing them away! Can't you understand? You are our friend! We care for you, and we will always care!" Kaoru said, instantly bursting into sobs right after the sentence.

Ayami loosened her hug when she felt that Megumi moved forward. She stood up and stepped back, giving way to Megumi who stood up right after her. Megumi then removed her glasses, wiping her tears off her eyes. Then, she faced the taller girl.

"Kaoru… I'm very sorry for all the mistakes that I've done. Now, I realized that I was so conscious about how I can defend myself that I began to speak bad things about the others who cared for me. Thanks for all your inspiring words. Tell me… do I still deserve to hug you as one of your friends?" Megumi asked Kaoru, looking up to see the girl's face. She knew that the question could hurt her more if Kaoru's answer is negative, but yet, she knew that she really deserved a negative answer.

"Yes, you do." Kaoru said as a tear fell from her right eye. A smile then formed on her lips and she said, "Come here and hug me, my friend."

Megumi ran and hugged Kaoru, murmuring 'sorry' repeatedly. After the very touching moment, Kaoru then released herself from her friend's hug and said, "Don't say sorry to me because I have already forgiven you before. I just acted tough to make you realize your mistake… Well, why don't you say sorry to Kageyama instead?"

"Yes, I will." Megumi replied. "Thank you."

The people in the noodle shop then clapped their hands, together with Megumi's father who have been watching them since the tape began to play.

"Ms. Kurogane, let me help you in grooming yourself. You need to hurry because Reiji is waiting for you." Ayami offered to help. Megumi just nodded her head and Kaoru pushed her up the stairs.

Several minutes later, Kaoru and Ayami ran down the stairs to meet the glances of everyone in the noodle shop. Right after them, Megumi walked down, looking more beautiful as she have ever been before.

To be continued…