Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon. (Again and again and...)

One quick thing. I am growing more fonder of the zero two gang the more time passes. Being able to write a story like this I really see their redeeming features. It's just because Takeru and Hikari are my favorites I was able to block out their faults, but that just seemed to make them stronger. Miyako is headstrong but caring. Iori has a strong sense of justice. Daisuke has a keen awareness of his own feelings and comradery, and Ken has a way of supporting the others, but just raising the bar all on his own. I always enjoy seeing them all in action.

Chapter Five: Interview or Interrogation? Rejection or Trap?

Hikari sat down in her class a bit tired after waving some interested boys off. Other students seemed to notice her to, Hikari doing her best not to notice them staring at her.

"Look at you," her friend said to the side of her. "Isn't it interesting you look like this now of all times? Sounds like you want someone to notice you that's not here today," she grinned.

Hikari said nothing back still feeling unwell from that morning. She thought she had rid herself of anemia so far long ago, but now it seemed it was returning with a vengeance.

She had no time to brood about it though. The staticky speakers of the intercom kicked in, Hikari keeping one ear open going through the usual announcement until the voice of her friend kicked in.

"Just thought I would stop by and give everyone an announcement," Takeru's voice said, Hikari sitting up and twisting her neck so quickly she thought she might have sprung something.

"We are all ears. What is it Takeru-kun?" The school president asked, all excited. "Have you been confessed to by the girl you like?"

Hikari swallowed staring up determinedly at the speaker.

"No," Takeru said, his voice a bit melancholic. "That search continues. But, since we're already halfway there I thought I would make things a bit more interesting."

"I see," The President replied. "What do you mean by that?"

"Two things. One, I'm meeting with a friend of mine who is going to be with me on air tomorrow to answer some questions that will narrow down the list of possible girls I like. I'm hoping this will kind of nudge her in the right direction so that she might consider it's possibly her."

"Wow!" The student body council president exclaimed. "That is exciting! I'm sure that will help with your search! By the way, how many girls have confessed to you already?"

Takeru's voice grew a bit cold. "265."

A moment of silence seemed to fall, Hikari noticing other girls around her also seemed a bit stunned.

"265?" The student council president said taken aback. "You've said no to over 265 girls?"

"Yes," Takeru's voice responded, the voice warming back up again. "Also, as for the other part I will tell you something she doesn't know that I know about her."

"Now THIS is enticing," The student body council's president said, Hikari swearing that she thought she actually heard her wipe drool from her face and not that the speaker was blaring static at the time. "What is it Takeru-kun?"

His voice seemed a bit different as he responded. "This girl has a tendency to care about others well being more than herself and so will never really consider how she feels, but," his voice said, Hikari sensing a darker under tone. "Whenever she is confronted about this she has a tendency to switch gears to something else, but before she does, she does something that not even she notices."

"Enlighten us."

"Well, this girl puts pressure on her big left toe as she turns to whatever her heart sets out to do next."

"What?"

"I just told you."

"But how is that something so noticeable that will help you out if she doesn't know it?"

"Because, even if she does not know it, her friends will. So if any friends of hers knows a girl that does that I recommend encouraging her to give a letter," he said positively.

"I see. Well, that's all for this announcement," the student council body president concluded. "Till the next one!"

Hikari listened behind her as people started whispering back and forth. There were some whispers she heard, but she heard her name somewhere in their being mentioned.

She glanced up at the intercom still wondering about it. She knew it couldn't be true. It was not possible. Surely Takeru would have at least asked her out before any other girl if that was the case right? It still didn't make any sense.

"Hey," a voice said behind her. Hikari turned around to see a girl hand a note up to her.

"What's this?" she asked. "Ssh," her classmate cautioned. "Read it later."

Hikari glanced down at a strange letter and inserted it into her pocket. She had wanted to show her appearance to Takeru and how she had dolled herself up, but Takeru of all days still happened not to be there.

She brooded a bit mumbling to herself. "...Stupid Takeru..."

The hangout spot where the Zero Two Digidestined gathered unlike middle school was still the computer lounge area. They had to fight another club for it, but thanks to Ken's genius prowess and Miyako's mad programming skills they easily won. This earned them a bit of ire, but thanks to each of them having their own influence in the school they begrudgingly accepted.

Takeru went over to the club breaking hearts along the way until he arrived. He placed a 'No Confessions' sign on the door, a lot of girls actually leaving with their classmates.

"Hey everyone," Takeru said smiling to himself shutting the door. "Sorry I'm late."

"Took you long enough," Miyako growled. "This whole challenge of yours is getting way out of hand."

"But at least they aren't breaking down the door," Takeru grinned. "Anyways, anything new that's happening? Digital World trouble or anything?"

"No, everything seems fine," Ken said in the background playing a game of Shogi with Iori. "Though I must say Iori is quite the challenge."

"I take that as a compliment coming from a self-proclaimed genius," Iori said unusually serious. "But my grandfather taught me Shogi and I have our family pride on the line. I will show no mercy," he said somehow becoming even more serious if that was all possible. "Prepare yourself Ichijojisan!"

"Hey, it's just a game," Takeru said a bit on edge. "Though I'm sure your pride as a genius won't give into that, will it Ken?" he slyly taunted.

"Of course," he said seriously.

"Hey! Only I can rile him up!" Miyako complained.

Takeru had a good chuckle sitting back and watching the tension, when Miyako broke it.

"By the way," Miyako said taking a breath and turning towards him as if preparing herself. "What the hell was that about this morning? A friend of yours is going to ask you questions about your crush? What is this twenty questions?"

"It's nothing like that," Takeru said putting his hands up to ease the tension. "It's just I trust you as a valid third party to help me that people get along with. Iori is too serious. Ken is too unapproachable, Daisuke is too much-"

"-What do you mean too much?!" Daisuke's voice growled storming into the classroom. "Do you realize how many girls I had to deal with so they would stop me from getting information about you and about your dam tickets?! Pisses me off!" he groaned kicking a computer chair across the room.

"Let's not take our anger out on school property," Iori said calmly. "Ichijojisan, as for my next move-"

"-Don't say that so calmly when it looks like your about to cut someone down Iori!" Daisuke countered.

"Incidentally Daisuke," Ken said, "I haven't seen Hikari at all today, though I have heard some rumors about her."

"I haven't talked to her either," Daisuke moaned. "Ah, Hikari-chan, I'll fight off all those other guys just for a chance to walk with you!" he shouted making fisting motions in the air like he was fighting something."

"What about you Takeru-san?" Miyako asked. "You're close with her. Has she said anything?"

"Nothing," Takeru said a bit down himself. "I hope she is doing well. It feels like it's been so long since I've seen her," he said frowning.

"What do you mean?" a familiar voice said the doors opening behind him as Takeru from the corner of his eye saw Hikari enter the room gleaming brilliantly.

"My eyes! The Light!" Miyako groaned holding her face. "No! I will not repent my of my Doujin!" she shouted. "You can't make me!"

"Seems Miya is being her usual bombastic self today," Hikari smiled.

Takeru found himself staring actually having the chance to look at her head on. He might have been staring a bit too long, Hikari staring deep into his eyes and turning her face to the side, a bit red. "W-what is it?" she asked. "D-do I have something on my face?"

"N-no," Takeru stammered trying to regain control of his composure. "How can I put this? You look, well, extra cute today?"

"Cute?" Hikari said, her face curving into a cunning smile to him. "Oh? Am I so lovely you think you can just compliment me like that Takeru-kun after all the women you have swarming after you? How cute," she said, Takeru seemingly on edge.

"Not at all," he smiled, his false gleam shining even more brilliantly. "I would never lie to you Hikarichan. But I would lie if I said I didn't miss our walks in the morning."

"Ah, you miss teasing me then?" she coughed lightly. "So you missed me that much you couldn't meet some other girl to tease? Maybe you thought they were more clever than you. There's always school children right?"

Takeru griitted his teeth a little. "I hope you're not suggesting I go abduct some school child like a predator," Takeru said, not knowing how much more he could take. "But I'm sure you could if you wanted to though? Just say it's practice for a school project for being a teacher one day."

"This is getting kind of intense," Daisuke said having put on some sunglasses with Veemon and sipping a soda.

"You're telling me," Iori said taken aback. "It's like two solar flares going at it trying to outshine the other!"

"So this is a legendary Takeru Hikari fight," Miyako said taking notice. "It's almost like some holy war, but I'm not quite sure what it is they are fighting about? It's just like Sora said," she said amused. "I should get some popcorn for this."

"But the question is," Ken said taking a snack bar Miyako offered and taking a bite, "Why are they fighting?"

"That is a good question," Iori said a glint of determination in this eye. "But I will not be blinded by this injustice or misunderstanding."

With that Iori walked forward until he was standing between them.

"What is it Iori?" they both said in sync, Iori steeling himself.

"Armadillomon!" he shouted.

"You got it partner," he yelled rolling over to him arranging his body like a shield, Iori using his forearm strength to stop himself from being blinded by them.

"I don't know what it is," he said, Takeru noticing his voice a bit garbled. "But you two need to knock it off this instant!" he shouted, both Takeru and Hikari's brilliance fading away as they stared at him a bit dumbfounded.

"Is something wrong?" Takeru inquired.

"We didn't mean to get you involved," Hikari agreed.

"No, this demands more stricter punishment," Iori said withdrawing his Kendo stick and hitting each of them on the head. "You two need a timeout!"

It happened so fast Takeru could barely realize it. Somehow him and Hikari had been whisked away by him and the others to the school's studio where Iori practiced with other Kendo members.

"This is how you truly do battle," Iori scolded. "Perhaps if you take it to heart, you can forgive and let go of your arguments. It will do you no good to hang on to resentment."

"Resentment?" Takeru said a bit startled. "I don't resent her," Takeru said. He turned to Hikari who seemed a bit down. "You don't resent me right?"

The look she gave him set him on edge, her face annoyed, but her gaze was very bitter. "I actually do," she admitted. "I should be happy for you," she said sitting still in the background with Takeru while Iori and the kendo team practiced intensely. "But I can't help it. I really do resent you for whatever it is you're doing."

Takeru swallowed, his hands starting to turn a bit white from gritting his left one. "You really resent me?"

Hikari nodded her head watching Iori battle. "I do. I could never tell you Takeru-kun because I don't know your feelings in all of this," she admitted, "But I just wonder to myself these last three days, was it really so bad walking to school with me? Am I really such a terrible person to be around for you to avoid me like this? That' why I never texted you back," she sighed. "It's like you're leaving me behind."

This time Takeru had to say something. He knew his intentions were anything but what Hikari had been interpreting this as. He had to clear up the misunderstanding. "I know it's been hard," he said. "I've missed getting the chance to walk with you to school to," he admitted, "but if I don't do this Hikari-chan how will the girl I like ever know I like her?"

Hikari seemed to fidget slightly, Takeru noticing the conversation must have been uncomfortable for her. "I just don't understand why you can't just tell this girl," Hikari said a bit more upset. "Why can't you just ask her out? Why go to all this trouble? You're really putting me in a tough spot here," she smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry Hikari-chan," he said swallowing his nerves. It drove him crazy the girl he cared about more than anything sat on a mat watching an Iori practice session but their was no way he could just say it. No matter how badly he wanted to he knew he had to play out the process even if everyone suffered for the next few days.

"It's just until the end of Friday Hikari-chan" he said watching Iori determined to fend off any foe. "I'll make the announcement by that time, or, I will be forced to confess."

"But that doesn't make any sense," she said, looking down shaking her head. "Why do you feel forced? I've known you all these years and no one could ever force you to do anything! You told me not even your brother could force you to clean your room or your parents force you to have a curfew! But you tell me you feel forced? Just why?"

Takeru never could say no to her. Ever. When they were kids it was 'ok Hikari-chan' no matter what. Can I have an ice cream? You got it. Can we play? You got it. And then when they got older. Could you help me with my homework? You got it. Could you be a shoulder for me to cry on? You got it.

But here, no, Takeru could not do it. Just this time one time. He remained silent and stone faced shaking his head and closing his eyes.

"Takeru-kun," she smiled, a single tear forming in her eye. "We're friends aren't we? You've never ever kept a secret from me. You've always been open. Are you just ashamed once you find this girl you won't spend time with me anymore? Is that it?" she asked wiping her eyes.

Oh no. Takeru dreaded this moment. Hikari had gone full Hikari mode being so transparent and open with him he started to feel translucent as if he could hide absolutely nothing from her.

"The truth is," he said still trying to formulate the words, "I'm still figuring things out. If she does confess and I accept it I will be the happiest man on earth. But if she doesn't I will be broken beyond repair. In fact," he said turning towards her and staring at her with a sad smile,"This challenge of mine is already breaking me. I don't know how I can last for the remaining three days."

Suddenly he felt relaxed as Hikari's gentle hand rubbed his back. "If this girl doesn't confess to you Takeru-kun, then you said you will right? Why is it so important she confesses to you first? Shouldn't that not even matter?"

Maybe it was Hikari's caring voice or her soothing backrub that had been affecting him, but Takeru even after all of his resistance could barely contain himself from telling her and ending it. But, if that happened and she rejected him he really felt like he would never recover.

"Let's just say...it's a sensitive situation," Takeru smiled. "In fact, it's so sensitive she might break if I did this any other way."

"So, she's a sensitive girl?" Hikari asked even more curious. Takeru realized the tone of her voice still remained completely devoid of affection one way or another, but she seemed like she wanted to know even more. What that he could just tell it to her right away and be shot down just like he shot down so many others.

"Yes," Takeru said sitting back, closing his eyes smiling. "She's charming, but not intentionally so. She's kind, never thinking about her own well being, and she's so incredibly lovely, but if you told her that she would not accept the compliment and deflect it towards someone else."

"I can tell," Hikari swallowed, her breathing a bit labored, "That you really like this girl. No," she said shaking her head a bit, "Not like. I believe you actually love this girl Takeru-kun."

If only she knew the dam truth. Her lips seemed to tremble, her eyes starting to brim up with tears.

"You'll have to excuse me," she smiled, tears suddenly leaking down. "See you later Takeru-kun."

"Yeah," Takeru said, his hand stretched out wanting to pull her back closer to him. "...See you, Hikari-chan."

That evening Hikari struggled as she talked with her mom over everything that had happened. Her Mom started a fire herself trying to get Hikari prepared to battle again tomorrow, but they also literally started one when her mom and Hikari tried to up the game and make Takeru-kun lunch.

They were both covered in smoke soot, but they were laughing having the best time a daughter could have with her mom, though the end result didn't turn out quite as she expected.

Long after the trial and error had passed Hikari finished with a delicious looking lunch alongside hers, pleased at the results. She felt nervous actually making lunch for him having never made lunch for anyone but her brother. In all truth if she did give him her homemade lunch wouldn't that mean Hikari showed interest in him?

She shook her head bagging up both bentos for her and Takeru. Time was running out. All she had to do was slip him the bento and just maybe he would look past all the other girls back at her. It was not a surefire plan though. She needed an excuse of some kind- anything but the obvious statement it looked like she had made.

She thought to herself for a moment and then started heading out to school. Never mind what it looked like. As long as she could just persuade him it was anything but her affection for him this plan could work.

She arrived in class, her bento bags in tow trying her hardest not to rub her eyes. A fresh layer of natural make up had been enough to cover up her bags, but she could not help but feel stiff and heavy as a boulder. She just wanted to lie down on her desk and sink into the heaviness of sleep, which is exactly what she found herself trying to do.

"Hikari-chan," her classmate said shaking her. "Hey, wake up. The announcement is starting."

Hikari instantly sat up shaking the tiredness from her with a few head shakes.

"Good Morning!" The student council President said in her usual peppy way. She went through all the normal announcements until she at last mentioned Takeru. Hikari clenched her hand like how she saw Takeru relieve his stress whenever something bothered him. Repeating the gesture felt strangely calming of all things.

"Now then," The President said wrapping things up, "Joining us today are Takeru Takaishi who brought in a mysterious interviewer."

"Mysterious interviewer?" the voice said in almost an accusatory tone. "Could you make me sound anymore vague and ungendered? "What about the Feminine Ninja Assailant or the Wonder Tech Girl Assassin?"

"B-but those names are-"

"-Ah well it doesn't matter," the voice said fumbling through what seemed like a million papers.

Hikari smiled nervously. She knew this could only be one girl. "Oh Miya," she said entertained by her. No way would Takeru have a comfortable interview if she was the one doing it.

"All right," Takeru said sounding a bit entertained himself. "I hope you're all ready. If these answers don't sound like you then it's probably not you then," he grinned much to the stunned audience, Hikari knowing that he was just messing around.

"All right," he said again. "Go ahead Miss Wonder Tech Girl Asassasin," he chided. "Go ahead and ask me those questions."

Miyako cleared her throat what seemed a dozen times before clearly speaking.

"Now for the Ultra Hyper Miyako's No Nonsense Interrogation!" she shouted with joy. "Let's go!"

"Intero...gation?" the student council president inquired nervously.

"Not to worry," Takeru said. "I'll make sure not to spill any secrets."

"Like what?" Miyako said.

"Wait, huh?" Takeru wondered confused.

"That's my first question!"

"You can't just ask a question based off of a response," he said nervously, but smiling it off. "The audience would think this was a set up if you did."

"Then let me rephrase that question," Miyako said. "Takeru-san, what are the secrets you're hiding?"

"If I told you that would defeat the purpose of the interview."

"Ah, good answer," she said as if check marking off something.

"Next question. What kind of personalities turn you on in a romantic sense?"

"Hmm," Takeru said. "I don't really have an answer for that. But, I will say the girl I really like is kinder than anyone I've ever known."

"You hear that girls?!" Miyako shouted. "The nicest girl you've ever met could just be his crush. And that means a boatload of free tickets!"

Takeru scratched his cheek wondering about her. This was not going as he had hoped the way she had suddenly taken over the energy vibe.

"Next question. Do you like tall or short girls?"

"I don't think that that question really matters," Takeru responded.

"Next," Miyako said not skipping a beat, "You said yesterday this girl is kind above all else, which tells me she is very sweet. On a scale of 1 absolutely bitter to 10 how sweet are you claiming she is?"

Knowing Takeru wiht how he paused she imagined Takeru put his thumb to his chin thinking not too deeply. For sure he would not have anticipated this question. "I don't think the measures are quite right," he said. "Normally when one thinks of someone as sweet the levels are usually something bombastic with loud bright colors, notes, and all kind of obvious hints for the one you love or show love to, am I right?"

"Tsch, you got me pegged there," Miyako said her voice annoyed, Hikari realizing it when Miyako thought she had been snared by something. Ken often had done that getting to the bottom of his deduction of who stole the last piece of candy or something similar like that.

"Let's do this then," he said. "Hi-" Takeru without thinking started to say Hikari's first name, but immediately clenched his teeth, correcting himself, "-She is sweet, but her sweetness is mild and gentle. It's not overpowering and it's like a pleasant sweetness that you mix in with your favorite tea. But, when you mix it in it blends in so well with the other flavors it just fades into the background while the other flavors are fleshed out. It's kind of sad," he said, Hikari knowing his face surely must have looke downcast. "She's always been in the background hasn't she?" he said allowed, but as if talking to himself.

"Hmm," Miyako said, Hikari recognizing her face when she stared at something and then made a discovery. "Takeru-san, you goof ball, you really are crazy for this girl."

"I think I would have to be to put on a challenge such as this," he answered innocently.

"But, you made one critical error in your last answer. So, forget the question. We got juicier bits."

"Juicier?" Takeru said, Hikari recognizing his voice now playing innocent. "What on earth do you ever mean by that?"

"Don't play dumb! You just started without thinking to say her name! We know that her first or last name now begins with H!"

Hikari clenched her fist along the inside part of her desk. She wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but, something told her the next parts of this inquiry would disqualify her.

Takeru winced, Hikari realizing he must have wished Miyako had not seen that or broadcast it to the world-similar to how Hikari had blackmailed him occasionally after beating him in some ridiculous competition he thought of randomnly out of the blue.

"I-it was just a slip of the tongue," he said as if trying to calm things.

"-Liar. You're such a bad liar Takeru-san. Who has a slip of the tongue pronouncing THAT letter? So come off it. With this new bit of information, and the number of girls left in this school it must mean that there are only 146 girls left!"

Takeru paused as if dumbfounded. "Only that many huh?" he said Hikari realizing he was getting closer and closer, a slight heaviness in his voice.

"L-let's move on with the next part of the interview," he said, Hikari noticing he was hiding something by the tone of his voice. She knew him for so long, she could pick up on those subtle details. Especially when he would play dumb about knowing something such as her favorite parfait or a birthday present, and then would give it to her in the future.

Come to think of it, he had not missed one of those days since he returned- not even once! She put her elbow on the desk, one hand on the side of her face. Could it really be possible that he really wanted her to give him the letter? But, no that would be too easy. She knew she would be setting herself up for failure.

She imagined presenting him her letter, Takeru smiling back innocently and demurely. "What, you really think I'm in love with YOU Hikari-chan? That's so cute!"

A look of disgust crept across her face. She would literally die of embarrassment if he said that to her. Not to mention the teasing fuel would endless. And ultimately she could see herself get so annoyed with him that they went their separate ways eventually.

It was no good. Despite all that just thinking of Takeru with another girl got her fired up to do something about it. She glanced down at the side to her bento box. For sure she would give it to him. She promised herself and her mom she would.

"Moving on forward in this interrogation," Miyako said, her voice growing sinister. "Takeru, this is a question of utmost importance."

"I'm ready," he responded.

"Good," she said clearing her throat. "Now then, when it comes to girls..." she said, Hikari anticipating Takeru's answer, nearly at the edge of her seat.

"...Do you prefer girls with large breasts, medium size breasts, or small breasts?"

Hikari glanced down at herself slightly embarrassed wondering if this was really how they would narrow things down. Takeru seemed to pause, the way the intercom had gone silent.

"...Please don't ask me anything that will get me suspended," he said, "But, if all of you really want to know, the kind I prefer is…her kind," he said. "Just the ones of the girl I love. A simple answer right?"

Hikari could literally hear Miyako grinding her teeth over the intercom.

"Look you," she groaned, "I thought you wanted to get to the bottom of this!" she snarled. "You know what this sounds like to me Takeru Takaishi?" she said growing even more intimidated. "It sounds like you don't want this girl to confess to you at all!"

She could tell by Takeru's lack of response maybe Miyako had been on to something.

"We're all trying to bring down this list, but you keep getting more vague and vague. Are you chickening out? You only have till the day after today. And what are you going to do when you have to confess?"

Takeru sighed, Hikari realizing that this must mean the fun and games were over.

"Before I give you my answer, I just want to say," he said, "I am not a pervert or a delinquent or anything and this is strictly for informational purposes only," he said. "But, I don't know if she notices it. She is actually kind of small."

"Small?!" Miyako exclaimed. "What kind of normal hormone jacked high school boy likes them small? Even I can admit I like 'em big!"

"M-Mi-yako-san," The student council President said trying to intervene. "That's a little too much info. And we're almost out of time."

"Then I'm going rapid fire," she said. "Takeru-kun you better get ready."

"I'll try," he said, Hikari hearing confidence return to his voice.

"What's her hair color?"

"Brown."

"Eye color?"

"Amber."

"Takeru," Miyako swallowed, Hikari recognizing she might know, "You might as well admit it at this point."

"I will admit nothing," he said. "Just that their can only be a handful of girls left right? Plus I'm running pretty low on tickets."

"Last question then," she said as if really thinking hard about it, "What is one more physical characteristic about her that we can literally investigate. Just one more?"

"Hmmm," Takeru mused, Hikari wondering what on earth he could be thinking, "One thing huh? She's shorter than I am."

"Got it." Miyako said as if feverishly writing it down. "So folks to summarize. This girl's name has an 'H' in it, is shorter than him, has brown hair, amber eyes, is freakin' sweet, has small breasts, and-"

"-In that case the student council president said, Hikari hearing her walking over to him, "Then I think I might know who it is."

Her footsteps stopped, a moment of silence passing.

"I'm right, aren't I?"

Takeru seemed to pause, but he did answer. "Yes," he admitted. "Will you keep it a secret?"

"Of course, but, it's not too hard for anyone to figure out."

"I'm surprised you did not find out sooner," Miyako said aloud, Hikari a little taken aback.

The student council president knew. Miyako knew, and, if she really thought about it that would bring down the number of girls remaining quite a bit.

"Incidentally," Takeru said, "I'm really hoping she comes forward. "This was not about just bringing this list down, but I also wanted to give her the encouragement to come forward. Because if she doesn't I don't think this relationship could ever work."

"And just what do you mean by that?" The student council president asked. "Takeru?"

"Happy Searching," he said, the intercom disconnecting.

Hikari noticed after class the hallways were abuzz with a lot of students talking back and forth about Takeru. Pictures were taken of possible girls, Hikari realizing she had not been noticed yet so she hid herself around the corner while people kept walking by.

She took a moment to open the letter that had been given to her. The thought crossed her mind it could possibly be Takeru. She quickly opened the letter, three single lines engulfing her face.

'Sorry Hikari-chan, It's not you.'

Sincerely,

Takeru Ishida'

With that Hikari read it through a million times, her heart heavy, but, even though she read the word over and over again she realized something seemed off.

"Oh really?" Hikari said a bit defensive. 'It's not you huh? ' Imposter,' she growled tearing the note in half, her heart repairing itself from the initial shock she felt.

Just then walking up the hallway she glanced over.

"Ho?" a sweet voice said approaching her, all smiles, bubbly, but gentle. "Wow. To think you saw through that false letter. I was sure that you would have been heartbroken and given up on him by now."

The girl seemed similar to Hikari. She had short brown hair, amber eyes, distinct facial features, and seemed petite like her. But she possessed a slick confidence about her that seemed almost sinister.

"Who are you?" Hikari asked. "You're the one that wrote this letter aren't you?"

She held out both hands as if she had been caught. "I personally did not write the letter," she said. "I only dictated what the letter was supposed to say. A master forger wrote the letter," she smirked. "I was so close to having you where I wanted you Hikari-chan."

Hikari swallowed, not used to dealing with anyone with such conflict before. She avoided conflict as best as she could, but this girl seemed to just be asking for it wherever she went!

"Tell me," she said. "How did you figure it out? That this letter was a fake?"

Hikari glanced down at the letter and then back at her. She tried to figure out why she felt so nervous. If only Miyako were there she could just sit comfortably in the background and -Hikari shook her head perishing the thought from her mind.

"Because if you really knew Takeru-kun you would know he would never turn me down with a letter and more than anything you would know his last name is Takeru Takaishi!"

"Takaishi?" she said a bit taken aback.

"Yes. He went to live with his mom who had the last name Takaishi and his brother lived with his dad with the last name Ishida. You probably just assumed Ishida was his last name when you heard him say he was the brother of Yamato and tuned the rest of the broadcast about his name out."

Hitomi scratched the back of her head, a bit annoyed. "Spoken like a true confidant," she groaned. "Very well. I will play this game with you Hikari Yagami. I will fight you with all I have."

"Fight?" she wondered. "Why do you want to fight me?"

"Because you are the closest thing to go on," she said folding her arms. "If any student had common sense they would see that he has eyes for you, but he's going to choose me by the end of the day tomorrow. He will be mine."

"You can't just say that," Hikari said, her face flushed having a tough time realizing she was actually being defensive and not running away. "Regardless of who it is that is Takeru-kun's choice."

The girl grinned a bit sadistic. "Interesting Hikari-chan. But that's all it is. Takeru-kun is going to realize I am the best fit for him. My looks are beautifying, my gaze is attractive, and my charm is seductive she smirked. "I also can be sweeter than honey and my lips are fatal for the boy that I kiss."

Hikari stared at her, a bit threatened. "You can say what you want and make any claim you want," she swallowed, "But I know Takeru. If he even thinks your leading him on you better be prepared to be isolated and abandoned," she declared. "And even if somehow you did get him to fall for you I would do all I could to bring him back out of it. Even if I get hurt in the process."

The girl snarled a bit, but contorted her face into jealous laughter. "I, Hitomi Kanzaka, declare here and now, if you stand in my way Hikari Yagami I WILL crush you."

She grasped her fist and sneered at her. "Do you know why I'm so confident? Because I have already asked Takeru out. And he said yes. It's only a matter of time now."

Hikari felt her heart drop, a bit in shock. But she remembered what Takeru had said and stood her ground. She even managed a wry smile. "You know, Hitomi, maybe you both can be friends."

"Huh?" Hitomi said, her face twisting in confusion.

"Takeru-kun is like water. He goes with his own rhythm and nothing else can stop it. You actually might be good for him to. But, all I can say is just do your best, but don't expect anything from him. Because if you do," she said smiling a bit more, "You'll only be disappointed."

Hitomi's apprehensiveness towards her only seemed to intensify.

"The fact that you know him that well and you're sharing that with me pisses me off!" She yelled sharply pounding a locker with her fist while glaring at her. "I don't need your help. You really must think I'll fail and are just trying to psyche me out. I despise you Hikari Yagami," she winced turning around Hikari noticing she pushed off with her left leg.

She instantly remembered what Takeru said about the girl he liked pushing off with her big left toe when she went to do something. The odds of Hitomi being the girl Takeru truly loved...had just increased.

"I guess this is what my mom meant," she said watching her walk away. "Love really is...a battle."