This was a long time coming. Apologies. Thanks to Saloni, darkened-storm, Zadien, Seafoam Green under Twilight and Cutetyhil for reviewing the first chapter!

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Kai wasn't someone who dined out often. He preferred not to eat around other people. Watching people gorging themselves on food and listening to their meaningless conversations wasn't his idea of a fun time, but here he was looking at a colourful luxury restaurant near the ocean.

The tables were fashioned to look like love hearts and the chairs even had heart-shaped cushions to match. There were four chairs to a table, and twenty-four tables in total. Each one had a vase of red roses in the centre. Much to his horror, even the salt and pepper shakers were heart-shaped. Hilary really could not have chosen a cheesier place for their 'date'. This was going to be painful.

The restaurant was also located near the ocean, and fortunately there was a high-tide. At least they wouldn't get blasted by the scent of sulphur from the rotting seaweed that was commonly found here. Why had Oliver built a restaurant here again? On the plus side they had a big umbrella covering outside to shield them from the burning rays of the hot midday sun.

Just when his mood couldn't dampen further, he spotted Bryan standing at the door.

"Right. Hilary, you wait here and study the menu. I don't care what we have."

"What? We should choose together."

Kai shook his head. "Bryan is over there."

"Isn't he your friend?"

"Bryan? Friend? No. He's just target practice, that's all. I don't want him to bother you. So. Just stay here and choose whatever you want." Before Hilary could even get another word, Kai marched over to Bryan. The boy was looking at the menu on the door. As if talking to a small child, Kai said, "Bryan, we've been this through before. It's called a door."

Bryan glanced over his shoulder. "You're as pleasant as always, Kai. I certainly missed your lovely company," the burly blader replied, sarcasm laced in his tone. He jerked his head in Hilary's direction then smirked. "Are you on a date with Hilary?

Kai's arched his eyebrows. "Oh, we've moved onto identifying human beings! Good progress, Bryan!"

"You're hilarious, Kai. Have you considered becoming a clown?"

"I considered it, but the pay cheque wasn't good enough. If you're looking for a new job, I hear they're auditioning now. With your blading skills, I'm sure you'll get a job quite easily." Kai knew he was being a bitch today, but he really didn't comfortable being out here in the open at a fancy well known lovers' restaurant. Wait. Why was Bryan here anyway?

Bryan rolled his eyes. "Don't catch anything, Kai."

Kai ignored him and returned to Hilary and sat down across from her, relieved he didn't have to keep walking around holding hands. He didn't understand why people did that. Were they so desperate to feel each other, or did they think the other person would run away? None of it made sense. "I hate this," he muttered. "This had better be worth it. If Tyson doesn't pop the question, I'm going to… Make him." Lame, Kai berated himself. I've become too soft.

"Just try to look happy, Kai."

"Do you know how hard that is? I am not in my natural environment."

She chuckled. "I never thought I'd hear fear from the great Kai."

He glared. That only made her laugh harder. "I'm serious, Hilary. If this plan of yours doesn't work, I am going to take Tyson off the blading roster for the charity tournament and put Kenny in his place." That wiped the grin off her face. "I told you I was serious about this. I'm happy to take a loss if it means he realizes that he's an idiot."

"It'll work, Kai. You know he doesn't like being outdone by anyone, let alone you. So, just smile and try to look like you're happy to be here. Please?" She flashed him her pearly whites.

He sighed. He really had become soft over the years. Damn Bladebreakers. They had corrupted him. "All right. I'll be happy just for you." He mustered up a fake grin. So fake and forced it hurt his cheeks. But it did bring a smile to her face and that's what mattered.

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Tyson spotted Kai and Hilary sitting down at a table at Oliver's love restaurant. They were smiling. Both of them. What in the hells? Kai seemed deeply interested in whatever Hilary was saying, and Hilary kept playing footsies with him. His stomach muscles tightened, and he curled his fingers into fists. Why he oughta-

"Tyson, you can't just go out there and start accusing them!" Max said, holding Tyson back.

"What am I supposed to do, Max? What if he kisses her?" He shuddered at the image of Kai kissing Hilary. It would be like getting kissed by death itself.

Max kept a hand on Tyson's arm. "Just don't do anything rash. I mean, you want to win Hilary over…"

Tyson turned on him, his brows furrowed. "I didn't say I want to win Hilary over. I just… I don't want to see Hilary with Kai, that's all!" he exclaimed, hoping the warmth on his cheeks wasn't showing.

"You're not fooling anyone, Tyson. Everyone knows you're in love with Hilary."

"Shut it, Max!"

Max chuckled then recovered, peering behind the bush. "I mean it's so obvious, Tyson. She's there for every game of yours. She always cheers for you the loudest. She feels sad when you're upset and hurting." He patted his friend on the back. "And admit it. You'd feel lonely without her around. Not to mention, you are the only person who can call her Hil and get away with it."

Tyson rolled his eyes and folded his arms. "Wait. You think she likes me?" And all these years he thought she had found him annoying.

"Yeah, I think so, Tyson. She looks at you with a dreamy expression when she thinks you're not looking, and I swear she argues with you because she likes the attention you give her in return. Either that, or she just likes hearing your voice." Max grinned.

"Since when did you become an expert?"

"Emily taught me a few things when I was with the PBB All-Starz." He then gave Tyson a sheepish grin. "… I also read it in a magazine. How Girls Think by Enrique Giancarlo."

Tyson raised an eyebrow. "But Enrique doesn't have a girlfriend. He scares girls away."

"…Well, it matches up with Emily's thoughts. She's a girl."

"I know that, Max."

"My mom told me things too."

Max's sources weren't the most reliable, but he wasn't in a position to argue. All that mattered was winning Hilary over from the evil clutches of Kai the Sourpuss. "All right. What do you suggest we do then? We can't just stay here hiding behind this bush the entire time."

"Talk to her?"

"I can't interrupt her date with Kai."

Max rubbed his chin. "Well, you could. Kai might see that as a saving grace actually."

"And make a fool of myself in public? No." Tyson sighed. No other strategy came to mind other than waiting it out. But then… "I've got it! We're going to book a table next to them! If they complain, we can say it was just pure coincidence!" Yes. He was a genius! A truly brilliant plan! A younger version of himself would have thrown a fist into the air, but he had more self-control now. Just.

"I think that's a bad idea, Tyson."

Tyson rolled his eyes. "It's better than sitting behind this bush and being a creep."

"Fair point. All right. Let's do it!"

Together, they marched towards the building.

Cringy romance music played. Well, at least Kai thought it was cringy music. He couldn't understand a single word of French, but the music sounded sweet and romantic. There was as female voice followed shortly by a male voice. A hurdy-gurdy and piano accompanied their voices. A visible shudder raced down his spine. Truly terrible.

"Kai! Hilary! What are you two doing here?"

Kai snapped out of his trance and glanced to his left. Approaching their table was two people he did not expect to see so soon – Tyson and Max. Pure coincidence? Or had Bryan done something dastardly and told everyone Kai was on a date with Hilary over Facebook? He narrowed his eyes. It would be such a Bryan thing to do.

Hilary's eyes widened, and a hint of red appeared on her cheeks. She was either showing early signs of extreme anger or she was blushing. Probably anger. Hilary didn't seem like a blushing sort of girl. "Tyson. Max."

"…And here I was having a good day and admiring the scenery then your faces had to spoil the wonderful view," Kai said.

"We love you too, Kai," Tyson replied with an eye-roll. "Hil."

Hilary smiled. "Tyson. Max."

Tyson rubbed his neck, a sure-fire sign he was nervous. It was something he did when he didn't know what to say. "So… Oliver's café… It's uh… Pretty romantic? I didn't think this would be your style, Kai."

"Then you don't know me as well as you think. I'm a lover of the fine arts, good cuisine, and a beautiful woman. I was raised to treat a fine lady with respect, and Hilary deserves it, so I've taken her here." Somehow, he managed to keep a straight face. All those years of pretending to be a tough-guy were showing their worth. "Something you should consider doing, Tyson."

"Consider doing what?"

Kai sighed. "I can't keep doing this."

Hilary gripped the edges of the table, so hard her arms started to tremble. "Kai. Seriously."

"Keep doing what?" Tyson said.

Max took a step back and bumped into the table behind him. The blond was smart. He was already expressing through body language that he didn't want to be there. "Tyson. We should go. People are going to ask for autographs and take photos, and I haven't done my hair."

Scratch that. Maybe Max wasn't that smart after all. "This game you're playing with Hilary. Everyone can see it. You drive each other crazy, yet you can't be apart. So, do us all a favour, Tyson, and be the champion you call yourself. A true champion would face his fears." He turned to Hilary. "You can thank me later. I'll pay the bill. You can return the favour by inviting me to your wedding."

"Wait. What?" Tyson said, his dark eyes widening as if he had just lost a match.

Max sniggered, but at Tyson and Hilary's glare, he stopped. "The old sourpuss has a point."

"Wedding?" Hilary repeated, turning her gaze on Kai.

Most people would quell under her stare, but not Kai. "It's inevitable." He climbed to his feet just as Tyson opened his mouth to argue. "Rule number one. Kai is always right. Rule number two. Don't argue with Kai because he is always right. You want to blade at the charity match, Tyson? You have to prove you're a champion out of the blading dish."

"A true champion wouldn't choose a girl like Hilary!" Tyson retorted.

Tyson wasn't stupid. Just extremely tactless. Like now. Kai brought a hand to his forehead.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Hilary snapped.

Max looked left and right, as if searching for the best escape route. He looked ready to flee.

"Oh, now you've done it, Tyson," Kai said, shaking his head. Turning to Hilary, he said, "I told you this was a bad idea."

"Wait. This was a set up?" Tyson demanded. His eyes shifted to Hilary then to Kai. "I knew it! There was no way Kai could be in love with Hilary!" A wide grin spread across his face. The same smile he gave to the crowds whenever he won a match. Was it relief?

Hilary surged to her feet, fists crashing down on the table. "And that makes you happy somehow? I convinced Kai to be here with me… All because of you, Tyson. I just wanted you to notice me, but you're just as clueless as ever." Without saying another word, she turned her back and stormed down the street.

Tyson looked at her retreating figure. "Wait. Hilary. Come back!"

But it was too late. She had already left.

Kai gave Tyson a pat on the shoulder. "This is your chance. You can thank me later too. Go after her."

"Yeah. Talk to her, Tyson," Max chipped in.

Tyson glared at them both. "Why did you even agree, Kai?"

"Because she's right. You never would've noticed otherwise. Now go. Before you lose that chance forever."

Tyson turned to Max for support but the blond shrugged. Without saying a word, he turned away from the tables and ran down the street, retracting Hilary's steps.

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Okay. This was supposed to be the final part. But it isn't. The next chapter will wrap this little story up though! If you want to read more, drop a review! There may be a special cameo in the next chapter too!