Chapter Three

Disclaimer: I do not own Hana Yori Dango

(-)(-)(-)

Yuki was at her wit's end. She had always known Soujiro to be relentless when pursuing what he wanted. It was a trait she found endearing. He was like a child, believing he could have whatever it was he wanted. But she had never appreciated how much work he put into it…and now she paid for it. Everyday since she had told him that she'd give him a chance, on the condition that he earn her forgiveness, she had seen just how similar he was to Domyouji. No expensive gifts or elaborate displays. That was all she asked. In truth, she was hoping he'd keep it simple and just apologize to her for the right reasons.

That appeared to be too much to hope for.

The day after she left the hotel room, she went to school. By then the news of what had happened to her had spread, and everyone was hounding her for questions. No one believed her when she said that nothing had happened. Of course they wouldn't. She was at a love hotel with Japan's notorious playboy…a sex starved playboy, wearing a sailor uniform and handcuffed to the bed post. She supposed that if it had been anyone else, she would've been far more horrified and frightened than she was. As it were, she sincerely doubted anything would have happened. Soujiro did not view her that way. But that didn't stop the entire student body, most especially the school paper from hounding her with questions and ridiculous rumors. To escape the nonsense and chaos, she flew to the one place that had always been hers: the library. There, waiting for her behind the desk were roses. At least twelve dozen red, long stem, roses. The scent of it wafted through to the halls. Within minutes the flowery smell invaded her senses, giving her a migraine. She never could stand the smell of roses. The note that came with it said, "A rose for every moment." She had no idea what he meant. She presumed he thought being vague was romantic, that she'd draw her own conclusions. The librarian tittered around her, cooing something about young love. She could only smile weakly as she fought the nausea.

The next day, she could only blink as baskets of chocolates were delivered to her at each of her classes. Each of her teachers scolded her for the interruption, there was some talk of her sending them to herself for the attention, but she tempered everyone's discontent by sharing. Each basket held the same contents of every kind of chocolate from the most expensive brands in the world. She had tasted a piece and nearly vomited from the intense sweetness. Despite working in a dango shop, she didn't have much of a sweet tooth.

The last straw was the jewelry. In addition to continuing to leave her flowers and chocolates every random place she went, which was unnerving in and of itself, he sent her diamonds, rubies, and various other jewels she couldn't name, all in form of bracelets, necklaces and earrings. They didn't suit her at all, and she found them too ostentatious for words. She picked up the diamond necklace. It was probably worth an exorbitant amount, but all she could think about was how heavy it was. I could sink a boat with this thing. She thought about selling them. She'd definitely have enough to pay off her tuition and her upcoming years at a university, but in the end she opted to have it all returned.

Part of her wondered why she even bothered. He obviously wasn't taking her seriously. With a sighed she fished out her phone from her bag, and dialed his number. If he thinks he got any points with anything this week, he's got another thing coming…

(-)(-)(-)

Akira blinked at the disarray that befell his friend's once immaculate study. He had seen madness before, in the eyes of his enemies as they were forced into a corner, the expression of one of his best friends as he suffered heartache, but this…was a different kettle of leaves altogether. Soujiro seemed to have passed insanity, and was heading dangerously close to obsessed.

When he had first learned about how women in general seemed to have cut him off, he had recommended some of his own female friends. To his surprise, he had rejected the offer, saying that no one but her would do. Soujiro's relationship with Yuki had always been odd to him. He didn't believe that men and women could spend so much time together and be "just friends". After all Rui and Tsukushi had been friends and now they were together. When she and Tsukasa grew apart, ending with his awkward phone call, she and Rui naturally drifted together. He had no doubt that Soujiro and Yuki would either meet the same fate or end up hating each other. It was one of the few points in regards to relationships that he and Soujiro disagreed. Soujiro was adamant that he and Yuki were nothing more than friends, and he felt that dating her would prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt. Such logic was severely flawed, but who knew that the girl would be so resistant to the idea? Then again, it was probably because she still harbored a one-sided love for his friend, but if that was so why not take this chance to be more?

He had been standing in the doorway of the study for perhaps ten minutes and his friend had yet to acknowledge him. Soujiro sat at his desk, clacking away at his computer and making notes on a notepad. The once tidy space had been replaced by an explosion of paper and…trend magazines? He picked up a sheet that had fallen to the ground and raised a brow. It was the layout to Yuki's school. Being a senior she would have a set number of places she would go, and Soujiro had them marked complete with notes of her schedule. It appeared his friend was going all out. Of the four of them, Soujiro had the craftiest mind. Being from a conservative and tradition family, it took cleverness to have any fun, but when had he begun to cross the line from harmless fun to criminal mastermind?

"Oh, hey, Akira. Have you been here long?"

Akira turned to him. "Long enough to know that you've become a stalker."

Soujiro chuckled. "I'm dedicated. I've never been rejected before. I'm going to make it damn near impossible for her to do it again. I've been sending her gifts all week."

"I think you're going overboard, Soujiro. I mean, this is Yuki-chan. Is it really okay to do this to a friend?" He glanced at his pad paper, caught the word panda and immediately decided that he really did not want to know.

"I don't mean her any harm. What wrong with dating?" Soujiro asked. "I'll treat her well, and I'll definitely remain faithful. Hell, we go out together all the time anyway. I don't see how it'll be any different."

Akira stared at him. "Are you serious? You're telling me you don't think dating Yuki will be any different than being friends with her?"

"Well, I will get to play with her more." He smiled, thinking of all the ways he could tease her as her boyfriend.

"Soujiro…" How could he say this, clearly? "The difference between a girl friend and girlfriend is space, and if you eliminate that space, you can never get it back. Do you really think your feelings for Yuki-chan will stay the same? Or her feelings for you? Someone's bound to get hurt."

"It's fine, it's fine." Soujiro said, almost dismissively, purposely ignore the memory of how he felt when she wore the sailor uniform. "No one's feelings are going to change because there's nothing there. Sure, Yuki-chan is cute and I feel comfortable touching her, but that's it."

If there's nothing there, why must you go out of your way to prove it? Akira sighed. Each of his friends had their own way of thinking. "Maybe you could make this less about you, and more about her." He knew he should just stay out of it, but Yuki was just as much one of them as Tsukushi. "Do you really think this is going to end well at all?"

Before he could ask what he meant, Soujiro's phone rang. "Hello?"

"Nishikado-san."

He smile. "Yuki-chan. I've been waiting for your call. Did you get my presents?"

"Oh, I got them. Let's have coffee, Nishikado-san. We need to talk."

"That's fine. Same place, in about an hour?"

"See you then."

"Ha!" He exclaimed gleefully, snapping his phone shut. "Yuki-chan wants to meet me. She must want to thank me for all the attention I've been giving her."

Akira stared at him. Sometimes Soujiro was so much like Tsukasa it was frightening. Who am I to burst his bubble? Yuki-chan will do that soon enough. The idea of Soujiro in a monogamous relationship, with Yuki-chan no less, was an unprecedented happening. If he didn't end up breaking the poor girl's heart, she'd stomp all over his pride enough for him to learn how real relationship worked. This will be interesting.

(-)(-)(-)

Yuki sipped at her tea, glancing at Soujiro through her lashes. Though his face held his usual impassive expression, she could feel the smugness coming off him in waves. If he thought she asked him there today because she was giving in, he was in for a rude awakening.

"The roses were lovely, Nishikado-san. A sweet and romantic gesture that would make any girl smile."

The corner of his lips lifted. A look she was familiar with. He was expecting her thanks and would take it generously. "I'm glad you liked them, Yuki-chan."

She took another sip of her tea. "Who said I liked them?"

His smile turned puzzled. "Eh?"

"The baskets of imported chocolates were a nice touch. Exotic tastes from high priced manufacturers, each delivered personally. I doubt my commoner's pallet was able to do it justice. I could hardly swallow even one."

He frowned now. She didn't sound at all the way she was supposed to. "Yuki-chan?"

"The jewelry was my favorite. Set after set of exquisite diamonds set around emeralds, rubies and other beautiful gems. Each piece worth millions I'm sure."

"Nothing less than my deepest affection for you, Yuki-chan."

She made a humming noise, examining her nails. "So, tell me, Nishikado-san. What do you intend to give me on my birthday? Or other such occasions, that you haven't already given me this week?"

Soujiro felt a prickling at the base of his neck. Strange, he only felt the sensation when he was in unavoidable trouble, but this was Yuki. Wasn't she pleased with his gifts? "I'm sure I could come up with something."

"Nishikado-san, you are a verifiable ass."

He blinked. She finally looked directly at him, and the cold fire in her eyes was not something he expected at all.

"Were you even thinking of me when you decided to send me these things? Were you thinking that I would be especially pleased by your gifts? Or were you perhaps considering that women like flowers, chocolates and expensive jewelry, so why shouldn't I?"

"I—"

"We've known each other for so long, Nishikado-san. Surely, you had some knowledge on my likes and dislikes. I would think that you'd put more consideration into this than that. Do you even remember what I said that day at the hotel? What I wanted from you?"

His mind raced to their last conversation. "The first step is to get me to forgive you. No tricks, no elaborate displays or expensive gifts."

"You know what? It doesn't even matter. This isn't going to work, no matter how much effort I put into it. I'll talk to those girls for you, Nishikado-san. Soon, you'll have your night life back, and we can go on and pretend none of this ever happened." She scooted out of the booth.

In a panic he reached out and grabbed her wrist. "Yuki, wait. I don't understand. You didn't like my presents?"

"I don't like presents that come to me for no reason. I'm angry because, again, your intentions weren't on asking my forgiveness, but buying my submission as you have with every other woman you have wanted. Do not treat me like the others, Nishikado-san. I deserve more respect than that."

Soujiro stared at her, and then dropped his gaze to her hands. She was right. She was absolutely right. "I'm new at this, Yuki. Would you condemn me for acting in the only way I know how?"

She cursed herself for softening, for always softening when he became like this. Honest, unguarded. She sat back down in her seat. "I hate roses."

He looked up at her, still not having released her having shifted his hold to capture her hand.

"I am sensitive to strong scents, roses especially." She continued. "I also don't have much of a sweet tooth. I can handle some jelly beans now and then, a piece of unrefined chocolates here and there, but that's it. Those trinkets you sent me were also very gaudy. I don't mind jewelry in general, but I wear things like this." She held up her other wrist that held a simple band of colorful thread weaved in a zigzagging pattern.

He had noticed those things, that she didn't wear much jewelry, and never ordered anything sweet on their outings. In the back of his mind he had noted these things about her, why did it never occur to him?

"I think that, you didn't want to risk me not liking your gifts, so you thought to give me something you knew hadn't failed you before."

He stared at her. "That's—"

"You dislike rejection and failure, Nishikado-san. So, you unconsciously make your decisions based on precedence or predictable success. I don't want to put you into positions where you rely on your experience as a playboy to try to impress me. That's why I like being your friend. You are more yourself toward your friends, and I don't have to doubt your sincerity when I am one. Don't force yourself to like me as more if you don't really."

Soujiro could not find his voice. How did she understand him so well? She knew so much about him while he knew so little. "You are far too good for me, Yuki-chan."

She gave a small smile. "Don't I know it. That's why I'll find your repeats and explain the situation to them."

"You don't have to do that. I could do better." He could risk it. If he failed again, she'd tell him, and he'd try again. It wouldn't be so bad, he considered.

She laughed then, not unkindly. "Your logic at this makes no sense to me. Date to prove that we're just friends? We don't have to date to do that, there are tests…" She trailed off, wishing she could take the words back, but it was too late.

"Tests?" He questioned, wondering over the sudden blush that overtook her face.

"W-Well," She stuttered. "There's chemistry. Friends don't have the chemistry couples do. That's why couples can't really be friends …after they break up…that is, until the chemistry is gone."

She knew she was done for, when he smiled. His slow, sly smile. Once upon a time that smile would have melted her on the spot, now she was better at hiding it. "And," He leaned forward, so they were eye to eye. "What sort of test would that be, Yuki-chan?"

She couldn't stop the shiver when she felt his breath as he spoke. "Um…that is…we…"

He grinned to himself at her reactions. It was good to know that he still hadn't lost his touch. He could kiss her. That would prove that they were just friends. They'd spend a few days to get over the awkwardness of it, and return to business as usual. That in mind, he swooped down and captured her lips in his. Expecting nothing more than the low-level tug of basic want, he was rocked to the core with the explosion. He froze at the unexpected flavor of her, then dipped in for more. Taking advantage of her gasp of surprise, he used his tongue to drink from her. It was taste he could not name, nor having had it, want to stop.

It was Yuki that pulled away first, red faced and panting she wrenched herself away from him. His mouth moved to chase hers, but she held up her tea plate as a desperate shield. "J-Just h-hold on, N-Nishikado-san." She was stuttering, and she was trembling. She took some deep breaths and calmed her racing heart. Mustering her crumbling courage she looked up at him. "There. You see? No chemistry."

He resisted the urge to smirk at her bravado. Instead, he said slowly, "Better make sure." He descended on her again, but his lips met the cold surface of the tea plate.

"We're in a public place, Nishikado-san." She tried to come off reproachful, but her voice trembled. She lowered the plate, trying to look firm. "And okay, so we have chemistry. There are other ways to tell."

He looked thoughtful. "Once ought to do it. I think that after one time, the chemistry might go away and we can be just friends again."

Her eyes widened, understanding what he meant and blushed. "That's not how it works!"

There was a glint of amusement in his eyes that irritated her. "You want to prove that we're just friends, don't you?"

"I shouldn't have to!" Yuki snapped. "I don't even understand why you or anybody else is questioning it. If we're just friends, we're just friends."

"And what if we're not? You have to admit it, Yuki-chan, that kiss was—"

"Don't say it." She interrupted. The last thing she needed was to revisit just how hot that kiss was. "It's not going to happen again, so why say it? What's more important to you, Nishikado-san? Proving something you already know is true, or reinstating your playboy status?"

She was asking him to give up, and Soujiro saw no reason why he had to. "I only know what I want, and what I want is you, Yuki-chan."

And that was it. Soujiro decided to pursue Yuki, and nothing was going to stop him. Not even Yuki herself.

(-)(-)(-)

A/N

I've read a lot of YukixSoujiro fanfics, (let's face it, there aren't a lot out there), and I know how different mine is. Soujiro is actually openly pursuing Yuki, and Yuki is actively doing all she can to fend him off. There's no angst, no obsessive love on either side, and I'm trying to keep an element of fun in it. We'll see how it goes though.