Hikari POV

He let me win! HE let ME win! He LET me win! How could he do this? Did he not care? Does he think I'm weak?

I couldn't stop the emotional tear streak down my face. I have never felt so betrayed by a person, let alone a person I have only known for a short while. I glanced up at him and I saw his smiling face and his congratulatory hand reached toward me. As I locked eyes with his, his face changed into an emotion I couldn't figure out, but he replaced it quickly back to his emotionless face. Was it pity?

The anger and sadness rose in me to no end, I didn't know what was happening. I felt so smothered; I couldn't take it. I just ran. I bolted away from Takashima as fast as possible. I heard him call my name, but my feet wouldn't allow me to stop.

For the rest of the day, I tried to keep my mind from questioning what Takashima was thinking when he let me win by throwing all my focus into acing all my exams. I didn't see him for the rest of the day, but of course I knew I had the slight chance to run into him at work.

He IS my boss…

While walking to the restaurant, once again, Takashima's car stopped in front of me. I tried to ignore it and briskly walk past it, but Takashima, himself, emerged from the back seat.

I couldn't look him in the eyes. These emotions that flooded me were too overwhelming, especially when I looked directly in his all-knowing eyes.

Maybe I should see a doctor. Am I going crazy?

He stopped in front of me and I tried to side-step around him, but he used his forceful voice to cement me in my place, "Hikari."

He place one finger under my chin so that I looked him straight in the face. "You will tell me why you have avoided me all day," he said in a final tone.

Did he just order me to tell him something?

I snapped out of my sluggish state and straightened my back, "Because YOU, Takashima, are a lousy rival! You think you're so cool, letting others win. But, you're just a coward and I don't want to talk to you!" I stuck my tongue out at him and crossed my arms defiantly.

But, as soon as I was done with my little rant, a dark, menacing aura surrounded him and his expression was replaced with and evil smirk. "Oho? Is that how you feel? "

"Y-yeah…" I said while failing to keep the confidence in my voice. I started stepping away from his overpowering aura slowly. "I-I g-got to get to work n-now…"

Before I could register what had happened; I was in Takashima's arms and he was carrying me princess style. I could feel the heat slowly scorch my cheeks.

"T-Takashima! Put me down now! Let me go!" I tried struggling, but it was futile.

"No, I will not put you down. You'll just run from me again." I heard a tinge of sadness when he said his last sentence. I looked up at his face, but he turned his head quickly so I could only catch a glimpse of his lonely eyes.

He doesn't want me to run from him? Does he want me to be with him? No! I bet he thinks I'm scared of him and his challenges! I'll show him!

I took his momentary lapse of attention to leap out of his arms and said, "You don't scare me Takashima! I'm no coward!" He came closer as if to catch me again, but I pushed him away, maybe a bit too hard, and he started to fall back as if everything was in slow motion.

SPLASH! Mud flew in all directions and I stood there in shock, just staring at him. He had a pout coloring his face and he started mumbling to himself angrily.

I started breaking out in fits of laughter as I watch him pout and whine.

"Is there something funny about my current state of discomfort, Hikari?" His words broke me out of my side-aching laughter.

"OH! I'm SO sorry! I-uh… Let me help you up." I held my hand out to him and he just stared at it, indifferently, like he was thinking about something. Then, an evil smirk danced across his face.

His swiftly reached out his muddy hand and yanked me into the muddy puddle with him. "T-Takashima! Why'd you pull me in? I'm all dirty now!"

"Well, I thought since you gave me the pleasure of swimming in disgusting mud, that I should return the favor."

I huffed and pouted, "How can I show up at work all icky and wet."

Then, he threw his head back and groaned, "Fine. Get in the car." He got up and started walking towards the shiny, black car.

I stuttered, "W-why? W-what are you planning you pervert?"

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Hikari, I'm taking you to my house so that we can get cleaned up. I too have to go to work, and I cannot show up like this."

"O-ok… but don't get any funny ideas!" I cautiously slid into his car.

We pulled up into the driveway of a house that looked as big as a shopping mall. I gazed at the house in awe. "Let's go. You might want to close your mouth, you can catch flies like that, Ni-san."

Grr… I want to smack that smirk off his face. I trudge behind him into his house; he tossed me a towel to wipe myself with and a big, white dress shirt. I looked at him questionably.

"I obviously don't have girl clothes and you wouldn't fit any of my pants because you're too small. Just change into that for now, while my maid washes your clothes." He explained to me.

He started walking into a room until I said, "Can I take a shower here? The mud dried on my skin."

His eyes widened by my question. Did I ask something wrong? Once he regained a straight face he said, "Maybe you should wait until you arrive home. You do understand this is a man's home."

What does that mean? Is he sexist? I can't use his shower because I'm a girl?

"Hey! We deserve equal rights! I'm using your shower and you can't stop me!" I run into what I expected was a bathroom.

He called after me, "What are you talking about? Wai-." I slammed the door shut and locked it.

I swept my eyes around the bathroom. It was gigantic! The size of my apartment! I quickly took my shower and changed into his shirt.

I opened the door a little to check if he was out there. "I-I'm done now…" I walked out fully and saw a little boy that looked exactly like Takashima!

"Takashima! How did you get so small?" I walked over to him and started pinching his cheeks and pulling on his arms and legs to see if he would grow back to normal size.

"What are you doing you ugly lady?" Little Takashima was struggling out of my hold.

"Why you little-!" I was interrupted. "Sui. Hikari. What are you two doing?"

I looked over to see the real sized Takashima. "Takashima! You aren't small! You just have a midget stunt double! Can I have one too?"

"Hey, Baka! I'm not a midget stunt double!" Little Takashima was feisty.

"He's my little brother, Hikari. Sui, please return to your room. Hikari, you may sit in my room while I take the shower you took from me." Grr… he's so demanding. Stupid Takashima.

I sat myself down and waited for Takashima, while playing with my hair. After twisting and twirling it for ten minutes, Takashima walked in. He was only wearing some pants.

"Your hair looks like seaweed, Ni-san."

"DON'T CALL ME NI-SAN! Takashima, you pervert! Put a shirt on!" I turned my face away to hide the obvious red that stained my cheeks.

That's when Takashima's door busted open and a man-boy ran in frantically. He stared between Takashima and me for a couple sentences and started his boyish rant.

"Kei! Are you alright? Daddy is here to protect you! Is this girl trying to take your innocence? I'll save you!" I was too shocked by his cute, little face to get myself ready for his attack.

He sprinted towards me and jumped in the air, his leg was about to come down on my head, but I dodged it and got ready for a counter attack. But, Takashima grabbed the man-boy's leg and tossed him into the wall while stopping my leg from swinging.

"What do you think you are doing, Father?" Takashima reprimanded the man-boy.

"B-but Ke-ei! Daddy just wanted to help." Man-child pouted.

Father? This man-boy was Takashima's dad?