Chapter Seven: The Winter Ball

It's been a week, and still Takishima is my 'boyfriend', all because I lost to him – again. But honestly, it's not that bad. He treats me the same, nothing different – not that much different anyway.

He waits for me outside my house. He even got invited in, I remember.

*Flashback*

"Kei-kun," Hikari's mother started happily, "why have you been waiting outside the house for the past couple of days? You know you're always welcome here."

Takishima Kei went in and drank tea with Hikari's family.

"Oh," he said, sipping his tea, "I think it's only proper if I wait outside."

"Why on earth would you think that?" Hikari's father asked.

"Hikari hasn't told you?" he said a grin on his face.

"Told us what?" Hikari's mother said, sipping her tea.

"She's my girlfriend." Hikari's mother spat her tea at her husband's face. From the steam that emitted from Hikari's father's face, and the red blotches that suddenly appeared, the tea was still hot.

"WHAT?!" My parents said in unison.

"Yeah," Kei said laughing slightly.

I came down from the stairs to find him sitting with my parents, drinking tea.

"Ah Hikari, good morning," Takishima said smiling brightly.

"Good morning, what are you doing here Takishima?" I asked. My mother and father went to my side and hit the back of my head.

"What was that for?" I asked turning to them.

"Don't talk to Kei-kun that way, daughter," My dad said.

"Especially since now he's your boyfriend and my future son-in-law!" My mother exclaimed

A big stone slab dropped on my head and my mouth was opened. "How did you know? And what future son-in-law?!"

"Kei-kun was nice enough to inform us."

"But – but…" I turned to him for help. He smiled back at me brightly. Darn it! Why won't you help me?

"He's not really me boyfriend!" I said, bowing in front of my parents, "I'm sorry."

"Hikari," he started, "there's no need to keep this a secret." He flipped his hair and smiled refreshingly at my parents. That didn't help – not at all.

"See," my dad said, pointing at Takishima, "even he said so. Now stop denying it!"

"Besides, that's rude. Denying your boyfriend in front of both him and your parents," my mother added.

"But it's the truth!"

I argued, they argued back. Will this ever end?

Hikari's brother descended the stairs and sat at the table with Takishima Kei, pouring himself a cup of tea.

"So," Hanazono Atsushi started, "you're dating my sister." He sipped his tea, indifferent to all the bickering in the background.

"Yes," Takishima Kei smiled, "I hope it's okay with you."

"Go ahead. You have my blessing. I really mean you can have all my blessings with her. Good luck." Atsushi said.

Kei looked at him weirdly.

"Is there something wrong with Hikari?" Kei asked.

"You are aware of how she is right?" Atsushi said setting down his cup.

"What do you mean?" Kei said.

Atsushi leaned in closer to Kei, "You don't have to be a genius to know how dense my sister is." He said.

"I know." Kei smiled, "I'm okay with it."

Atsushi looked at him, surprised. "So even when you guys do romantics things, and she thinks it's some kind of competition or something you won't mind?"

"No," Kei said, "I like her that way."

I feel sorry for Kei-kun, at the same time, he's a brave soul to take on my sister. Atsushi sighed in his head.

"Well," Atsushi stood up; he went to Kei's side and placed his hand on Kei's shoulder. "You're a brave man, Kei-kun, I have to admit that."

"But," Atsushi's grip on Kei's shoulder tightened, "hurt my sister," the scary, indescribable face of Atsushi appeared. Kei could not help but stare in shear fear. He could not look away. His eyes were looked into Atsushi's demonic eyes. "I swear you'd wish you'd never born in this timeline."

Hikari caught sight of Atsuhi's face. She remembered all those times he'd make those faces. The face was emitting so much evil aura, that – Hikari fainted.

"Atsushi," Hikari's mother said, "I told you not to make that face anymore."

"It was only to motivate Kei-kun over there to do his best to take care of Hikari. He's still a boy after all, even if he is Takishima Kei."

Hikari's parents and Atsushi looked at him with the same murderous expression.

"That's right," Hikari's father started.

"You're a growing man Kei-kun, surely you have urges don't you?"

Kei's cool composure melted away.

"Take care of my sister," Atsushi repeated.

"Or else," they said in unison.

*End of flashback*

I really couldn't remember anything after Atsushi came down. It's really weird, it's like some part of my memory's been erased. After I came to, Takishima and I went out. He was looking down while we were going to school. He even had his body guards surround us. It was weird; I wonder what my family did to him. Anyway, after that day, Takishima never came into my house again.

I go down the stairs and head outside to see Takishima smiling at me. I smile back and walk to him. All of a sudden I felt a strange presence behind me – my family. They all looked at Takishima with snake-like eyes. He stayed cool and composed. He seems to be used to this. I wave goodbye to my family and walk with Takishima.

The school wasn't that far, and he was silent as usual. Do I always have to start the conversation?

"So –"

He cut me.

"Hikari," he started, "have you heard of the Winter Ball that'll be held this year at Hakusenkan?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Do you want to go with me? You are my girlfriend after all –"

"Your girlfriend until you get sick of me," I corrected.

Like that will ever happen Takishima Kei said in his head, "So will you go with me? Unless…" Dark Aura emitted from Takishima. It was ghostly murderous and evil all at the same time. Was that even possible?

"I'll go with you," I said smiling, "even if we are boyfriend and girlfriend – until you get sick of me" emphasis on that, "I still won't back down on my word." I give him the same smile as always.

Somehow he just seems so happy. That makes me happy.

We reach the gates and I find Akira waiting as usual.

"Hikari! Ohayou!" She came running towards me and pushed Takishima away. She grabbed my arm and ran to the greenhouse, with me on her arm lugging behind her.

"Good," she panted, "at least he," she said with hatred, "won't be able to catch up that fast."

"So you think," Takishima was behind us. "What's the deal taking MY GIRLFRIEND?"

He grabbed my arm and I was taken away from Akira.

"Kei! It's only because you won at that stupid contest. But I swear you will pay and she will not be your girlfriend anymore. Mark my words!"

"I think I heard 'mock my words". So sure I'll mock you," Takishima said as we walked in front of Akira.

Akira's blood boiled and she grabbed my other arm. Together the three of us walked in the greenhouse.

"Ohayou Hikari," Jun greeted, Megumi scribbled.

"Hikari," Ryuu greeted, "I have a letter for you. It's from Yahiro."

All of a sudden the auras of the people attached to my arms are suddenly deadly again.

"Why would Yahiro send me a letter?" What does Yahiro want?

"It's because," Takshima started, I turned to him. Wrong move; his eyes covered with a shadow and a twisted grin on his face. Akira had the same expression. "Hakusenkan and Kokusen have a joint Winter Ball and Yahiro seems to be looking for a date." He said through gritted teeth.

"Why don't I go visit him later?" Akira said, cracking her knuckles.

"I'll join you," Takishima said, cracking his knuckles as well. They set their bags in front of the coffee table and sat on the sofa – on the opposite sides. I sat in the middle.

"I'll have to tell Yahiro. I can't go," Akira looked at me brightly.

"Really! So you'll turn down any offers given to you?" She asked.

"Of course," I smiled. She gave Takishima an evil grin. He just smirked. "I'm going with Takishima to the ball."

Her face drained of color and she fainted. Tadashi came in with a huge leaf and started fanning her, "it's okay bear lady. I'm here." He said smiling.

"Bear –what? Tadashi?" she said glaring at him again.

I brought out a book from my bag and started reading it. Takishima put his arm around my shoulders. They all looked. For some reason, I don't mind it. I go used to it for the past week, even if it was weird at first. We have to make it look real after all. Akira was being held back by Tadashi at arm's length. Jun and Megumi, clinging to Ryuu, just stared, Ryuu did the same.

"Takishima," I started, "so, when is the ball?"

"Next week, Friday, just before the start of Winter Vacation," he answered.

"Good, I'll have enough time to make my dress." Akira, Tadashi, Megumi, Jun and Ryuu – especially Takishima – looked at me with weird faces. Almost like they didn't want me to make my own dress.

"Why?"

"Hikari," Takishima started, "the last time you made a dress…"

"It looked like a multi-colored rain coat with frills," Akira added, "I don't mean it a bad way. It was cute multi-colored rain coat looking dress." She added.

"That looked like a parrot molted," Tadashi added.

"Leave her alone Tadashi," Akira said, turning to Tadashi with flaming eyes.

"We can't have someone from Hakusenkan looking like that," Takishima added. He snapped his fingers.

Two agents in black appeared in front of me.

"Gentlemen," he started, "see to it that Ms. Hanazono will have the 'perfect' dress by the time of the Winter Ball and have her an appointment at –"

"Tokyo Estate Salons," Akira interjected. She smiled slyly at Takishima. He glared at her, but didn't object.

"You heard the lady, now get to it."

"Yes, sir." They disappeared.

"Was that really necessary?" I asked, left eye twitching.

"Yes," Tadashi said, "each time Hakusenkan and Kosuken have a joint ball or anything actually, they always have to outdo each other."

"That's why we can't lose, my Hikari, we'll show what we can do to that Yahiro. Who does he think asking you to be his date?"

"A Saiga!" Megumi scribbled, apparently blushing.

"So, it doesn't matter," Akira said.

"Right, MY GIRLFRIEND, should stay with ME obviously."

Takishima glared at her she glared back.

I got the letter and opened it. There were two invitations inside.

"Hey there are two letters inside." I gave one with the cherry blossom design to Jun. It was from Sakura. The other said: "Let's play a game". "Who should I give this to –?" Megumi snatched it from me fast.

"Why didn't those two give the invitations themselves?" Ryuu asked.

"Because they're both on a field trip to France right now, but they'll be back by Friday next week," Jun answered.

"So Hikari will have no problem with being my date," Takishima kissed my hand.

"Baka! Don't do that," I pulled my hand back. That was still weird.

He grinned.

I smiled in turn. I guess this ball might actually be fun. We'll just have to wait and see then.