Chaper 1: The Dare

Disclaimers (merged w/ author's note): This is a repost. I tried to edit everything… and please take note of the keyword here: TRIED. As I believe that I can not be tracked down in any way, and that Inoue-sensei will never bother to do so in the first place, I would like to claim that Sakuragi Hanamichi is "mine" for I love him more than most things in this world (seriously) and so I am only "giving" him to the "person" I feel deserves him the most. Oh, make that the only person who's deserving to have him is drum roll Rukawa Kaede! Nyahahaha, I'm so sooooooooooooo biased!

The Sakuragi guntai had been bored to hell since their walking talking epitome of humiliations was nowhere in sight. And also because they were kicked out again, for the nth time, from the pachinko.

(Another A/N: I only wanna share the dilemma I used to have on whether to use gundam, guntai, gundan, or whatever: turned out they all mean the same thing! sigh I hope this spared you from the agony I've been through)

"Oist, can't we think of a way to make Hanamichi's life more exciting?" Takamiya propped his fat elbow on the table and sighed.

"Maybe he's hopeless, or maybe he ran out of girls that would dump him," Noma was unconsciously playing with his mustache.

"Waah, I just remembered he owes me my whole allowance for this week. I'm so so broke!" Ookusu grasped his mob of blond hair and let his head fall until his forehead gently smacked the hard wood of the table. Youhei just smiled.

"Oi Youhei, why are you smiling, huh? It's not the time to be cheery and all," Takamiya glared through his glasses, "not when I'm hungry."

"It's because Hanamichi is..." Youhei was interrupted by a boisterous voice.

"OOOOOOOiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Sakuragi's voice echoed through the corners of the infamous students' favorite hang-out, Danny's.

"-already here." Youhei finished what he was saying although his comrades sure already got the message. He discreetly rubbed his ear.

"Oi Hanamichi, what are you doing here?" Fatso was really in a bad mood. Something to remember: don't mess with him when he's hungry.

"I just need some cash, c'mon." Hanamichi started to bounce his friend's chin (or is it already the neck? Those who don't know, picture Anzai)

"Can't you see I'm hungry?" his stomach growled as if it wanted to be the proof. "Leave me alone, unless you'll feed me."

"Noma then?" Hanamichi's hopeful look wasn't faltering a bit.

"Don't look at me."

"Youhei?" he hoped his best friend wouldn't turn him down.

"Nuh-uh."

"Ookusu!" he was as hopeful with this last alternative of his.

"Don't forget you haven't paid your last week's debt and my allowance for this week."

"I wish all my debts would just disappear" Hanamichi finally showed signs of desperation as he frantically waved his arms to all directions.

"Oh, maybe they can really disappear, Hanamichi..." Takamiya had an evil glint in his eyes not much hidden by his glasses.

"You mean you're all gonna forget my debts!" the innocence of the redhead would never permit him to notice the hint of malice in his friend's voice.

"Not really, but, maybe if you would do a little something," Takamiya took a little side glance to his allies who were all encouraging him. They were all trusting him that his idea was something worthwhile.

"Oh, what is that little something? I'm sure I could do that since I'm a tensai. Couldn't you think of something bigger? Hm, on second thoughts, nothing is so big a hassle when it comes to me. Nyahahaha!" Hanamichi went on blabbering although he didn't even know yet what his challenge would be.

Takamiya took the chance to whisper his plan to the others who in turn snickered.

"Hanamichi..." the three nastier gundan said in unison.

"Huh? Yeah what is it," he somewhat absent mindedly mumbled since his mind was already busy making an inventory of what he could do with the money he was about to loan, since his previous list would vanish into thin air.

"Ask Rukawa on a date!"

Youhei was caught between laughing his heart out or be worried about Sakuragi who had not moved for a few minutes and was wearing the most amusing mix of expressions. He really was transparent for he never hides his emotions; rather he was never able to do so. There was this hopeless disbelieving scared look as a child who's on the brink of tears after his candies were taken away from him. Youhei chose to be the Good Samaritan: he pulled Sakuragi out of his trance.

"Hanamichi" he poked him gently at his sides.

"Noooooooo!" Hanamichi grabbed his hair as an imaginary tsunami appeared. It would have had swallowed Sakuragi alive if Youhei hadn't spoken in time and saved him from the spell.

"Oi, Hanamichi, your reaction is around five minutes late. Anyway, it's not the end of the world."

"Yes it is Youhei-kun! You must help me" Sakuragi was almost pleading with clasp hands for added effect.

Youhei was forced to contemplate on what to do next.

tsuzuku