Ami leaned back from the kiss and looked away, too embarrassed to face Ryuuji. She did manage to shoot a glance at him and saw his bewildered face. It was to be expected. She had caught him from surprise. With Taiga gone and them alone, it would be easier to convince Hakuoh that Ryuuji and she were an item.

"What was…" Ryuuji breathed, still shocked at what had happened.

"It seems you're not the only one getting personal text messages," Ami replied, not looking up at him.

Ryuuji realized the meaning of her words, remembering those text messages he got from Hakuoh. Those texts were directed to him alone, because if Ami would have known, she would not have any time to plan. He probably got wind of this when Ami outsmarted him at the clothing department. Since she also knew Ryuuji had to comment on her clothes she picked, she thought of a way to include Taiga. This would be problematic to a guy organizing the game if a team was competing with him. To take the lead again, he sent a decoy text to both of them, and then, he had sent Ryuuji a private text, but Ami had his phone when he sent it, so the plan for Ryuuji giving the prize to only one girl could be tested. As Ami was comforting Taiga in the girl's restroom, Hakuoh sent Ryuuji the private text about the cake shop, along with how he was supposed to sit next to Ami. Ryuuji thought no harm in this, but Hakuoh's target was the person who thwarted his private text messages to Ryuuji: Ami.

"Is that why you kissed me?"

Ami nodded, still embarrassed.

"He sent me a text to kiss you in the cake shop. At first, I was just going to kiss you on the cheek, but that damn bastard specified. Sorry. Since Taiga was gone, I just thought it would be best."

"Thought it would be best as to what?"

Ami's eyes widened in horror as her blush quickly faded away. She looked up to see Taiga sit down with a chilly look in her eyes. The aura from the tiger was enough to form icicles down one's spine. Ami tilted her look to her left to see a tensed and confused Ryuuji. Was it possible…Taiga had seen them?

The waitress came back with their order. The three just looked at the pieces of cake. Taiga was the first to dig in, but before she took the first bite, she heard Ryuuji and Ami thank for the food. Taiga, feeling that it would be rude not to do so, also grumbled a thanks and ate. The three ate in silence, just concentrating on their cakes. On occasion, Ami shot glances at Ryuuji, and Ryuuji shot glances at both Ami and Taiga. Taiga was the first one to finish as Ryuuji and Ami were only halfway done with their slices. She gulped down her milk swiftly and got out of the chair. The sound of the chair caused Ryuuji and Ami to look up at her.

"I'm going back home," she emotionlessly said.

"Why not wait?" suggested a nervous Ryuuji. "We could walk back together."

"No thanks. I don't want to spoil your date."

"Huh?" wondered Ami innocently. "You think-"

"Shut it, Ami," she said with some emotion and the returned to her cold-hearted voice. "Obviously, this is a date. The shopping, the arcade, the cake shop… All the things Ami likes. And then Ryuuji picking her dress, giving her the bear, and…kissing her."

Ryuuji's and Ami's eyes both widened; filled with guilt.

Dammit, thought Ami. She did see it.

"But Taiga-"

"Save it, Ryuuji. After all, I'm the idiot who agreed to this. I thought Ami was my friend and I wanted to help her, but I see that faith towards friends is meaningless. They backstab you for their own benefit. Heh… I guess that's how the human mind works."

Taiga turned away from them and started walking away, but soon, she stopped.

"Oh. Ryuuji, you're no longer my dog…or a friend I want to talk to anymore. Be happy with Ami, and don't come back to me once she dumps you."

With that, Taiga left them and exited the restaurant. Ryuuji got to his feet, wanting to chase Taiga, but Ami's hand had grabbed his arm. He looked down to see her shaking head.

"Don't leave," she begged in a quiet voice.

"But I need to-"

"He might be watching."

Ryuuji looked back at her with disgust in his eyes.

"Is that all you care about? Boy, you are selfish."

Ryuuji was waiting for another excuse, but after a few moments of silence, Ami responded.

"You're right. I'm just using you and Taiga to get out of my problem that doesn't concern you two. I am selfish. I'm such an idiot."

She tightened her grip around Ryuuji's arm, shaking in nervousness.

"I'm the stupid one. I'm the klutz. I'm the one who is lost. I made Taiga so angry that she not only ever wants to talk to me, but she also doesn't want to see you. I broke your friendship for the sake of my selfish desires. I…It wasn't…"

Tears started to roll down Ami's eyes. Feeling guilty for what she had done, that was all she had for a response. How was she supposed to mend the bond between Ryuuji and Taiga? She had known that Taiga had taken a liking to Ryuuji. Ami realized this of Taiga before she had any feelings for the guy. Now, Hakuoh had tested her emotions she wished to be with. She had thought that the thing where a fake couple creates the sensation that they were a real couple to the outside world was going to be enough to convince Hakuoh. However, it failed. She wanted it to succeed though, so the guy would leave her alone. That's why she agreed to the stupid game, putting innocent friends at risk for her own gain. However, that had backfired, and now, Taiga left. Soon, Ryuuji would leave too, and she, the real she, will be alone again. Just then, a hand patted her on the head, stopping her from crying any further.

"Maybe you are all those things, but you're also smart and determined. You can turn feuds into wars, but at the same time, you can bring peace. You are prideful, but you show pity when you are controlled by fear. Look, Kawashima Ami. You may be what you think you are, but all these things just show your determination to win."

Ryuuji sat back down, removing his hand from Ami's head.

"He planned for this. All this time, he was pushing me away from you, using Taiga."

Ryuuji clenched his fists.

"Just thinking about it-"

Ryuuji closed his eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply and exhaled.

"Ryuuji," came Ami's delicate voice. "Go with Taiga. I'll be fine. I'll manage on my own."

Ryuuji shook his head.

"No."

A bewildered Ami looked up at Ryuuji.

"To be honest, I don't like that guy. Just knowing what he did to you, playing with Taiga, and making me feel like the bad guy…"

Ryuuji smiled, making Ami a little crept out by it.

"Ami, I can't explain it now, but I'll be by your side. Let's finish up here and head out."

Ryuuji turned back and then went back to eating his cake slice. Ami, rather amazed by his short declaration, turned back around to her cake with a faint blush.

I'll be by your side.

She smiled at the kind thought.

Taiga stormed down the sidewalk, surprising and frightening people who were walking pass her. She reached a crosswalk and looked up at the sky

Stupid Ryuuji. Stupid Ami. Why did they have to fall in love? If anything, it should be…

She stopped her thoughts, softening her face. She formed a fake smirk.

"This wish… It's becoming less and less unfulfilling. The God of Broken Hearts is ignoring my wish and making me suffer. Why? I just wished that I would not love Ryuuji anymore. Why isn't it working? Is he just taunting me, like that kid Ami said she needed help to get rid of? Grr… Stupid Ami. If it wasn't for that Hakuoh boy… Wait, Didn't I see him that day when Ryuuji and Ami were gonna talk to him.

Taiga soon heard a chime coming from her purse. She opened it and grabbed her phone. She flipped it open and looked at the screen.

"Why did I get a text message from him?"

Ryuuji and Ami walked slowly once they entered the park where they would always meet in the morning. While in the cake shop, Ryuuji had received a text after returning from the bathroom. He was approaching Ami with his phone in his hand. He saw Ami looking at something on her phone. She soon closed it and faced Ryuuji, telling him that Hakuoh said the date was over. He double-checked his phone to verify.

"Looks like we're early," said Ami as she and Ryuuji were now standing in front of the small playground.

Ami looked at the playground and saw the swings. She formed a small smile and walked up to the swing. She sat down on it, gripping the chains of the swing tightly. She faced Ryuuji.

"Say, Ryuuji. Can you give me a push?"

Ryuuji saw no harm in it and got behind Ami. He pushed her forward, throwing her into the air. She would come back to him, and then he would gently push her forward. Ami's smile grew to the point where she giggled.

"This brings back memories."

"Your childhood?" wondered Ryuuji.

"No. It happened recently."

She stopped her swinging motion by planting her feet on the ground, shortly skidding to a stop.

"When you and Taiga found me here."

"Didn't that just happen last week? You make it sound it happened a while back."

"But it's still a memory."

She looked down, fidgeting with her hair with her right hand. She was thankful that Ryuuji could not see her face. She silently blushed.

"About that kiss… I-I'm sorry."

Ryuuji did not say anything and blushed. Ami bit her lips.

"And that was my first?"

"Huh? Did you say anything?"

Ami shook her head.

"I was just wondering if you had ever kissed a girl."

Ryuuji looked up, blushing.

"N-n-no. Um, because of how I look and stuff."

"Because of how you look? What are you talking about? You…look fine to me."

Ryuuji's eyes widened at Ami's words, but then they shrunk back to their original state.

"Thanks…um… How about for you?"

"My first kiss? Well, that's kind of embarrassing for me. See, if I say yes, it'll be awkward. If I saw no, it's offensive to you. Better not to tell."

"Geez, aren't you avoiding it."

"The thing is not to avoid it. You just have to face life head-on, taking any opportunity thrown at you. You know, live life."

"... But that mentally…doesn't help you forever. You have to be careful before making choices. You are more likely to succeed if let things slow down and think."

"Don't listen to him, Kawashima. Just take life by the crouch."

Ami and Ryuuji turned towards the sidewalk to see a smiling Hakuoh. Ami got to her feet as Ryuuji stared him down.

"What took you so long?" asked an annoyed Ami. "It's getting dark."

"Relax, Kawashima. It's not like anything bad will happen to you."

Ami narrowed her eyes. Hakuoh just smirked and faced Ryuuji.

"And you performed well. I mean that bear and the kiss just sent your friend to tears. Are you really that dense of the girl's feelings?"

Ryuuji clenched his fists, and his eyes burned with range. Hakuoh sighed.

"Before you try to go Incredible Hulk on me, consider the game. Plus, knowing you Takasu, violence is never right with you. You do get mad, but fists of fury aren't within you… To both of you, let me rate you on your date. To be honest Kawashima, I thought you would have a more mature and logical way of thinking, but is my threat so much that you caved in under pressure?"

"Shut up and just say that we passed so I don't have to see your ugly face anymore."

Hakuoh smirked.

"You think you passed? Idiot."

"Wh-What? But-but-"

"A person could see it as a pass, but another would see it as a fail. It's just a judgment thing. That's why we have a grading system, but even that could be manipulated by whoever is in charge. Kawashima Ami…prepare for your life to end."