Part 3: The Ask and Answer

"The Giant War broke out when the ..."

History of Magic by common knowledge was the most boring subject. While Kyoko and Kanae still managed to take some notes, Chiori had already fell asleep after the first ten minutes, giving out a soft snoring sound. When the school bell rang, Kyoko shook Chiori's shoulder slightly, waking her up, then the Love Me girls emerged from the classroom together.

"Chiori you should have stayed awake," Kyoko said. "You would get a T in History of Magic if you continue to sleep in his lessons."

"I don't care," Chiori snapped. "Professor Anna's voice is a lullaby. I still can't work out how you two not fall asleep."

"Determination, perhaps," Kanae shrugged, raising her voice a bit as the corridor was packed with students. "Don't forget we have to meet Professor Takarada at his office tonight, AGAIN," she added.

"I don't want to hear him talking something like, Amamiya you have to put LOVE into the potion otherwise it won't work." Chiori complained. "Who would think of love when they're making poison?" The other Love Me girls couldn't help but giggled at her remarks.

"Err - Kyoko?" She looked around and found the origin of the sound in the sea of students. "Hi Hikaru." Ishibashi Hikaru is the keeper as well as the leader of the Hufflepuff Qudditch team. His cousins, Ishibashi Shinichi and Ishibashi Yuusei, were the beater. The Ishibashis were close to Kyoko and sometimes they would spend the weekend at The Three Broomsticks talking about Quidditch.

"Could I have a few words with you? Alone?" Maybe he wants to talk about the match after Christmas? She nodded and turned to her friends. "I'll see you later." Chiori clearly wanting to say something but Kanae only nodded and dragged Chiori towards the stairs, giving Hikaru and Kyoko some privacy.

"I could not believe that it's almost Christmas. Will you stay for the holiday?" Hikaru asked Kyoko as they headed towards to the common room.

"Yes, I'll. I originally planned to leave but I changed my idea," Kyoko replied. "I assume you're staying too?"

"Yup. Shinichi and Yuusei are staying as well. They're really excited about the ball and managed to find their partners."

"How about you? Have you found yours?"

"I have not found mine yet," he hesitated. "Kyoko, I wonder… err… would you attend the Yule Ball with me?"

Kyoko opened her month slightly, "I…"

"Hi Kyoko. Hi Ishibashi," said a voice in their ears. They turned around to see Tsuruga Ren crossing his arms with his gentleman smile. Ohhh no he's angry at me. How come he came out of nowhere? "Congrats on beating the Slytherin. You guys played well."

"It was nothing," Hikaru said with a smile. "You did a brilliant job in the 1st task. My cousins and I have bet 3 Galleon you would be the winner."

"Then let's hope I won't disappoint you guys. Kyoko," Ren continued, turning back to her. "We better go now. Professor Takarada wants to meet all the champions and their partners before the ball. You don't want to keep him waiting right?"

It took Kyoko a few seconds to comprehend what he had said. Wait… does him implying that we're partners? But I'm not his partner! She gave Ren a confused look and Ren only returned a smirk.

"Okay, then we should go now."She had no idea what Ren was doing. But one thing she was sure about was she didn't want to anger the Demon lord. "Bye, Hikaru," she said and offered Hikaru a sympathetic smile. Ren took Kyoko's hand and left without saying anything.

A lot of questions has been running wide in Kyoko's head as they climbed the stairs to the Headmaster's tower.

She couldn't decide which to ask first. "So we're heading to the Headmaster's office?" She stammered.

"I'm not lying when I said we have to meet Professor Takarada," he replied when they reached the stone gargoyle. "Valentine's day," he said. The stone gargoyle jumped aside, the wall split open.

His hand is rather soft despite having calluses, Kyoko thought as they reached the door. She did not understand why they were still holding hands. Admit that you do like when he holds your hands, a voice in her head whispered. She shook her head and tried to loosen their hands.

But Ren seemed to sense what she was doing and only tighten their hands. "Why would you told Hikura we're partner? That's not the truth." she asked.

Ren titled his head to the side and asked with a sheepish smile, "Then you go and tell Ishibashi that you just lied and you're going with no one? "

He knows any girl would melt if he gave she that smile right? "You…don't have to lie for me. I hate to inconvenience you. You don't have to pretend to be my partner," Kyoko muttered with a hint of pink in her cheeks.

"I don't like to pretend as well," Kyoko felt as her heart sank and lowered her gaze. After these years, she has sworn that she would not fall into the trap called love again. But because of him, she had felt a certain feeling that she has abandoned a long time ago.

"Kyoko," he said with a husky voice that made Kyoko looked him right in the eyes. There is something she couldn't pinpoint in his eyes, something she would mistaken if they were more than friends.

"Yes?" She has reminded herself endless times that it is impossible that he would return her feeling. Yet, she couldn't help but felt hopeful when he looked at her like this. Kyoko felt her heart is about to explore like fireworks.

"Would you be my partner?" He asked with a serious look that she has not seen before.

Silence fell between them and the time seemed to stop till she replied a few seconds later.

"Okay..."

Like I said in part 2, things happen in part 3 XD Actually I feel a bit sorry for Hikaru, but Ren x Kyoko is the endgame *wink*

Unfortunately, I may not be able to post part 4 on next Sat/Sun as planned (20th/ 21st Feb) It was due to my schoolwork (I'd come back to school this coming week) plus something related to my family. I'll try my best to update on time and I hope you'd wait patiently.

Trivia 3: The headmaster Takarada Lory considers love as the most important element in the world. Therefore, he formed the Love Me section, hoping to help those who show talents in magic but lack love to be great wizards/witches. Kyoko was a founding member of the section while Kanae and Chiori soon joined her. That why they are known as the Love Me girls in Hogwarts.