Title: 14. An aspiring villain from the start

Pairing/Character/s: Yuki/Machi, Kakeru

Word Count: 855 words

Summary: Machi decides to buy a card, and Kakeru decides to meddle.

Dedication: Utada Hikaru's "First Love" is mentioned. I tried to find another old Japanese love song, but couldn't, so... I really like this song by the way. Utada Hikaru is awesome.

A/N: Um, this is honestly a bit pointless, but it sounded like a really great idea, and I told Skoozy about it so I had to do it. (Why is Machi always thanking someone? Uh... Shut up? No, I guess I just see Machi as a very polite person?) Refers back to Ch. 28, when Kakeru realizes he has to meddle to get these two together.

Of all the days Kakeru could have begun walking to school with Machi, he chooses the one day Machi is extremely late. Her eyes narrow in impatience when she opens the front door and sees Kakeru waiting on the sidewalk with a stupid grin. She attempts to ignore him, continuing to walk out of her apartment building in silence.

"Good morning Machi! What a coincidence; let's go to school together!" Kakeru shouts, using his hands to make his voice even louder. Machi shoots him a look of dread mixed with annoyance. People two entire blocks away have turned around to stare.

"Manabe, you don't live near here," Machi points out, walking past him to the train station. She had other things to take care of today.

He doesn't let this deter him. By speeding up he manages to fall into step with his sister. "What a nice day to have cold soba outside. Too bad I already had steamed buns for breakfast. What did you have, Machi?"

She doesn't answer, making sure to stand as far away from him as possible. Kakeru decides to continue walking in silence because he wants to keep watching his sister. Before going into the train station Machi quickly ducks into a gift shop. Kakeru follows, jumping to conclusions when he sees all the lovey-dovey cards.

"Manabe, why are you still here?" Machi asks, picking up a small thank you card with a watercolor garden on the front.

"This is a great one to confess your undying love for Yun-Yun!" Kakeru holds up a bright red card with white hearts, lace and the chorus of Utada Hikaru's "First Love" blaring once opened.

'You are always gonna be my love...'

Machi doesn't grab the card fast enough; the song echoes for several seconds.

There is a loud sigh of exasperation and then she is attempting to push her brother out the door. Machi has a feeling that he might be murdered if he didn't leave right away.

"So it is for Yun-Yun?" Kakeru asks suddenly, turning around. His face is so serious and his guess is so accurate that Machi drops the card.

'You are always gonna...'

Kakeru scoops the card up first, hastily ending the song. "No denial; some would say that's very suspicious, Machi," he says thoughtfully.

"I'm buying a thank-you card for the present," Machi retorts in defense, deciding to get the card with the watercolor garden and get away from her brother. After paying, Machi writes a small message so standard she has to check that she put President and not To Whom It May Concern.

"Hey, Machi, can you get me a card for Komaki?" The look of utter loathing on Machi's face makes Kakeru add, "I promise to be quiet the entire day." He adds a winning smile, and Machi reluctantly goes back to the shelves.

Once she isn't looking, Kakeru opens up Machi's card and carefully copies a poem from another card:

Lots of hugs

And many kisses

Hope someday

To be your Mrs.

He stuffed the card into the envelope, already tasting the delicious snacks the princess and his sister would give him once they started dating. Machi notices his stupid smile but doesn't say anything.

Kakeru hopes the rest of the day passes by quickly, because he can't wait for the two to start dating. He's heard that whenever Yuki owes someone, he gives them really good snacks and manga.

xXx

The day does pass very quickly. Part of the reason is because Kakeru had to run all over the building to find a video camera he could borrow. He arrives at the Student Council room early, looking very alert but still not doing anything. He almost misses the moment; Machi apparently met Yuki at the door of the Student Council and decided to give him the card then.

"...You didn't have to do this..." There's Yuki's voice and the sound of an envelope being opened. Kakeru jumps up, running to the doorway with the camera ready. "What are you doing?" Yuki asks, still opening the card. Kakeru clicks the record button on the camera.

"Read the card first, Yun-Yun! You're not being polite!"

"Kakeru, go away!" Machi hisses, pushing her brother.

"Lots of hugs.... Kisses? Mrs.?" Yuki looks up with pink cheeks. "Machi, is this-" This video was going to sell really high in the Sohma Yuki Fan Club.

"What?" Yuki shows her the card and Machi's face turns a fascinating red. It was also going to be perfect blackmail. "Kakeru. You better run."

"Yun-Yun, how do you feel about my sister's love confession? I have a metal pipe in case I don't like your answer."

"Turn off the camera."

"Wait, wait! You guys are supposed to be confessing your love! OK, so Yun-Yun says, 'I never knew you felt this way, Machi.' And Machi, you say, 'Oh, but you have changed my heart-' Are you writing this down? Yun-Yun? Machi?" Kakeru turns the camera on himself. "They seem to have left... together. So I guess this is to be continued... Part 2: Romantic Confession on the Rooftop. Black ranger, out."

A/N: I feel like I'm doing less and less Yuki/Machi interaction, but it was all I could come up with. Anyway, so I love you guys and I'm really tired. I wanted to put this up before I went to bed and now I'm really tired. I will answer the reviews tomorrow when I'm more awake, and... just stare at this stupid drabble. Yuki's actual reaction to the fake confession will be in a sequel drabble. OK, take care guys.