Of course to be excellent at this, one would require a great deal of concentration. It would also involve plentiful strategies, making the right move at the right moment to get the desired objective. And determination was another necessity that would determine the outcome either a success or a failure. And Teru was determined to accomplish this no matter what happens – because she would simply not have Kurosaki's hair dyed black for such a stupid bet she gambled with. It all started with the teacher's taunting, and before she realized it the bet was made and it became a life and death situation for her. For if Kurosaki really had to dye his hair black simply because Teru's grades were not excellent, Kurosaki becomes the scapegoat of her stupidity.

And she must stop it at all cost.

Granted that she had always possessed a flair for good grades, she was not going to slip up now from conceited nature. As a result of that inbuilt determination to win, she went through an arduous studying routine. She could barely be spotted without a book at any given time and her lucky headband has been deployed whenever she buries herself with tedious mugging.

Yet at the end of her hardworking endeavors, Kurosaki could not help feeling that he remained at the losing end of things.

Teru barely made time to come over for meals and his usual jibes fell flat sometimes when he realized she was on full steam mugging mode. He didn't have the heart to tire her out with redundant 'slave' duties either, so their time together was overtly reduced from before. Before he could stop himself, he was taking on tasks that would lead him into the school building over enthusiastically. Anything that would gift him a glance of Teru, even if it was less than a minute, was utterly rewarding to him.

It was indisputable that he ought be more mature about this, after all Teru is being all cute and fighting hard for the shade of his crown which he thought was actually an interesting idea he could consider. But he appreciated her defensive stance and loved the way her eyes shone strangely when she recites her winning determination in an almost obsessive nature. It was uniquely Teru, his beloved Teru that would extend her efforts for the one she loves.

And he would be completely immature to deny that she loves him. How happy he was when the first revelation reached his ears and he strained every muscle and nerve to deny the feelings from surfacing on his face. But right now, he leans proudly against the pillar as he watched a studious Teru argue about the list of possible test question with her best friend Kiyoshi. There she stood with her lucky headband and her animated hands waving to make her point.

It was probably simply less than five meters away from him, a short distance that could be easily overcome with a few strides. Yet at the moment, it felt like the furthest distance that he would have to endure. He did not have the heart to disrupt her focus, nor break news that nothing else mattered even if the bet involved the color of his hair.

Because nothing else could override this feeling of loneliness deep set in his heart, without Teru by his side the days went on with less joy and meaning.

He snuffed out his cigarette and walked away, of course he had to keep these emotions in check and be the adult he was expected to be. Please let his little ploy succeeds and not let his cover blow, but before he knew it, a gentle hand tugged his sleeve to pull him back slightly. Lifting his eyes he was locked in a trance, Teru's worried eyes were watching him with such gentleness he had never known since his father left him. He wanted to close the distance of less than a meter between them with a hug, but instead he leaned his forehead against hers.

'What are you going to do if you fall ill before the examinations? Remember to go easy on yourself else you get your beloved daisy all worried now, right?' Kurosaki breathed the words gently, his breathe misting the air between their foreheads and his hands trembled slightly from the cold. Maybe it was the cold.

'Mm.' Teru's sweetly acknowledged his concern but she never pulled away from their close proximity. He could sense the wafting scents from her hair, the slight worrisome warmth on her forehead and the pounding of her heart. Somehow, his body mirrored her tension and he was afraid to pull her closer yet unwilling to let her go.

But he had to. 'Go home and get some rest tonight, alright? If you fall ill by tomorrow, all your efforts would be meaningless and you would have to work as a slave under a weird haired Kurosaki.'

Teru smiled gently at his teasing, 'Of course I'd win the bet! Yellow is still my favorite color, after all, the shade of Daisy is pretty in that color too!' Kurosaki's heart did a somersault at her words, the hidden meaning was obvious to him and it made his heart swell with joy. Perhaps he would be lonely for now, but beneath all of this, he had been blessed to have met the girl who could bring him greater joy than anything else on earth. And to have the girl love him, was the true blessing one can ever pine for. And that lucky idiot was none other than Daisy.

-End of chapter 12-

Don't forget to give a +fav or +review if you liked the author's effort. Small encouragements like this are power fuels for us! :)

And this will continue with a few more chapters, so +follow if you would like to keep reading it! *^^*

To my readers:

Sorry for my short hiatus! Here's a little token of appreciation on this fine holiday called Labour Day. And writing this fanfic is a fine task to take on! This chapter explores a little more on the sweet exchange between Kurosaki and Teru when the bet was made with the teacher and Kurosaki's prideful hair was endangered! I hope you liked the silly Kurosaki who was feeling a little lonely without Teru - all that is resolved when he realizes just how luck he is! 3 Heh, enjoy the holiday my dear readers and thank you once again for the ongoing support! With love, Hanabiaki