Hilary Tachibana sat in her living room unsure of what to do. The events from previous days still fresh in her mind, when three men came over to her house and asked her something that would change their lives forever. Hilary hummed quietly as she flipped another page in her Friends and Rivals Scrapbook. She rested her chin on her fist, studying a page intently, when a certain blue haired young man popped up on the next page. Her fingers danced over the photo, tracing his every feature, bringing a smile upon her lips.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a knock coming from her front door. Closing her scrapbook, Hilary slowly walked over to her front door. A tall man carrying a bouquet of flowers stepped into her house, soon followed by another, then another, then another, then another, until twelve men filled her home carrying the floral arrangements. She was astonished to see a man with white grey hair and light purple eyes, and cobalt blue triangles on his cheeks, at her doorstep. He was wearing a white tux and he had a huge grin on his face.
"Kai?" Hilary mused. This was strange.
Kai flicked his hair carelessly before looking Hilary in her eyes.
"May I come in?"
Hilary blinked a couple times before answering.
"Um…sure?"
A small smirk spread across Kai's lips as he leisurely walked into Hilary's house.
Hilary slowly closed the door as she continued to wonder what Kai was doing there. She felt something shoved in her face only to notice a few moments later that it was a red rose. She saw Kai smiling that wide smile and knew he what he was thinking.
"A rose for my rose."
Hilary smiled weakly as she took the little dew-dropped flower.
"It isn't like you to hand me a red rose, Kai. What's gotten in you?"
"Only cause I thought they would impress you?"
Hilary began to feel uncomfortable. What was he doing here?
"Um…Kai. W-Why don't you have a seat on the couch?"
"Alright," he accepted as he slowly made his way over to the purple loveseat in her living room. Hilary sat down next to him. She noticed that the twelve men that filled her home still stood there, staring at her with interest, the bouquet of flowers still in their hands.
"Oh, you could just put those down…anywhere," She sweatdropped as she began looking around the room, "Anywhere you can find a spot."
After placing the roses down, he twelve men exited the house, leaving Hilary and her visitor alone.
"Hilary, you and I have known each other for how many years?"
"I dunno. Like nine years?"
"Right. And I know we haven't talked that much over the years, but you know why I am here, don't you?"
Hilary rolled her tongue in her mouth for a moment before putting the beautiful rose on the coffee table.
"Um…Kai…"
"A rose symbolizes beauty and love…"
"And pain."
Kai smiled at Hilary's remark and picked up the beautiful red rose off of the coffee table.
"I would often notice you, Hilary. All you efforts made us even better bladers than we were. At first I thought you were weighing us down, but you were more determined than any of us…The day I saved you on that island, I looked in your eyes…and…"
"Kai…"
Kai put his finger on Hilary's lips, telling her to let him finish.
"I know I've been a real jerk in the past, Hilary. But I've changed. You know that, right?"
"I guess. I've seen you become less arrogant but…"
"And it was all for you, Hilary. I've changed my ways and have become a World Champion all for you."
Hilary smiled weakly.
"Kai, that's sweet but…"
"Hilary," he cut her off again, quickly getting to his feet.
Hilary's heart began to beat faster. She knew where Kai was trying to go with this.
"Kai…I need to tell you something," she hesitated.
"I do too, Hilary," he said taking his seat next to her again, "I can't wait any longer. I love you more than ever before."
"But Kai…"
"And that is why I want to give you this," he proposed, pulling out a dark purple box, opening it up to reveal a 25 karat diamond ring engagement ring.
Hilary's eyes widened as she gazed upon the beautiful ring.
"Kai…"
"Hilary Tachibana, will you marry me?" he asked, immediately dropping to one knee.
Hilary sat aghast as she continued to stare at the ring Kai was holding in his hands.
"Hilary? I need an answer?"
Hilary locked eyes with him. She didn't love him all these years. She liked him and accepted Kai for who he was, but never generate any romantic feelings for him. She was in love with someone else. How could she accept this?
"Kai… we're not…I mean…I can't…"
"I understand…" he exhaled, immediately getting back to his feet, "You need time to think about it."
"Kai…no…"
Kai held up his hand.
"It's okay, Hilary. I get it. Tell you what, how about I go in the kitchen and make us a couple of drinks. And when I come back, we can have a toast, to our engagement," he smirked as he placed the box in her hands and kissed her lightly on her forehead.
Before Hilary could even call out to Kai, he was already in the kitchen. She sighed as looked back down at the box, opening it up to look at the expensive ring contained within it.
What was she going to do? She didn't want to hurt Kai. But she couldn't accept this ring. Not when she was in love with someone else.
Hilary's thoughts were interrupted as she heard someone knocking on her door. Opening a drawer on her coffee table, Hilary placed Kai's ring in it, closing it just as quickly as she went to go answer the door.
To her surprise, there was a young man leaning against the door with short blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes standing at her doorstep. He was wearing a black tux. A smile formed on his lips when he saw Hilary.
"Hey, Hilary."
Hilary blinked a coupled times as she tried to come over the sudden shock over seeing her American comrade at her door.
"Max?"
"The one and only," he beamed as he strode into the house. He arched his eyebrow as he noticed the dozens of roses in her home, "You, uh, done some redecorating?"
"Oh, um…y-yeah. They're very good for scenting the area."
Max began scrutinizing Hilary, almost as if he were contemplating on whether he should believe her or not.
"What are you doing over here, Max?"
That wide smile returned on Max's face.
"Hilary, I've got some amazing news!"
"What is it?" She asked as she closed the door.
"They are making me the captain of PPB All Starz!"
Hilary raised her eyebrows.
"Really? That's wonderful!"
"I've never been so excited about anything else in my life! Oh Hilary, I will be honoured by the Secretary of the State himself! This has been my lifelong dream and now it's becoming a reality!"
A warm smile began to form across Hilary's lips. "I'm very happy for you, Max."
Max's smile seemed to widened at his friend's light-hearted affection.
"I'm happy for me to. For the both of us."
Hilary made a face. The both of them?
There was a sparkle in Max's eyes. That was the same kind of sparkle he'd get when he'd win a battle or when he'd add a new upgrade to his blade. In fact, that same sparkle was in his eyes just moments ago, when he spilled the news. But why now was that sparkle shinning in his eyes?
"Hilary, remember the time when I first met you?"
"Yeah," Hilary stuttered uneasily, not liking where this conversation was going.
"You were so beautiful. Remember how we used to hang out together when Tyson and Ray used to train? Our udon joints? Our walks in the park? The time I helped you finally see a Bit Beast? Remember that day when we were casually talking and I said you'd make a good wife someday?"
Hilary's heart began to race. Oh God, no. Not again.
"Hilary, that was exactly nine years ago till this very day."
"It…was?" she squeaked as she started to feel nervous.
"Yes. And it was a day I'll never forget. What I meant to say was, if I ever wanted to marry someone, it would be someone like you."
Max's smile widened as he took Hilary's hands.
"Hilary, you know I've always love you. You were always there for me. Always reminding me of my mom."
"Reminding you of your mom…" Hilary's brow quirked. What a weird thing to say…
"Hilary, everything I've ever done has been for you. And now that I am so close to my goal, I wanna make both of our dreams become a reality," he said as he reached into his pocket to retrieve a certain item. He dropped to one knee just as Kai had done before him.
"Will you please do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Hilary Tate? Will you marry me?"
Hilary sighed as she looked at the princess cut diamond engagement ring. She couldn't accept it. She didn't love him. Not the same way he loved her.
"Max…I can't…I…"
A weak smile formed across Max's lips as he got up and closed the black velvet.
"I get it. You need more time to think about it."
"Max, no…"
"It's okay, Hilary. If you need time I'll give you time," he chuckled as placed the box firmly in her hands.
"Max…"
"Hey Hilary, you got a bathroom in here? I just drank like four gallons soda before I came over here and my bladder's about to explode!"
"Gross…" Hilary hung her head, pointing towards the stairs. "Upstairs. Second door to your left."
Max hurriedly raced up the stairs.
"Thanks Hilary. When I come back I'd like to know how you feel."
Hilary sighed as she looked back at the black box she held in her hands. What was happening? First Kai and now Max?
Glancing back up the stairs, Hilary quickly made her way to the kitchen. She peered inside to see Kai blending several ingredients in her mother's margarita blender. Most likely he was making a glass of margaritas to celebrate their engagement, which she herself didn't even give an answer to and thus, didn't agree to.
Hilary nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard her doorbell being rung incessantly. Hastily, Hilary put Max's ring in the same draw she put Kai's. She made her way to her front door and slowly opened it.
Before Hilary could even get a look at the person she felt a pair of warm lips over hers. When Hilary felt the person pull away, a smile instantly appeared on her face. She didn't need to see the person to know who it was that kissed her. She knew Tyson Granger was standing there at her doorstep.
"Sorry for kissing you like that, Hilary. I'm just so happy right now," he grinned as he stepped through the door, "Oh sorry. I should have asked if I could come in before I stepped in here."
"It's alright," she grinned back as she closed the door, "Uh, Tyson? What are you wearing?" Hilary arched her eyebrow at what Tyson was wearing.
Tyson was donned in a what she could say a well-documented roman military costume with knee length kilt, and a sagum over some iron armour, and a galea in his hand.
"What this? Don't you remember, Hilary? When we were in Egypt and you mentioned something about Cleopatra?"
"Yeah, but that is not what Cleopatra wore, Tyson." Hilary rolled her eyes, "Wait, did people see you head this way?"
"No Hil!" Tyson whined, "I went through a lot of research, and I stumbled upon something interesting. I came to know about a Roman General named Mark Antony who was deep in love with Cleopatra. So I thought I would dress up as him, and it took me three whole weeks to find it too."
"I don't even want to know why."
"It's all good. Though, I could have lived without the stares I received over here. And some guy threw a stone at me on my way here. Those things hurt!" Tyson complained as he began rubbing his arm, the apparent place where the stone had hit."
Hilary sighed, slumping her shoulders.
"I'd throw a stone too. What idiot walks around in broad daylight wearing clothes from ancient history?"
"Hey! Don't be so quick to judge me! There's a reason why I wore these clothes today!"
"And that reason would be?"
Tyson began nervously rubbing the back of his neck when he realized the spotlight had been put on him.
"Well…um…I uh…" he stammered, "Um…oh man. This was so much easier when I practiced in front of Daichi."
Hilary narrowed her eyes as she began examining him.
"Tyson?"
"Hilary I…I…" Tyson paused as his voice seemed to go up an octave every time he opened his mouth to speak to her.
"I…I uh…"
"Tyson?"
"Oh I'll just say it! Hilary, I wanna marry you!"
Hilary's eyes grew as big as saucers as she stared at her blue-haired boyfriend.
"W-What?"
Tyson exhaled loudly. "I wanna marry you, Hilary. You have always been my Cleopatra and I wanna be your Mark Antony."
Hilary shook her head. This was not happening! This could not be happening! She wouldn't let herself believe it. Hilary tried to still her shaking hands. She didn't even see Tyson approach her.
"I know I'm not like those other guys but…I don't know. I love you, Hilary. I mean, I've felt things for you that I haven't felt for any other woman. Okay, that sounded so wrong but…"
"Tyson…" Hilary shook her head firmly as she put her hand to her forehead. This so was not happening!
Tyson never stopped looking at her.
"Hilary…I wore these clothes because…well…it was the closest I could ever get to being a real prince. I just want to be your knight and shining armor, like Mark Antony."
Hilary pulled her lips in as she felt tears welling up in her eyes.
"I mean…I may not be the brightest guy out there…and sure I get big-headed a lot…and yeah I don't know when to keep my mouth shut when I get into an argument…and I am hot headed and childish, and I eat a lot. I snore a lot…but despite all of this… you're still with me."
Hilary didn't know how much more of this she could take.
"Hilary, all I'm trying to say is…I love you. And I know I'm probably not worthy of you…but it'd make me the happiest man on this planet…if you stuck with me a little longer and I was able to call you my wife," he recited as he got down to one knee and pulled out a red velvet box.
Hilary took it and opened it up, too speechless to do anything else. A small 1/3 karat diamond held the center of the 14 white karat gold ring. A small whimper escaped Hilary's lips as a few loose tears rolled down her face. Tyson held her hands. He hated seeing her cry like that. He felt a slight pang in his heart as he gingerly ran his fingers over hers.
"Alrighty, Hilary. The margaritas are made, some steaks are cooling off, and we're just about ready to celebrate our…" Kai began as he sauntered into the living room with a tray of margaritas, a champagne bottle, two steaks, and a red rose in a vase. His face dropped when he saw Tyson Granger down on one knee and Hilary holding a green box that obviously held an engagement ring.
"Tyson?" Kai shot the dirtiest look possible, "Hilary, what's going on?"
"Kai?" Tyson immediately got to his feet as he faced his friend's former rival.
"Tyson, what are you doing here?"
"I…I just proposed to Hilary."
Kai's eyes shot opened. He let go of the metallic tray he held in his hands, the glass and plates shattering as they hit the floor.
"W-W-What?"
"I just…"
"You couldn't have just proposed to Hilary. I just proposed to Hilary."
"What?" Tyson gawked as he stared at Hilary. His shocked eyes were wide, his mouth opened.
"And she said yes," Kai smirked haughtily.
Tyson's face dropped.
"Kai, I did not say that!"
"But you're gonna say yes to him?"
"I…I…"
"Well isn't this a sight for sore eyes," Max snipped as he leaned lazily against the top of Hilary's banister, the sarcastic tone of his voice sending a small chill up Hilary's spine, "I was just on my way out of the bathroom and I find out that the girl who I just asked to marry me, just got proposed to by two of my best friends. How could you guys?"
"You proposed to Hilary too," Kai was beginning to seethe with anger.
"Well duh, Mr. I-Like-to-be-alone-with-my-cats. That's what I just said. I bet it was you who dropped off all these flowers earlier. It was you, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, so it was!"
"I knew it!" Max screamed as he raced down the stairs towards Kai.
"I'm not going to get into this right now! This isn't about you, me, or Tyson," Kai argued as he turned to face Hilary.
He took her hands. "Hilary…"
"…Who do you choose?" Max finished for him.
Hilary inhaled deeply to keep from crying. She pressed her hand over her heart and her voice cracked as she spoke.
"I'm sorry."
Slowly, Hilary walked over to the small coffee table in the middle of the room. Taking out the velvet boxes that held their rings, Hilary handed Kai his purple case and Max his black one. She then made her way to the front door.
"I can't do this right now. So…please leave."
Kai arched his eyebrow Hilary. He looked down at the box, and then chuckled dryly. He rolled his tongue in his mouth as he left the house. Max looked at Hilary, perplexed. He shook his head with each step he took, sighing softly before he too left the house.
Tyson didn't move for several moments. After a painful heartbeat, he approached the door. His face was drained of its complexion. Tears stained his face, his forehead was deeply creased, his face was red and blotchy. He was crestfallen.
Taking his hand, Hilary handed Tyson his ring, closing his fingers around it soon afterwards. Tyson stared at it for a few seconds before looking painfully back up towards his love. They held each other's painful gaze and after a few tense moments, Tyson stepped out of the house, the buckles on his belt clinging as he left.
Three days later,
Hilary still didn't know what to do. It wasn't so much that she didn't know who she loved. She knew who her true love was very, definitely. It was who she didn't want to lose in the process. If she said yes to one, that would probably mean all forms of communication with the other two would be discontinued. She didn't know if saying 'yes' was worth all of that.
A quiet knocking at her door snapped Hilary out of her thoughts. Getting out of her seat, Hilary went to go answer it. She was surprised to see Tyson standing there yet again.
"Tyson?"
"Hi, Hilary," he greeted as he stepped in, "Don't worry. I won't stay long. I only came to pick up a few things."
"A few things?"
"Just a few personal things that I Hilary have left here over the years but was too lazy to pick up. You know like hats, shirts, underwear…"
"Underwear?"
"Don't gimme that look. I didn't say anything when you left your lingerie by my place, which you still haven't picked up by the way."
Hilary blushed slightly. "Any clothing that you left here is upstairs in a basket waiting to be picked up by you."
Finding a small watch on one of Hilary shelves, Tyson quickly snatched it up. "Aww sweet! I've been looking everywhere for this!"
"Tyson, what's going on?"
Tyson sighed as he looked back up at his former love. "I'm leaving, Hilary."
"Leaving? Where are you going?"
"Brazil. There's some blader there I wanna test out my skills with. Possibly get him on board with BBA, now that Kai and Max has resigned."
"Oh," Hilary sat down quietly on her couch, "How long will you be gone?"
"Indefinitely."
Hilary furrowed her brow. That word stung like a thousand needles.
"What's going on, Tyson? Why are you leaving?"
Tyson slumped down on the couch with a thud.
"Oh, Hilary. I feel like such an idiot! When I came over here in that stupid outfit and I proposed to you? You're such a good friend not to laugh in my face."
"Tyson, why would I do that?"
"Oh, come on, Hilary!" he barked as he shot out of his seat, "Between Kai, Max, and Me? There's like no comparison! It's like…getting a double proposal from two movie stars, and five minutes later getting another one from clown."
"That's not true, Tyson. I took your proposal very seriously."
"You did?"
"Yes, Tyson. I did."
A weak smile spread across Tyson's lips.
"Thanks Hil, Means a lot to me," Tyson sighed as he began to walk towards the door.
Hilary followed him.
"Tyson listen…"
"No, Hilary. You listen," he grimaced as stopped and began approaching her again, "Kai, Max…They're the men for you. With them, you'll live an exciting glamorous life."
"Tyson, listen to me!" Hilary screamed as the insecurities her boyfriend was pouring out to her was starting to make her sick to her stomach.
"Why should I?"
"Because…I'm…"
"You're what? Hilary, I'm trying to give you the best life possible."
"Tyson, you can't just leave. You told me you loved me."
Tyson paused.
"I do love you, Hilary. I love you so much it hurts. My love for you is endless. It can't be measured. You Hilary think I'm being corny but it's the truth."
"I never said that."
"Hilary, your happiness means more to me than anything. Trust me when I say, you won't be happy with me."
"Tyson!"
"What can I offer you, Hilary? A modest existence in that dojo of ours we call a house? Don't you get it? The new BBA never gave me what BEGA could. All my sponsorships were cancelled. I ain't that star anymore I was. Kai's the World Champ now. I can't give you everything you want Hilary. That's not how life works and that's certainly not the life for you."
"Tyson…"
"Max and Kai can probably give you everything you've ever wanted! I mean, just look at the way they proposed. Flowers and childhood memories. All I did was dress up like some dead knight."
Tyson began moving anxiously about the room. "Max and Kai…they're smart, good-looking, successful…"
"And I chose you…" Hilary revealed evenly.
Tyson froze. He stopped his nervous pacing around the room and looked Hilary dead in the eyes. Her breathing was heavy, her hands were quivering, and tears were streaming down her face.
Hilary continued.
"Tyson, in my eyes, you'll always be the best blader. I don't care if you train newbies for a living. I have always considered your house to be my second house, your brother as my brother and your Grandpa as my Grandpa. We will start over Tyson…together…"
Tyson shook his head. "I don't understand."
"Tyson, did you see the way they proposed to me earlier? Kai wanted to buy my love with flowers and reminder that he saved my life. And even though I didn't give him an answer, his pompous condescending ass immediately takes control, which was why he got the slap in the face he did when he found out I wasn't ready to answer him. Not to mention the fact that he delivered over one hundred roses to my house that are probably gonna die within three days and make my whole house stink."
"Yeah, but…"
"And then, Max waltzes in here talking about how proud he was to become lead of All Starz. Then he gets down on one knee and thinks that because I'm his best friend, I'm supposed to agree to everything he says. Let me tell you, I'm nobody's yes-man!"
Hilary started to feel slightly ill as the realization that neither man cared about how she felt hit her squarely in the face.
"But Hilary, the way they proposed…"
"Was bogus," she finished for him.
"The way I proposed was bogus."
"The way you proposed was sincere. I mean, the Marc Antony outfit was thoughtful, and the reason behind it was touching. The fact that you remembered how much I adore Cleopatra was touching. And then, the speech you gave me about how you weren't perfect but how you still loved me and how we would work through it as long as we were together. That almost brought me to tears."
Tyson put his hand to his chin. "Are you trying to make me feel better? Cause you're not doing a very good job."
"Damn it, Tyson! What do you want from me?"
"Nothing Hilary. I don't want anything from you. I have a three o' clock flight. It's already one fifteen. It's solely because my heart won't let me why I haven't moved from this spot."
Hilary shook her head. "You're still going?"
"I have to, Hilary. This is only thing I have left that can actually influence and better my future. I'm not making too much money here with the Academy anyway. Let Daich and Chief handle that now."
"I can help you. Let me help you."
"You don't have to."
"I want to. I want you to stay here."
"Hilary, I can't!" he declined as he yanked the door opened.
Hilary started choking.
"Tyson, LISTEN TO ME!"
Tyson closed his eyes and froze. Slowly, he turned back around to face Hilary.
"Tyson, you can't leave."
"Why?"
"Because…I can't imagine my life without you," she yelped almost inaudibly.
Tyson narrowed his eyes.
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying, that I fell in love with you Tyson Granger and I wanna be able to call you my husband too."
Tyson just stared at her, his brown eyes peering into her ruby ones. "Hilary, are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Hilary smiled. "Do you still have the ring?"
Looking past Hilary, Tyson nodded towards the red box he had put on her coffee table when he found his watch. Hilary walked over to it and picked it up.
"Tyson, three days ago you asked me to marry you and I couldn't give you an answer because I felt like I was being put on the spot, by you, Max, and Kai. I didn't realize how much I hurt you until today…You keep talking about how you're not worthy of me but the truth is, I'm not worthy of you. I mean, I hurt a man that I really care about when he laid his heart on the line," she set the ring back down on the table.
"Well, today I am ready to answer your question, Tyson. And I mean it with all of my heart. Yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes to your question."
"What question?"
Hilary smiled.
"Yes, I wanna marry you! My answer to your proposal is yes!"
Tyson stared slack-jawed at his girlfriend.
"Could…could you say that again?"
"Yes, I wanna marry you too!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't…
"YES, I WANNA MARRY YOU!"
Tyson smiled.
"That I heard!"
Tyson dropped all the items he held in his hands and raced over to his fiancée, enveloping her in a hug before planting a warm kiss right on her lips.
"Oh, sorry Hilary."
"You're apologizing for kissing me?"
"No, no, no. It's just…well…it was so sudden."
"Who said I didn't like it?"
Tyson slowly looked away.
"Well, I'm going to shut up now."
Hilary lightly nudged him as she held out her right hand.
"I believe you have a ring to put on my finger."
Reaching over on the coffee table, Tyson pulled picked up the box that held his engagement ring. It was then that he noticed the scrapbook that Hilary had been looking into a few days ago. He saw a photo of Kai and Max and the two immediately came to mind.
"Hilary?"
"Hm?"
"What are you gonna do about Max and Kai? I mean, if you're saying yes to me then…"
Hilary caught on to what he was saying and stood up. Opening one of the draws, she took out the black box that Max brought a few days ago. She opened it up to Tyson and he was shocked to see that the case was empty.
"He came over two days ago and delivered it."
"W-Where's…"
"He took it back. After I told him I didn't wanna marry him, he kept the ring."
"You told him you wanted to marry me?"
"I told him I didn't wanna marry him. I told him I loved him as a friend and that was it. He left a little more than irritated but he'll get over it…eventually."
"What about Kai?"
"Kai didn't even come back. His stuck-up behind was still pissed off that I had rejected him the previous night. Far as I'm concerned, Kai doesn't even exist. He doesn't wanna have a relationship with me and I don't need to have one with him."
"Not even friends?"
"Were we ever?"
"Good point…So Hilary, earlier you said that you didn't answer me because you felt like you were being put on the spot."
"Right," she said as she started playing with his hair.
"Are you saying that even if we came on separate days, your answer would still be the same?"
"Uh-Huh."
"Okay…Now I'm confused."
"Don't be," she grinned as wrapped her hands around his neck, "Just tell me that you won't be going to Brazil and that no matter what, we will get through."
"I won't be going because I have you."
"Aww," Hilary gave him another kiss on the lips.
"Tell me something, Hilary."
"Anything."
"That lingerie you left at my house…was that lace or is it some kind of silk because whatever it is, Daichi has kept it."