Chapter 1
Mikage Celestine smiled proudly at his best friend's reflection in the mirror. With his soft chocolate hair gently hanging on his temples, sparkling emerald eyes and cherry blossom blush, Teito Klein could have had any pretty girl run for her money. The said brunette was casually dressed in a pearl white V-neck with long sleeves, black jeans and sneakers. A thin silver chain with a tiny spherical black diamond pendant graced his slender neck, the only accessory he agreed to wear upon Mikage's insisting .On that, what the hell was Mikage not insisting? Ranging from baby pink hair clips to silly miniskirts, the stupid blonde insisted on putting everything that, as he reasoned, would make that guy fall head over heels for him. But wasn't it because Frau already liked him in the first place, that he dared to ask the school's infamous hot tempered guy to go out with him (having received numerous bruises and a swollen cheek in the process, mind you)? Mikage and his weird reasons; a strange topic but not even worth venturing, might involve permanent brain damage.
"Aww Teito. You look so cute. Frau's gonna blow his mind after seeing you," Mikage teased.
The brunette glared at his friend. Was this entire blonde population a bunch of goofballs? Every blonde he had ever met was seriously affected by idiotoculosis someway or the other, from the normal seeming Hakuren, who thinks himself the most beautiful creation of the chief of heavens to this new wild admirer of his, who tends to be the greatest womanizer, the world has ever seen.
"Seriously Mikage, it's because of you anyways that I'm forced into this thing. Remember that I'm not gonna let you off the hook that easily for forcing me into this embarrassing situation. That guy dared to ask me out in front of the whole class, has he got no shame and the more you for harassing your best friend?" Teito slumped into the couch, feeling tired all of a sudden. He leaned back, gently resting his head on the couch. Mikage stared at his still form with a smile.
Memories of that day came flooding back. Voices and lots of voices, as expected of a normal Friday in District 7 High. It was the last period of the day and since it was free, students were either gossiping or roaming around. Teito was on his seat, packing his bag while Mikage perched on his desk, ranting off about some upcoming baseball match, to which his friend half-heartedly paid attention. Suddenly the chaotic noises of the crowd died down to faint murmurs as a figure made his way through the crowd. Teito tilted his head to the side to see past Mikage and immediately caught sight of the spiky blonde hair of the basket ball team's captain, Frau, approaching him. The serious expression he sported immediately had Teito stand in a defensive stance. Mikage too slid off the desk and took position at Teito's side.
"What do you want?" Teito asked, irritated at being stared.
"I've something to say!"
"Well, what is it?"
Frau seemed to hesitate at this. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes in the process. Once made sure that he would not stutter, he released his breath and finally said, "I want you to date me!"
The whole classroom zipped into silence, starring agape at their idol. Mikage's jaw practically dropped down at this and about Teito, he just stared blankly at Frau, as if not believing his ears.
"Excuse me?"
"I said I like you and want you to go out with me!" Frau replied, a bit louder.
With a swift movement Teito yanked his tie, forcing Frau to bend to his level.
"Are you trying to make fun of me?"
"N-No, I really like….," Frau stuttered, despite the choke hold he had on his neck.
"Say that again and I swear I'll tear your throat out," Teito threatened, tightening his grip.
"I-I like you..."
To this he received a hard punch to his left cheek that threw him off balance and the poor guy crash landed between the desks. Even before he could stand his face was mercilessly punched, till the furious brunette was dragged away by his blonde friend.
"That's enough, Teito," Mikage commanded.
The crowd gasped as the captain struggled to stand. His entire left cheek was red and swollen, predicting a future bruise. A small stream of blood was seeping through his closed lips and there were a few bruises on his arms.
"I still like you," Frau smiled, earning a few gasps from the crowd, who had been present since the beginning of the soap opera. A student ran out of the class to call for a teacher. Teito's face was red with anger as he raised his fist, aiming at Frau's almost disfigured face. But Mikage intervened.
"I see, so you really like him," Mikage smiled, his hands firmly planted on Teito's shoulder to prevent further violence if needed. The captive brunette on the other hand, had grown silent starring foolishly at his friend, doubting if he was Mikage or some clone android.
Frau smirked, "You bet?"
"Hey Romeo, wait a sec."
But Mikage never got to state the reason as a raven haired teacher rushed inside. "Stop that fight!" And then his eyes fell on the injured captain, "Frau kun! How in hell did you do this to yourself?" He quickly knelt beside him to check if there was some severe injury. After all, that guy seemed to be the reason for the overturned desks and chairs.
"Ah, this? It's no big deal, just a few scratches." Frau waved his hands to show he was perfectly fine.
Bastien sighed. "That doesn't mean I'm going let you move around with that swollen face. Come to the infirmary." Just then the sound of the last bell ringing filled the entire classroom. The teenage audience quickly piled out of the classroom, giving a few sympathetic glances to their idol. Mikage walked towards Bastien and gave him a friendly smile.
"Bastien sensei, let me help Frau senpai to the infirmary. You need not be troubled for such a simple matter and shouldn't you be at the principal's office for the teacher's meeting?"
"My, I totally forgot! Thank you Mikage kun. Please take care of Frau kun, I must be off!" With this Bastien sensei hurried out of the class room, leaving the trio to stare at his disappearing from. Mikage then turned to face his friend with a thoughtful look and said, "Ne, Teito? Didn't you have some work as well? Something related to Castor senpai?" Realization suddenly hit Teito and the brunette quickly ran out of the door without a second glance, dragging his bag along. After all, Castor also had a reputation of being a sadist along with being the most intelligent student in the school.
"So? What do you want?"
Mikage sat on a desk folding his hands to his chest, a serious expression on. Sharp amber peered into azure. He looked as if inspecting Frau's very heart.
"Are you really serious?"
Frau gave him a puzzled look. "About what?"
"About Teito. Do you really like him?"
"You want me to prove?"
Mikage shook his head. "I want you to show."
"I'm not getting where you are going."
"I'll let you go on a date with Teito. But don't misunderstand, this is a test."
Frau just stared at Mikage. Sure, this is a dream. Mikage, however took that as the cue to continue.
"You have to make sure to get him kiss you by the end of the day. Can you do that?"
"But Teito would never agree to come in the first place," Frau said in disbelief.
"That you leave upon me. But listen," Mikage pointed a finger at Frau, "If you fail, you have to forget about Teito. Now do you accept the challenge?"
"With pleasure!" Frau's eyes shone with a lover's determination as he stood up to face the challenge that would decide his destiny.
