Chapter One

I deeply stared at my phone's screen, frowning. It was a text from my ever-so-daredevil ex-boyfriend, Hanamiya Makoto. It only said three words:

"I need you."

I immediately popped a few visible veins. I felt like slamming my precious Iphone against the wall. But remembering the possibility of a whole week non-stop lectures from my parents, I refrained myself. So I placed my bag at the top of my study table then sat on the edge of my bed instead.

I just got home from watching the game between our team and Seiren High. And apparently, we lost.. Again. It was a disgusting game. I didn't even want to go if it weren't because of my friends who dragged me with them by force.

I mean, really, our basketball team sucked big time. They were strong, but they focused on using filthy underhanded techniques instead of polishing their natural skills.

Talk about idiots.

I put my phone away, not even caring to reply to Hanamiya's message, then changed into a black loose blouse and white shorts. I took my Romance Novel and sat in front of my study table. The perks of having no assignments: I get to do what I want to do. I'd always liked to read romance stories... Well, I guess you can call me hopeless romantic.

Yeah. A hopeless romantic who fell for the wrong guy. The worst guy ever.

I miserably groaned, giving myself a mental bitch slap. I was so stupid. Why did I fall for him anyway? He wasn't even that goodlooking. Well, he was kind of cute and sexy.. and smart.. and mean.. and arrogant.. duhh, whatever. Did I fall for his thick eyebrows? Or was it because of his extremely high IQ?

No. None of the above.

I was just too naive back then. Yeah, that's why. I was bewitched and fooled. I mean, hell! He may be smart and cute, but his attitude was a major turn-off. He was even mean and indifferent to me even though we were already dating back then. It's a miracle I was still alive and my heart was still working properly now.

It took me months to finally snap out of my stupidity and see him for what he truly was. A bad boy! A guy unworthy of me and my love.

The sudden buzzing of my phone startled me, snapping me out of my thoughts. After realizing that it was him again, I rolled my eyes before checking his new message:

"..I need you. Now!"

I gritted my teeth and furiously typed a reply:

"I'm busy. Go to hell!"

His next message nearly made me fall off from my seat:

"I'm going to ring your doorbell."

I quickly stood up, peeping through my window. And much to my horror, his car was outside, just across the street. The shithead knew I wouldn't come if he'd set up a meeting place so he was going to pick me up. Door-to-door.

Freaking clever! As expected from a jerk whose IQ was over 160.

Defeated, I sighed. He already knew my address because he had visited me at home for a few times before. My bad...

Without even fixing myself, I walked out of my room and headed downstairs. It was a good thing Mom and Dad weren't home and my older sister, who was supposed to be my only company, took advantage of our parents' absence and went to sleepover with her friends. So I was left alone.

Wait... I was alone. With Hanamiya Makoto outside.

I stopped on my tracks, feeling the pounding of my heart inside my chest. "Should I let him in? Should I let a wolf in? Seriously?" I murmured to myself as if somebody would actually give me a sensible answer.

Come on, Nadeshiko. Think about the situation. That's Hanamiya Makoto, the most dangerous guy ever discovered on the face of the earth.

My thoughts were interrupted when our doorbell rang---like, impatiently. My nervousness was immediately replaced by rage. Completely annoyed, I unlocked our front door and welcomed my unwelcomed guest.

He was standing in front of our doorstep, towering over me. His familiar manly cologne quickly invaded my nose, making me gulp at the smell of spice and ice.

"Yo, Nadeshiko-chan."

I looked up into his face (since he was taller of course). He had his annoying grin on, though I noticed his eyes were slightly red. Wait, did he cry? But anyway, that's impossible. Plus it was already none of my concern.

I released an exasperated sigh. "What do you want?"

"I want to see you, that's all."

I scoffed. "Stop treating me like an idiot."

He smirked, shrugging his broad shoulders casually. "You are an idiot."

Gah. Still a dipshit! He never changed.

"Go home!" I sneered, attempting to close the door. But he quickly blocked the doorway with his right leg before I could successfully shut it close.

"Not so fast." He gave me his signature sinister laugh as he pushed the door widely open, almost stumbling me backwards. "How rude of you to send me away just like that."

"Oh puh-lease. You don't deserve any hospitality," I retorted sarcastically, gathering my courage.

He slid his hands inside his pockets. "Still bitter, aren't we?" Then without warning, he let himself in then scanned his eyes around.

I clenched my fists, sighing through my nose to calm myself. "What do you want from me? You're wasting my time!"

He turned to me, thick eyebrows creased. "Mom and Dad here?"

"They went out of town. And they're not your Mom and Dad, okay?" I crossed my arms on my chest, raising one perfectly annoyed brow.

"How about Onee-san?"

"No, she's not here either. And she's not your Onee-san so please get out." I gestured for him to leave but he did not even budge.

He just stared at me for a moment before grinning dangerously. "Lucky me."

I was taken aback, suddenly aware of the danger his smirk was giving off. "W-What do you mean?"

He tilted his head down to hide his face, making me gulp thickly. My nervousness only rose up to a much higher level when he gave a dark chuckle, facing me once more. "You're thinking about something perverted, aren't you? Like hell I would touch you, baka!" The jerk even stuck his tongue out as he continued laughing at my appalled reaction.

Just what the fuck!

My blood reached its maximum boiling point as I felt all anger surge through me. What he said was supposed to be a good news, but the way he delivered it was insulting. "Go home, Hanamiya! Or I will kill you this instant!"

He gave me a challenging grin. "Oh. I'd like to see you try."

"Jerk!" I hissed, running towards him. I was just about to land a punch on his chest when he caught both of my wrists, grasping them tightly. "Let me go!"

"You can't kill me, babe. You still love me," he said huskily with overflowing confidence.

My ear pricked up at what he said but still I managed to keep my cool. "Oh, really? You haven't changed at all, Hanamiya." I looked up into his face, meeting his gaze. "I don't love you anymore, but I don't hate you either. Let's just say I've already moved on, thanks to you."

He grew still, obviously surprised with what I said. After about another few seconds, he let go of my wrists. I took it as an opportunity to compose myself. Half of what I said was true, half of it wasn't. Actually, I didn't know. I couldn't understand myself. He was supposed to mean nothing to me, but my heart would still beat like crazy whenever he was around.

"You too, you haven't changed at all," he remarked coolly which made me frown in confusion. "But anyway..." He casually sat on our couch, making himself comfortable. "I'm hungry."

I blinked twice, half-surprised. "W-What? Then go home."

He tilted his head to the side before giving me a puppy look. "After all the trouble of visiting you, you won't even give me something to eat? Hidoi ne."

There it goes again---his dirty, little innocent act. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Don't tell me... You can't cook?"

"Of course I can."

"Then prove it to me." He gave me a smile, a smile that was rarely seen on his face.

This guy...

***

"Here, your wickedness." I set the plate of food in front of him, rolling my eyes. Then I placed the bar of chocolate beside his plate---the one he demanded for dessert. Because, apparently, our bad boy here loved chocolates.

He gave me another one of his sweet smiles. I didn't know which was more annoying: his innocent smiles or his devilish grins. "Ja, ittadakimasu."

As he dug in, I went to the refrigerator to get his drink. I couldn't believe I was acting so kind to the guy who broke my heart just a year ago. I internally cried tears of stupidity. How could I be so stupid? But, oh well, before we started dating, we were classmates first. So let's just say I was doing this for an old friend.

Pft! As if.

"You watched our game, didn't you?"

"Yeah." I stalked towards him, placing the glass of juice on his side. "It was disgusting as ever."

He laughed wickedly again. "Huh? What are you saying?" After finishing his food, he drank half of the juice in the glass. "The food's great by the way."

"T-Thanks." I secretly blushed. I never expected him to actually compliment me. I mean, the food.

He turned to me with a smile plastered on his face. "I didn't know you can cook."

"You weren't interested in anything about me, remember?" I didn't intend to sound so bitter but it still turned out that way. I just couldn't help it.

He didn't answer though. He just opened up the pack of chocolate I gave him then took a bite. I couldn't stop myself from staring at him, I was wondering which part of him made him look so badass sexy. Because, you know, even though he was carrying a bad reputation for playing basketball dishonestly, some girls would still squeal his name and fangirl over him.

"Stop staring, it's irksome."

Then as if a bucketful of water was poured on me, I looked away. He caught me staring at him, it was so embarrassing. "Y-You're already done. Go home, Hanamiya."

"Why are you so eager to throw me out? Are you that affected? I thought you said you've already moved on?" His tone was really annoying. And I knew he was doing it on purpose.

I grunted in exasperation. "I've moved on, but that doesn't mean I'm okay whenever I see your face. You're an eyesore, so please leave!"

He furrowed his brows, eyes sharp. Then he stood up, dropped his chocolate down the table, and slowly stalked towards me. "What did you say?"

Fearing for my life, I backed away until I felt the hard wall behind me. He was looking at me dangerously, like a predator watching its prey. And that alone was making my knees wobble. My heart was starting to beat fast and loud. And, albeit impossible, I could feel myself literally sweating bullets.

Help! Help, anyone!

I gulped when he cornered me in-between his arms, his face was merely inches away. We were never this close, so it was really awkward in my part. I mean, yeah, we've gotten too close before and we've kissed---twice, actually. But this was the first time I had seen that look on his face, the unexplainable emotion in his brown eyes.

"I'm sick of it," he said quietly.

I frowned, confused. "Sick of what?"

"Losing." He leaned closer then rested his head on my shoulder, his hot breath brushing against my neck. "On the other hand, what is victory anyway? I've always wanted to win and destroy those Teiko prodigies, but no matter how hard I try..." He trailed off deliberately.

"Oi! Don't tell me this is one of your schemes again, Hanamiya." He couldn't blame me if I was too reluctant to believe his words because he had always been like this. He would act like a good sportsman at first and says some nice words but then interrupts himself and eventually shows his true colors in the end.

I gasped, however, when I felt him shaking. My shoulder was also starting to get wet as my sight traveled to his clenched fists on the wall. "H-Hanamiya..."

"I lost again, Nadeshiko. And it sucks..." His voice was shaky in-between his muffled sobs.

Somehow, I felt a little sorry for him. Surely he was evil and all, but he was still a human being. A human with feelings.

"Yeah, losing sucks. But it's not over yet. All you have to do is play and start again. And next time, be sure to play honestly."

Silence.

He stopped shaking then after a few short while, he laughed. A very sadistic laugh. "Honestly, you say. That's ridiculous! It makes me want to puke."

I growled, pushing him away. I wanted to take back all the nice things I said. He was simply a hopeless case of assholeness. "You're the one that's ridiculous! Don't ever think about winning when all you do is play dishonestly using your underhanded techniques. What is victory? Victory for me is an honest win, it is something you acquired through hardwork and perseverance. It's something you can be proud of."

He glared at me, his sharp gaze piercing directly through my soul. I think he was mad at me for giving him an earful. "You sure talk a lot, Nadeshiko-chan."

"Yeah. Even geniuses like you needs a lecture," I shot back.

He smirked then leaned closer again, his nose gently bumping into mine. "I have something to tell you, babe."

I glowered at him. "Don't babe me, you idiot!"

Even when we were still dating, he never called me "babe". Only now. To annoy me, obviously.

Ugh. This shithead!

"I still want you, Nadeshiko. You know I do."

His sexy tone made me shudder. "W-What?"

He gave me another one of his smirks. "I'll show you so that you'll know what I mean."

Before I could even react, he covered my lips with his in a hungry kiss. My eyes widened and I quickly tried to push him away, but he was just too strong for me to even put up a fight. His left hand was on my hips, keeping me close to him while his right was tracing lines up and down my thighs. Then it moved up, making me gasp. He took that opportunity to slip his tongue in. He continued kissing me with so much passion and want, as if he couldn't get enough of me. He only stopped and pulled away to catch his breath.

"Do you understand now, Nadeshiko-chan?"

I bit my lower lip as tears started to well up in my eyes. I looked away then continued my best escape plan which was epically failing at the moment. He just wouldn't let me go.

"Shut it! Don't lie to me again!" I snapped angrily, trying my hardest to contain my sobs. His kiss brought back bittersweet memories that made my heart ache.

"Look at me." He held both sides of my face, forcing me to look into his eyes. "Do I look like I'm lying?"

I stared into his brown eyes. They were filled with so much sincerity and longing. Instead of being scared or mad, I felt another emotion devoured me. A familiar sensation. "H-Hanamiya..."

Then once again, he crashed his lips to mine. But this time softer and gentlier. His arms were around my back, pressing me against his body---his warmth transferring into my flesh. Soon, my mind began to get clouded and my visions blurred. I closed my eyes and finally responded to his kiss. His grip tightened in retaliation as he moaned through my lips. He pulled away from my mouth then dragged his lips across my heated skin, nibbling on my earlobe and sending statics of lustful electricity through my spine. I shivered at the realization of my own need of intimacy.

"I can't hold back anymore," he whispered into my ear.

And that's when it struck me. "Oi! You---" I wasn't able to finish what I was going to say because he lifted me up and hoisted me over his shoulder easily, carrying me as if I was a sack of potatoes.

"Put me down!" I protested, struggling against his grip. I repeatedly slapped and punched his back, but to no avail.

He made his way to my room, hurriedly opening the door and locking it with a click. Then he threw me on top of my soft bed, leaving me frightened and disoriented. My heart... I didn't know what to feel anymore. I was so scared, angry, and confused.

I watched in horror as he removed his jersey jacket then his shirt, revealing his lean body and well-toned six-pack abs. When he walked closer to me, I panicked and scrambled away. "DON'T COME NEAR ME!"

Hanamiya Makoto held the title of being the bad boy inside the court. He was smart and clever, evil and mean... But he was never like this. This was the first time I saw him act this way. For pete's sake, he was not a pervert! Or was he?

Holy shit! Rape!

He pushed me down and hovered over me, looking at me with his eyes as dangerous as ever. "I missed you, Nadeshiko. And I'm going to make you mine tonight."

"Y-You're crazy!" I struggled, trying to push him away with all my might. But he only caught my wrists, pinning them above my head. "Let me go. Please, stop this," I pleaded, tears were already starting to stream down to my cheeks.

"I love you," he said seriously all of a sudden. His brown eyes were gazing down at me tenderly.

My eyes widened. "W-What..."

For the first time, I heard the words I'd been wanting to hear from him. He never said those three words before, not even once. But why now? I couldn't understand him. Was it only to get what he wanted? But it was already too late to even think about logical facts, because those three words already overwhelmed me. Up to the point that I became idle. And, needless to say, the walls that I built went tumbling down.

So when he kissed me again, I responded immediately. His long slender fingers laced into mine, holding my hands tightly as if telling me to trust him. Then his warm lips trailed down to my jaw and down to my neck, biting my sweet spot. I moaned his name, which made him even more impatient as his hands became more and more daring, exploring the parts of my body which he'd never touched before.

I couldn't think straight, my mind was too fogged up. The pleasure he was giving me was too much. I didn't know if what we were doing was right, I didn't even have the time to think. But one thing was for sure... He was treating me gently and carefully as if I was so precious. He made me feel loved.

I whimpered, gripping the sheets of my bed tightly. "M-Makoto..."

"Yes, that's right. Moan my name, Nadeshiko."