Chapter Three

You're not going to fool me this time, Hanamiya Makoto.

I scoffed, raising a sarcastic brow. "And you are expecting me to believe you? Spare me the lies, Hanamiya."

He frowned but then kept a determined face. "I'm not lying."

"Urusai!" I snapped. "Just please leave me alone and keep your lies all to yourself!"

Is he for real? He was expecting me to actually fall for his speech again? God! I'm not the same naive and stupid girl before who once fell into his trap -- his web. Now I'm stronger and I know better.

I gathered my confidence and raised my chin, "So if you'll excuse me." I attempted to walk past him but he only grabbed my wrist and put me back in place. "Let me go!"

"I'll never let you go again, Nadeshiko!" He stated firmly, tightening his grip. "Never!"

I got the feeling that what he said meant so much more than what it seemed. I tried yanking my hand away but it was futile. So I gave up and exhaled to calm myself. Then I faced him, meeting his gaze.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked in a much calmer tone. I realized that struggling was pointless. If he wanted to talk, then fine. I'd give him what he wants.

And I was right because he let me go after he was sure that I wouldn't run away again. "Let's talk about what happened to us last night."

I grew stiff, then all the anger and frustration I felt earlier that morning came rushing back to me. I slapped his right cheek hard. "How can you say that with a straight face when you just disappeared after it happened?!"

He gave me an innocent face, he didn't even show any signs of being physically hurt or at least feeling the tiniest sting of pain. Did I use too little strength? Or was it because his face was just as thick as his brows?

"Disappeared? No. I left early because I was afraid your sister might see me. I figured I might put you into trouble."

I went blank---as in literally blank. Seriously? He was actually thinking about my sake when he left without telling me? Unbelievable! And when I didn't reply, which I couldn't because I was too dumbfounded, he continued.

"And besides, I tried waking you up but you wouldn't open your eyes." Then he smirked sexily, "Sorry for tiring you last night. Are you still sore?"

I gaped at him. Images of the intimate moment we shared last night popped inside my mind. What the hell! What the hell! What the hell! I was going to die because of cardiac arrest! He was so blunt. How could he say such embarrassing things so easily? I'd die! And I swear, my face was as red as a damn tomato!

"YOU IDIOT!" I shrieked, repeatedly punching his chest. "YOU ARE THE MOST DESPICABLE GUY I KNOW! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!"

"I-Itaii.." He winced in pain again and again but didn't move away. After some time, he grabbed my fists then set them down. He slowly wrapped his arms around my back and pulled me closer, embracing me in such a way I never imagined he would do. "I'm sorry, I did something so inappropriate last night. I just couldn't control myself, seeing you so close to me again.."

"Why?" It came out more as a whisper, I blinked away the tears that were threatening to fall from my eyes. I've always felt so great in his arms even though I knew he had caused me so much pain before.

Why was he acting like this? I couldn't understand. He was never like this. His actions.. His words.. He was too confusing..

"When I didn't stop you back then, when you said it was over, when you started avoiding me, when you wouldn't speak or even look at me.." He trailed off, tightening his embrace. "..I regretted everything. I shouldn't have let you go."

The pain and so much longing in his voice made my heart ache. I couldn't believe I was hearing such words from him. But I was afraid, so afraid that if I give in.. I'd get hurt again. He already broke my heart once, and making it whole again was never easy.

"Please, stop." I pleaded as I tried holding back my sobs.

"I know you still love me, I felt it last night and I'm feeling it now."

I bit my lower lip. Yes, I do. I still love him. But.. "I can't, Hanamiya."

He suddenly released me from his embrace then looked at me straight in the eyes. "Why?"

I gathered my guts and looked into his confused eyes. "Because you are a despicable person and loving you is painful."

His eyes widened, he looked pretty much surprised with what he heard. Then there was silence, a nerve-breaking silence. I wanted to walk away but somehow I couldn't. Maybe because I wanted to stay and hear his reply.

Then suddenly, he grabbed my hand and secured it in his own bigger one. "O-Oi! What are you doing?"

"I'll show you how despicable I am!" There was so much force in his voice it sent shivers down my spine.

I yanked my hand free and gawked at him. "What?"

"I am taking you out on a date," he declared. I opened my mouth to say No but he only beat me to it. "Even if you say no, I will still take you with me." He once again grabbed my hand and dragged me to wherever the hell he wanted to go.

I groaned as I tried keeping up with his pace. With this guy, struggling is really pointless. This dominant attitude of him never changed.

***

"What the hell are you wearing?"

Came the question I've been waiting to hear for the last twenty minutes. He finally realized that all I was wearing was a plain white shirt and my volleyball shorts---my very short volleyball shorts. Well, what was he expecting? I was going to practice before he dragged me to a date at the last minute, I didn't even get to change.

I rolled my eyes, "Well I'm sorry, your despicableness." I made sure I added more sarcasm when I said that. "You dragged me out of the blue without even paying attention to anything that I'd say."

He clicked his tongue then unbottoned his uniform coat, shrugging it off his body while muttering incoherent complains about girl's volleyball attires. Then he put it on me himself as if I was some helpless child who couldn't do it myself. "You should stop wearing that shorts, babe. I don't want anybody seeing those flawless legs."

At that, I felt my face slowly heating up. I gave him a nice glare, shrugging the dokidoki feeling he was giving me. "I said stop calling me babe!"

He laughed then gave me a wink---which was totally out of character of him. But I found it rather cute though. "Why? You're my baby, I love calling you babe."

Despite internally screaming bloodycheesecakeswhyish
esosweet, I scoffed to show I wasn't affected. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Mister. But I don't remember being your girlfriend, or your daughter, whatsoever."

The hell with this idiot! He was making my stomach swirl---literally. I felt like puking my own guts.

He leaned forwards then cooed something on my ear. "Whatever, babe. You're already mine, you can't change that." Then much to my surprise, he planted a soft kiss on the base of my neck.

I jolted and moved away, growling and clenching my fists in anger and embarrassment. This dickhead! He was really having fun by driving me into a corner.

"Curse you! I'm leaving!" But before I could even take a step, he already held my hand and dragged me towards the entrance of the theatre.

"Not so fast, babe. You shouldn't waste money, you know. I already bought tickets," he said with a grin. He was even waving the tickets in front of my face.

Help! Somebody help!

***

I couldn't help but feel nervous as I waited for Hanamiya to come back, he left minutes ago to buy us some snacks. I heaved a sigh then facepalmed. Why was I nervous anyway? Ah yeah, because it's the first time I was actually going to watch a movie with him and I didn't know what to do.

I mean, sure we were boyfriend-girlfriend before, but we've never actually gone out together. We were "dating" but we've never even had an official "date".

Wait, does that even makes sense?

Yeah, I know it's not.

But it's true! We spent a lot of time together, yes. But only whenever I came to watch their basketball practice, and obviously during classes since we were classmates that time. Though frankly, he wouldn't even talk to me during classes either. I told you he's the silent genius type---he's the silent jerk type, I mean.

Sometimes we would go to the library together, he'd help me study whenever there's an upcoming test. He would often visit in our house too, but only to bring fruits or presents for my family and he wouldn't even stay that long. After giving his gifts to my Mom, he would leave immediately. He was more like a delivery boy rather than a boyfriend! He couldn't even spare me some of his time. I could always use a little talk, in case he didn't know.

Well, he's a despicable guy.

Again, I sighed and just focused my attention to the movie. It was already starting so I fixed my eyes up front. Then I gasped, "Ohmyfreaking---"

It was the movie I've been dying to watch. Holy shit! I grinned happily then glanced at the empty seat next to me.

How did he know?

Sometimes he was really weird. Yeah, I knew he was evil and mean. But then for a split moment, I'd just find myself wanting to thank him..

I was just about to revert my attention back to the movie when somebody sat on Hanamiya's empty seat, somebody I didn't know.

"Hey there, Miss. You alone?" With the dim light, I saw him smiling flirtatiously at me. I noticed he was wearing our uniform too, Kirisaki Dai Ichi.

I popped a vein, half-annoyed. "Uh, excuse me but somebody's actually sitting there."

"Heh! Don't be shy, beautiful." He slowly brushed his hand against my hand which was silently resting on my armrest. "Let's watch the movie together."

I shuddered at the contact. He was so disgusting! I pulled my hand and backed away from him. "You're mistaking something. I'm not that kind of girl, so please.."

I didn't want to make a scene so I was staying as calm as possible. But honestly, I really wanted to beat the crap out of him.

Son of a bitch!

And where is Hanamiya when you need him?

I nearly squealed in surprise when the guy snaked his arm around my shoulders. "Oh come on, Miss Beautiful. Why don't we just ditch the movie and go somewhere else?"

What the fuck!

So that's it. I snapped and totally forgot about self-control. I pushed his arm away, standing up. Then I landed a solid punch on his face which made the innocent people around us gasp. He let out an inhuman sound, cupping his hurt face.

"You perverted prick! You can fuck any girl you want except me! I'm with my boyfriend so get lost, asshole!"

The people started murmuring something I couldn't exactly understand. But there was one thing I knew though, I made a freaking scene.

Sweet! Okay Nadeshiko, you can go kill yourself now.

"Temme---" The pervert guy finally recovered from my blow (which made my fist hurt like shit by the way) and stood up. I gulped, afraid that he might hit me too. "You bitch! You---"

"Oi! You piece of shit!"

My eyes widened when I heard that. Here comes the devil..

We both turned to Hanamiya who just arrived. His hands were stuffed but he was giving off some dangerously scary aura around him like he was ready to kill someone. He was looking at the guy beside me with eyes filled with rage, jaw tensed.

"Don't you ever touch my girl!" He said in a voice filled with so much venom.

The guy had taken aback, "H-Hanamiya Makoto!" He took a step back, scared to death. "S-Sorry!" Then he went scramming away, trembling in fear.

Serves him right..

"What a bother! Kids these days."

"Causing a ruckus in public places."

"Get down! We can't see properly!"

It was utterly humiliating! A lot of people were staring at me. I frantically bowed down my head. "SUMIMASEN! SUMIMASEN!" Then I quickly sat down on my seat, sinking into humiliation.

Then the-still-angry Hanamiya sat on his now-vacant-seat. He immediately turned to me, thick brows creased. "Who is that guy?"

I looked at him, showing a miserable face. My hand was hurting too and my mood was ruined. "You should know cause he knows you, right?"

"If I know, I wouldn't have asked you."

I grunted my reply and shrank on my seat instead. I couldn't believe I was sexually harrassed in a crowded movie theatre. I wasn't comfortable staying in that place anymore.

"I'll find out who he is and I'll crush him with everything I have." Hanamiya added, anger still hinted in his voice.

"Give him a break, I already gave him a lesson."

He glared at me. He was really scary, he was giving me the creeps. "But he tried hitting on you!"

"Yeah, I know that. Thank you very much." I was a bit sarcastic as I rolled my eyes. "That's why I hit him too, right? Literally."

He blinked then seconds later, he gave an amused smile. "Wow. So you're tough?"

I shrugged it off and just focused my attention to the movie, which I think was already on the foot of the story.

Oh crap! Now what did I just miss?

But when I noticed Hanamiya was still staring at me with a puzzled look, I turned to him. "Oi! Move on already."

"No. I just realized.." He smirked rougishly, "..you said I'm your boyfriend."

Oh thank goodness it was dark, he couldn't see my blushing face. "W-What are you talking about? I didn't."

"Yes, you did. I heard it." He said, still grinning.

Why am I the stupidest person in the planet? I am so stupid!

"I-It's not like I mean it, I only said it to drive him away." I tried reasoning out even though I knew I sounded only even more stupid. Why did I even say that he's my boyfriend? I wasn't thinking--- Wait, that's me when it comes to Hanamiya. I always forget that I have a brain!

He leaned closer, too close. His breath was already fanning my lips. "Open your mouth."

"Huh?" Then much to my surprise, he shoved something inside my mouth. When I finally tasted it, I beamed.

Cheese flavored popcorn!

"Your favorite, right?" He then passed the whole bag to me. I took it and ate another few pieces, instantly feeling better.

"Thanks." I said, smiling. 'Cause no matter how I see it, he deserved my gratitude.

Though I facepalmed when I heard him mumble something on his own:

"I'll find out who that piece of scum is and I'll teach him a lesson."

***

We watched the movie silently while eating the popcorn he bought. But seriously, I couldn't concentrate. Every time our hands would brush against each other when we get a piece of popfreakingcorn, I would feel volts of electricity entering my body. Just like before, I would still feel the same tingling sensation which would make me go crazy back then.

"Here." He passed me the shake he bought too. "It's strawberry milkshake. Your favorite, right?"

I blinked, half-surprised. How did he know? I thought he was not interested in anything about me back then? Or even now. Did he ask Hara? "How exactly did you know?"

"Because actually, I am always watching you." He said in a serious yet soft voice.

I frowned to the extent, "Seriously?"

"Of course I'm serious, baka."

I grunted then slapped his arm. "I'm not an idiot."

He laughed, not his usual sinister laugh, but a hearty laugh. "I love that annoyed expression of yours.."

And I sat there, frozen like the ice in Antarctica. His laugh and the expression on his face left me speechless. It's like he had become an entirely different person. I couldn't possibly stop my damn heart from beating fast and loud.

He was too adorable!

TIMESKIP.

I sniffed then wiped the tears in my eyes. I didn't expect it. The hero died, leaving his girlfriend miserable. I never thought the movie had a sad ending. But it was popular because the actors and actresses were the best.

"Oi. Don't take it to heart." I heard Hanamiya said, smirking as he watched me wept like a retard.

"Shut up, idiot!" I fixed myself and was about to take a sip of my shake when he suddenly grabbed it and he himself took a sip. With my straw.

The hell!

I glared at him and showed him an overly disgusted look. I mean, hello? It's like an indirect kiss or something. "That's gross! You can't do that!"

He gave me another one of his annoying innocent faces. "What? It's not like we've never shared or tasted each other's saliva before."

I gasped then immediately slapped his arm. "What the hell are you saying?! You---" I groaned, cursing several times under my breath. "I hate you, Hanamiya Makoto!"

Well, it's true. We shared and tasted each other's saliva before. But did he need to say it out loud? The embarrassment was too much for me to handle. How can he say such things without even thinking twice?

He smirked sexily and then gave me a quick peck on the lips, making me freeze on my spot again. He was really trying to kill me, wasn't he?

He transferred his lips to my ear and settled there, quickly kissing my temple before whispering, "But I love you, babe. And since I'm a despicable guy, I'll never let you go even if you hate me."

Okay. I'm officially dead!