“Hey look its  .”

“Yeah I’ve heard that no boy has ever made her fall for him yet. She’s a hard nut to crack.”

“Is that so…?”

“Yeah….Hey, Niou, If you can make her fall in love with you, I'll do your homework for three months. But if you lose you have to do mine for three months.”   

“I’ll make her fall for me…for sure”

Fall for Me ~chapter one

Niou Masaharu, Rikkaidai third year, status: con artist, prankster and Tennis Regular. He looked over at his seatmate, a girl by the name of . He chuckled to himself. Apparently she was the hardest girl to chase in the whole school. He wasn’t even sure whether she'd ever had a boyfriend before. Well, he was definitely not going to lose the bet.

He looked at what she was doing, and it happened to be writing notes so early in the morning? He smiled. Reaching over he grabbed the piece of paper and skimmed over it.

“Hey! Don’t take other people’s things Niou-san!” she cried, attempting to snatch the piece of paper back.  He smirked; waving it over her head, being about four inches shorter, all she could do was fume.

“By the way, , why has no boy ever caught your interest? You’re a pretty enough girl, so why not accept anyone?”  He asked, leaning over her.

“Go away and give me my notes back!” she snapped.

“ I can't go away, I’m your seatmate remember? And besides if you want this piece of paper back… you need to give me something.” He whispered

“Niou-san! What ever do y- mmmph!” found herself being forcibly kissed by a mischievous looking Niou. She pushed him away, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

“What the hell was that for you jerk!” she screamed.

He just smirked at her, and handed her paper back, "That was my payment ."

She glared at him, but did nothing since she could hear the teacher's footsteps in the hall. He smiled back at her tauntingly. She growled inside, That stupid idiot! What did I ever do to him?

"! Are you even paying attention?" snapped the teacher

"Gomenasai sensei."

She glared at Niou again, all the things that were happening to her was all HIS fault. She didn't deserve this at all.

The bell rang, signaling the start of classes. Gathering her books, she rushed out the door, determined to leave before Niou Masaharu did something that would land her in trouble again.

"Hey wasn't kissed by Niou this morning in homeroom?"

"Yeah, that's what I heard too. "
"Oh my gosh! No way! 's iron heart has finally been melted by a boy?"

Listening to the gossip in the halls, she blushed angrily. Reaching the science lab, she uttered a sigh of relief. It was quiet in here.

"Hey , I'm going to be your partner for today's science experiment." came a voice.

Looking up she saw Niou again.

"No way, not you again, you're going to ruin everything!"

"Hey, I'm hurt."

"So am I, you just destroyed my reputation!"

"And I just upped mine." he smiled, grinning.

"Shut up! I'll get back at you and wipe that stupid smile from your face!" she snapped

"Please be quiet, both of you are disturbing the class!"

They both looked startled as the teacher called on them.

"What's this? Niou Masaharu and ? They weren't paired up when I was writing this..."

"Sir! I don't mind being partners with Kiseki  for convenience, you don't have to rewrite the partners again." Niou answered cheerfully. The teacher glanced at the paper, "Hmm, someone is sick today. Alright then, Niou, you and are partners for today."   opened her mouth to protest but the teacher already walked away. 

She turned around ready to slap Niou, but he held her hand tightly, "Look, I'm sorry, Let's start over okay?"

Snatching her hand away, she replied, "Fine. Just no more funny tricks."

"You have my word."

"Why haven't you two started on the experiment?!"

"Gomenasai!"

***

 Two weeks later~

"I was worried about you!" she ranted.

"Wow, worried about me? I feel flattered..." he chuckled.

"Shut up!" she cried, tears forming in her eyes." Disappearing for a day like that and not telling me? I was so close to phoning the police! It's not funny to have a friend vanish without a word! Don't ever do that again or I'll never forgive you!"

Niou felt taken back, two weeks was a short time but he had grown to like her personality and friendship. Could it be that...he, Niou Masaharu, the ultimate trickster of Rikkaidai, wanted to be more than friends? He shook his head, there was no way, besides he was supposed to make her fall for him, not the other way around, otherwise he'd lose the bet with Marui.

"Hey, were you crying?" he asked as they walked through the hall. "Your eyes seem a bit red."

"It's the cold wind from before!" she snapped, she couldn't help but feel peeved at him. After all, he did make her worry.

"But , you got to admit I scared you pretty badly didn't I?"

"Just go away!"

"..."

She stalked off to the homeroom. "Looks like you've got dumped Niou." remarked Bunta, blowing a bubble and popping it. "Too bad, you seemed so close to winning her over too."

"I'll win the bet Bunta, there's no doubt about it. Just you watch." he retorted clenching his teeth.

***

"-chan!" yelled out Bunta running over and tackling her. "I'm sooo hungry! Did you save any yakisoba for me?"

"Bun-chan, either you start paying  me now or I'll eat it myself."

"Waaa! -chan hidoi!" yelled out Bunta as he ducked 's attack.

"Come back here!" shouted, laughing all the while.  Bunta's cheerful personality cheered her up. 

", would we be able to sit here?" asked Yagyuu Hiroshi politely.

"Sure." she replied cheerfully, Bunta's happiness rubbed off on her. The whole Rikkai tennis team Regulars sat down except for Niou who was no where in sight. She was close to the Regulars because of Bunta who was her childhood friend. She bit her lip, Where could he be? She felt sorry for rushing off so suddenly but he couldn't hold a grudge this long...can he? She snorted to herself, of course he can, he is the Trickster of Rikkaidai.

"-san, what are you thinking about?" asked Yukimura in his quiet almost feminine  voice.

"There is an 89.3% chance of -san thinking about Niou Masaharu." announced Renji. blushed, startled out of her thoughts.

"That's not true," she protested. Kirihara spoke," So what attracts you to him? It can't be his looks, after all he doesn't look quite as- OW!"

Niou yanked Kirihara's hair, glancing down at him, "What were you talking about Akaya?"

"Ow ow ow ow...Niou-senpai, let go of my hair."

"Niou! Let him go!" said, eyes flashing dangerously. Niou hesitantly let go of Kirihara's hair. Kirihara rubbed his head, wincing in pain. Bunta opened his mouth, about to tease Niou.

"Shut up...I'm tired and I'm pissed  because I accidentally exploded something in chemistry class this morning."

"I thought you planned that type of thing?" inquired Yukimura politely.

"He isn't mad because of that. It's something el-"  started Bunta, only to get his mouth shut by Jackal. Niou glared at him. He was in a really bad mood today. Koneko just couldn't take a joke. She takes everything so seriously. She doesn't even she allow any fun in her life? Maybe that was why she never accepted any boy.

"You guys can continue the discussion without me, I'm finished." said , standing up and taking her tray. "Ja."

"Oi, ."

tilted her head back, "Yes?" .

"Will you be my lab partner tomorrow? "

"What if you explode something...?" she asked cautiously, she wanted to be his partner but, she didn't want another prank played on her.

"I won't. I swear."

"Okay then." With that, she walked away. He smiled, priding himself on his sharp observations, he noticed that  her eyes shone a bit when he asked her.

***

ran her fingers over her hair. The wind had ruffled it a bit and she wanted to straighten it. She was glad for some strange reason.  I shouldn't be feeling this happy though ,not over someone like Niou, he was too much like HIM. She closed her eyes and tried no to think of the haunting memory. She didn't want to be hurt like that again.

***

Niou played his best that day at practice, not that he could help it, he was feeling exaltation beyond compare. Soon he would win the bet and accomplish an enormous feat. Other schools after all, had tried to seduce but he would be the one who would win.

"You seem to be playing well today." remarked his doubles partner Yagyuu. Niou merely grinned,

" Today's an exception." he replied.

"Sou ...." Yagyuu replied, feeling an intuition of fear.

***

"," her older brother asked, "Are you in love with Niou Masaharu?"

"What?" she spluttered, choking on her juice. "What are you talking about? We're just friends, there's nothing," she said forcefully, "Nothing is going on between us."

  sighed, he knew his sister too well. She had only behaved like this one other time. The time she fell in love with his friend . had however, broken her heart mercilessly, thus ending the friendship between  him and . He was overprotective of his sister and the way was treating her was nothing short of abusive. Being the girl she was, kept to herself and vowed never to love another again. That is, until she met Niou Masaharu.

sighed again, this time smiling ruefully, Niou had been his kohai from two years ago, at the tennis club.  He had then found Niou a mischievous and sly child and now felt concerned for his sister. Hopefully, this will all clear up and I won't have to be a part of it. he thought wearily.

***

During Chemistry class, everything that Niou had worked for over the past few weeks came undone. Someone had put in a chemical that explodes once heated. coughed as the smoke reached into her lungs. Hurriedly, she walked away from the smoky area and to the window. Gasping in the fresh air, she turned and glared at Niou. Niou opened his mouth but had already turned her head away in anger. Niou felt frustration burning inside of him, he looked around for the culprit and after scanning for a few seconds he found him. , a high school freshman. smirked at him briefly before leaving.

During Recess~

"Look, it wasn't me who set it on fire!"  Niou protested

"You promised you wouldn't blow anything up and now you did!" snapped back

"I swear it wasn't me. You MUST believe me!"

"I thought I could trust you Niou. Now I know I cant." the girl replied coolly, before leaving.

Marui popped in again and whistled, "She really seems pissed this time. Why did you set it on fire anyway Niou?"

Niou gritted his teeth, " I didn't. Remember ? He's the one who did it."

"Shuichi? Isn't he 's best friend? Not to mention a tennis team member. He was never good enough to make it to the Regulars."

Sighing, Niou ran his hand through his silver hair. "I don't know or care. I need to win her over soon. I barely have a month left."

"I can forfeit this bet if you want Niou." Marui said his light violet eyes serious, " If its getting out of hand, just leave it."

"I wont go back on my word. I'll do whatever it takes." Niou replied, his green eyes narrowed.

***

walked to her next class, she felt really depressed, Niou had promised her he wouldn't and he did.  I'm so naive.  she thought ruefully.  How could I trust someone nicknamed the Trickster?

As she drew near the classroom, she saw an old friend. Someone she didn't really want in her life again. Someone she never wanted to see again.

It was .

***

smirked, "Long time no see ne, -chan?" he whispered, slinging an arm around her shoulders. He felt her tense up and gripped her tighter. "Did you miss me?" remained silent. She didn't want to face him. He took her books in one hand and moved his arm from her shoulders to her waist. She couldn't control the shivers that ran up her spine. "Please, -san, please stop..." she whispered.  She looked up at his face, he was smiling. He replied with a simple " No."

"I'll escort you to this class room, since I'm already here." He walked her in to astonishment of many people in her class. The whispers and murmurs began. He smirked at her before he left.

Blushing, she glanced over at Niou. He had a stolid expression on, telling her nothing about his emotions. But she was soon interrupted as , the "queen" of the class sat down beside her.

"How do you know ? He is such a darling, taking his time to walk you here."

merely replied with a "He's a family friend."

narrowed her eyes. "You already have Niou Masaharu, you don't need ."

merely shrugged and returned her attention to the teacher. Niou who had been looking at the two noticed that had stiffened and that was trembling from anger. He closed his eyes. His game had now turned on him. He had to finish this fast. He needed information. He made a mental note to talk to Renji during lunch. For now, he had to endure another hour of history.

***

"Renji."

"Hmmm?"

"I need information."

"About -san, and ?"

"Yes."

" and were involved in a relationship a year before came to Rikkaidai. Shortly, they broke up due to some abusive behavior of . has always been malicious and became prejudiced against since she too wanted . However, had chosen over . It now seems that wishes to stir up trouble between you and . too will look for an opportunity to shame either one of you."

"..."

"Hmmm, so now it's a love square. This has taken an interesting turn."

Niou closed his eyes. This was getting out of hand, he needed to end it before he turned from predator to prey. If I knew she was this troublesome, I would never have bothered with her. But if I didn't I would  never have known someone with such a strong personality. She's not like the fan girls but she's not the aloof cold type either.  He smiled to himself. He would teach a lesson for messing with his plans.

***

Part one end