CHAPTER 1 "I am sorry. I am in love with someone else". Staring at the clear sky outside, Jurina's mind occupied by the thought of yesterday event. No matter how many times she tried to brush it off like nothing, it keeps bothering her in the end.
"Yo! ". She heard a heavy excited hands slamming the desk of hers. Just from the enthusiastic voice, Jurina already knew who was it. Giving the girl an empty eyes, Mayu jolted seeing Jurina's expressionless face.
"Woah! Such a
nice face you got there. What happened to you? ", Mayu asked. Jurina sunk herself to her table. Avoiding the eyes of curious Mayu. "Judging from that face of yours, let me guess... You got rejected? ", Mayu continued bluntly.
A sighs coming from the still-escaping-reality girl.
"Uso! I was right?! I was only joking". Mayu's eyes widened like she had seen a ghost. "Why I don't know about this? Friends supposed to tell each other everything. How can you kept this secret from me?! ". Mayu shifted closer, whispers, "So who was it? Don't tell me it was the guy from class 2-C".
Jurina looked up to her friend before nodded. "Are you serious?! I mean,you and him looked so perfect for each other. Almost everyone here thought the friendship you and him got will evolve into something more, but to think he didn't felt the same way....totally a mind blowing".
"That's what I thought too until he said he loves someone else and he never looked at me that way. He only sees me as a
girlfriend he enjoyed talking too". Jurina looked at the window, staring at her own reflection on it. "As I thought, maybe he just sees me as a
guy friend. I totally did my best in changing my appearance to feminine ones. I grew out my hair, I tried to look fashionable and learned how to put a make up. Even went further to quit sport that I like so much just to get myself feminine so I can get a boyfriend in my high school life. But even in my second year here, my relationship experience is a total zero. Haaaaaaaah.. ", looking at her friend with teary-eyed. "Ne Mayuyu, do I look so mannish that no boys will ever dated me? ".
Mayu grimaced. "There there. Don't be so discouraged. Your act may a little boyish sometimes, but you still pretty. I am sure there many boys out there is totally high over heels for you. The only problem you got was you fall in love with a wrong person. Just that. If you confess to a right person, I am sure he will accept you eventually ". She looked at her dejected friend with a concern expressions she could ever muster. Jurina blinked several times before gave Mayu a gentle smile. She was happy that Mayu worried about her, and thanking her for that. "Now go throw that sad face of yours far away from here, and put on a bright smile you ever got, because after school, we will go enjoying ourselves in arcade. My friend told me there a new shooting game came in yesterday. We should totally try it. It also can help to relief that stress of yours".
"Un. We should do that. Thanks Mayuyu". Jurina replied energeticly. "Now, that's my girl".
"Ne, did you hear our Yamada from next class has been a challenger since three days ago? ".
"Wait, are you serious?! I thought
she going out with that senpai uh.... I forgot his name".
"No no. He already got dumped like week ago".
"Uwaahhhh. That's the girl for you. Yamada was so brave to asked her out".
"Hahaha..But I bet, he will not last even a week. I mean, no one ever success One Month Challenge".
"Yeah. You are totally right. Hahahahahaha".
Mayu who eavesdropping her classmates conversation, shook her head. "Now I feel sorry for Yamada".
".....One Month Challenge? What's that? ".
"HUH?!". Mayu grabbed Jurina's collar and jerked her forward. "HUH?!! ". She shouted near the dumbfounded girl's ear. "You don't know that?! ".
Jurina stupefied with her friend sudden outburst. She shaking nervously on her seat. Mayu calmed down then let her go. "This what happens when all you got inside that head of yours is how to get a boyfriend. One Month Challenge has been a hot topic
in this school right now, and
you a student here didn't know that, I ashamed to be your friend ". Mayu slapped her forehead while giving her friend a pitiful eyes.
"Uuuhhh... I-I am s-sorry?".
Mayu released quite a deep breaths before finally explained the challenge to the clueless girl. "One Month Challenge, or known as Matsui Challenge, is a challenge where you'll confess your undying love to one and only Matsui Rena. They said, she'll accept every confession, no matter who is it. But, from all the people who had been going out with her before, no one ever successed dated her more than a month. That was where the name of that challenge came from".
"I see". Now, it was Jurina's turn to shout. "I-isn't t-that.. "
"Our student council president. You got that right".
Matsui Rena If a question asked to male population in this school, who the most beautiful girl within this academy, almost all of them definitely answered Matsui Rena, with or without girlfriend. She also a top student in their batch, awarded as the most responsible student, added her athletic skills, her wealth and many other's factors, she no doubt a dream girl of every men in this world.
" Wait! If this a same person we're talking about. How can anyone not even last a month with her? ".
"Yeah. I am honestly surprised too. I will be in disbelief if I didn't saw it myself how that senpai from class 3-A cying his eyes out because he got dumped by the Prez without mercy even after begging on his knees for her to took his back".
Jurina tightly curled her fingers. "That's awful ". Her head looking down.
"I know right. Now everyone starts taking this challenge as a game to amuse them". Mayu was too preoccupied in talking that she didn't noticed how the girl beside her acting odd.
A dark shadow looming Jurina's face. Her eyes reflecting an anger she felt inside. Feelings, was not something you can play. Since little, Jurina always dreamed to has a fairytale romance when she grew up. So listened how someone toying with people's love, really brought the dark out of her.
"Hnn? OI Jurina, you there". Mayu waved.
"It feels so wrong".
One Week Later "Ugh". Jurina grumbled while walking down the stairs. Today was Monday, a perfect day for shopping with a new sale coming up, but instead enjoying herself with Mayu inside a mall, she stuck in school with a cleaning duty. Not too mention, her partner absent from school today leaving the duty for her to did alone. "Curse my luck. Damn that mouse, instead helping her bestfriend here, she rather went with the girls to karaoke while her bestfriend suffering here".
Stretching both her sore arms, Jurina made her way towards her locker with home in mind when she caught two figures there standing. She unable to tell whose was it, but her instinct told her to hide quick.
"Please, we can still fix this". A man's voice echoed all throughout the empty hallway. Everyone has gone home already, except for the students who inside club. But right now only three human beings standing in this hallways. A lover's quarrel? Jurina asummed still hiding behind the wall.
"Please..", begging the man desperately. The voice of that man touched Jurina's soft heart. Jurina sure the girlfriend will accept the man back until–
"No".
Jurina almost fall forward by the single word if only she didn't regained balance faster. Whaaaaaatttttt?!!!!!
"But–"
"I am sorry. There's nothing we can fix. It's not you, it's me. No matter how much I tries, I just can't fall for you".
A sobs can be heard later. That man must devastated right now getting rejected by the person he loved the most. Jurina felt sorry for the poor guy at the same time wishes she find a guy like that.
A loud footsteps of someone running towards her hiding place made her panicked. She didn't want to be discovered!!!
That crying man later ran passed by without noticing Jurina sitting there covering her face, shakingly.
Seeing how her cover didn't blow up, she exhale out of relief. But the relief didn't stays long, when a cold voice piercing through Jurina's ears.
"I am sorry to interrupt your eavesdropping moment, but mind coming out now?".
"Geh". Slowly, Jurina peeked at the person,immediately thrown back later when she saw who greeted her there. "Pre-President ". Cold sweat damp her pale face. She stunned. The president eyes was like glaring at her,asking her to explain herself properly. Jurina's mind went blank. All of sudden, she stood up.
"I promise! ". She suddenly blurted out,saying everything with closed eyes, "I promise to not tell anyone about this. Even to my mother, or my bestfriend. So please, I beg you President, don't suspend me!!".
Rena looked at the scene unfold as emotionless as ever. There no amusement at all showing on her pale face. Tucking her hair behind her right ear, she said, " Doesn't matter. I don't care regardless".
"H-Huh?! ".
"I never tried hide this thing from people. So, it doesn't matter if this news spreads...But–". Walking closer to the taller girl. "You have my gratitude if you keep silent about this". She walked past Jurina. Jurina let out a deep breath.
All of sudden, a One Month Challenge entered her mind in that moment. It was not her business, she should stayed out of it. But, she shouldn't left it alone. If she doesn't spoke out now, she knew she will regret it later. For her belief of love. For her pride. She need to confronted her.
After a little distance separating them,
"Wait". Jurina turned around, facing the back of Rena.
Rena halted, but did not bother to turned around. Wow, Jurina thought. Who would have thought that the goddess of this academy was a cold-blooded jerk? Even with the ill treatment, she not going to back out until she felt satisfied.
"How long are you going to keep doing this nonsense challenge of yours? ".
Rena's head slightly turned. There no respond given. Jurina angrily clenched her fists.
"I am an outsider. I should stay out of this. But I can't hold it any longer. It keeps bugging me for the last few days. Doesn't matter, how many conclusions I came up with, I still can't across the answer why you behaving this way...For someone like you, you can get any men you wants, but it doesn't mean you can hurt them. My friend was one of those people you toying with, so... so...so, c-can you, do me a favor and stop, because people are hurting because of you".
This time, Rena fully turned facing Jurina. Her eyes as cold as before, it was like there no life inside her. Only staring blankly at Jurina with an empty eyes.
"They chose it", uttered Rena. Jurina looked up, confusion writing on her face. "I warned them to not be hopeful just because I accept, that I'll break up with them anytime, but with a smile on their faces, they confidently told me the day will never come. They are persistent, I can't do nothing ".
"Nothing? Don't make me laugh", said her in small voice. Seeing the girl calm expression, Jurina gritted her teeth. "So why?! If you're so sure you're not going to fall in love with any of them!! Why you still accept every damn confessions, dammit??!!!. Better you stay alone than giving them hope they can be together with you in the first place! ". Jurina marched toward the trigger of her anger. She furiously faced her eye to eye.
Rena sighed. Avoiding those eyes. Swaying her hair almost perfectly, Rena replied with a tired voice, " Because they told me they love me ".
"...Only that?! ", Jurina gritted her teeth.
Maybe, she was tired or too furious to process everything at that moment, that she muttered those line. The line that will change their fates from now on. The line that will brought them to many bittersweet experience in the near future, where challenges awaiting them. The line that will be the start of everything.
"So, if I say I love you, right here, right now, will you go out with me? ".
Since the start of their conversation, this was the first time Rena's face changed. Deciphering the muttered words from the angry girl, her eyes widen and widen, staring at the girl in disbelief. Not noticing the change, Jurina resumed. Now her voice sounds more challenging than before. "You won't right? See? You can't love everyone who loves you! Stop planting hope in people that you able to love every kinds of people. You can't. Accept it! The only thing you did by continue doing this, is hurting their heart. So.. please s...stop. It's too cruel".
Silence engulfed the two souls. Jurina felt refreshed after letting out everything. In hope, this will gives Rena a piece of mind. Smiling a bit, Jurina spun around, intend to leave the place as soon as possible, until the terrifying answer came.
"I can"
"Wha-? ". Now Jurina back to facing the now determined girl.
"I accept your challenge ".
"H-Huh? "
"Starting today, I'll go out with you. And you'll be my lover".
Jurina laugh nervously. "W-wait a second, I think you misunderstood something here. I said–".
Rena interrupted her by whispering while passing by, "I'll be in your care now,..Matsui Jurina".
Jurina stoned.
1...2....
Eeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
To Be ContinuedI may going hiatus soon for my studies. I can't update often, but I still determined to finish both stories I am currently working on now, so please bear with me