Challenges and Jealousy

"I do like him, Honoka-san, but just because I like him does not mean he would ever reciprocate my feelings." Honoka smiled at her,

"Then you will just have to make him, my dear." and she released Kyoko's arm, racing down the sand dunes with a whoop. Kyoko stood shocked for a moment but when Honoka turned to her she followed laughing all the way, as Kuon watched on his heart soaring. He wished he could follow them but he had no choice but to follow the path as he watched Honoka and Kyoko run down to the sea together, laughing and shouting all the way. Kanae smiled as Chiori caught up with her, also laughing at the antics of the pair who were now stripping off their shoes and paddling in the water.

"I'm glad to see she looks better than she did this morning." Hotaru commented, keeping pace with the two smiling girls. She noticed they were purposely slowing down allowing the camera crews and other girls to get ahead of them.

"Kyoko will be fine. She's a tough cookie that girl... well as long as the L word isn't mentioned." Hotaru looked at Chiori,

"The L word?"

"Love." it was Kanae who answered this time, she smiled at Hotaru.

"We know you saw it this morning just as plain as we did. Kuon's reaction to Kyoko being there. He's been in love with the girl for two years now probably longer, but Kyoko is scared of love and any feelings that go with it. It's only been recently that we got her to admit she even liked him in more than a kouhai/senpai relationship." Kanae thought back to the day her and Chiori had cornered Kyoko in the Love Me locker room and made her talk. It had been good for Kyoko to let it out in the open and they had been slowly watching her feelings grow for Kuon and now this! Why did the president feel the need to meddle? Honestly?

"But he's so obvious? How can she not see it?" Kanae sighed

"Because she has been running away from love for so long she no longer even knows what it is anymore. She also has no self confidence and believes herself to be boring and ugly and that no man would touch with a barge pole all because one guy told her it was so." Kanae's fists were balled, her anger raw. She would never forgive Shotaro! Not now, not ever for what he had done to her best friend.

"She is also scared of abandonment. It's a complex she has." Chiori offered.

"Abandonment? Why is she scared of being abandoned?.. Well duh, stupid question ignore that. But why would she think anyone would abandon her?" Kanae looked at Hotaru,

"Because that's all she has ever known."she saw the truthful sadness in Kanae's eyes and decided not to push the question. It seemed Kyoko had a deep past and in some ways that made her feel more loving towards the girl and her friends that protected her so well.

The beach was wonderful. Kyoko looked around at all the women, everyone was having a good time. As usual there was a large group of women around Kuon as they all vied for his attention and Kyoko truly did wonder if some of the bikinis were bought that way or if they had simply cut them to show off more flesh. She personally thought if she had bought one that way she would surely ask for a refund.

Kuon looked stunning as usual with his well sculpted chest and muscled arms, defined but not overly so. He wore long board shorts which Kyoko personally thought looked hot, very nice indeed! She lay her towel out next to Kanae who was already laid out in her bikini, enjoying the sun. Kyoko looked around and then at herself a little self consciously. All the other girls, Chiori included had taken off their over clothes preferring to just go around in their swimsuits. She was the only one still in her dress.

"It won't take itself off, Kyoko." Kanae said without even opening her eyes.

"Do not make me ask Kuon to come help you. I'm sure he'd enjoy that though it would make you look bad with the ladies." Honoka who was lying to the right of Kanae chuckled as instantly Kyoko was taking off the red sundress to reveal her pure white bikini. She swiftly folded her dress and sat down embarrassed, half the women here were models! There was no way she could compete. Kuon had been waiting for it, watching Kyoko out of the corner of his eyes as he pretended to be interested in what the women were telling him, but he just couldn't not watch her as she swiftly removed the red dress. She was stunning and he felt his shorts getting tighter and had to look away. Standing up, he looked at the items they had been given for this date and he was pleased to see a volleyball.

"Anyone for a game?" he asked. He looked across at Kyoko again, hopeful as nearly everyone but the three who were all now lying in the sun answered enthusiastically. His face dropped. Chiyoko had been watching Kuon and she glanced to where his hopeful gaze had been wondering which of the three women had caught his attention. She had to admit they were all beautiful in their own way, though she decided the girl with the amber hair and golden eyes looked a little too short for someone like Kuon. Still, there was something about her, the raven-haired girl was beautiful in a very classic way whereas Honoka, well Honoka was Japan's number one female model. What man wouldn't pick her? She needed to know who her competition was.

So when the ball came to her to play, Chiyoko played it wide slapping it down in the sand close to the girl with golden eyes who was lying on her stomach watching. Kuon took the bait instantly, running over to grab the ball and smile at the sunbathing beauties.

"Is this all you three plan on doing all day?" he asked grinning. Kanae didn't even open her eyes as she replied,

"No. In ten minutes I very much intend to turn over." Kyoko and Honoka both laughed at this as Kuon quickly formed a plan in his mind. If Kanae would play then Kyoko would play he was sure of it. Dropping the ball in front of Kyoko, he winked at her. She blushed as he held his finger to his mouth in a sssshhhhh motion. Swiftly bending over her, he grabbed Kanae by the waist and in one swift movement he had her slung over his shoulder and was running down the beach with her like a sack of potatoes. Kyoko was gobsmacked while Kanae's screams could be heard as Kuon ran. They could hear him laughing as Kanae demanded he put her down, smacking her fists into his back, her legs waving around uselessly. Honoka had sat up now and was trying not to laugh.

"He is so dead if he's going to do what I think he's doing." Kyoko couldn't speak, she just nodded. Kuon was going to be in big trouble.

*SPLASH*

"Yes, he is definitely dead meat." Honoka said laughing as she stood up. Kanae was now screaming at Kuon, berating him. He had thrown her in and she was definitely not happy about it.

"I think it may be time for a swim don't you?" Chiori asked walking over with Hotaru.

"Most definitely." Honoka answered with a cheeky smile

"Tell you what, ladies? Let's make this interesting." Chiyoko said looking around at them all.

"First one to the water wins a kiss from Kuon." Kyoko watched as all the women's eyes lit up and she sighed inwardly. She really wished she had stayed home.

"There was a collective admission and the girls all lined up together. One of the twins in their matching baby pink bikinis had asked one of the sound guys to start the race. He obliged the fluttering eyes and Kyoko looked at Honoka and Hotaru standing on either side of her.

"Oh and ladies." Chiyoko said with an evil smile,

"Last one there gets a truth or dare." the intake of breath was all that was needed to know this was going to be an interesting run.

And it was. As soon as the sound man initiated the start, there was a frenzy to the right of Kyoko along with a lot of pushing and shoving as each one tried to get a lead. Hotaru was quick off the mark as was Honoka and Kyoko but she could still see the carnage as the other girls were fighting for places. The leader of that group was catching up. Hotaru watched out of the corner of her eye as Chiyoko lunged for Kyoko. She squashed that attempt easily knocking her arm away with a sideways step knocking her off balance as she fell in the sand.

"Run Kyoko!" Honoka said with a laugh, "If you can spend an hour in that massive whooping chicken suit dancing around the stage this should be a piece of cake."

Truthfully Kyoko was scared of winning, scared of what this kiss would mean to her.

"Run with me." Hotaru grabbed Kyoko's hand and put on a burst of speed. There was no way anyone would mess with Honoka, but Kyoko was another matter and she wanted this girl to win. Kyoko's striding was perfect, as a dancer Hotaru ran daily and she was pleased to see their strides matched perfectly, she laughed.

"You will have to come running with me sometime." she said as they raced closer and closer to the sea.

"Kanae likes running, too." Kyoko commented and Hotaru nodded.

"So have you got anything left?" she asked stepping up the pace yet again and that was it. Kyoko's challenging nature was kicking in as she flew across the sand.

"You bet I do." and her pace increased to an alarming pace. They ran together, racing not for the kiss but the thrill of good competition and as they both ploughed headlong into the sea, they were both laughing as they collided with the dripping wet Kanae knocking her head over heels again.

"MO! What the hell are you both doing?" Kuon was laughing as slowly the other girls reached the water instantly surrounding Kuon

"So which of you won?" Chiyoko asked looking seriously pissed off. They both just looked at each other and then shrugged and laughed as they started splashing each other.

"So what was that all about ladies?" he asked as he watched Kyoko's antics. Kanae was now trying to duck her young friend under the water, Chiyoko just smiled at him sweetly.

"Just a little fun. I hope you don't mind we said the winner could have a kiss and the loser a truth or dare. " she looked pointedly at Koemi Maemi who had come last. She was out of breath and smiling as she shrugged her acceptance of the conditions.

"So who won?" Itsumi asked smiling

"Well I know they both knocked poor Kanae-san over like bulldozers so maybe it was a draw." Kuon offered but secretly he was wishing he could just say Kyoko. He wanted it to be Kyoko, but he couldn't show any favouritism for fear it would be noticed so as they all chatted and relaxed in the water. Kuon approached the two winners who were both now hugging Kanae who was in a huff, though she wasn't pushing them away as they both laughed.

"So ladies I heard the conditions of the race." swooping down he kissed them both on the cheek wishing it had been on her beautiful lips and then for good measure he kissed Kanae who scoffed at him.

"I will get you back Kuon! Mark my words, revenge is a dish best served cold." Kuon laughed and instantly the people who didn't know Kanae's and Kuon's relationship or those who actually found Kuon attractive decided who the first target was. Kanae would be going down.

After a picnic lunch Makoto arrived, smiling broadly.

"Well ladies are we all having fun?" they all smiled and nodded. All but Kanae who was still slightly peeved at Kuon for dumping her in the sea, but Makoto ignored her little snort as she continued,

"Well we have here our first challenge." she held up the envelope for them all to see before ripping it open and reading the contents of the card aloud,

"The challenge will be a 5-on-5 volleyball tournament. Kuon will be the referee, you may all pick your teams and the order in which you get placed is the order in with you will go on your 5 to 1 dates."

Kyoko looked across at Kanae who nodded as Hotaru approached them both and so did Honoka, but before Chiori could get close to them Chiyoko was there smiling.

"You girls won't mind if I join you, do you?" there wasn't much they could say. Kyoko offered Chiori a sympathetic smile as she smiled back and shrugged going back to Itsumi, Airi, Honami and Yuka she joined their team.

The competition was fierce, the filming crews had set up a proper court and the games were fast and furious. All the women had already showed they were fit by the race they had undergone. With their jobs they had to be physically fit, so the games were short lived to reflect that. Kyoko and her team worked well together but she did notice that Chiyoko liked to be in charge. It didn't bother her as she was happy just to play. It was a fun game and during school she had never been picked for the teams before. Normally she would have ended up practicing against the wall by herself so the fun of playing with others overruled her anger at being bossed around.

It was the final game. They were tied at the moment for first place against the twins and the three musicians, Hana, Ruri and Harumi. They were a good strong team, mainly because the twins seemed to know exactly where the other was and exactly where they would be without words and Kyoko was thoroughly impressed. But the longer the stalemate lasted the more bossy Chiyoko became. It was at that point when the ball was perfectly set up for Kyoko that she called for it, doing an impressive lunge for the ball. The collision was inevitable, there was no way Kyoko could have moved as Chiyoko's fist connected with her temple and Kyoko blacked out.

When Kyoko came to she felt dreadful. Her head was pounding, it felt like a brass band had taken up residence. What the hell had hit her? Her eyes fluttered open to the sight of Honoka sitting beside her bed reading, she was in a wide open room with large windows that she didn't recognize.

"Oh hey sweetie. Finally back in the world of the living are we?" she asked smiling as suddenly Kyoko felt nauseous. Honoka must have seen it in her face as she held up one of the cardboard bowls while Kyoko emptied her stomach into it violently, the retching didn't stop even after her stomach was empty and her dry heaving continued. It wasn't until what felt like hours that it finally calmed. Kyoko was thankful for Honoka's cool hand that was rubbing soothing circles on her back.

"Better?" she asked dropping the bowl into the sink by the door and offering Kyoko a glass of water. She nodded then felt stupid as her eyes swam and the room spun. "Try not to move too much." Honoka said as she helped Kyoko sip the water relieving the foul taste of bile from her mouth and throat.

"What happened?" she croaked as Honoka assisted her with laying back down.

"Well Chiyoko was getting a little too competitive it seems. Even though it was definitely your play she decided to try and impress Kuon. But she hadn't removed the rather large ring she was wearing on her right hand and as she lunged, she socked you one good in the temple. From there it was lights out for you." Kyoko couldn't nod but she groaned to show her thoughts on the matter and Honoka smiled.

"Kuon went ballistic, I've never seen him so angry. He told Chiyoko that she should not have lunged when it was your play and that it was very foolish and dangerous to wear any jewelry while playing sports. He called for an ambulance right away and you have been in and out of consciousness since.

"How long?" Kyoko asked

"Only about two to three hours" she said with a smile

"I just sent your roommates off to get something to eat since they have sat with you most of the day." Honoka sat back down next to her.

"So is this your big plan to win Kuon over." Honoka said with a teasing smile as Kyoko groaned again.

"I can see the headlines now, Kuon Hizuri falls madly in love with Kyoko Mogami after she gets knocked out by a teammate on the first day of competition." even Kyoko had to chuckle at this

"Do you think it will work?" she asked jokingly, as Honoka laughed

"Well it's worth the try, I suppose." they sat chatting for a little while longer before Kyoko again drifted off into sleep. A little while later Kuon arrived.

"How is she?" he asked wringing his hands like a nervous schoolboy, the actions didn't go unnoticed by Honoka.

"She's ok. She woke up briefly, emptied her stomach then had a drink. She needs rest now it's quite a bad concussion but she should be right as rain tomorrow. The doctor has said she can return to the mansion then." Kuon just nodded and watched the slight form in the bed as her chest rose and fell in her sleep.

"So how long have you known?" Honoka asked, smiling at Kuon.

"Known what?" he asked dragging his eyes away from Kyoko's figure

"That you like her?" Kuon was shocked at this sudden question he had been so careful, making sure he spent time with every girl when possible. Hell, he had hardly spoken to her so how did Honoka know anything?

"Kuon, we may not have been god together when we dated but I'm still sure I know you well enough to see you like the girl!" Kuon dropped his head. They had dated yes, just another one of his list of failures as Tsuruga Ren. That had been before Kyoko of course but Honoka was right: They were friends, not lovers.

"A while." he admitted, but Honoka wasn't giving in that easily.

"A week, a month? Come on, Kuon give me something to go on here?" Kuon looked back down at Kyoko

"Two years...no make that since I was ten years old." Honoka dropped back into the chair she had been seated in before.

"Wow, so this is the girl you loved when you were with me?" Kuon shook his head sadly

"It's not like that Honoka. I met Kyoko when she was little, she doesn't even know it was me so please don't say anything. Over time, my image of Kyoko became to me what the ideal Japanese woman should be and I suppose I never really forgot her. Meeting up with her all these years later made me realise who she was and well...it all just kind of fell into place." Honoka nodded and looked at the sleeping Kyoko too.

"So why did you sign up to this silly show if you already knew that you loved her?" Kuon raised his eyes his lips pressed in a thin line

"I was tricked into it by the boss. I think its just another of his elaborate schemes to get me to admit it. I knew I shouldn't have trusted that 'Wild Winter' title and actually read it before I signed." he said with with a touch of poison in his words. He was still royally pissed off at Lory and he would pay for his deception. Couldn't the stupid old koot see he only had eyes for Kyoko. "Why the hell would I want to spend six weeks fighting off women like Oka? She's was like a sex-starved teenager in heat?" Honoka chuckle evilly.

Kuon sighed deeply, running his fingers through his blond hair his green eyes sad.

"Well at least she likes you too. Always a bonus in these situations." Kuon's head shot up.

"What? She likes me too? How do you know?" he asked quickly and Honoka realised this had never occurred to the man before her.

"Because she told me so herself." she answered as if she hadn't noticed Kuon's new urgency on the topic.

Kuon was silent for a moment.

"Let me know if she wakes up again, OK? I need to go back to the mansion since I've got to be back for the evening meal. Are you sure you're OK staying with her? " Honoka nodded,

"I've already informed Makoto I will be leaving during the rose ceremony Kuon by my own choice so it's ok if I'm not there for everything. I would rather stay and watch Kyoko anyday than see those...what were they? Sex-starved teenagers in heat?" Kuon chuckled and nodded and Honoka smiled

"She's a wonderful girl. Kuon. I'll look after her." he nodded and left.

"And you're a lucky girl Kyoko-chan. In all the time I've known him I've never seen him look at any woman that way." she smiled at her own folly and sat back down to continue reading her book. She wished them both happiness they deserved it.