THE MORE YOU HATE, THE MORE YOU LOVE

You keep the key, I’ll keep the lock. Let’s wear them always and treasure them forever. Someday, when we’re all grown up and are reunited, we’ll use this key to take out what’s been locked inside, And then... “Okay” Kenji. Let’s get married... Chapter 1 “Hey! Breakfast is ready, you bums!” Kenji was sweating after cooking. “Yo! Goodmorning, young master!” “Damn, this is good!” “That’s our young Master, the chef! Nothing beats breakfast cooked by the heir apparent!” Kenji was annoyed if one of his disciples called him as a heir apparent. “Who are you calling “heir apparent” How many times do I have to say this! I’m never gonna become a next leader” “Huh? No way!” “I wanna graduate from a top university, get a steady job as a civil servant, and walk the straight and narrow with my head held high toward the sun!” Kenji. “For God’s sake... you sure know how to bring the chaos every day.” Kenji’s Dad was walking to them while closing his eyes. “Dad!” “Hey, boss!” “Goodmorning, boss!” All the disciples bowed their head to Kenji’s Dad. “Before I forget, Kenji... In a few days, I want to have a serious talk with you, so keep that in mind.” Kenji’s Dad. “Serious talk?” At the school Kenji is thinking about what they are going to talk about with his Dad, his outside the gate of the campus and their disciples was following him and he hate it always. “All right, young master! You go on and have a great day now!” “Have a good day!” All the disciples bowed their head to Kenji and go back to Kenji’s house after they delivered Kenji on School. But while Kenji is walking to the campus there are few disciples still there. “Oh, yeah. I almost forgot... Well, these unfamiliar gang members have been invading our turf lately.” One of his disciples talked to him seriously. “Gang members?” “So you better watch your back, too, young master.” Kenji’s POV I’m so done with this bloody world! Man, what I wouldn’t do to escape from this family and lead a peaceful, quiet life. Come to think of it, I spend all my time studying to get into a top college, so I’ve never been popular with the girls, never mind had a girlfriend. No, wait. (Kenji was looking to the necklace that given to him when he was a kid) I did, just that one time, but still... my life till now had been a series of daily trials and tribulations. That’s right. Starting today... the daily trials and tribulations would become even more mind-blowing. But on this particular day, destiny had other plans for me. “Huh!?” Kenji. “Oh, crap! agHhhhhhhh” The girl. While Kenji was walking, there was a girl running because she don’t want to get late but the gate is already close and the girl decided to jump onto the gate. But she kneed into Kenji’s face. “Owie... Sorry! I was in a hurry!” The girl is smiling and she don’t mind Kenji and run to her classroom while Kenji was hurt. “Wh-what the hell is that?” He is annoyed. And go to his classmates. “Hey, Kenji. Whoa, what?!” His classmate Shock after seeing Kenji’s face. “Kenji? How did you hurt yourself? Are you okay? Your nose is bleeding!” The girl was worried after seeing Kenji. “Oh, hey! Kana! I-I’m fine, really. Totally fine!” He is ashamed while talking to Kana because it’s his crush. And after that, he told the story about what happen to him. “What? You were assaulted by some phantom femme fatale? Don’t give me that! She jumped over the school fence and kneed you in the face? What kind of girl is that?” His classmate named Neko was laughing at him because it’s look funny. “I’m telling the truth!” Kenji was forcing his classmate to believe him. “Hold on a second. I’ll get you band-aid.” Kana is getting the band-aid and worried. “Huh? Kana, you don’t have to do that.” Kenji. “Oh yes, I do! What if it’s get infected? Come on! There.” Kana. Look how close I am to Kana. Maybe it’s a good thing that I got hurt. ~ Kenji “Good for you, Kenji!” Neko. “Huh? Shut up!” Kenji. The class is almost starting but Kenji still can’t move on of what Kana did to him his so inlove and out of his mind. I thought my day could’ve gotten off to a worse start, but I did get to talk to Kana, so maybe it’s not all bad. ~Kenji. “Okay, class! I’m going to introduce our new transfer student. Come on in, Misaki.” The teacher entered the room and introduce Misaki to everyone. “All right” Misaki was excited to get into the room. “Hello, everybody! I’m Misaki, and I transferred here from the U.S. I’ve got a Japanese mom and an American dad, so I’m biracial. But as you can see, I speak perfect Japanese, so please don’t be shy about approaching me!” Misaki introduced herself to everyone and smile and everyone was shocked to see her beauty. While Kenji is busy thinking about Kana and didn’t notice Misaki. “Wow! She’s so cute!” “That is one hot babe!” “Her legs are so thin! Can you believe that stunning figure?” “She says she’s half American! I’ve never seen such a pretty girl!” “All right, why don’t you find yourself an empty seat in the back for now” Her teacher ask her. But suddenly she saw Kenji and Kenji was shocked and annoyed after seeing her. And shouting each other. “Huh?” Misaki. “You?” Kenji. “You’re that...” Misaki. “That female barbarian!” Kenji. “Hey! What do you mean, female barbarian?” Misaki. “Back in the schoolyard, you planted a flying knee onto my face, remember?” Kenji. “Well, I apologized, didn’t I? All I did was bump you a little, so why don’t you just let go?” Misaki. “What do you mean, a little? I came this close to blacking out, you know!” Kenji. “Oh, did you? You must have really low blood pressure, then! I’m apologizing, if you haven’t noticed, so why don’t you frickin’ give it a rest already? You’re such a baby!” Misaki. “That’s how you apologize? Why, you... Monkey girl!” Kenji was annoyed to her. “Who are you calling monkey girl!?” But Misaki is more annoyed that’s why she punched Kenji’s face. The class was already finished and the teacher give Misaki and Kenji assignment to do. “Okay, I’m counting on you, Kenji.” The teacher leave after talking to Misaki and Kenji. “Don’t come over here, got it? Your unmanliness will rub off on me.” Misaki was shouting at Kenji. “That’s my line! I’d rather not catch your monkey AIDS!” Kenji is shouting too. ^ MY FIRST DAY WITH THIS GIRL ^ Dammit, what’s this girl problem? I’ve never seen such a vicious, annoying girl! She’s a far cry from Kana or the girl I made that promise to. I never did see her again after that day, not even once. Man... if only Kana and I could be in love like I was with my first love. Yeah, right!~ Kenji Kenji is sitting at the back of Misaki, while he was thinking he noticed that the necklace was gone. Huh!? It was when I took that knee to the face. ~Kenji Kenji was annoyed and looked at Misaki, He told Misaki about what happen to the necklace. “Huh!? Why should I have to help you look for something like that?” Misaki was laughing at him. “Well, I lost it thanks to that knee kick of yours, so that makes you accountable, too! No matter how I rack my brain, that’s the only time it could’ve happened!” Kenji was shouting at Misaki. “What’s the matter, Kenji?” Kana is asking him. “Oh, well, I just lost something kind of important to me.” Kenji to Kana. “You did? Can I help?” Kana. “No, no! It’s her fault that I lost it, so it stands to reason that she should be the one looking for it.” Kenji. “What did you say?” Misaki was shocked but when Kenji looked at her with serious face she decided to help. “So? What kind of locket are we looking for?” Misaki. “The chains about this thick, and there’s a lock shaped like this on the end...” Kenji explained to Misaki what kind of necklace his looking for. “Isn’t that...” Kana. “You’ve seen it somewhere?” Kenji was shocked asking Kana. “Oh, sorry. I could be mistaken... probably.” Kana. “All right. Then in exchange for hunting down that locket, will you promise not to talk to me at school, like, ever again?”Misaki. “Huh?” Kenji. “I can’t stand guys who keep bitching about what’s over and done with. I’d hate for anyone to think I was friends with a pretty guy like that!” Misaki. “Oh, right. I forgot to tell you something, Kenji. Since I want you to give Misaki the lay of the land here and all, I’ve assigned her as your partner... in caring for the school pets, so good luck!” The teacher back to the room and told Misaki and Kenji what they need to do. After that, they go to the school pets to take care of the pets but they hate each other. “Why is this happening to me?” Kenji. “Hey, you promised not to talk to me, remember?” Misaki. “Like we can get out work done without us talking? And furthermore, we’re not at school right now!” Kenji. They changed position, Kenji go to the left and Misaki go to the right. “Holy crap, you’re a nitpicker.” Misaki. God dammit. Why the hell do I have to be with this girl? ~Kenji. After finishing they’re assignment Misaki ask Kenji to find the key. “Come on! We’re gonna use the extra time to look for your locket!” Misaki is shouting. “You don’t have to tell me” Kenji is shouting too. ^ MY SECOND DAY WITH THE VICIOUS WOMAN ^ At the classroom Misaki was listening to the teacher while Kenji is looking at her because he already know that Misaki didn’t understand well of what the lesson all about because she just transferred. “Hmmm. It’s so complicated” Misaki After class Kenji go to Misaki to give his notes so that Misaki can study. “Hey, here.” Kenji. “What is this?” Misaki. “Notes for the lesson lately. You couldn’t keep up with your note-taking at all, right?” Kenji. “I thought I told you not to talk to me! And would you mind your own business?” But Misaki just shouted at him and leave. And Kenji was annoyed again. You goddamn bi... ~Kenji. ^ MY THIRD DAY WITH THE ILL-NATURED GIRL ^ Everyone is busy in the gym playing their sports while Misaki just do some exercises and Kenji just sitting on the gym with his close friend Neko. “Hey, Kenji. Since when did you get so chummy with Misaki?” Neko. “Huh? What are you talking about?” Kenji. “Well, you’re with her a lot, aren’t you? I know you’re doing something together after class, too. Plus, you’ve got that friendly vibe going when you talk.” Neko. “Friendly? Just what part of that girl is...” Kenji. “Well, that’s Misaki a hottie, you know? So a lot of guys are curious about her. Like, what she’s doing at this school? Or why did she transfer in it such a weird time? Stuff like that.” Neko. “A hottie? That thing?” Kenji. Everyone is cheering Misaki because she is really great and teach others how to exercise well. “Awesome!” “She looks more monkey-like every second.” Kenji. Misaki saw Kenji and throw him with every thing that she’s holding. “What the hell are you doing?!” Kenji. “I’m not gonna help you anymore!” Misaki. “I said I was sorry!” Kenji. After that happened and class ended Kenji go to home and he is hurt again because of Misaki. Ow... Goddamn that gorilla girl! What kind of environment do you have to be raised in to get that vicious? ~Kenji. “Young master!” The disciples spotted a gang member and one of them is hurt. “Huh?” Kenji. “Gangster spotted again on Third Street!” The disciple explained everything but others don’t know what happened. “What the hell? That’s the third time this week already!” Disciples. He leaves the disciples to go to his room and rest. Well, not that I’m one to talk about environments.~Kenji. Tomorrow morning Kenji was with Kana because Kana help him again because of his injuries of what Misaki did. “Here you go, Kenji” Kana. “H-hey, thanks!” Kenji. “I see you have some new injuries.” Kana. “I’m telling you, that fricking girl will punch you at the drop of a hat!” Kenji. “You say that, and yet you’re still so nice to her. That’s what’s so great about you, Kenji.” Kana. “Huh?” Kenji. “You were taking notes for Misaki, weren’t you? I saw you.” Kana. “Y-you did, huh?” Kenji. Huh? So she saw me doing that, huh? Hey, that totally makes me happy! ~Kenji. “Oh, I wanted to ask you... That locket you’re looking for... where did you buy it?” Kana. “Actually, someone gave it to me a while back. Maybe ten years ago?” Kenji. “Then you take really good care of your belongings, I guess.” Kana. “I made this promise, so it’s something I treasure.” Kenji. “Promise?” Kana. ^ MY SIX DAY WITH THE GORILLA WOMAN ^ Misaki and Kenji still searching for the lost necklace/locket they are almost 3 hours searching and both of them are sweating. “Oh, man, there’s absolutely no sign of it!” Misaki is already tired. “Shut up. You don’t like people who b***h and moan, remember? Come to think of it, why did you transfer here at such a weird time?” Kenji asking her because his curious. “Talk about left field! No reason, because of my parents work.” Misaki. “So what do your parents do?” Kenji. “What does that matter? Why should I have to give you of all people my life story? I’m going to look over there.” Misaki. “Okay.” Kenji. When Misaki left and find the locket on the other area Kenji smelled her hair. Wait. This smell... somehow I get the feeling that I’ve smelled it somewhere before. It’s a nostalgic smell. A smell that I’ve always been familiar with. Now where did I smell it before? ~Kenji. When his searching from the necklace he saw the gangster running in the street. “So those are gangster, huh? Is it just me, or is the situation getting worse?” Kenji. ^ MY SEVENTH DAY WITH MISAKI ^ Kenji is still searching for the lost necklace even its almost 1 week that gone. “Hey, you’re late, Misaki. Hurry up and give me a hand.” Kenji. “Goddamit! I can’t take it anymore! I’m so done with this farce!” Misaki is shouting again. “Huh? Wh-What the hell’s your problem all of a sudden?” Kenji. “Guess what some people from our class just said to me! “Hey, Misaki, are you dating Kenji?” “ I mean, you look like you’re having such a good time chatting with him, and I hear you’ve been hanging out together after class, too.” That’s what!” Misaki told everything to Kenji. “What!?” Kenji. “Who the hell is having a good time chatting with you, huh? The only reason I’m with you after class is because I’m nice enough to join you in this ridiculous hunt! Nothing more!” Misaki was very annoyed. “Why...” Kenji. The committee meeting ended early today, so maybe I’ll help Kenji out with his search. ~Kana. While Kana going to help Kenji he saw Kenji and Misaki fighting each other and she stop. “Don’t give me that crap! Did you forget that you’re partly to blame, too?” Kenji. “Only ‘cause you weren’t holding onto it like you should’ve been! Seriously! A grown man so eaten up by the loss of a necklace. What, are you the type who can’t get to sleep if he loses his favorite teddy bear? Although I’m sure it was given to you by some girl you once liked! I can’t stand it! Dwelling over something that happened years ago... how unmanly is that, anyway? I mean, you can bet that girls forgotten that she even gave you that thing! That’s beyond lame! It’s totally absurd!” Misaki. After what Misaki said Kenji was very angry to her. “Shut the f**k up! If that’s how you feel, you don’t have to look for it anymore, so get lost!” Kenji. Misaki stared at him with serious face and shocked. “Fine” Misaki. I’ve done it now. I yelled at a woman without holding back. ~Kenji Tomorrow morning Kenji was alone searching for the lost necklace and Misaki just watch at him and leave. ^ MY ELEVENTH DAY WITH MISAKI ^ Kenji remembered what Misaki said and his still angry, while his searching for the lost necklace, Kana run to him. “Kenji!” Kana. “Huh?” Kenji. “Misaki is asking for you.” Kana. Kana bring Kenji to the other place of the campus. “What’s up with her? Why she suddenly ask me to come here?” Kenji. Kenji saw a girl far from them in and thinking if it’s Misaki or not. “That person there... it’s not Misaki, is it?” Kenji. Kenji was totally shocked when Misaki throw the necklace onto his face. “Ow! What the hell does that b***h think she’s doing?” Kenji. “A-Are you allright, Kenji?” Kana. “This is...” Kenji. “Is that yours?” Kana is asking him after seeing the necklace. “Yeah. But why did she have it?” Kenji. “Misaki kept looking for it after she left. She was making sure that you wouldn’t see her. She told me not to tell you, though.” Kana. There is a letter with the necklace, the letter is from Misaki. To Kenji: “I fulfilled my duty, so don’t talk to me anymore, scum bastard. -Misaki” “For real! She’s unbelievably annoying, but I guess there’s some good in her. And besides, what she said to me is actually right on the money. Maybe it’s time to just forget about this promises.” Kenji. “No, of course it’s not! Kenji, you made a promise to someone, right? If that someone still remembers the promise like you do, then I’m sure she’d be really sad. Even if it’s just a promise made ten years ago between two kids. You never know. It might be something she holds dear!” Kana. “Kana?” Kenji. “Oh, I’m sorry! That was a weird thing to say!” Kana. “Oh, no. Thanks, Kana. I think I feel better now. You’re right. Whether I ever see that girl again or not, that doesn’t change the fact that this promises is important to me. I’m gonna go on treasuring it. Thanks for everything, Kana. All right, see you later!” Kenji. “Sure. See you later!” Kana. The class ended Kenji go home and his very tired because of searching for the necklace “I’m home!” Kenji. “Hey, you’re back, Kenji?” Kenji’s Dad “What’s going on, Dad? Why’d you call me here suddenly?” Kenji was curious while asking his father. “I told you I wanted to have a serious talk, remember? I’m sure you know about our recent skirmishes with a rival gang, but it looks like we’re heading toward a full-blown war.” Kenji’s Dad told him about what’s the situation now. “What? Are we gonna be okay if war breaks out?” Kenji. “That’s why... Actually, the boss of the other gang is an old friend of mine he is a leader of the Campbell on Us.” Kenji’s Dad. “Campbell Family? The famous and riches family on U.S? Right?” Kenji. “And I hear he’s got a daughter the same age as you. And so, Kenji, my boy. I was wondering if you’d mind going out with her. “ He told him to date the Daughter of his old friend. Kenji was totally shocked after hearing it. “Huh?!!!!!” Kenji. “Oh, come on. All you have to do is fake it. If the heirs apparent of each gang are in a relationship, the young guns wouldn’t dare put a damper on it, would they?” Kenji’s Dad. “N-no, even if that’s true, you’ve gotta be kidding me! No way I can do that! After all, I...” Kenji. “What? You mean you’ve got yourself a girlfriend?” Kenji’s Dad is blushing while asking Kenji. “Well, actually...” Kenji. “Sorry, but there are lives at stake here. Complain all you want, but you’re not getting out of this. All right, then! Come on in!” Kenji’s Dad called the other head and his daughter from U.s, they are in another room. “Wait, she’s already here?” Kenji. Well, I guess there’s nothing I can do and it is just a sham. It’ll probably be all over in a couple of days. ~Kenji. Kenji and His Dad go to the room where is the daughter of the other family is in, they are all fighting each other with her Dad. After Kenji hears the voice of the girl it becomes familiar to him. “I told you.. it’s not like I’ve decided to go through with it yet.” The girl. “Yeah, but I hear he’s quite the stud, you know?” Girl’s Dad. “What? Even so...” The girl. “Huh? That voice...” Kenji. “Now, then. This young lady is going to be your girlfriend.” Kenji’s Dad opened the door to talk to them. “I’m still not mentally prepared.” The girl. The girl is Misaki when the door opened she saw Kenji and Kenji is shocked after seeing her they didn’t expect each other that that’s will happen. Kenji’s POV In that instant, all the pieces fell into places. Why she transferred in at such an odd time of year, why she was reluctant to talk about her family, and why the scent she gave off seemed so nostalgic to me. That’s right. That smell was... the scent of gunsmoke! “This young lady here is Misaki. Starting tomorrow, you two are going to be boyfriend and girlfriend... for the next three years” Kenji’s Dad. “Eyyyyh???” Kenji/Misaki. So that’s how Misaki and I, two people couldn’t have worst chemistry together, became a couple. This “faux-mance” of ours would end up guiding me to that promise made ten years ago. But I have no way of knowing that yet. ~Kenji.