Cover

Contents

 

CONTENTS:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 1: One: Old Friends New Beginning

Part I
Return to Japan
One : Old Friends—New Beginning

"Yo sis, are you going to come or not?"

Mint stuck out her tongue at her twin brother. "I'm coming, I'm coming."

"You wouldn't want to make a bad impression on your teachers and fellow classmates now, do you?"

"Look whose talking," Mint murmur as she tied her hair into a small knot at the back of her head.

"Hurry!"

"Alan, shut up," Mint came out of her bedroom and almost ran into her brother.

"Whoah! Slow down there," Alan grinned as he put his arms around her. "Now if you were a man, you wouldn't take so long."

"Boy," Mint pushed his arm away from her shoulder. "Boy, dear brother, and I am perfectly comfortable with what I am."

"Are you kidding?" Alan, older brother than Mint by five seconds, grinned. "If my chest started to grow one day, I'd be freaked out."

"You already are freaked out," Mint gave her brother a look. "Come on." She grabbed her backpack. "Time to go."

"Think our classmates will remember us?" Alan followed Mint out the door and out of the small apartment they were in.

"How would I know? I'm not them." Mint put her sunglasses on.

"Damn, I knew I forgot something." Alan took out his glasses.

"I don't see why you keep wearing them," Mint sigh as they continue to walk to the subway station. "You have contacts."

"Hey, it makes me look hot."

Mint shook her head and grinned. It was true; the squared glasses gave her brother a very smart sexy look to his playboy face. A complete playboy face with dark black hair and very dark blue eyes that looks stormy sometimes. Add that to his two very cute dimples on each side of his cheeks and straight white teeth with perfect, oh my, kissable lips. On top of that, he was grace with a very smart, intelligent, warm, caring, friendly brain. The only guy she had ever known that wasn't stupid.

But who said that Mint wasn't as smart? She was almost as tall as her brother, and her brother was 6'. She was 5'9", and even though she was not grace with two dimples, she was at least graced with one on her right side. Her face wouldn't be called beautiful, but she was cute enough for men to want to date her. She had light black hair and very dark green eyes that shown brightly when she smiled.

Of course, don't forget the fact that they have always been battling each other on their grades. It was a friendly competition, and when they get their grades, the loser had to take the family out to dinner. Mint was behind before, but now her brother and her were both tied, and she was planning on being ahead again.

"Is your motorcycle fixed yet?" Alan asked.

"No," Mint frowned as they got into the subway. "Though they did say it would be ready today."

The subway started moving as people attempted to sit down while others held on to the handles.

"Let's go after school today." Mint told Alan.

"I still gotta go get mine," Alan grinned at her. "Are you going to start our own pack again?"

"What? And you're going to be leader?"

"Well…you never know." Alan frowned as Mint grinned at her.

"We were both team leaders," Mint told him.

"Because you were a nice enough sister," Alan muttered under her breath.

"What was that? Remember, you lost the position to become leader when you raced against me and lost."

"Please, don't remind me," Alan winced. "I lost, it was total humiliation."

Mint chuckled.

Alan grinned. "Com'on, let's get going before the school starts."

***…***…***…
"Val, are you done yet?"

"Val, can't you see I'm still kissing my girlfriend here?"

Valerine and Valerane, the school's most popular and heartbreaking young men were gathered around the corner, ten minutes before the start of class. Valerine had his arms around a girl who was probably his new girlfriend of the week before he moves on. Valerane was leaning against the wall, watching out for teachers, for anyone, because it was illegal to kiss in the hallways of a perfectly, proper school.

"We have ten minutes left to go. Go find a bathroom." Valerane said.

"Okay, that's good enough," Valerine grinned, obviously not speaking to Valerane. "Do you want to come to my class after the end of first hour?"

"Why don't you come to meet me right here again?" The girl said breathlessly.

Valerane rolled his eyes at the conversation. Sometimes, his friend, Valerine, had the most stupidest conversations ever on Earth.

"I can't," Valerine sigh sadly. "My teacher is keeping a close eye on me. Remember last time?"

The girl giggled.

Valerane yawned, waiting for his best friend ever since the first grade to get done. He opened his mouth, about to say something, when he heard voices.

"You stupid fool, room 117B is this way." A female's voice came from around the corner. She didn't sound angry, just like she was fooling around.

"Hey, I was speaking logically because—"

"Excuses, Alan, excuses…" the girl sighed sadly, and then she laughed.

"Hey, look!" Alan smiled as he turned the corner and saw Valerane. "There's someone there."

Valerane stood up, emotionless as he watched the young girl and boy stroll towards him.

"Ohayoo!" The girl smiled brightly, lighting up her eyes, which were dark, into a more lighter shade.

Valerane raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything. The girl looked familiar to him, but he couldn't name who she was. Probably one of his ex, he thought, uncaring.

"Do you know where room 117B is?" She asked.

"He doesn't want to talk, Mint." Alan told her. "Sorry, but you don't have the looks to make him talk."

Mint frowned. "Okay then, let me rephrase that question then. Are you gay and want to date my brother?"

Alan burst out laughing while Valerane continued to watch them.

"He's definitely not gay," Alan chuckled, claiming down.

"How would you know?" Mint glared at Alan.

"Because he was giving you the overall."

Mint obviously thought her brother was joking because she ignored his comment. "Ohayoo. Watashi wa Mint desu. Namae wa nan desu ka?"

"All right," Valerine came out and punched Valerane on the shoulder. "I'm ready to go."

Valerine was grinning widely when he saw the girl who stood before his friend, and the young man by his side. His eyes light up at the prospect of the sweet young girl before him.

"My, my, what are you doing here, young girl?"

Mint frowned.

Alan winced." You called her a young girl." He coughed.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a young—" Valerine smiled charmingly.

"Girl," Mint finished. "Then let me call you young boy. Young boy, where is the—"

"I am not a young—" Valerine stopped, realizing what he had gotten into and grinned, showing off perfectly straight white teeth. "Valerine Kuyume."

The girl's eyes widened. "Val?" She grinned. "Val, it's you!"

Valerane nodded as she spoke for the first time. "Valerane Satomiki."

"Ooh," Mint blinked. "Oh yeah, that's right, we have two of them in our class, remember Alan?"

This time, Valerane blinked. "Mint and Alan Katsuie?"

"Yes, that is us," Mint grinned. "Valerane and Valerine, damn. Who would have thought!"

"What do you mean?" Valerine frowned. He didn't remember Mint, at least not in his childhood, or course, he did remember a young girl who…" Ah! You're Mint!"

Mint grinned. "Hey you guys, it's nice to see you guys!"

Valerine smiled. "How about giving me a hug for old times sake?"

Mint chuckled. "No thanks. I just want to know where room 117B is, and Valerane here refuses to answer me."

"Well, I would be glad to show you the way there," Valerine made a move as if to hold Mint's hand, but she moved back.

"You can hold Alan's hand," Mint told him. "I don't like being touched. Hurry up. I have three minutes left to make a good impression."

"We have three minutes left," Valerine went ahead. "Follow me."

Valerine lead and Alan followed right behind. Mint waited until Valerane followed, and then she went last, observing the things around here.

The Arts Department was around the corner, and the Language Department to her left. She was observing the poetry on the wall, reading a couple of the good ones and passing the ones that really suck that when she look up, no one was there.

She chuckled softly as she scratched herself on the back of her head.

Lost…

***...***...
"Well, here we are," Valerine grinned. "Room 117B, that's the same room as us."

"Good. Mint, we're still in the same homeroom—Mint?!" Alan frowned, looking around. "Mint?"

"She's gone," Valerane turned to look behind him. "She was right behind me."

"Great," Alan sighed, grinning sheepishly. "She's always getting lost, don't mind her. Mint has a tendency to lose herself wherever she goes."

"I will volunteer to look for her." Valerine said, grinning.

"Are you sure?" Alan frowned. "She can be very…exasperating, if you know what I mean? By now, she might be halfway to Jupiter already."

"You are absolutely exaggerating." Valerine told him.

"Fine, suit yourself." Alan shrugged his wonderful broad shoulders.

"Valerine-san, don't you dare move from there." A sharp, loud voice rang loud and clear as Valerine moved away from the open doorway.

Valerine froze.

"Where are you going? We have exactly two minutes left until the bell rings. You're not sneaking off to kiss another one of your girls again are you?"

"No Sensei. You are the only girl I adore." Valerine said in his charming voice again.

"Go sit down in your seat."

Valerine shook his head. "But—"

"Right now, or do you want another detention."

Valerine shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry, Alan."

He went inside the classroom.

"What is the problem here?"

"Sensei," Alan smiled. "I'm Alan Katsuie."

"Ah, the new students…where's the other one?"

"My sister um, lost herself," Alan said. "Valerine was just going to find her, so you understand, and since I'm quite new here I don't know the way and all."

"We can send Valerane here," the Sensei smiled brightly at Valerane. "Valerane-san, you don't mind going do you?"

"If I won't be late for class." He answered.

"Oh, don't worry, I won't mark you absent, you're always here on time anyway. I trust you more than I trust Valerine."

Valerane nodded. "Fine with me then. I'll be back as soon as possible."

"They'll take for hours," Alan admitted to Sensei. "My sister, she doesn't stay in one place, she goes from one place to another and—"

"Don't you worry, Alan-san. He'll take care of your sister."

***…***…***
Mint groaned inwardly as she made her way up another round of steps. She was definitely lost. God, if only she had kept her eyes in front of her. Now she had no idea where she was, except she knew she was almost to the rooftops of the school that was for sure. She climbed up another set of stairs and found herself actually on top of the school building.

"Oh well," she shrugged her shoulders. "Might as well enjoy the view as while I could." She ran towards the edge, not liking the fact that they had fence surrounding the roof, but it was for the students' safety. She knew that much. The school outside was empty. Everyone was already inside; the class had probably started already. She leaned her back against the fence. "Baka, baka, baka!" she told herself.

"I agree," the voice surprised her and she look up to find Valerane standing in front of her.

"I was only joking," Mint grinned. "Let me guess, you're looking for me."

"You could say that," he came and stood beside her, his hand on the fence in front of him. "A kid died here three years ago, that was why the made a fence here."

"I thought it was for the safety of the students." Mint told him. "But do they have to make it so high?"

"Prevents balls from coming up here." He answered her.

"So how come you're not in class?" Mint asked.

He glanced at her with one eye. "I was sent to look for you."

"Heh…did it take long?"

"Not long at all," he admitted. "Your brother said you would be halfway to Jupiter by now, but I found you within six minutes."

"Liar," Mint blinked. "Usually it takes my brother even longer to look for me."

"How long?"

"Almost thirty minutes."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Your brother doesn't know you then."

Mint frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"Come on," he turned away from the fence and her. "We better get going before they think we disappeared."

Mint took a step, and then another, and when Valerane stood behind her, she turned to look back at him.

"Are you coming?"

He nodded. "Welcome back, Minty."

Mint blinked at her childhood nickname. She had thought both the Vals forgot all about it, but obviously one Val remembered. But before she could say anything, Valerane was already in walking downstairs, never even glancing to see if she was coming or not.

Chapter 2: Two: A Promise Remembered

Two : A Promise Remembered

The motorcycle race was about to begin.

Mint grinned as she gave her brother, who was watching from afar, a thumbs up sign. Today was the day she test out her motorcycle, and if everything was exactly the way it was supposed to be, she would definitely be declare the winner of today's race. But if something was wrong…Mint refused to think about it.

"Get set."

Mint stepped on the gas, turned the handle, once, twice, three times.

"Go!"

And they were off.

As always, Mint stayed behind in last place, watching the riders, judging their movements. A couple of them were pretty good, avoiding one another and not getting too close, but most of them were too busy trying to get to first place that they were getting way too close to each other.

***…***…***
"Hey man, no offense, but your sister suck, totally."

Alan's brow rose at the comment. 'Mint wouldn't not like that comment very much' he thought to himself. "None taken," he told him truthfully. "But I bet my sister could beat them all."

"Heh, and how much are you willing to bet?"

"Fifty."

"That's a lot of money," the biker smiled. "It's a done deal."

Alan nodded. "You have yourself a deal." And then he turned back to watch his sister.

***…***…***
Mint grinned; everything was acting a-okay. Her gas pedal was working excellently, her speed thermometer worked, showing that she was going almost ninety miles per hour, and she love the feel of danger, that she could fall and hurt herself any moment soon, but that didn't stop her from going even faster.

They did a pretty good job on her motorcycle….

Or so, she thought.

Until she rounded the sharp curve, and the wheels wouldn't turn. Thankfully she saw that one coming and brake before her motorcycle could crash into the wall.

"Damn," she muttered. Something was wrong with the wheels in the front.

"Mint?" Alan's worried voice came floating towards her.

"I'm fine," she yelled. "It's just my stupid wheel wouldn't turn."

"You were doing alright before," Alan came and crouched down next to Mint, who was already trying to see what was wrong.

"Those weren't sharp curves," Mint told him.

Alan groaned.

"What?" Mint turned to look sharply at Alan.

"Man, I just lost fifty bucks!"

Mint grinned. "Oh, that's it? I thought it was something important. Next time, make it two hundred, we'll split it fifty."

Alan returned the grin. "Sure of yourself, huh?"

"Most definitely," Mint told him. "And while you're at it, help me bring this bike back to the truck. I'll take it back to them in the morning."

"Uh oh…what are you going to do?"

"I am going to make sure they get it right this time."

"Tell me, you aren't angry, are you?"

"Angry? Now why would I be angry?" Mint smiled at her brother innocently. "After all, they did promise the very best, and yet, I can hardly turn the wheels."

"Okay, you're mad." Alan stood up. "I told you to take it to—"

"Don't even think about telling me," Mint pointed a finger at him. "Just help me carry this to your truck, and then you can race."

"While you watch."

Mint ignored Alan. Sometimes, she wished she didn't even have a twin brother, but like it or not, she was stuck with him.

As always, her brother took first place, which wasn't something new, and despite her bad mood, she cheered her brother on, winning at least a hundred bucks from all the bets that she made. After all, her brother and her were trained from the very best, so they should be the very best.

"You should have bet more," Alan said as he took off his helmet and placed it under his arms. "Hell, at least two hundred."

"I'm a girl, what do you expect? I feel guilty." Mint glared at her brother.

"I knew it! I should have begged for a brother!" Alan said with an exaggerated sigh.

Mint only grinned at her brother's playacting. "Well, you're stuck with me, so live with it."

"Alan-kun, Mint-chan!" The voices distracted them from their argument.

"Valerine, Valerane!" Alan grinned, surprised to see them at the racetrack. "What are you two doing here?"

"We're here with our pack," Valerine answered. "And we're doing the same thing you two are doing." Valerine gave Alan a slap on the back. "I saw the way you were going, way ta go!"

"Thanks," Alan accepted his slap like a good friend. "When are you two going?"

"I already went," Valerane answered.

"I'm up next," Valerine put his helmet on. "Hey Alan, don't go home yet, okay?"

"Why?"

"We need to talk to you."

"Sure, no problem," Alan shrugged his shoulders. "Good luck."

Valerine gave a snort. "I won't need it."

***…***…***
Mint sighed as she leaned against the truck, bored. The racing was getting boring after a great start. No one was doing any neat tricks to get to first place, and Mint was simply just plain bored by the lack of excitement in the air, even though there seemed enough to go around. She needed to get herself a bike, and not just any ordinary bike. A Yamaha or maybe a Su—

"I saw you out there," Valerane's comment brought Mint back.

"Oh, heh, that wasn't my best moments," Mint grinned, scratching the back of her head nervously. How long had he been next to her?

"I could tell, what's wrong with the front wheels?"

"I'm going to check it out tomorrow."

"Heard you were pretty good in America."

Mint's head came up to look at him. "From who?" She asked cautiously.

"Your brother, who else?"

Mint chuckled nervously. No duh! "He exaggerates sometimes."

Valerane look at her. "You sure?"

She nodded.

"Didn't you say you were going to be the best, just like your dad?"

Mint took in a sharp intake of breath. She had forgotten who she had told that to, had forgotten if it was Valerine or Valerane. Now she knew. "I did."

"Are you the best?"

Mint shook her head. "Not yet. I was going to race Ken, but we moved back."

"Whose Ken?"

"Someone," Mint told him quietly, and then refused to say anymore.

"Boyfriend? Friend?" Valerane questioned.

Mint answered automatically. "Sort of, until I found out he already had a girlfriend. He never actually told me. I just assumed he was interested in me. I should have known better."

"Hey, we've all had our bad love." He smiled at her for the first time ever since she met him, and Mint's heart stopped beating all together. No wonder he rarely smiled, if he smiled like that to every girl in sight, they would all be swooning, being rush to the hospital. His smile was dashing, earth shattering. Two complete dimples at both side of his cheeks and straight white teeth! It was like looking at her twin brother's mouth only she wanted to kiss it. Not her brother's lips, but Valerane's lips. She turned away, embarrassed, before Val could make out the colors on her face, and the reason behind it.

"I supposed you've had you've had your share?" Mint asked, teasingly.

"More than once," he stopped smiling, and Mint felt like crying.

"Mind telling me?"

"One day." Val told her.

"Remember, that's a promise," Mint grinned at him.

He blinked. "I said—"

"It's a promise," Mint finished. "Come on, let's go cheer your friend on."

Valerane stared as Mint went to stand next to Alan, and then she started to cheer for Valerine.

He shook his head, being reminded of another time—another promise. This one, he had made to her…

-*-

"You can't leave, not yet! You haven't even seen me race yet," Valerane said angrily to the young girl who stood before him.

The young girl burst out crying. "I don't want to leave, but I can't stay. You're not making this easy."

Valerane sighed. "I'm sorry, Minty."

"No you're not. You want me to feel guilty about leaving."

"But you are leaving."

"It's not my fault."

Valerane pulled Mint into his arms. "All right, I'll stop yelling if you stop crying."

A very young Mint sniffed. "Okay."

Valerane pulled away to look at her. "What are we going to do?"

"I'll come back," Mint smiled slowly at Valerane. "Don't worry. Mommy said it's only going to be for ten years or less."

Valerane counted. "I'll be very old at that time."

"You'll be racing also."

Valerane smiled. "Okay, I guess."

Mint burst out crying again.

"What?" Valerane thought he had said something wrong.

"I don't want to leave my teachers. I don't want to leave my friends."

Valerane frowned. "Okay, what about this. If you promise to leave, when you come back, I will give you another kiss and a handful of roses?"

"Ewww—I hate kissing," Mint made a face.

"But we gotta kiss or else it's not a promise."

"I want the roses." Mint told him.

"I'll give you the roses and a kiss."

"Where?"

"Anywhere," Valerane held out his pinky. "As long as it's considered a kiss."

"But wait!" Mint's eyes light up as she grew excited. "You gotta hand me the roses and then kiss me."

"Why do I gotta do that?" This time, Valerane made a face.

"It's just like in those movies, its—it's…" she searched for the right words. "Womantic."

"I don't want to be—" Valerane saw the way her lower lips began to shake and he knew if he said something that she didn't like, she was going to cry. "Okay, I'll do it."

Mint's eyes light up, "Honto? Honto ni honto?"

"Honto." He answered.

Mint gave an excited cry and hugged him. "Promise. Remember, you promise…"

The loud clapping brought Valerane back to the present, just in time to see his best friend come in first place.

Perfect, now both Vals and Alan were tied.

"Valerane!" Someone was calling him, someone female.

"Sera-chan," he nodded at her running figure.

"Where did you go?" She smiled as she put her arms around his.

"No where." He answered.

"One minute you were there, the next, I turned around, and you were gone."

Valerane didn't say anything.

"I saw you talking to a girl earlier, who was she?"

"One of my old classmates," he answered.

"Oh," Sera grinned. "Who was that cute guy you were talking to?"

"Why? You interested?" Valerane asked her.

"Maybe…" she said coyly.

"Valerane, get over here!" Valerine called him.

Valerane walked over, not surprised at all to see Mint frowning and Alan grinning.

"Alan has officially agreed to be apart of our group."

"Aren't you going to ask me?" Valerine heard the frost in Mint's voice as she crossed her arms across her chest and stared at them.

"Sorry, we only have one girl in our pack, ands she's good enough." Sera moved forward.

Mint nodded her head. "Nice to meet you."

"The pleasures all mine." Sera told her.

"You gotta ask Valerane. He's the leader of our pack." Valerine told Mint.

"May I join your pack?" Mint asked.

"I can't say by the look of your skills," Valerane answered. 'We want only the best in our team."

"I am the best," Mint told him. "I'm a friend, aren't you going to accept me?"

"Whether we are or are not friends is not the issue here," Valerane told her coldly. "This is a real life situation. We race, and we get killed if we aren't careful. I choose only the best for my team."

Alan winced. "She is the—"

"Forget it," Mint turned her cold glare at Valerane. "If he doesn't want me in his team, he's going to regret it."

"But Mint, I can't go against—" Alan began.

Mint smiled warmly at her brother. "I'll meet you in the car, brother. Don't take too long."

"What just happened here?" Valerine blinked. " She just dismissed you like you were nothing, Val."

Val smiled coldly at his friend. "I just refused her. What do you expect?"

"You could have gone easy on an old classmate." Valerine sighed. "Now she probably won't even talk to me ever again."

"You already have a girlfriend," Valerane reminded his friend. "Let's go. Alan, you come with us to meet the rest of the group, and then you can return to your sister."

"You really are making a big mistake here," Alan muttered.

Valerane pretended he didn't hear.

***…***…***
Mint muttered along angrily as she made her way back to the truck. She would have gotten into the group if it weren't for her damn motorcycle. But dammit, she deserved a chance to prove herself, didn't she? Just because she was a girl, sometimes, she seriously wished she had been a boy instead, and then she wouldn't be treated like this.

But tomorrow, she smiled evilly. Tomorrow she was going to show them, and when they ask, she was going to refuse to join their team. She'll join another team; in fact, she'll even start her own gang, and this time, only girls.

By the time Alan returned, Mint had talked herself out of her bad mood and was smiling at Alan when he opened the door and climbed warily into the truck.

"You okay?"

"Yep," Mint answered cheerfully. "You think they open this late?"

"I wouldn't know, it's only ten thirty."

"Let's go check it out."

"You're not mad?"

Mint laughed. "Why should I be mad?"

"Um…because I got invited and you didn't."

"Alan, it wasn't your fault, stop blaming yourself," Mint grinned. "And you don't have to feel bad and quit because of me. I'm going to start my own pack."

Alan groaned. "I was afraid of that."

"This time, it's only to be girls."

Alan set his forehead on the driving wheel of the car. "I knew something like this was going to happen."

"I'm going to kick your leader's ass." Mint told him in a cheerful voice.

"Okay, so you're mad at Valerane."

"No, I'm in a perfectly good mood," Mint told him. "Com'on. Let's get going before our parents start to get worried that we've injured ourselves."

"We won't. After all, we've been trained by the best," Alan smiled at her sister.

***…***…***
"Are you sure you won't get lost?" Alan asked her sister for the hundredth time.

"I've already been around this school more than once yesterday," Mint growled angrily at her brother. "I'll be fine. Just leave me alone. We've got twenty-five minutes before the bell rings. I'll be there before the bell rings, okay?"

"Aren't you even going to go and say hi to Valerane?"

"Why would I want to do that?" Mint glanced at Alan. "I'll do it tonight, when I see his face."

"You really are getting all worked up over nothing. I told him he was making a mistake."

"Too bad he didn't realize that." Mint sighed sadly. "Go on, don't worry about me."

Alan frowned at her sister's back, and then before he changed his mind and be the protective brother that he is, he turned and walk downstairs to the classroom.

***…***…***
Mint made her way across the rooftop to the fence that she had been looking over yesterday. There were a couple of students outside, playing a quick game, or chattering before school started, and she couched down, and watched them.

She didn't know anyone yet, and even though her classmates had greeted her with a friendliness she had not known, she had known they were doing it out of respect. They have not seen her and her brother in years. To them, her brother and her were complete strangers from America. She grinned silently. They were strangers to her too, although when she was young, they all had been fighting over the same things.

She had been thinking that when a red rose appeared out of nowhere, she almost fell back. Thankfully, she caught herself before she made a spectacle of herself and remained still.

"Aren't you going to accept it?" A low voice came from behind and above her.

He was leaning down. Mint took in a great deep breath. Okay, so what? What if she did accept it? There was nothing wrong, besides she knew that voice.

"Are you doing this to make up for yesterday?" She told him coldly.

He chuckled. "I don't apologize."

"Then what is this for?"

He leaned down so low that his lips nearly—almost brush her ear. "A promise fulfilled."

"What are you talking about?" Mint's heart picked up and her breathing became uneven. She willed herself to calm down just because she had her pride and she didn't want him knowing how he affected her.

"Don't you like it?" Valerane smiled behind her. "I'm being…womantic."

"It's just like in those movies, it's…womantic."

Color rose to Mint's cheek as she remembered. She almost covered her face, but thankfully she was holding the fence with both her hands. She clenched it tightly, fearing that if she let go, she might cover her face and embarrass herself so badly she'll never be able to live it down.

"So?" He leaned even closer.

Mint took the rose and stood up so fast she did fall. She caught herself quickly and leaned against the fence instead, her face towards Valerane, her back against the fence.

"It was—supposed to be a handful of roses," Mint said quickly.

He grinned from ear to ear. "They didn't have a bunch of roses, they were out."

Mint didn't believe him. "You're lying. Roses wouldn't be out during this time of month."

He shrugged. "You wanted me to be womantic back then, remember? I figured one rose would be more womantic than a handful"

"Somehow, I don't see you as a romantic type of guy," Mint snapped back.

"Still angry because of yesterday?" He smiled, moving closer. "I can be womantic when I want to be."

"Stop saying that womantic," Mint glared. "I couldn't pronounce it right back then."

"I thought it was cute." He grinned. "Are you going to let me give you a welcome back kiss?"

"We were young then, remember?" Mint smiled nervously. "I hate kissing too, remember?"

"Maybe I could make you like it," he said thoughtfully, out loud. "After all, I was quite…unskillful when I gave you that smack on the mouth."

Mint's face turned red at the reminder. "You were the one that kissed me."

"Of course, you didn't think it was Valerine, did you?"

"I couldn't remember who it was." Mint told him.

"Tsk, tsk," he moved even closer so that Mint had to push against the fence to escape his nearness. "Should I remind you?"

"Keep away, I—"

"Valerane, there you are!" the female's voice interrupted them.

Valerane's eyes gleamed as he smiled seductively at her. "Safe, for now." He told her softly, and then he gently tapped her nose with his forefinger and turned around to face whoever was calling him.

A minute later, they were gone.

Mint gave a sigh of relief, realizing that she was clutching the rose against her chest. Thankfully no thorns pricked her. She was save, she gave a nervous laugh, but it sounded weird to her.

She had forgotten that promise because she was too busy remembering her promise. The promise that she had made. She really did have a short term memory because she was getting Valerine and Valerane confused. Who did she make that promise to? She couldn't remember, but at least she got this promise straightened out. It was Valerane that had made this promise to her, not Valerine. She didn't receive her kiss yet, and really she didn't mind.

She was safe, but for how long?

Chapter 3: Three: Revenge Is Sweet, But Candy Is Sweeter!

Three: Revenge Is Sweet, But Candy Is Sweeter!

Mint groaned out loud as she realized she had forgotten something.

"What now?" Alan gave her a glance before turning to look at the road again.

"My homework!"

Alan grinned at his sister's distress. "Wow…that's a first."

Mint glared at Alan. "You shut up and turn this truck back right now."

"Alright, okay." Alan signaled and turned.

"Why don't you just let me drive?" Mint asked as they pulled up to the school's parking area.

"Because with you, my life is never safe."

Mint shook her head as she got out of the car. "That's why they invented seatbelts."

Alan heard her and grinned. "Hurry back. I don't want to come looking for you."

Mint ignored her brother as she ran into the school building. Her locker wasn't far from the classroom so she took the way she usually took to class; going up the stairs around the corner and taking a left turn.

She passed her classroom without even bothering to look inside—but wait! She took a step back, and then another, and stared, mouth open at what she saw.

Sera, the girl she had seen yesterday, was sitting on top of Valerane—yes it was Valerane—she would recognize his face anywhere (even though it was half covered up). And Sera was giving him a very passionate kiss.

She watched, amazed as Valerane sat back and let Sera do all the work, and she was totally enjoying it. Mint had never been kissed like that, and she was sure she would never ever try it on another guy because just watching it was actually making her blush!

"Who would have thought Minty here would have a passion for kisses?" The low voice came from behind her, very low and very near her ear.

Mint jumped as if she had been hit and moved away from the door before Valerane or Sera noticed her.

"Valerine," Mint smiled as she leaned her back against the locker, trying to act calm." Hello!"

"Nice to see you again," Valerine smiled at her. "Are you spying on Val?"

She shook her head. "No, no. I forgot my—um, my homework, and I came back to get them—it."

He smiled as he set a hand near her head and leaned in. "And you found them together like that, huh?"

Mint nodded as she felt her breath quicken. She never liked being close to another male unless it was her brother. "Yeah, and I was going to—" She stopped as Valerine set his other hand near the other side of her head, trapping her in between his body.

"Move before they saw, right?" Valerine leaned even closer.

"Listen," Mint cleared her throat. "You're really good looking, Valerine, but I don't go for hot and popular guys."

"Why not?" His eyes lowered to her lips. "Other girls do."

"I am not other girls," Mint glared as she set both her hands against her chest and attempted to push him away. He didn't bulge an inch. In fact, she felt all the muscles beneath him and quickly move her hands back, a blush creeping up. She had never actually done that before! This was her first time touching a guy's-. Nope! She wouldn't even think about it.

"Harder," he grinned at her, daring her again.

Mint took a deep breath. "Listen. My brother and I are in a rush. I have to go and pick up my motorcycle for tonight's game."

Valerine pushed a couple of Mint's hair away from her face. "You really should give up. I would hate to see that pretty face of yours in the hospital."

"It's my face, not yours." Mint snapped as she took another deep breath. This was not happening. She was not—and is not attracted to both of them! She couldn't be, but why was her breathing so uneven and why was she getting so nervous?

Sure, Valerane might be handsome in a dangerous sort of way with his lethal dark piercing green-blue eyes and long dark hair, but she couldn't possibly be attracted to him. Besides, he was at least an inch taller than her brother, and she didn't go for tall guys

Then there's Valerine before her with his dark gleaming teal-green eyes and hair a lighter shade, but his smile was just as devastating as Valerane's, but she couldn't be attracted to him as well!

Yes, it was probably a set of hormones put together by the fact that she has never caught the interest of the cutest and hottest guys in school, and now that they are finally looking, she was just giddy from all the excitement and attention.

"Valerine, let the girl go." A bored voice came out of nowhere, and Mint realized, with embarrassment, that it was Valerane's voice.

God, he was done kissing! How long had he been in there? And did a kiss usually take that long?!

Valerine moved away. "You know, she's a feisty girl."

Mint glared at Valerine, but didn't say anything.

She was far too embarrassed.

"Not your type," Valerane told Valerine. "You usually go for the more softer, cuddly and giggling type."

Valerine grinned. " You're right." He winked at Mint. "You're safe, for now."

Mint blinked.

'Safe, for now'

Both of them had told her that she was safe from both of them.

For now.

She ignored them as she turned to her locker. Maybe wishing attention from the two hottest guys in school was a little bit too much to ask for, she thought.

She made a silent wish: no more cute and hot guys on her trail.

Please.

***…***…***
"We welcome you once again to tonight's motorcycle race halfway across the streets of Tokyo," the announcer announced loud and clear. "Tonight will be the final solo race. As of tomorrow night, you will need a team in order to join in the competition."

Mint went back to taking one last good look at her sports motorcycle.

"Hey, don't worry. It's okay, I checked."

Mint ignored her brother as she test out the wheels; they were working just fine.

"…number 24, number 24, number 25, number 25, number 26, number 26…"

Mint grabbed her helmet. "Alright," she gave her brother a wink. "Watch me amaze your leader."

Alan winced. "There's one slight problem that I forgot to mention to you."

"Oh?" Mint put her helmet on. "Tell me now."

"Sera is in this race."

Mint stopped. "Let me guess, Valerane-kun changed it huh?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Alan grinned.

"One night and you're loyal to them already?" Mint frowned. "Not a very good sign."

"Hey, remember when you were leader? You demanded 100 percent loyalty."

Mint got on her bike. "I don't care."

Alan grinned. "You sure you're ready?"

"Most definitely," Mint's eyes gleamed at Alan. "Aren't you going to wish me good luck?"

Alan chuckled. "You won't need it, sis."

Mint laughed as she drove off. " You got that right. Watch as I beat the first and only female member of your team, dear brother!"

***…***…***
"Shit," Valerine cursed loudly. "Alan, why didn't you tell us your sister was this good?"

Alan pretended to shake his head sadly, and then grinned. "You wouldn't listen to me, remember?"

"Heh…our mistake, you watching Val?"

Valerane flicked his gaze over to Valerine. "I'm not blind."

"She's beating your girl by a mile—she's beating everyone by a mile!" Valerine's eyes blinked.

"That's her," Alan yawned, as if bored. "I'll be back. I need to go collect a bet."

"Dammit, Val, you said you wanted the best, she's the best there is! If we don't get her soon, we'll never get her!" A guy next to Valerine cursed. "Who would have thought? Yesterday she wasn't even a match for me."

"Because there was something wrong with her motorcycle," Alan came back just as quick as he disappeared.

"How much did you make?" Valerine asked.

"At least six hundred."

"Hot and damn!" Valerine grinned. "Your sister was telling the truth."

Alan frowned. "Of course she was, why? You guys all thought she was lying?"

"Hey man, she's a girl," another guy replied.

"Aric," Alan sighed. "She may be a girl, but she's not a liar."

"Yeah, we figured that out—a day too late!"

"Valerane, why don't you go apologize to her and get her to—"

"I don't apologize," Valerane answered curtly.

"Besides," Alan interrupted. "Even if Valerane attempted to apologize, she won't accept."

"Don't tell me she's one of those damn tomboy females."

"Hey, watch your mouth," Alan scowled. "You're talking about my sister."

"No offense, man," Aric brought his hand up. "I was complimenting your sister."

"What do you think?" Valerine frowned at Valerane.

"I'll go ask her and if she refuses, she refuses. End of story," Valerane answered. This was only the beginning, he had yet to see her skills.

***…***…***
'You watching?' Mint shouted mentally to Valerane and his gang as she passed them. She saw no emotion whatsoever on Valerane's face, but she was enjoying the look on Valerine's face, and the other gang members.

She leaned forward as she made another sharp turn, bringing out her feet in case she needed to brace herself, but there was no need. She straightened, the finish line was in front of her.

Mint grinned and eased up on the gas pedal.

A motorcycle soon came up behind her, but she didn't care. She knew who it was already. She had intentionally slowed down; enough so Sera could catch up to her. She wasn't far behind. She was actually pretty good, but not challenging enough.

She turned her face and saw Sera's grinning face. Mint flashed a smile in return, a smile with the message: "See you at the finish line."

She saw Sera's mouth widened as she stood up and brought the front of the motorcycle up into the air, slamming on the gas pedal. She quickly brought it back down before it tipped over and zoomed past her and past the finish line.

"Can't you ever do a normal finish?" Alan sighed as he gave his sister half the money he made.

"It's my symbol." Mint grinned. "Three hundred eh? Damn, how many people bet against me?"

"Quite a few," Alan admitted.

Mint opened her mouth to comment, but stopped when she saw a familiar group trout towards her. She crossed her arms and leaned against her motorcycle.

"Impressive," Sera smiled at her, but Mint noticed it didn't quite reach her eyes.

'A rival' she thought as she held out her hand. "You were pretty good out there."

Sera glanced down at the extended hand, but didn't bother to make a move to shake it.

Mint managed not to snort. "Not use to being a sore loser, eh?" She crossed her arms. "Your manners at being a good sport are impeccable, Sera-chan."

"Don't call me that," Sera snapped. "I haven't given you permission."

"Yet," Mint bowed low as she reply in a mocking tone. "Yes, your highness."

Alan chuckled. "Come on, you win. Let's just all kiss and make up."

Mint ignored her brother as she raised a challenging pair of eyes to meet Valerane's.

"On behalf of my team," he began. "I would like to ask you if you care to—"

"There you are!" Another set of voices interrupted them. "Mint! Mint Katsuie."

Mint nodded. "Yes?"

"Sorry to bother you, but on behalf of me and my team, we're asking if you would join us."

Mint turned her head sideways and saw four girls, all dress in black pants and a black leather jacket. "Are you the leader?"

The girl shook her head. "We lost her as of five days ago, and we've been looking ever since. We were hoping you would agree to be our new leader.

Mint raised a questioning eyebrow. "But you don't know me yet."

"Nevertheless, your skills are impressive, and judging from tonight's performance, that's all we need to know about you."

Mint couldn't help but smile. "And you are?"

"Michelle Satosu, we're the bad girls around here," she grinned at Mint. "We have a reputation and nobody messes with us."

"They were the champions five times in a row before Valerane came along," Sera spoke up.

"Since then, we've always been in second place," Michelle admitted.

"Well, this years going to change," Mint told them as she looked at Valerane to see his reaction.

He nodded, as if he didn't care. "Very well."

"Does this mean you accept?" Michelle asked.

Mint nodded. "I accept.

Valerane smiled. "Congratulations, Minty-chan. You are now a leader."

"Just like you," Mint returned the smile. "I look forward to racing with you." She held out her hand.

Valerane took it, grasp it firmly in his, "As I, you." He told her. "May the best racer win."

Mint's eyes gleamed at him with excitement, but no one else seemed to notice, "I plan to be the best."

Valerane countered with his own predatorily smile, "So do I," he tightened his grip on her hand just a second before letting go. "So do I."

He turned and walked away while his gang of racers followed right behind. Like a pack of scared rabbits, everyone made way for them.

Mint shook her head as Alan gave her a shrug. She rolled her eyes and went back to looking at her motorcycle while her new pack of motorcycle gals went to get theirs.

She popped a small chewy chocolate mini-bar into her mouth and grinned. She had her revenge all right. But, as always, no matter how sweet revenge was, candy was and will always be, much sweeter.

Chapter 4: Four: A Promise Kept

Four: A Promise Kept

Who would have thought that Valerane would be so…calm about it, Mint fumed silently as she seated herself in class the next day. Even Alan hadn't mention anything about Valerane acting weird after their confrontation. Why, if Mint hadn't hung out with them when they were small, she would have believed Valerane to be emotionless. Somehow, that wasn't what Mint would have imagined him at this time of age. She remembered that both the Val were mischievous, in fact, she was pretty darn sure that Valerane, who was now cold and emotionless, was the one who always got Valerine into trouble. She was sure of it!

"Mint!"

Mint managed not to roll her eyes as she heard her name being called.

"Are you free tonight, Mint?"

Mint shook her head and watched Valerine with an amused look on her.

"How about tomorrow night?"

Mint shook her head again.

"Aren't you going to talk to me?" Valerine sighed sadly. "Wound my heart you must, for I shall not even fuss, but soon, to you, I shall entrust."

Mint blinked.

"When you smile your eyes light up like the sun and I feel as if I have made a home run."

Mint shook her head this time. She never knew Valerine had this kind of talent.

"Mr. Kuyume-san!" The loud crisp voice interrupted them.

Valerine turned to smile charmingly at the teacher. "Hai, Sensei?"

"Get back to your seat and stop trying to seduce my newest student."

Mint blushed a little, but raised her chin high and ignored the giggling around her.

"Mint, are you okay back there by yourself?"

"Hai," Mint answered the teacher.

"More like she's flirting with him," Mint heard Valerane murmur from beside her and she turned to glare at him. Mint blinked when she came face to face with a book instead of a face.

"Mint, stop your glaring."

Mint whirled her head around to face her brother. "Shush Alan!"

"I can't, your embarrassing me."

Mint frowned at Alan, but kept her mouth shut as the teacher started talking.

A couple of minutes later Mint's eyes widened as she felt something smack against the side of her head. She look at the teacher to see if she spotted anything, but when the teacher just went right on talking, Mint's frown began to increase as she look around to see who had done that.

Valerane?

Mint shook her head. No, he didn't fool around in class like—

She turned her head left and glared angrily at Valerine, who was grinning at her and was also pointing to the ground.

"The paper," he mouthed and Mint glance down to see a piece of crumble paper.

So that was what he had thrown at her! Mint started to get up, but Alan sensing her anger as all twin would, quickly stopped her with a hand on her arm.

Mint settled quietly back on her seat and reach down to get the paper. Little did she know that she was getting Valerane, who was sitting behind her, a very good view of her nice little bum.

Mint grasped the crumble piece of paper in her hand and then opened it once she was seated upright. She unfold it quietly, careful not to disturb the teacher's very long lecture and read what was inside it.

Good-bye isn't forever, I tell you, and I promise you this, so if I ever do come back, recite this to me, and you'll know I am yours to keep:

If ever you're feeling lonely
Don't forget about the moon
For when you look at it
You will know
It is my eyes watching you
We may be miles apart
But the moon is there
In the cold dark sky
And it will keep us
Together.

Mint dropped the paper to the ground just as the bell rang, signaling for class to end.

"What is wrong with you?" Alan turned towards her. "You really don't mind if I get the good grades this year, don't you?"

"Of course I mind," Mint picked up the piece of paper she had dropped and quickly stood up. "I need…I have to go to the restroom."

Alan frowned. "You've got fifteen minutes. Take as long as you need."

Mint nodded. "Tell Sensei for me, will you?"

Alan nodded and seated himself back down.

Mint turned around to find that most of the class was already gone, either outside the hallways or just walking around. Valerane and Valerine were both gone too, to that, she was thankful. She didn't want to face either of them today, at least not right now.

***…***…***
Mint didn't know why she like the school roof so much. Maybe the fact that this was the first place she came to when she was lost, and maybe because she like staring down at the kids. She stopped at the door and stared at the scene before her. The wire fence had not been removed, and so no balls ever came up here anymore. The sky was blue with white cotton candies flowing around everywhere.

"I didn't realize you like this spot as well," the quiet low voice surprised Mint as she whirled around to face the face that went with that oh-so-familiar voice.

"Valerane."

He smiled at her, his dark green eyes intent. "Don't tell me this will become your favorite hang out place."

Mint dropped the note onto the ground, and Valerane's eyes floated towards it just as it touched the ground.

"A note from a lover already?" Valerane had been leaning next to the door, "I didn't expect that from you." He stood up straight and bent down to pick up the note.

Mint tried to grab the note before he can, but he reached it first.

"Mind if I read it?" He asked, his eyes still peering into hers, as if he wanted to find out everything about her.

Mint stepped back, looking him in the eye, challenging him. "I don't care, go ahead."

Valerane showed no outward emotion as he read the small note, but he knew the verse, knew the promise. She had spoken this very promise to him before she left, and she had sealed it. Did she bring it out here to remind him? He looked back up at her. He didn't need to be reminded. He had remembered this small poem she had written to him by heart. He could recite it backwards and forwards.

"Another promised remembered?" Valerane took a step towards her, and then another.

Mint got into fighting position. "Don't come near me unless you know what's good for you."

Valerane stopped, and Mint thought he had finally gotten some sense knocked into him, but he started walking again.

"I mean it," Mint frowned, refusing to step back. "I have taken lessons in Kendo, Judo, Karate, Tai Chi, and I am currently studying Yoga as of right now."

Valerane ignored her and kept moving towards her until he was right in front of her. Then he raised his arm, and Mint reacted on instinct. She grabbed his arm, and flung him over his shoulder, thinking this would teach him a lesson, but instead, he landed on his feet, twisted around, and flung her over his shoulder.

Mint landed on softly on the ground, to her amazement, but she was even more surprised when Valerane joined her, on top of her. He was leaning in front of her, hands between her head, without even a smile on his voice, but his eyes were clear, focused.

"Impressive," Valerane admitted.

Mint had no idea whether to blink in amazement or to just remain quiet. She did neither. Never in her whole entire life had she felt a man's body on top of her. She had to admit, she did like the sensation of something heavier on top of her, but she didn't love it either. Never once did she think she would get rape. She was too smart and besides, this was Valerane.

Instead, she tried to kick him there, right in the nut so he wouldn't be using it anytime soon on a helpless girl her age, but Valerane must have sense it because to her horror, he trapped her legs between his, tangling them as he balanced himself on top of her.

"Oh-oh," Valerane eyes gleamed as he observed Mint. "Bad Minty, you shouldn't have done that. You know I'm planning on having kids one day."

"Why not," Mint brought both of her hands up to pull his hair, anything to get him off of her and this weird sensation out of her system, "have them now." She finished as she brought one up to punch him. She decided his hair was too beautiful, too black, to be pulled out, and too soft to be touched.

He caught them as if they were baby punches and settled them on the ground, near her head, holding her in, trapping her in. He had her body trapped, and worst of all, he was on top of her.

Mint fumed angrily. Dammit, no one had ever done this to her before.

"Do you have any other tricks?" He asked her as he held her struggling wrists with his hands. She was stronger than he had thought, but he was still stronger "I'm pretty sure I have one more thing I haven't used yet."

Mint glared at him, puffing. "You're legs have been used, your body is pressing against mine, and your hands are holding me captive. What else are you going to use?"

He smiled then, the small, seductive smile that suddenly had Mint's heart leaping and gasping for breath. He should never smile like that, never. She would have to be dead not to be blinded by his charm, his deadly smile. He had two small dimples too, goddamn; she was going to be eaten by this wolf, eaten alive! What's worst, she might even joy it!

Why couldn't life ever be fair to her?

"I know of two more things which can be used." He interrupted her thoughts as he tipped his head a different angle to get another different look of her face against the light. "This way suits you better."

Mint struggled against his body. "I'm not interested in your stupid little games," she growled. "Other girls may like being on the bottom, but I don't."

"Oh?" He settled himself more comfortable against her, his chest almost, barely, touching hers. "And what position would you like to be in?"

Mint gave an angry growl, "I still haven't used up all of my tricks."

He turned his head sideways," I think you're bluffing, besides, I kind of like this position. Now, if only we were naked, then I would like it even more."

"I'm not bluffing," Mint smiled up at him, knowing she was going to best him one way or another. "I have my voice and I'll do what every girl who finds herself in this situation would do."

"And what is that?" He dared.

"Scream." Mint finished.

"Go ahead." He challenged.

"You can't do anything," Mint was already gloating over her victory. "You'll get into so much trouble." She took a deep breath, opened her mouth—

And received her second kiss ever in her whole entire life.

She should have expected Valerane to be rough; after all, he was the type to be rough. But what she didn't expect that she would enjoy it as well. The soft sensual feel of his lips against hers, didn't feel like his lips at all, but they were. Somehow she had always thought his lips would be rough, cold. But they were warm against hers, and his tongue! Oh my, she thought, trying to turn her mouth away to get some oxygen, but his lips, his tongue followed, refusing her most basic need, and before she knew it, she was drowning, again, going down under. He was kissing her bottom lip and suddenly his tongue to slowly touching hers, daring her, challenging her to duel with him.

Somewhere along the line, her hands had been freed and were clinging in his crisp dark hair. Her legs were no longer captive, but against his, and his body no longer felt heavy, but more like it was apart of her, one that has been missing for quite a while.

The loud bell didn't register at first, and Mint knew she was enjoying the kiss more than she had expected when she heard the loud roaring in her ear, but before she knew it, his mouth was gone, his body weight gone, and he was standing before her, looking down at her.

"Don't expect this to change anything," Valerane told her quietly in his quiet seductive voice, his dark green eyes still gleaming, but with a different fire, before turning to walk down the stairs.

Mint was too dazed to move. Too shock to even say a thing. She should have screamed, should have shouted, should have at least tried to kick him, but how was she to know that he had improved his kisses? Her mind grew even angrier as she realized he had practiced on many. He had no right to touch her mouth after he had touched so many. Mint stood up angry all of a sudden. She brushed her mouth with the back of her hand, hoping to get rid of the taste of him that still linger.

Damn that man! She cursed as she glared angrily at no one in particular. How dare he kiss her like this and expect to get away with it? She was going to have to—

Her eyes widened. "Holy macrorooni!" She shouted. "I'm freaking late!"

She was about to rush inside when a sudden wind blew towards her and she found herself freezing as her school uniform t-shirt flew open, revealing a white tank top and bare shoulders.

Mint's eyes widened even more as she realized that all the buttons had been undone. She would have swore if she had time, she would have shouted to the Heavens to strike Valerane dead if she had powers, but she didn't, and she didn't have time. Instead, she buttoned her shirt quietly as she rushed downstairs searching for an excuse.

Dear God, what would have happened if the bell hadn't rung? She thought as she buttons the last of her buttons and managed to get her hair under tight control again before opening the door.

She would never find out, and would never want to find out, she thought as the door opened and she saw Valerane's girlfriend leaning over about to give him another one of her passionate kisses.

She opened her mouth to say something, anything to get this anger out of her system, but when she looked around, she realized she was in the wrong room.

There were girls and boys everywhere, most of them lock in passionate kisses that seemed like the ones she and Valerane had just been doing just seconds ago. She blushed at the sight even though she had just been doing that her very self.

"Chasing me now?" Valerane showed no outward emotion as he gave her an emotionless look while Sera scowled angrily at her and put her arms around Valerane. Valerane didn't shrug it away.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Sera demanded angrily, still keeping her arms around Valerane.

'As if you have a right to claim him,' Mint thought angrily as she turned her focus back to Valerane and Sera. She look to see if Valerane would defend her, but he didn't say anything, just stared at her as emotionlessly, as if the kiss up on the roof had never happened.

"Summimasen," Mint bowed her head, still looking at them. "I didn't realize I was in the wrong room."

She backed away. "I didn't realize Valerane was a skipper also," she said, just loud enough so Valerane could hear.

He did, but he made no move to come after her, no move to stop her. Instead he put his arms around Sera as she settled her lips onto his once more. "I have kept my promise," Mint's eyes narrowed just as Valerane's lips touched Sera's.

Valerane turned, only inches away from kissing Sera, to look at Mint. He didn't even noticed poor Sera who had suddenly lost her balance and started to fall head first onto the ground. Mint's eyes widened, wishing for her to fall, but Sera managed to grab a hold of one of the desk and held on before she fell.

'Lucky bastard.' She thought.

"Yes, you've kept this promise, but you still need to fulfill your other promise."

"What other promise?" Mint narrowed her eyes at him. "I regret making any promises to a selfish bastard like you."

He only raised one eyebrow as if that insult amused him rather than hurt him.

"Val," Sera giggled as she put her arms around his shoulders. "Why are you wasting your time with that little girl? Don't you want a real woman?"

"When you remember." He told her silently and turned his back towards her, his arms already on Sera's shoulders.

Mint turned away, making sure none of the hurt would show on her face, and closed the door silently. She would not let him see how much his actions had hurt her, she thought as she stared at the ground. She leaned against the door for a minute, taking a deep breath and holding it in, and then letting it out slowly. After doing it a couple of times to help calm her nerve and to make sure none of the feelings showed on her face, she stood up straight, and turned the corner to her real classroom.

***…***…
Valerane didn't kissed Sera again. In fact, his lips had been only a couple of inches away from hers when Mint closed the door behind her, and then he had pushed her away. He didn't feel like kissing her now, he thought. He didn't feel like kissing anymore after seeing the damn hurt in Mint's eyes. God he was getting soft, he thought, to let a damn girl affect him like this. Hell, it was just one kiss, and like he had told Mint, this shouldn't change anything.

He didn't realize he had pushed Sera a little too hard because she went tumbling back against a couple that was in the middle of a very, deep, romantic kiss. She tried to avoid them, but managed to tangle her legs with theirs and landed on top of them, interrupting their kiss.

"Val?" Sera's eyes widened as all eyes turned towards her.

Valerane didn't care, didn't say anything as he stood up to help Sera. It was his way of apology, of course. He never apologized. "Don't come over tonight."

"What do you mean?" Sera's face immediately began to turn red. Everyone knew that she always hung out around Valerane's place after the motorcycle races. What they do there were no ones business, but their own, and even she had to admit, she had only been with him twice. Of course, she had bragged about him being good in bed and all, but truth was, she had shared his bed only twice, and that was it, but they were the best experiences she has ever had. It was why she kept coming back for more. He was the only one good enough to sleep with her.

He never asked her to come over. She just suddenly showed up one day, after having difficulty with her last boyfriend. He didn't mind, didn't even ask her why, just gave her blankets and a pillow and let her rest. So she kept coming back whenever she had problems with her other guys. He allowed her to stay, never asked her to come over, but he never forbid her to leave also. But here he was, telling her not to come over tonight.

"I figure it's about time to let you know that I've taken care of you long enough," He told her quietly, in his calm, reasonable voice. "It's time you stop moving from one guy to another. Get yourself a decent job so you won't have to come over every time someone roughens you up."

The people in the room they were in stopped what they were doing to observe the conversation. It was a lot better than kissing and far more amusing. Besides, they can always kiss later, this they won't get to see again.

Sera's face darkened even more, but she kept her mouth shut. She knew how arguing with him was like, had tried it once, and had received the coldest look ever in his eyes. She was sure he had never hit a girl before, and would never would because he always believed in fair game, but if he wanted to, he could have beaten her up right then and there, and nobody would be able to stop him. She had heard rumors that he had grown up in a wild neighborhood, the darker side of Tokyo, or so they said. His parents were never home, and he was always left by himself. He grew up having to defend for himself and to fight for his food. She never knew if the rumors were true about him or not, and she never had the courage to ask, she just knew he had grown up in a rough neighborhood. His body was proof of that.

"Don't worry," he told her when she didn't say anything, "you're still on the team. After all, you are the best."

Sera's voice was filled with anger as she spoke, "That may be so, but what happens if Mint's the best? Will you kick me out of the group?"

"I assure you," he told her slowly, as if speaking to a young child. "No matter what, you are a part of the team unless you do something to endanger that position ofyours."

Sera turned around, giving one last look at Valerane before she walked out.

"Mint will pay for this," she promised.

"I did forget to mention," Valerane stopped her, "Mint isn't apart of this problem. If she is suddenly injured or anything else for no apparent reason than you will be kicked out of the group."

This time, Sera turned around to face him, her breath heaving. "You can't do that!"

He turned his cold eyes towards her as everyone moved back a little. "I can because I'm the leader, and you'll do as I say if you want to remain in the group."

He didn't budge an inch, just stood there, hands to his side, and eyes cold, staring at her.

Sera cursed him, knowing she had lost. "Damn you."

Ironically, his lips curled up into a small smile. "I've always been damned." He turned and walked out the other door that lead up to the roof.

***…***…
"Where were you?" Alan asked, glancing at Mint before turning his attention to the road. "You're lucky the teacher didn't mark you late."

Mint turned her head away to look out the window. "I was nowhere," she told her twin silently.

"You were up on the roof weren't you?" Alan asked, already knowing the answer.

Mint startled, turning her face to look at Alan. "How did you—"

"We're twins, remember?" Alan grinned. "As much as I hate being chained to you, we have this telepathic communication that binds us together."

Mint smiled. Alan was a great brother. He had always been there for her whenever her parents could not. He protected her, and even though she was better at motorcycle racings than he was, he was the first one to ever teach her. After that, then their father had started to teach both of them.

"Valerane was up there too." Alan said quietly that Mint would have missed if she hadn't been listening.

"How do you know about that?" Mint asked.

"I saw him come down the stairs when I came to search for you." Alan admitted. "He said you were upstairs and wanted to be alone. What happened? Did he do anything to you?"

"No," Mint lied. She hated lying to her brother, but some things, you can never tell others, no matter how close you are.

"No?"

"No." Mint answered firmly. "I've kept my promised to him and fulfilled it, is all."

Alan frowned at her. "I thought you were over those stupid promises already."

Mint shook her head. "You know me."

Alan grinned as he turned signaled and turned left. "One of these days, Mint, you're going to promise more than you can handle."

'I think I have already just done that,' Mint thought quietly as she turned back to look out at the window beside her again.

Valerine had thrown her the note, she was sure of it, but if Valerine was the person she had made her promise to, when what promise was Valerane talking about in the other classroom?

She shook her head. It was no use worrying over it now, she had a responsibility to the group she had agreed to take on, and she was going to start right away.

***…***…
"No, no, no," Mint frowned, shaking her head at Michelle. "You don't sit straight when you're speeding, you've got to lean forward when you're speeding. Leaning forward will help balance out your weight so it won't be so heavy on the motorcycle and you'll be able to go a lot faster."

"But aren't you afraid? It's so low and you won't be able to maneuver yourself so easily."

"It's a chance I'll take," Mint admitted, "but it also helps on the turns as well, especially the sharp turns."

"Where did you learn all these skills anyway?" Amy asked. She was young, just barely sixteen years old, but Mint had found out she had a zest for life and lead quite an adventurous life. Just from spending five minutes with her, she had found out Amy was the youngest of three siblings and though poor, they make their living going from one place to another putting on shows. It wasn't much money, which was why Amy had gotten her parents permission and lived with Michelle, who had gotten her into motorcycles first, and then racing later.

"My dad taught me," Mint told her.

Impressum

Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

Texte: Diana Palmer .S
Bildmaterialien: Diana Palmer .S
Cover: Diana Palmer .S
Lektorat: Diana Palmer .S
Übersetzung: Diana Palmer .S
Satz: Diana Palmer .S
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 14.11.2019
ISBN: 978-3-7487-2066-9

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Widmung:
What happens when there are two absolutely gorgeous guys just waiting for you...and you have to decide which one you have been promised to? Valerine Kuyume and Valerane Satomiki have been best since ever since they met in the first grade and found out they look every much alike…and their names were almost identical. Ever since then, they have made their way through elementary school, breaking hearts and causing trouble whenever they were together. Now as young men, they were even more handsome and heartbreaking, and were breaking hearts twice as fast. Now it is time for Fate to repay them both back in full and it is time for their hearts to break… Mint had just moved back into Japan after being gone for nearly ten years at the young age of eight. Mint had never forgotten the small promise she made to Valerane—or was it Valerine? She is faced with two very heartbreaking young men, and one of them was her childhood sweetheart. Now, she must decide which one is the imposter—and which o