A/N: Yes, yes, yes…. I updated. I bet your faces were like this: O.O


Target: Lock On! – Chapter 8 -

Chung was going to regret this. Actually, if he only had the right skills, he'd turn back time, take back his offer to help, and properly answer Elsword's question about what made him such a jerk.

Too bad he wasn't Glaive.

The two of them were in a closed-door meeting held in the conference rooms of the school's student council room. Aisha and Eve were sitting opposite them, while Noah, the student council president, and Ara, the vice president, sat at the head of the table. They were poised for negotiations, which should have been unnecessary if this had been a normal boy-girl relationship.

Peace talks. If only Elsword had a relationship IQ higher than a peanut, he'd know he shouldn't subject a girl to peace talks. Aisha was irked when Chung broached the subject and almost instantly identified Eve as her second. He should've backed out, but he'd already told the Rune Slayer he would help. He doubted this was what Elsword had in mind when he said he wanted to "discuss things with Aisha in a neutral setting" but, unfortunately, the whole thing was blown out of proportion. Everything was out of proportion with these two. Thus, they were now spending a free period trying to arrive at a settlement with the help of additional fascinated witnesses.

Noah cleared her throat, then glanced at Ara. "I guess we should begin."

Ara, the chosen arbiter, cleared her throat. She glanced at the sidelines where the rest of the gang was seated and saw that they had lapsed into an expectant silence. "As the one who called this assembly together, Chung, why don't you start?"

Chung heaved a breath. "All right. So we've written out a list of demands—"

"So have we," Aisha said peevishly.

"—right, and that's just fine," he went on in a placating tone. "I'll just read out our items one at a time and for every stipulation you agree to, you can name a counter-request. Our first item is— I'm sorry, but do I really need to sit across Eve?"

"She just has her game face on." Noah rolled her eyes. "Eve, stop looking at your boyfriend as though you're about to annihilate him." Eve shrugged then smoothed her expression into one of indifference, which really didn't assure the Tactical Trooper. At all.

"Okay, first item. My client demands your client to stop…" He really didn't want to say this out loud. "…dating geeks."

"What?" Aisha and Eve said at the same time.

Chung exhaled. "Stop dating nerds, dweebs, geeks, or any other student that looks like one. He says— Elsword does, not me— you've been attracting weirdoes all week."

"That's based only on his yardstick!" Aisha said heatedly.

"Actually, he's basing it on GPA," Chung said with a grimace. "Your dates this week have been off the charts."

"But Allegro is not a geek!" Aisha said, instinctively rising to the defense of a fellow friend. "He's just smarter than average."

"Whatever," Elsword retorted. "You've been dating nerds."

"If we're basing this on GPA, you happen to be one of them."

"I'm the exception, not the rule," the Rune Slayer said scornfully. Next to him, Chung abruptly decided he'd take back his wish to turn back time. "Look, they're not your type anyway. I happen to know you like good-looking men with rock-hard abs."

Aisha gritted her teeth. "Not anymore."

"I think I should have a say on who you go out with," he went on irrationally. "It should be someone we both like."

She raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"You keep entertaining geeky-looking guys like Allegro. Frankly, it's insulting," Elsword deadpanned. When she didn't comment, he clarified, "To me. It's insulting to me."

"You are so full of it!"

The Yama Raja started pounding on the table. "Order! Order!" She rolled her eyes. "I'm going to have to demand both parties to shut up. Discussion here on out will be done by your envoys."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Why don't we park that item?" Chung said hastily. "We'll go back to it later."

Ara nodded, grateful for Chung's diplomacy. Being a prince must have something to do with it, though she had a feeling that he must hate Elsword for forcing him to sit opposite the Code Battle Seraph on this one. She turned to the Nasod who was going through her list with disdain. She didn't seem to want to do this anymore than her boyfriend did.

"Okay, our turn then… I guess I'll start with our most unrealistic demand," Eve said in a bored tone. She read off the paper, "My client insists that your client stop thinking about her in such a perverted manner."

Chung took one glance at Elsword then lobbied back. "Denied."

"My client says it's non-negotiable."

"My client says it's impossible."

"May we ask why?"

Even Noah had to swallow a laugh when Elsword suddenly leaned forward, clasped his hands together then rested his elbows on the table. He lowered his head then stared up at Aisha with his lips resting lightly against his twined fingers. His gaze was intense enough to make his subject blush. It didn't take a genius to guess what went on in his head. Without warning, Aisha grabbed her water glass then flung its contents across the table. Elsword reacted quickly and evaporated the liquid with a fire rune before it splashed on his face.

"YOU PERVERT!"

"I only answered the question," he protested.

"By demonstrating?"

"The arbiter told us to not talk," he reasoned, and Chung wiped a hand over his face. "Listen, you can't stop thoughts. I can't help it if you… you always… make me think like that."

"Fine, then can I ask you to stop acting on your thoughts?"

Aisha should at least admire his honesty. Elsword blew out his breath. "I'm seventeen and I'm not a saint."

"All I'm asking is that you treat me like everyone else. What's so hard about that?"

"I'm not interested in anyone else," he shot back. "I'm interested in you."

"Being interested in me has nothing to do with you being a pervert!"

"You're such a kid," Elsword said in exasperation. "When we get together, I can't promise…" He trailed off then his lips became a grim line. "We're not having this talk here."

Aisha shot to her feet. "You're right. We're not having this talk here because I'm officially done with you! Forget this!"

"No!" everyone but the Code Battle Seraph cried out.

Elsword stood up too. "You're obviously are too stubborn to listen to me no matter what I say in here. This blows. I'm out of here."

"You're walking out?" Aisha said in disbelief. She had hoped that he would at least try to talk out something. "Oh, no you don't! Not this time. I'm walking out of here first."

"You are not walking out on me. I'm walking out first."

"I'm walking out first."

Noah hit the gavel on the block. "Order! You can't leave right now. Not until negotiations are done." She turned to Ara. "We need to discuss something." Motioning for Chung and Eve, she called, "You two, come here."

Eve glided over with Chung following close behind.

"This isn't going too well…" Ara muttered quietly, glancing at the now sulking Aisha sitting in the corner. Elsword was evidently brooding, staring at the ceiling like he was about to burn the whole school down.

The Tactical Trooper sighed, laying his Destroyer on the floor and sitting on it, "We need something to help them get together without them biting the others head off."

The Yama Raja looked at Eve hopefully, "Any ideas Eve?" The Code Battle Seraph IQ level was not one to be trifled with.

Eve raised an eyebrow elegantly, "I suppose I could make a device that holds them together and electrocute them if they argue." Apparently, her high IQ and emotional capability did not go together.

Thoroughly alarmed, Ara immediately shook her head. "T-there is no n-need for that, Eve!" She waved her hands in front of her face in horror. If they did do that, both Elsword and Aisha were going to die. And it would be indirectly their fault. Eve didn't seemed convinced that it wasn't necessary. She was already typing away on her virtual laptop. Appealing to Chung, Ara made a pleading face.

Chung cleared his throat. "There really is no need for that Eve. I'm sure it hasn't gotten that extreme yet." Looking again at Aisha and Elsword, he found them glaring at each other. "I hope…" he muttered. Maybe it was already too late for them to apologize.

"Well, I actually have an idea!" They all turned to look at Noah, who had been silent until now. With her hands clasped together, she spoke with delight, "How about forcing them on a date?"

That was actually a pretty good idea. Locking eyes with each other, they nodded their heads in agreement. The Rune Slayer and the Elemental Master will go on a date, no matter if they like it or not.

But…

"Quick question, " Ara spoke up first. "What about his fan girls?"

Eve's expression could almost be described as smug. That is, if she doesn't deny having emotions. Then again, the smirk on her face wasn't exactly hard to miss.

"I'll take care of those."

The result will still be a complete success. Smirking, the group turned toward their targets.

Targets, locked on.


A/N: I'm so sorry for the late update! To be honest, I didn't quite believe a month had passed myself. Seriously, if I take too long in updating a story, feel free to send me a review or PM saying "Are you dead?"BTW, whoever gets the 100th review they can request a one-shot from me ^-^

To rosaysay: It did seem like it, didn't it? ^^;; But nope! I love this story way too much to abandon it! It's not over until about 5 chapters later. Another new reviewer! *holds out cookies* Want some?

To hiimrosaysay: Thanks for the compliment~! ^-^ Hope you enjoy the update! Ooh~ A new reviewer! *holds out plate of cookies* Want one?

To MelodyRinn: Thanks for your support ^^ I try to make it as fluffy as possible XD

To Icebella: Really? To be honest… I think my writing speed has been slower of late. Probably because I'm taking so many AP classes. How can your romantic life be lower than zero? It shouldn't even be possible. Yeah, 5 more chapters now… I'm wondering if a should make a sequel or something like that.

To SmilingCookie: Lol, your profile picture is so cute! Gotta love the cookies that smile… But, then again, I really wouldn't want to eat cookies that are smiling at me. They are just way too cute~! Thanks anyway ^-^

To xXLovelyAnimeLoverXx: I never did like history… After all the people we are talking about are all dead and buried with XD *throws English homework into the same pile* Hmm… Good idea I might do that for the next chapter; after all my guy friends are getting pretty annoyed at me for asking them so many questions on how they think.

To 3: Yes, I updated ^-^ I suppose you can. Wait, wait. Did you already make one? Nobody listens to the sign up thingy or reads it at any rate. And if you're wondering I'm 15 ^^ Wow, you have so many characters in Elsword. Lol, having a brother who has a RS and you have a EM… Such a difficult shipping. I'm definitely praying for you when you write your OCs. Whichever language you prefer, write in that language.

To Light15XV: You're welcome~! Are you a big fan of RSXEM too? All boys are weird XD Trust me on that one.

To HelloKitty55443: Lol, being mature for a little while is the best Elsword can do. After all he does have a very carefree attitude. It was that intense? O.O Thanks, I love the support.

To Spirify: Hehe… Of course I don't see anything. Just a few coffee cup handles behind you *smirk* Awesome guys that you like are fictional… Mine are too. The bad boy type is so hard to get. I myself prefer the carefree ones, the ones that always make me feel like I'm the only worrier in the world. Thanks for the compliment~!

To Castigatrice: You didn't have to delete it… But thanks for the compliment~! Of course, Elsword will have to change if he wants to keep Aisha. Aisha has to like nice guys, because she always blushes when Elsword does something nice XD Yes, of course I'll keep on writing after this. I need to write to improve my English grades, lol.

To Orithia WindBell: It made your day?! Yay, that's nice to know. RS looks way too hot and flirty for his own good XD I have a feeling that if RS was in my school… No let's not think about that. My guy friends make me wish I had more girl friends because all they talk about are sports. Sorry, I really hate sports… Probably because I'm always the clumsy idiot who trips over air. Yay, you passed! I passed too; it wasn't all that hard.

To Awakened Hades: I personally love the Code Battle Seraph myself.

To xXxBlazing HeartxXx: Ooh~ A new reviewer! *holds out plate of cookies* So, how long have you been up here? A month? Gotta love the welcome back message XD Yes, RS is a bloody idiot and Aisha is reacting to that aura around him.

To AishaElementalMaster: Hmm… I might do a LKXEM soon. But, for some strange reason I have a feeling that the readers like RSXEM better. The revamp isn't all that bad. What I really hate though, is all the hate messages I receive in PVP. Lol, ISXEM is a weird combination… I haven't exactly seen that pairing anywhere though.

To Desuchi: Back from the hospital~! Why do you kill people with rice grains? O.O Anyway, Desuchi-san, I have a little problem. My laptop that I use to play Elsword on… Was buried six feet under. It no longer works…. GAH, WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? *pulls hair out* So… Until I finish begging my parents I need another one (and that I won't break it), could you please not kick me out of the guild? T-T I'm sorry for the trouble.

To thefrozencherryblossom: Yes, yes. Elsword is being an idiot. Gotta love Chung when he is your best friend. Face reality Aisha! Though she is really is in the first step… Being in denial. I don't like girls that do that too. I mean, why would you drool and cling to their arm during the whole class? PDA is gross =.= Of course I don't mind long reviews. To be honest, I adore them. It's never a waste of time to read a review, because my reviewers make my day. Replying to them is the least I can do.

To PikaChibi: Yup, that's how my plots go. Anyway, how have you been these days?


And say something in reply to a guest reviewer, yes, I did base it off of that but I changed mostly everything. I was going to disclaim it after I finished this whole story but since you have complained I shall do it now. All rights to the original story belongs to November Romeo, and I will NEVER own that beautiful piece of work. But thank you all the same for saying it.