AN: Hey everyone! Thanks for clicking on this story, and thank you for (even potentially) reading! I have some notes to go over, but I promise the story will start soon.

1. This story is a little different from what I usually write. It bounces between Nagihiko's and Rima's perspectives, and the chapters are shorter.

2. If this is tagged as incomplete, be sure to look for two-chapter updates. If Nagihiko gets an update, Rima will too. It's not like the chapters are that long. (Again! Looking in the traffic, more views are going to Rima's chapters. If you read a Rima chapter, there is a Nagi chapter right before it that is part of the same time!)

And 3. This takes place after the events of Shugo Chara Encore, and then over the span of several years. I hope you enjoy!

"It's not tears that suit you," I say gently, stroking her cheek. She's blushing lightly, and despite saying that she wouldn't cry, her eyes are watering. I can tell that she wishes her parents would stop fighting.

Kusukusu interrupts, "It's a smile!" Rima cracks a smile and chuckles quietly. I join in with her, just happy that she's not crying. She's the flower blossom in my life, just beginning to bloom.

I've known for a while – since before the final battle with Easter – that I've had some special feeling for Rima. She's the first person besides Tsukasa, Tadase, and Kukai that I've revealed my secret to. On top of that, she's the only one with which I've transformed with both Rhythm and Temari, and the only one I have a "combo move" with.

Yet, she doesn't like me as much as she likes Nadeshiko. Rima would rather do anything with "her" than with "me," even if it's just walking through a park or when she's visiting my house.

Rima believes I'm just a liar, but no matter how much that hurts, I just want to make her happy, even if that means that I just have to pose as Nadeshiko for her.

But no matter how much I want to make her happy, she still believes that I'm a liar, and she's only been getting more and more upset over her parents.

I don't think I'd call it love, at least not yet, but I'd definitely say that she is my closest friend, my dearest ally.

"So, when are you going to tell Amu about this?" Rima is standing in front of me while I sit on the park bench.

I meet her golden eyes and smile, trying to hide the sadness. "I tried to, but I just couldn't do it yet. I'll do it when the time is right."

"So you plan to pose as Nadeshiko's 'twin' until 'the time is right?' Or is 'Nadeshiko' going on another trip?"

I avert my eyes, breaking eye contact. "I really don't know. I'll just do what I need to do."

"Can you still be Nadeshiko for me?" I glance up at Rima again. She's blushing again, and adds, "I mean, I just get along better with Nadeshiko."

Lowering my head, I whisper, "Why don't you accept me? I'm the same person, Nadeshiko or not."

She doesn't hear me.

"Rima-chan," I say, looking up and meeting her eyes again. I reach for her hand and hold onto it gently, "why do you like Nadeshiko more than you like me?"

"I already said it. I get along with Nadeshiko better. I don't like liars."

I tighten my hold on Rima's hand. "Why don't you accept me? You know just about everything about me. I never lied to you when you asked about me. I never hid it from you, just from Amu."

Rima pulls her hand away from me and stares at the ground. "You're still my friend, but so is Nadeshiko. You're both liars, but Nadeshiko is more honest."

Liar. Liar. Liar.

It still hurts, but I can't do anything to change her mind.

I pull my hair into a ponytail and take off my coat. Clearing my throat, I raise the pitch of my voice and say, "That's fine, Rima-chan." My chest hurts, and my throat is strained. It's getting harder to do this voice, but it's all to make Rima happy.

Rima falls against my chest and hugs me tightly. The pain in my chest grows, but I smile sweetly for her.

I wonder, though, how long I can continue with the Nadeshiko persona.

What will happen when I can't anymore?