Life after High School

University. The part in life where everyone looks forward to. Otani and Risa have both made it to the same university. Will their relationship survive the test of time, or will the addition of a new character cause more disruption to their already shaky relationship?

Disclaimer: Lovely Complex and all the characters inside belong to Aya Nakahara solely. I am in no way linked to the series nor the anime nor any LoveCom products. This story is not a continuation of the series, its just a fragment of my wild imagination. I do need your support though, it's my very first piece of fan fiction. Please help my contributing your reviews!!

Disclaimer 2: This, I am afraid, will be a very long story, so do bear with the slow pace of the development. I promise it will be good!!

"Otaniii!! I can't believe we are actually in Kansai University right now! Given our equally lousy grades in high school for 3 whole years, I still cannot believe we both miraculously made it through the university entrance exams!"

A hard knock on the head broke my grin.

"Who says we have equally lousy grades. Remember back in our final high school mid-year exams, I managed to beat you by 2 marks? And besides, I started preparing for the exams way earlier than you. It's obvious I would breeze through the entrance exams. Well, you got in too, somehow. There must have been a mix-up of papers or something. Well well, I sure pity the person who got your grades!"

"Yeah yeah. What's with the 2 marks anyway? That's like saying your 2mm increase in height makes you any taller, you midget!"

Of course I don't mean what I say. Although in truth, Otani really is very short, no matter which way I look at him. Especially when he is majoring in sports education. I can already imagine that scene in my head. He, only slightly taller than the elementary school students, teaching gym class to a group of young and innocent kids. He – my boyfriend of 8 months and 11 days.

My boyfriend.

Otani Atsushi.

Just that thought in my head alone could make me melt in glee. I couldn't resist laughing at that cute thought. Otani and me, together, after one whole year of chasing him. It had been a tough period, but the fruit of my hard labour is indeed the sweetest thing I've ever tasted.

Otani, having no idea of the wondrous air-castle playing out in my head, gave me another of his signature hard knocks at the back my head.

"Look, if you want to carry on fantasizing about whatever sort of silly nonsense you have in your head, you can continue to stand here in front of the entrance and do so. With your height, people may actually mistake you as a century-old totem pole. I am not going to stand here and miss the entrance ceremony because of you!"

"Let's hurry then, Atsushi-kun..." I said with my sweetest voice, at the same time fluttering my eyelids innocently.

Otani froze on the spot. "Wha what what are you doing? Are you having a seizure?" his words finally forced out, after like 5 years of stunned silence.

Seriously, there is no point in being sweet to him.

"Argh forget it. If Kanzaki-san's the one saying that, I am sure you will be falling head over heels for her all over again. An amazon can never be kawaii, I know. I should just stick to all that mad-woman screaming inside some secluded rainforest and impaling people with poisoned spears!" I signed in exasperation. It sure is tough falling in love with a shorter guy. Sometimes I wished I had fallen in love with a taller guy instead. At least people wouldn't think that I am bring my younger brother out for a trip. And the fact that Otani, being one of the most popular guys in high school, only makes things worse. Countless times have I been given the evil glare by the numerous girls in his fan club. Not to mention all the pin-pointing going on behind my back. At times I really wonder if it's worth the effort to continue with such a peculiar relationship. Reliving all those horrible past memories started to make my eyes sting, and soon enough, tears had began to form round the rims of my eyes.

Otani, somehow being able to read my mind, held my hand tightly, his warm and manly fingers intertwined with my very own. "Don't be silly, Risa. You know I'll choose the amazon over some over-cloyingly sweet girl anytime. You are interesting in your own way, Risa, and that's what draws me to you, with or without the sweetness," he said reassuringly. "Besides, I happen to like some sadism and violence in my girl."he couldn't help adding on, corking an eyebrow in the meantime.

Did I just hear him say that I am his girl?!?! OMG did he just say that? That was like the sweetest thing he has ever said to me. I am not just any random girl on the streets; I am Otani's girl! Ho ho ho, how I wish I can call Nobu-chan now and repeat whatever Otani has just said to me. My legs are getting wobbly all of a sudden, I think I am really melting away this time round.

For now, it's definitely well worth the effort.

"Uh-hum, that last sentence wasn't meant to be a compliment, you know?"

I wished I could find something now to hit his head with. His height must have been his retribution for all his meanness. In fact, he should shrink another 5 inches or so.

"Come on, if we don't hurry up now, we'll definitely miss the start of the ceremony. Didn't we work our ass off for this moment? I sure wouldn't want to miss this for anything in the world. And I want to share this special moment with you and you only, Risa Koizumi. So hurry up and get going!!" exclaimed Otani, whilst trying to pull me up the stairs leading to the varsity hall. With much effort.

And that's how it started, the first day of our long and eventful 4 years of school life in Kansai University.