Mr Destiny Islands

Author's Note: I apologise if the characters are a little too happy in this story.

Disclaimer: None (and I mean it) of the characters that appear in this fic belongs to me. They belong to those who created them.

Sora clutched a crumpled letter within his right hand as he ran along the sun-baked shores of the island. He promptly missed a step and fell face first into the pearly white sand. When he looked up, sputtering out a mouthful of the dry and tasteless grains, he saw a familiar pair of oversized shoes.

Riku offered his left hand to Sora, who was looking adorably untidy and had the funniest sand beard rimming his pink lips. Sora released a sheepish grin and reached out to take advantage of the support Riku was offering. As the brown-hair teen brushed sand off his 'crowning glory', he started to talk at rapid pace.

"Riku! Guess what I received! I got nominated as one of the nominees for the Mr Destiny Islands, teen category award!!! Isn't that cool? They are giving away free food vouchers from that famous seaside shack restaurant!" Sora rattled on as he waved the crushed letter in front of Riku's nonchalant face.

"I finally qualify for this year's competition! I wonder who nominated me. I hope I win then I can take all of us to the restaurant and we can eat to our hearts content." Sora continued chatting despite Riku's lack of participation in the supposed conversation.

"Let's go tell Kairi! I think she is over by Selphie's place. I wonder how the winner is chosen. I can't remember how the judging was done last year." The perky teen dusted his two hands after passing the mutilated letter to his friend, and grabbed his pal's hand with his own cleaned ones, dragging him towards Selphie's cave.

The two boys totally disregarded the "Girls Only" sign, hanging precarious by a nail driven weakly into the hard rock above the entrance to Selphie's cave, as they entered the brightly lit grotto. Perched on a cushioned floor were two female figures. Selphie was gossiping animatedly while Kairi was listening with great concentration. Sora bounced onto a crate beside Selphie and Riku stood leaning against the cool rock wall behind Sora. Selphie did not notice the new presence beside her but Kairi lifted her gaze to see Sora beaming at her and smiled in return. Only then did Selphie jump and turn to see her spiky haired friend grinning from ear to ear.

"Sora! When did you arrive? Gosh, you nearly scared me out of these jumpers." Exclaimed Selphie.

Kairi put a slender hand upon Selphie's shoulder to calm the bubbly girl down, and turned to question the new comers, "So why are you two here? Sora, you look really happy. What good thing happened?"

"Kairi! I just received a letter saying that I have been nominated for the Mr Destiny Islands, teen category award! Is that cool or what?"

"Ooo… You got in? I know sending in so many entries would get our Sora in! I even made Leon send in some on my behalf!" shouted Selphie as she started to bounce in tempo with Sora.

Kairi's brows furrowed, "If Sora got in, wouldn't Riku get in too? I mean, Selphie send in almost as many entries for Riku as for Sora. And she even got Wakka to send some for her."

Sora and Selphie stopped bouncing as they both turned their attention towards the blasé boy leaning in the shadows.

"Riku? Did you get in too?"

Riku looked at Sora and blinked.

"You did get in! Oh wow! Now both of us are in! Isn't that cool or what? Great, now there is a bigger chance of us getting that fabulous prize!"   

Kairi sat silent upon a heap of cushions, thinking. She reached out to pull a magazine from under a bright pink heart shaped cushion.

"Uh… I think I found the rules and judging criteria. It says here in Destiny's teen that there will be three segments that the nominees will be judged upon. Firstly, there will be the general poll, where the inhabitants of Destiny Islands will vote for their favourite teenage hunk. Secondly, there is a fashion parade for the guys to show their stuff. Lastly, a panel of judges will assess each nominee to see which guy fits the 'look' that is favoured this year, according to professional standards."

Both Sora and Selphie looked clueless at each other.

Kairi sighed as she explained, "That means that our dear Sora and Riku here might not stand a chance against the other nominees. Why? Because they have no sense of fashion and I think they cannot pass the third round too as they lack or have too much of the personality found in professional models and stuff. Look guys, not that I don't have any confidence in you, but I think it will be a tough match."

Sora visibly wilted in front of everyone. Riku just stood coolly, seemingly unaffected by the news, but Kairi noticed a visible sense of relief from him. 

"But I want to win so we all can go have a meal at that expensive restaurant! I know Kairi and Selphie have been dreaming of dressing up to go to such a posh place. Looks like that dream will remain a dream."

Kairi could not help but feel her heart soften at the dejected picture Sora made. Selphie also looked like she was on the verge of tears, which made Kairi feel even guiltier for dashing their hopes.

"Okay, I have an idea. Sora winning is almost out of the question. Even though he is popular enough, and we could help him in the fashion department, he would probably not pass the third round, as he is too chirpy. No Sora, being happy is not a bad thing, it's just not the look of the season.

As I was saying, I would rather place my bets on Riku." Kairi nodded towards the silver haired shadow-loving Riku, "He is almost as popular as Sora and he just need some fashion advice. Most importantly, he has the icy-look that is popular this season! All he needs to work on is looking more alive and dump that dour expression. With all our help, I don't see why Riku won't win the competition!"

Just as Riku inched towards the exit, Sora and Selphie latched themselves each onto one of his well-toned arms. Riku cast a glacial stare at Kairi who returned with an apologetic grin, as he tried to pry Selphie's arms, which have progressed to his waist, off.

Sora released his grip and stood in front of Riku, who was wearing a frown of distress, blocking his exit.

"Riku, please? Win the competition for us?" Sora implored with his innocent blue gaze.

The silver haired boy found it impossible to deny anything from the formidably lovable creature that stood in his way.

Riku sighed as he dropped his head in defeat. 

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