Prelude
It had been two years since the incident of the Black Wings. Two years since Dark and Krad had both been sealed away. Two years since the earthquake and the subsequent rebuilding of the waterfront. Two years, and yet it seemed – to Daisuke anyway – that not a lot had happened. He was now in high school and still with Riku Harada, the young girl who became his own Sacred Maiden. He was still friends with Risa Harada (Riku's twin sister), best friends with Takeshi Saehara, and becoming better friends with Satoshi Hiwatari with each passing day. Life, all around, was normal for Daisuke Niwa. And yet –
"Niwa!" The voice of Riku rang out like a bell as the red-haired boy entered the classroom, making it just in time before the start of class.
"Miss Riku!" There was happiness in Daisuke's voice as Riku sprang forward to hug him tightly. His arms wrapped around her body tightly, face buried in her neck as he breathed in her scent.
"Niwa, I'm so glad you're finally here," she said as she pulled back, a broad smile painting her face. "I can't believe the school let you miss a whole week of class."
"That's because Daisuke's always been teacher's pet," said Saehara as he pulled Daisuke into a neck lock and messed his hair.
"Saehara," Daisuke whined as he pulled away, trying to fix his hair to no avail. "Hey, I brought you back some souvenirs from our trip."
Takeshi's eyes widened. "Yeah! What did you get me!" He grabbed Daisuke's bag and began to loot it. Daisuke rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed, and looked to Riku. "They're at home," he said finally. "I barely had time to unpack before I passed out last night." Riku smiled lovingly at him and stood on her tiptoes to kiss Daisuke on the cheek before she moved to sit in her seat.
"Look! Niwa's back!" Exclaimed Risa as she skipped into the classroom. Satoshi wasn't far behind her. "Niwa! How was your vacation?" Her voice was lilting and happy and her brown hair was tied back halfway in a bow.
"Oh, it was good. I have a lot of pictures and souvenirs for everyone."
"I've always wanted to go to Greece. I think it's so romantic." Risa continued with stars in her eyes as she clasped her hands in front of her heart. "Don't you think so, Hiwatari?"
She looked over her shoulder at the blue-haired boy who strolled casually to his seat. His hands were lying in his pockets lazily but there was a smile upon his face, a smile that would have been extinct two years ago.
"Good to see you, Niwa," he said as he sat down in the seat in front of Daisuke's desk. "You've missed a lot in a week." He pulled out his notebook and began to doodle in the corner.
"Satoshi, you didn't answer my question," Risa said with a pout.
"Yes, it's romantic. I'll take you one day." He answered with a sly grin. He and Risa had been dating for almost a year now. Risa smiled brightly and sat in her seat that was next to Satoshi.
"Niwa, we have a new student," Riku said in a whisper as she leaned over toward Daisuke. Her finger pointed toward a dark-haired girl that was in a seat a few rows away. "Her name's Maya Hattori and that's all we know about her. She's real quiet – keeps to herself most of the time."
Daisuke's brown eyes glanced over toward the girl with shoulder-length hair. She seemed normal enough even if a bit intent on the school day. She sat in her desk very upright with her eyes glancing forward at the teacher that now stood at the front of the classroom. The teacher called the class to attention and Riku leaned back to her desk leaving Daisuke alone once more. For some reason he couldn't take his eyes off the new girl who carried a mysterious aura. He blinked his eyes a few times, the words that the teacher was speaking seemed nothing more than background noise to the draw the girl held.
And then she turned around, green eyes standing out brightly amidst the dark locks that framed her face. Her skin was that of strawberries and cream and her lips were the color of a soft, pink rosebud. She kept her gaze upon Daisuke for what seemed forever and then –
And then she smiled.