Chapter 2

Thanks for all the reviews! They motivated me! I'm starting to get the plot of this story now too.

On with the syory

A striking blonde with lilac, cold eyes walked through a crowd of people. Her long, twin-tails bounced with every hard step she took. People would stop and glance at the passing girl in a black, lacy Lolita.

She clenched her fists until they were white. She hated this. She hated the way life made a sudden turn, and now, her brother was kept prisoner to this crazy company whose goal was totally unknown to her.

"In this country, we know of seven children- studying in the same school-all of them with guardian characters…"

The blonde twin-tailed recalled what the director had said.

"Utau, my job for you is quite simple. You must NEVER let those children meet"

She frowned. She hated being ordered around like this, but for the life of her brother, how can she decline?

~~~~~~~~Rima's POV~~~~~~~~

I made my way through this thick crowd in the cafeteria. Being someone as small as I was, you have NO idea how difficult it was for me. High-school students these days were so tall! Being in the middle of the cafeteria with absolutely no idea where I am going, I couldn't tell the difference between this place and a maze (Well, a maze doesn't have people squishing you …)

I tried to reach for the nearest food stall. I didn't care what they sold there; all I wanted right now was to get some decent lunch. It would've been easier if I hadn't lost Amu in this stupid place.

After a few attempts of trying to reach the stall, I finally managed to cling onto the railings, looked at the menu, then groaned.

Of all food stalls, why'd I have to pick the one with raw (and still bloody) octopus?

"Is this even legal?" I muttered under my breath.

"Rima!"

My head perked up when I heard my voice being called by the familiar voice. I turned and saw Amu with four charas by her side (Kusukusu, Ran, Miki and Su). I instinctively waved my arms and tried to make the biggest movements my body can possibly do. "Amu, over here!" I cried. She noticed me then her face immediately lit up. At least she was tall enough to see where she was going, because I saw a wave of her bright pink hair shoving its way towards me.

It must've been easy for her.

The 'Cool n' Spicy' Hinamori Amu always gets her way.

With a huge grin plastered on my face, I lined up in the katsudon stall while clinging onto Amu's arm.

After we bought the meal, Amu and I headed towards the tables.

Before we could sit anywhere, she stopped, winked at me then said, "I have someone I want to introduce to you!" She smiled. I simply nodded. Knowing Amu, it must be her boyfriend she wants to introduce to me. I willingly followed her, at the same time thinking what this person may seem like.

I saw the bunch of cafeteria tables then frowned. There wasn't any seat for us. I tugged on Amu's blazer then said, "Can we eat somewhere outside instead of this crowded place"

Amu shook her head sideways. "No! Wait 'till I introduce this person to y- Ah! There she is! Nadeshiko!" Amu frantically waved her arms at a girl with long, flowing, and violet hair-sitting alone in one of the tables. The girl looked then smiled…at Amu…

I my eyes narrow, making the girl stop, wondering what she had done wrong.

Amu slid in the chair with this so called 'Nadeshiko' then started hugging her, making my stomach churn a few times because of this indescribable level of jealousy. I glared harder at the girl, making her sweat-drop. Amu didn't seem to notice, though.

"Nadeshiko, this is Rima Mashiro. She's the girl I've been telling you about! She finally moved here and I bet that we could make a great trio!" Oh, Amu…it would be so fun to have this thing hanging around with us for an entire year…

I glared, but when Amu turned to me, I abruptly put on a fake smile then said in the most angelic voice I could utter, "Well, hello there, Nade-chan! You know…" I felt my voice drop into a monotone before I continued, "…I never knew Amu had a best-friend other than me!" I made sure to emphasize the word me.

I could've sworn that I saw this girl shiver for a moment.

The girl hesitantly put her hand out for me to shake then said in a melodious voice, "My name is Nadeshiko Fujisaki. Amu-chan's been telling me all sorts of great things about you, and I'm glad I can finally see you in person!"

She said all that a little too happily, considering the fact that I've been shooting daggers at her the entire time. I still tried to keep my smile in place. "Well, Amu hardly mentioned you; and of course she would tell you great things about me! I'm her best friend!" I let out a giggle.

The girl was still smiling yet her eyes didn't match. They were competitive and hard.

People near us moved away because blue lightning was cackling between me and Nadeshiko.

I am what you could call passive, and someone who hardly competes, but winning Amu's undivided attention was a competition I've just got to join and win…

Once again, Nikaidou-sensei tripped over nothing then fell forward, making the pile of papers and books fly in different directions. We all stifled laughter. "What a baka, baka sensei…" I chuckled.

"Well, maybe he's not as stupid, considering he passed as a teacher. Maybe you should rethink that because, from the huge F that's in the paper popping out of your bag, maybe you're the stupid one, Rima-chan!"

I felt my pulse quicken with anger as I abruptly turned to who had said that. Of course, it was no other than Nadeshiko, most beloved girl in school. "Are you calling me stupid…?" I threatened. She shrugged then looked at her trimmed nails with mild interest.

"You could say that" That stuck-up woman said it quite clearly.

For once, I was pretty glad Amu wasn't in my class right now, because I didn't want her to see me in my murderous state. "You're a fake…" I said coldly. Nadeshiko froze then stiffly turned to me. "No…" She chuckled. "…you're the fake…"

I felt a little pang in my heart as I forced tears to roll down my cheeks. "H-how can you say all that, Nade-chi? I thought we were friends?" I sobbed. The whole class abruptly fell silent as they looked at me with shocked expressions. This is turning out pretty well. All I had to do was cry, look cute and blame it all on the purple-head. That would make her reputation go low. I silently smirked to myself then continued on my little act. Everyone, including the teacher, watched in interest.

"Nade!" I faked a sob. "I came all the way from Sakura High, just to be with you, and this is how you repay me? Nade…how could you…" I softly said. My classmate's faces softened. I looked up at her with quivering eyes, just to see how she would react.

Her reaction: NOTHING!

She kept a straight face as she looked at me. This was so strange! She let out a gruff cough then started with a smirk, "You're not really crying."

My blood ran cold; everyone's softened faces turned into confusion.

My tears immediately stopped rolling then I said with a crackled voice, "How can you tell…"

She smirked then rested her chin in her palm. "Acting is my forte"

"U-um...Can we please go on with our announcements, please?" The teacher cut in. Nadeshiko gave him a teacher's pet smile. "Of course! Sorry sensei, but my friend still hasn't taken her pills!" She giggled, earning heart eyes from her fan-boys.

You know what, I just came to a conclusion. I loathe Nadeshiko Fujisaki, and I promise you…I would never even get to the point of liking her…

Me: Oh really...

Rima: Yes! I hate her!

Nadeshiko: Love 'ya too, Rima-chan!

Rima: GAH!