So I've decided to use their first names when I address them in the prose. Starting this chapter, Dekomori will be called Sanae and Nibutani will be called Shinka. That goes the same for all other characters.

Chapter 2, guys. Enjoy if you can.

CHUUNIBYOU

Yuuta Togashi's shoulders were aching by the time the three of them arrived at Shinka's house. He had been carrying Shinka and Rikka's bags along with his own for the entire commute there.

Shinka lived a surprising distance from the school. Yuuta supposed it wasn't that surprising though. It was far enough from her old school that she could leave behind her middle school persona. She was thinking the same thing as Yuuta when she picked their school. Still, her house was more stations away than even his own.

"So, here we are," Yuuta said, laying down their bags on the kitchen table and sitting down. He then turned to Shinka, who was sitting across the table from him. "How do you feel?"

"Terrible," she said almost immediately.

"See? Aren't you glad that we came with you?"

She sighed and lowered her head onto the table. "Shut up," she muttered.

"So, what time will your parents arrive? If they'll be late then Rikka and I will stay and cook dinner for you."

"What about your sister...?"

Yuuta thought for a bit. Kuzuha can cook. And we also have leftovers in the fridge. That isn't really a problem, he concluded. "What about her? She can take care of yourself. You, on the other hand, seem a little too dazed for me to really be sure." He crossed his arms. "When will your parents be home?"

There was a pause before Shinka answered. "My mother arrives home at around 10 pm. My father works a graveyard shift and is only home during mornings and early afternoons." Her voice was uncomfortably monotone. Yuuta took it as a warning to stay away from the topic of her parents.

"Well, in that case, we'll be staying for dinner," Yuuta decided, standing up from his seat.

"You should get changed, Nibutani." He said, patting the brunette on the shoulder, before turning to Rikka. "Rikka, I trust that you will assist her on her journey to her chambers?"

"I shall, Dark Flame Master," Rikka replied with a salute. "Come, Mori Summer. Let us go."

Shinka begrudgingly got out of the seat, stealing one last look at Yuuta. "You will regret this, Yuuta Togashi. For every utterance of the name Mori Summer, another nail will be driven into your coffin."

Yuuta sighed as Shinka was lead to her room. "I still don't see how that is my fault," he muttered, putting on an apron. He then opened her refrigerator. "Now what does she have that I can cook...?"

CHUUNIBYOU

Rikka felt lost as she walked with Shinka to her room. She felt lost but not in a sense that she needed directions to get somewhere. She was more than capable of finding her own way in an ordinary residence like Shinka's. She was lost in that she was not quite sure what to do. What happened to Shinka had never happened before. Never in a thousand years did Rikka expect someone to get seriously hurt by their play fights. It was just for fun. It was never supposed to actually hurt anyone...

"You've been awfully quiet," Shinka noted as they both entered her room.

Rikka nodded. "I suppose it is a result of my power and Dekomori's colliding with yours. The resonance of dark and light energies must have affected me as it has affected you..."

There was a pause as Shinka sat on her bed and swayed for a few seconds. "Translation, please," she finally said, scowling. "What, do you feel guilty or something?"

Rikka nodded once more. "Yeah... I'm sorry..."

Shinka slowly let herself lie down on her bed. "You don't need to apologize. I know you didn't mean to do what you did. Besides, it wasn't you who hit me." She closed her eyes. "Just be a little more careful."

Rikka nodded for the third time in as many minutes. "Okay..."

Rikka watched as Shinka undid her buttons and ribbons, seeming to struggle with such a simple task. "Do you require assistance?"

"No, I can do this alright..." A few more minutes passed as Shinka continued fiddling with her cardigan. "Actually, I think I might need your help," she said, giving up. "This is surprisingly difficult..."

Rikka sat on the bed and helped Shinka take off her clothes.

"Thanks," Shinka muttered. "Everything seems so... hazy. I really feel sleepy, too... It's hard to do stuff for some reason."

"It must be due to the damage you've sustained. Food and rest is required for your healing," Rikka said. "Please raise your arms."

Shinka raised her arms and Rikka pulled both her cardigan and her undershirt off. The same procedure followed with Shinka's skirt. Rikka blushed upon seeing Shinka half naked. She has a nice figure. I'm kinda jealous. Then a thought occurred to her. What would Yuuta do if he was here instead of me? She quickly swatted away the thought like she would a fly.

Shinka noticed Rikka's pause. "What's wrong?"

"N-nothing," she said quickly. "Where do I put these?"

"Across the hall, in the bathroom," Shinka answered tiredly. "There are baskets next to the washing machine. Put the cardigan and skirt in the blue basket. Put the shirt in the green one."

Rikka nodded. "I shall return." Right as she opened the door, she turned back. "Um... Do not move," she ordered awkwardly.

"Noted," Shinka muttered, settling under her blanket. "I didn't plan to..."

Rikka nodded again and left the room.

CHUUNIBYOU

Yuuta was at the stove, letting the eggs sizzle in the pan. He wasn't sure what Shinka's tastes were so he was preparing a simple meat and vegetable omelet. It was actually the second one he had made. The first one was for Nibutani. The one he was currently making was for Rikka. It didn't have any tomatoes.

He heard someone walk into the kitchen. "Rikka, is that you?" He heard a sound in affirmation from the purple haired girl. "Ah, how's Nibutani?"

"No change... er, well she's changed, but her state has not... changed... Um..."

Yuuta chuckled. "I get it, Rikka. She's out of her school clothes but she still feels dizzy, right?" Rikka confirmed what he said. "Okay then. Take that plate to her room and make sure she eats it. I can tell she's really sleepy but she needs some food before she goes to bed."

"Understood, Yuuta. May this meal bring her enough nutrition to sufficiently heal herself."

"Here's hoping," Yuuta said in agreement. "Wait for me there. I won't be long. I just need to finish cooking this."

A few minutes after Rikka brought away the food, Yuuta finished cooking his and Rikka's meal. He put the dishes on a tray and made his way to Shinka's room.

He knocked on the door. "Hey, it's me."

"The Dark Flame Master wishes to gain entrance," Rikka said from inside.

"Don't start that again, Takanashi. Please," Shinka pleaded. "You can come in, Togashi."

Yuuta turned the door knob and entered her room, noting how surprisingly organized it was. Large book shelves covered most of the orange walls. Red curtains were drawn, obscuring the view through the window. Shinka and Rikka sat on the floor, next to a small coffee table.

"How's the omelet?" Yuuta asked, setting down the tray so that he and Rikka could eat.

"It's okay," Shinka said. "Nothing spectacular but it tastes nice." A small smile found its way on her face as she chewed. "If there's one good thing about it, it's that it tastes like home."

Yuuta smiled as well. "That was the plan. It's the same kind of thing I cook for Rikka." He turned to said girl. "Speaking of which, how do you like yours?"

"It's great, Yuuta," Rikka answered happily.

"You're only saying that because it doesn't have tomatoes," Yuuta said teasingly. Rikka stiffened for a few seconds before saying yes. "Don't expect me to indulge you everyday. Tomatoes have a lot of nutrients. You'll need them if you ever want to get taller."

Rikka continued eating glumly. "Yes, Yuuta..."

"You know, Togashi, I need to say this again: You and Rikka don't act like a couple at all," Shinka said a hint of frustration in her voice. "You're more like a father and daughter than anything else."

Yuuta frowned, glancing at Rikka. Am I really? I'm only doing what I think is right for her. It's not like its a bad thing, right? He shook his head. Whatever. Now's not the time to think of that...

And so, their meal resumed in silence.

CHUUNIBYOU

"So, we'll be going now, Nibutani. Get some rest, okay?"

Shinka watched drowsily as Yuuta and Rikka exited her room. She listened closely and she heard the faint closing of her front door soon after. Hopefully they locked it when they left, she thought. I trust Togashi would remember that.

She then rolled over and yawned into her pillow. I suppose it's time to sleep now. I have a big day tomorrow. I'll probably need to go see a doctor with father...

CHUUNIBYOU

"Ah, Hero and the Eye of the Wicked Lord. I've been wondering when you'd return from your journey."

Yuuta and Rikka arrived home and were surprised to find Satone Shichimiya sitting at their dinner table. Satone grinned at them in greeting.

"Evening, Shichimiya," Yuuta greeted, removing his cardigan and draping it over a seat. "What brings you here?"

Satone laughed. "My reasons defy all logic and reason!"

"Bored, I see." Yuuta turned to Rikka. "I'm not in the mood for this. If you wanna talk to her, go ahead. I'll be in my room for a bit."

"Understood, Yuuta."

With that, Yuuta left the two alone.

The was a short awkward silence. "So," Satone said. "What happened today? You both seem really tired."

Rikka took a seat and sighed. "My servant, Dekomori, and I were sparring." She looked down. "There was collateral damage..."

Satone leaned forward. "Was it Hero?"

"No. It was Nibutani."

Satone nodded solemnly. "Hmm. If that's the case, I'd think you would seem less sad. If I remember correctly, Mori Summer engages the Mjolnir Hammer on a day to day basis. I take it the damage was more severe than usual?"

"We hit her on the head and knocked her out."

The was a pause. "Well," Satone muttered. "That's a bit better than what I was expecting but..."

Rikka shook her head. "I don't know what to do. I feel really guilty but when I try to say sorry, she says not to apologize."

Satone giggled. "Rikka, you don't need to feel guilty. Remember this is Mori Summer we're talking about here. If she anything like the Mori Summer I remember, she's already forgiven you. If she hasn't yet, then she'd be casting curses on you like there's no tomorrow."

Rikka smiled sadly. "I guess you're right..."

Satone grinned. "I know I'm right."

CHUUNIBYOU

Yuuta changed into more casual clothes and lied down on his bed. It had been a long day, with the longest part being that final stretch. Shinka getting knocked out was perhaps one of the most stressful experiences he had ever experienced. Trying to deal with Rikka's grief about her father was, without doubt, the most stressful, but what happened today was certainly up there.

Ah, I hope Dekomori's okay, Yuuta thought. She was the one who hurt Nibutani so I can only imagine how guilty she feels. I guess we'll just see tomorrow at school.

He closed his eyes and attempted to get to sleep.

CHUUNIBYOU

So, how was the second chapter? Just a little bit shorter than the first chapter. It's also significantly more depressing. Jeez, what have I done? Don't worry, it won't always be like this. It'll get better eventually.