author's note: special thanks to Delu and Alice for reviewing and everyone else who favorite and/or story alerted!
Chapter 1
"Ne ne, Riri-chan. What's wrong?" asked Yumi the next day at lunch. "You've looked troubled all morning."
"Huh? What?" Risika, Yumi, and Sayoko had put their desks together while they ate their lunch in their classroom. Risika had been staring out the window for the past thirty minutes and hadn't been paying attention to what the other two girls were saying.
Sayoko sighed. "She's probably stressing over the upcoming exam. Always number one, that's Riri-chan for you."
"Oh yeah… right," said Risika absently.
"Honestly, you study too hard, Riri. There's nothing wrong with getting second place."
"Sayoko-chan!" exclaimed Yumi.
"What?"
"Did you forget?" hissed Yumi. "Riri may be number one in our class but she's tied with Minamino-kun from class 3-C for first in our year."
"Oh yeah! I hear he's not your average nerd either. He's really smart and lots of girls have already asked him out but he's rejected every one of them. I wonder why. Do you think he already has a girlfriend?" asked Sayoko.
"No way. If that were true, the whole school would know by now. I bet he's looking for a girl that's as smart as him."
"But he's like a genius! Who could possibly compare?"
"Uh, hello? Did you forget? Riri and Minamino-kun are tied in first place. She's perfect for him!"
"Of course! You're right, Yumi. What do you say, Riri?"
Risika blinked. "Hm? What?"
"What do you think?"
"About what?"
"Asking Minamino Suichi out!" Sayoko practically shouted.
Risika cocked her head to the side. "Why would I ask him out?"
Yumi sighed, exasperated. "Weren't you listening to anything we were saying? Oh, never mind. Minamino-kun probably doesn't want a girl who doesn't pay attention to what he's saying anyways."
"Sorry you guys. I just have a lot on my mind today."
Risika got up and left the classroom. She let her feet carry her and wasn't surprised to find that they took her to the roof of the school. She leaned over the railing, watching some of the students on the grounds play basketball during their lunch break. Her thoughts quickly drifted back to the video tape.
Why now? wondered Risika. When she had finally found a comfortable home and a new life, why did her past have to come back to haunt her? The past only brought back grief and pain. Risika had spent a large part of her life shutting out her emotions and burying her past. So why did that videotape have to come and shove it all back in her face?
A cool breeze swept across the school roof and Risika sighed. The wind was comforting. Risika reached up and pulled the ribbon out of her hair, letting her long black hair fall down to her waist. Normally, she wore her hair up but she really enjoyed the feel of a cool breeze flowing through her hair. It reminded her of a time long ago – long before the pain and grief – where there was only peace, happiness, and love.
"You should wear your hair down more often. The look really suits you."
Risika jumped and turned to see Suichi leaning against the wall with a book in hand.
"How long have you been standing here, Minamino-kun?"
Suichi shrugged and tucked the small book into his pocket. "Do you come to the roof often?" he asked as he joined her at the railing.
"Only when I have stuff on my mind. The fresh air clears my head."
"I see. Like right now?"
Risika nodded. "What about you? This is the first time I've run into anyone up here. Normally, everyone either hangs out on the grounds or in their classroom."
"I was looking for a quiet place to read."
"Well, I don't want to disturb you. I'll see you later, Minamino-kun." Risika headed for the stairs.
She had just opened the door when Suichi called out, "If you need someone to talk to, I'm willing to listen, Aisu-chan. Maybe today, after school?"
Risika paused, caught off guard. She watched him carefully, trying to figure him out. Though Risika had connected Suichi to the boy who was her rival in grades, she really didn't know him. She'd only met him twice now. What was he thinking? Only an idiot would take his question the wrong way and see it as an invitation for a date, but Risika was hesitant to call him out on it.
"I'll think about it," she finally muttered before heading down the stairs.
Risika was still thinking about it when the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Tomorrow was the weekend and everyone was excited for a day with no school.
Sayoko and Yumi approached Risika as she put her books away. She could tell they wanted to hang out, but Risika really wasn't in the mood. Besides, on top of all her troubles, tonight was that time of month again…
"Hey, do you want to go watch a movie? There's this new romantic comedy that just came out," said Yumi.
"Um… I – er, I have – " Her mind raced to find a believable excuse but should couldn't come up with anything.
"You can't have work today. It's Saturday! Come on Riri-chan. Please?" begged Sayoko.
"I'd love to, Sayoko, but I, um…"
"She promised to meet me today after school," said Suichi from the doorway. He was leaning casually against the door frame with his hands in his pocket and a polite smile on his face.
Sayoko's brown eyes widen and Yumi gasped. The other girls in the room began muttering to each other, watching Suichi as he approached Risika.
"Shall we go, Aisu-chan?"
Risika wasn't sure if she should be glad to see him or not. She bit her lip but decided to follow his lead and get away from the others.
"Sure."
Whispers followed them all the way down the hall. Risika waited until they had passed the school gate before rounding on Suichi.
"Look, I don't know what you're playing at Minamino-kun, but that was totally uncalled for," she snapped.
Suichi cocked his head to one side. "What do you mean, Aisu-chan?"
"You gave everyone the wrong impression. You do realize that now everyone is going to think we're dating."
Suichi shrugged. "People tend to take things the wrong way. They prefer to believe whatever their imagination tells them rather than actual facts. Besides, your face told me you were trying to escape from those girls."
That was true but Suichi didn't have to butt in on her business.
"You know I have half a mind to slap you, Minamino Suichi." But instead Risika turned and stormed off to the bus stop. She sat down on the bench and waited impatiently for the bus to arrive.
Suichi sat down on the other side of the bench – his legs were crossed and his hands folded over his knees. He had an aura of calm around him that unnerved Risika. What was this boy playing at? If he knew who Risika really was he'd high-tail it out of here and never speak to her again. Hell, he'd probably move to the other side of the world if he ever discovered Risika's true identity.
"Do you still feel like talking?" he asked after several minutes of silence.
"No."
"Very well then. I apologize for upsetting you. Have a good weekend, Aisu-chan." He stood up.
"You too," Risika muttered as he walked behind her and disappeared around the corner.
Risika checked her watch.
Only nine hours left until midnight… And at midnight Risika suspected she was going to have to give up this new life of hers. No more attending Meioh Private Academy, no more Sayoko or Yumi, and certainly no more Minamino Suichi.
Risika sighed as the bus pulled up and she boarded. She found a seat in the back by the window and proceeded to stare out as the city slowly passed by.
Minamino Suichi was a fool. Even if talking to someone would help, Risika would have to be insane to confide in Suichi what's been bothering her all day. It wasn't something she could tell just anyone, least of all Suichi.
Risika snorted as she pictured sitting down in some local café with Suichi and sipping coffee while Risika explained to him that she was a retired assassin from Spirit World. Yeah, that would be a perfect conversation to have with a human boy that won't involve her sounding like she was stark raving mad.
Risika rolled her eyes. This was her problem and she was going to have to solve it without involving the people around. If it falls down to her moving again, then that is what she'll have to do.