Author's Note: Well, the response was a little less entusiastic then I expected... V.V;

I realize that this a fairly small fandom, but I'm honestly suprised by the lack of response the first chapter received. I intend to continue the story for now, but please, please... if you have any praise or criticism at all, please take the time to write a few words. The only review I received for the first chapter didn't really give me anything either way, so I don't know where I stand. Is it good? Is it bad? Should I go pavement diving? Don't take it for granted that I'll continue writing if nobody is reading- after all, what would be the point in that?

And before you ask, yes I am trying to guilt you into reviewing. Deal with it. : )

"Speech!"

'thought!'

Anyway- I was planning on giving it a few days to get a little feedback, but I'm just gonna go ahead and launch into the next chapter. Enjoy!

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"So, Rika-chan. Are you going to stop?"

After getting home, Rika and Hanyu found themselves chatting idley in the living room as Satoko cheerily went about the business of making dinner in the kitchen.

"Yes. I don't have any sort of addiction- and even if I did, it isn't worth hurting Satoko."

Hanyu nodded emphatically, "I'm glad. I never did like it when you drink."

"That's because you always felt the effects as well..."

"Yeah... but I really was worried for you."

"Hmmm..."

They lapsed into silence, the only sound being that of Satoko's humming, and the sizzling of the pan on the stove. After a few minutes, Satoko called from the kitchen.

"Rika-chan, Hanyu-chan, dinner is ready!"

Rika put on her childish facade and responded in her typical manner; "Great! Thank you, Satoko-chan! Nipa!"

Satoko brought over the plates and sat them in front her friends on the table.

"Hey, Rika. What do you want to do tomorrow? It is the weekend, afterall."

"I don't know... Maybe we should just see what Mii-chan wants to do. She'll definitely have an idea!"

Hanyu interjected; "Well... I thought I heard Rena-chan say something about a picnic tomorrow..."

"A picnic? That sounds nice!"

Satoko nodded vigorously, clearly excited about the idea.

"Yeah! I'll make something good!"

"I'm sure it will be... Your cooking is great, Satoko-chan!

"T-thanks! I do my best!"

They settled down to eat, content to dine in each other's company. After a few seconds, Satoko broke the silence.

"So... Rika-chan... are you going to-"

"No."

"A-Ah... That's good."

Rika said nothing in response.

Again, they lapsed into silence- this one considerably more awkward then the previous. Hanyu broke the tension, in an effort to restore the friendly atmosphere.

"So! Rika, Satoko, how are your grades doing? I haven't been going to school long enough to really get any feedback... but I think I'm doing pretty well!"

Satoko responded first: "Well, I've been doing alright... Not bad, but not great either. What about you, Rika?"

"Ah... well...", Rika stammered, "I... kind of have a 100... in all my subjects."

"What! Wow Rika, when did you get so smart?"

Rika got a far away expression on her face, her lips turned up slightly in what was almost a smile; "When indeed..."

"What do you mean by that, Rika-chan?"

Rika resumed her 'normal' disposition; "Nothing! I guess I've just been listening well. Nipa!"

Satoko giggled, uplifted by her friend's attitude.

The rest of their dinner went well, the topic of conversation shifting toward picnic plans for the next day.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

That night, after Satoko was asleep, Rika and Hanyu found themselves, once again staying up, chatting about whatever comes to mind.

Once again, Rika was sitting on the window, Hanyu sitting nearby- close enough that they could speak without Satoko hearing. Hanyu sighed contentedly, enjoying the chance to relax.

"This is great, Rika... I can't believe that it took me so long to decide to show myself..."

"Yes, it is nice..."

"Say... Rika..."

"Yes?"

"You're really good at altering your personality at will... it's almost as if there are two Furude Rika's!"

Rika rested her head on her hand, mulling over her friend's statement.

"...What makes you say that, Hanyu?"

"I don't know... it just kind of hit me earlier at dinner. It's kind of weird. I didn't think anything of it while we were... you know... traveling... because I'd seen it so often..."

Rika maintained her silence, allowing her friend to continue.

"...but now, It makes me wonder... isn't it hard?"

Rika sat for a few moments not saying anything, completely void of all expression.

"...I haven't really thought about it."

"..."

"I..."

"Rika-chan, are you ok?"

"..."

"Rika-"

"I'm going to bed..."

"But-"

"Thank you, Hanyu..."

"I...okay. I hope I didn't upset you too much."

"It isn't your fault. Goodnight, Hanyu."

"G-goodnight."

And with that, the day ended fore Rika and Hanyu.

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As Hanyu had said the night before, plans were made to go on a picnic in a nearby park. By noon, everyone had assembled, prepared for a nice afternoon in the company of good friends. After having laid out the blanket and arraying the food on it in a haphazard way, everyone sat around in a circle, chatting amiably about everything and nothing. Eventually, the events from a few days prior was brought up.

In a rare showing of kindness, Mion praised her twin sister; "Haha, I can't believe you did that Shion... that was dangerous!"

Shion blushed brightly, trying to wave off her heroism as nothing important.

"A-ah, well..."

"Yeah, Shion... and where did you learn to use an AK-47, anyway?"

"Haha... well... it was no big deal. After all, I didn't really do anything. Rika-chan though..."

Rika suddenly turned her attention to Shion, alerted by the sound of her name.

"I...didn't do anything important. I just asked for help. Nipa!"

"No," Rena spoke this time, in a serious tone, "You didn't just ask for help Rika-chan- you knew everything that was going to happen."

Keichi nodded in agreement; "Yeah. How did you know all that stuff anyway?"

Everyone focused on her, awaiting her response.

Pursing her lips slightly, Rika quickly tried to think of an answer.

"...I don't know."

Hanyu stepped in to her defense; "Ummm... I don't think that really matters now, does it?"

Mion nodded in acceptance.

"Don't want to talk about it?"

"No."

"...Alright. Are you okay, Rika?"

"Yes... I'm fine."

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After dinner, Rika stood up slowly and made for the front door, instead of the stairs.

Satoko called over to her from across the room; "Hey! Where are you going, Rika?"

"I'm just gonna go for a walk. Don't worry, I'll be back later. Nipa!"

"Okay. Would you like some company?"

Rika shook her head.

"No, I'd just like to go think."

"Okay... bye, Rika..."

"Bye!"

As soon as she stepped through the door and out into the cold, night air, Rika's cheery, carefree smile disapeared, and was replaced by a small, troubled, frown.

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What's wrong with me...?

Walking through the woods at a relaxed gait, Rika got down to some serious thought, trying to unravel whatever was ailing her.

I would think... that since I...everyone...thwarted Takano's plan... that everything would be happy... That everything would be okay...

Why then... am I not happy?

Everybody learned how to defeat their own demons... there won't be anymore tradgedy to befall me and my friends... We should be living each day happily... not worrying about anything. But instead... everyone is worrying about me...

Rika stopped, looking up at the sky, a thought suddenly coming to the forefront of her mind.

...Am I the problem then? Everybody is worried about me... but I'm fine...

Are you?

Wha-

Are you really fine?

...Yes, I am. Who are you?

You know who I am.

...Me.

Yes.

...I see. Do you know what's wrong with me then?

Yes.

...Then tell me.

You already know.

...Ugh...I'm talking to myself...I must be going crazy...

Dichotomy.

...Dichotomy? Division into two parts...

...

Ah... I see...

Are you really fine?

...I am...

Are you really fine?

...I...

Are you really fine?

No... I'm not fine. I'm not fine...

"...I'm not fine."

Her words, whispered in the dark, seemed deafening to Rika's ears. Upon their utterence, Rika felt a weight that had been hanging over her for days... and perhaps even longer then that... come falling down... crushing her under it's weight. Tears issued forth from her eyes, coming slowly as she tried to hold them back.

"I'm not fine... I'm not fine...I'm not okay..."

After getting herself under control, she stood in the moonlight, gathering her resolve.

"...But as far as everyone knows...I'm happy...I'm the cute little girl, Furude Rika...and I... everything is fine..."

After standing in place for a few more minutes, Rika turned back around toward her home... and saw the front door close.

"..."

She made her way back, resolved to hide her pain.

"...more then anything else, I want to protect my friends..."

"...even if that means suffering in silence..."

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Author: Well... I think I said most of what I wanted to say at the beginning of the chapter, but I'll say it again anyway. Please, please review.

Kyon: You should have seen him when he got back from work after posting the first chapter...

Author: Shut up, or I'm going to extend your sentence.

Kyon: Why should I care?

Author: Good point. But I could move you over to death row...

Kyon: I think your fans over in the Haruhi section would be kind of upset with you doing that...

Author: Yeah. They would. Nevermind then... Oh... one more thing. About the AK-47 thing. In the anime, Shion calls it a Kalashnikov. They're synonymous, I believe...

Yuki: Yes.

Kyon: Yuki! Oh my god... how are you...

Author: It's because of the space we're in right now. Anything can happen.

Yuki: Literary Purgatory.

Author: Exactly. Anyway- I look forward to your input! I better get some reviews, or I'm going to start killing hostages!

Kyon: WHAT? WHEN DID YOU GET HOSTAGES?

Author: Who knows? What I do know is this: If I don't get any reviews, I'm painting the walls with Miyuki Takara's blood! (cocks 12 gauge)

Miyuki (through a gag): mmmmMMMMM! mmmmmMM!!

Kyon: What the fuck!

Author: What a fowl mouth Kyon... Do you need to wash your mouth out with buckshot?

Kyon: Oh my god... HELP! HELP!