A/N: So, the whole plot thing of this story is that Risa and Satoshi are going to have to live together for a month and act like a married couple. Over the course of 31 days or so, they'll attend meetings and parties and go out in public holding hands and what-not. I'm trying to do something a little different by making them good friends already, and I like it that way. More stuff will be revealed later on. Sorry this chapter is so short. :-(
Risa and Satoshi
"Satoshi-kun? Is that really you?" I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, my God, it is! It is you!" I laughed again. "Oh, man. I haven't heard from you in months! What happened? How have you been?"
"I've... been well." His voice was still as emotionless as ever.
I straightened, though, his manner feeling off to me. Despite the fact that he hadn't contacted me in quite some time, I could still tell when something was wrong. It was a special talent I had when it came to Satoshi Hikari. "What's wrong? Why did you call? Did something happen? Are you alright?"
"What? No..." He paused for a moment, which was unlike him. I was about to ask again, incredulous to his claims, but he inhaled and said, "I'm fine, Harada-san. Thank you."
I relaxed a bit, but was unable to think of anything to say. "Well, then... um... hi."
He let out a breath. "... Hi."
It was good to hear from him. It really was. We didn't talk very much as we graduated Middle School and headed into High School. Every now and then we'd say hello to each other in the halls, but that was all. It wasn't until I started taking art classes for electives did I finally see him, halfway through freshman year. He seemed just as distant and cold as ever, but still even more so because of the fact that he was the most talented artist anyone had ever seen. Everyone would make a big fuss about his work, and he'd get really embarrassed. It was almost endearing.
I began to stay after school for more time in the studio because I had ended up really liking the class, and I tended to get really involved in my projects. My first time staying after, I ran into him. It was sufficiently awkward for the both of us, but as we were putting our supplies away a few hours later, he must have caught a glimpse of my work.
"Your graffiti project is coming along nicely," he commented as I was attempting to reach the top shelf in order to put away some acrylic paint.
I was startled, so I had stumbled, nearly dropping the plastic jars in my hands. Truthfully, I only managed to catch them as they bounced off of my boobs. He stared at me, amused. I ignored his stare, shyly thanking him, but insisting that he was infinitely better than I was, or something like that. I remember Satoshi put his hands in his pockets and looked out the window.
"I come here everyday just so people won't tell me that," he told me. I was silent because I didn't know what to say. He just shrugged and said, "I simply feel as though I do not deserve all the attention I am getting."
I still had no idea what to do. The following day I had gone home, too afraid to stay after again. Of course then I felt bad for Satoshi and pitiful for my own ridiculous actions. The day after that, I entered the art room at the beginning of the period, walked right up to Satoshi, looked him right in the eye-
... and did nothing.
He glanced at me from the corner of his eye as he set up a new piece of paper on an easel, and some new paint in a tray. I was blushing like a fool, cursing myself for not thinking of a formal apology or anything.
"... Can I assist you with anything, Harada-san?" he asked, stopping his movement and watching me. With an frantic, last-minute idea, I nodded my head feverishly. He looked surprised for a second. "What is it?"
"Shading."
"Shading?"
"And math... but since we're in art class, shading."
He just looked at me. "You want me to help you... in shading and in math?"
I scowled. "What? They're both very hard for me, and they're really easy for a super genius like you, so I'm asking you for help!"
For a fleeting moment, I thought he had laughed. Really. But then he sat down, the normal expressionless mask upon his face. He then nodded. "Alright. I can do that."
That afternoon I had asked him specifically why he felt like he didn't deserve the attention. I mean, all he had to do was look at something and he could paint it. That prodigy talent, simply amazing. He wondered why I was so interested, and I had to reply truthfully; I had no idea. So I guess being interested for no reason was enough reason for him. He explained that it was because all of his talent was due to his family and his bloodline. He felt as though he hadn't gone through the best part of being an artist, which was discovering his personal style, making mistakes and learning from them, etc. He then told me outright that he envied me for having that experience.
I shook my head as I listened to him, surprised. "You're a work of art, Hiwatari-san."
He scowled, telling me not to call him by that name anymore, since everyone knew about his adoption. We probably had a little tiff about it, but I honestly can't remember because I was too busy concentrating on the light tinge of pink that had formed on his cheeks.
We had actually grown quite fond of each other through the years, spending much of our time (in and out of the classroom) together. I guess you could even classify us as friends, which is shocking for Satoshi Hikari, I know. But even through college we remained friends. It was nice.
"I don't like calling you Hikari-kun," I had told him during one year of college.
He was genuinely confused. "Why not?"
"Because that's what all the fan girls call you."
He grimaced. "Well, then, don't call me Hikari-kun."
"I like calling you Satoshi-kun," I stated with a confident nod.
He glared. "Don't call me that."
"What's wrong with calling you that? You call me Risa-chan."
"Yes, but that's only because of the numerous times you've repeated your name to me after I've called you Harada-san."
I beamed. "I know! I finally managed to brainwash you." I then sighed and put a hand to my heart. "It's my greatest accomplishment in life."
"I'd just feel very uncomfortable," Satoshi said matter-of-factly. "I'm... I'm not used to having people call me that."
I had been expecting an answer like that. "I know. You're not used to having friends either. But-!" I went on before he could open his mouth. "That's why I'm here. So You can get used to having friends. What's going to happen when you meet your future wife and she calls you Satoshi-kun?" He cringed. "See! She'll get offended, and you'll loose the love of your life!"
"Leave it up to you to turn this conversation into a love tragedy."
"It will be such a loss!" I had said dramatically, ignoring him. "So you need to get used to someone calling you Satoshi-kun, and I'm the best way to start."
We spent the next five minutes glaring at each other in fierce determination, until he finally mumbled, "There's no use in arguing, is there?"
So we spent a lot of time together. We were a pair, Satoshi and me, even through that awkward "all-our-friends-wanted-us-to-get-together-but-we-didn't" stage. Even through all my boyfriends and his one crush (though he keeps insisting that it wasn't a crush, but that he was simply impressed by her talent, or some bullshit like that). I don't think I've ever had a better friend in my whole life, and vice versa.
But for the past six months or so, he's been inexplicably busy. I mean, I knew that we only hung out once or twice month, because we lived kind of far from one another, but we haven't even bothered to phone each other. It was so strange to finally hear his voice again, but at the same time, it felt as if we had just spoken yesterday.
So there I sat, on the phone with Satoshi Hikari, wondering why the hell he called, and also why I couldn't find any words to say.
"Listen, Harada-san, I need a favor."
Uh oh. He hadn't even called me Risa. Something was up. I wondered if it was going to be like that one time I helped dress is drag. "It's Risa. Don't tell me that all those years I spent hypnotizing you have gone to waste."
He took a breath. "I need you to be my fiancee for a few weeks."
Um... I beg your pardon?
