I'm trying this chapter with the lyrics this time, so please excuse the really long chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Shugo Chara or any of its characters. I also do not own Found Out About You by Emily Osment.
Found Out About You
We were picture perfect
Flawless on the surface
We were walking on a straight line
"Rima, what'cha doing?"
I looked up from the photo album and saw KusuKusu. "Nothing, really. Just reminiscing about our guardian days in elementary school."
"Why are you doing that?"
"Out of pure boredom," I replied nonchalantly. I watched my unsuspecting chara to see if she bought it.
"Oh. Alright, then. I'm going into the kitchen; I'm hungry." KusuKusu flew out of my room.
Since my parents weren't home, KusuKusu could easily go in the kitchen without my parents wondering why food was floating in mid-air.
I sighed as I turned a page in the photo album. What I told KusuKusu was true. I am bored as hell. The other guardians are busy and the comedy special isn't until tonight.
But then again, it was also a lie. The truth is I'm actually searching for a picture.
When I found the picture, I slipped it out of the plastic covering. I lifted the picture of Nagihiko and me watering the flowers together. Instead of us either insulting or giving glares, we were smiling at each other.
I kept staring at the picture in my hands. We were picture perfect. That moment we were flawless on the surface.
But then… Yaya had to jump out of a bush waving a camera in her hands and ruin it.
We were automatic
You seemed so fanatic
I was confident and wide-eyed
The moment I saw Yaya, I immediately stepped away and insulted him and he quickly gave a comeback. We were automatic. When I insulted him, he'd have a comeback.
I gave a tiny smile. At least Yaya took the picture before the arguing.
I wonder when Nagihiko's coming back. He didn't give a specific date or anything, so all of us are still waiting.
I placed the picture back in the album. Then, I went to the kitchen to check on KusuKusu.
I found KusuKusu sitting on a table pouting. "Rima, there's no food."
I checked the fridge and other places. She's right. I guess Mom hasn't gotten around to going grocery shopping.
"Let's go for a walk and get food," I told her.
She jumped up fanatically. "Yay Rima! Let's go!"
She flew next to me and plopped down on my shoulder. I proceeded toward the front door. I locked it shut before stepping out.
"Where do you want to go?" I questioned KusuKusu.
"I don't care. All I want is food!" she replied.
After a few silent moments of walking, KusuKusu got off my shoulder and hovered in front of me.
"Rima, hurry!" She continued to fly ahead of me. I could hear her humming a song to herself as she kept flying.
To catch up to her, I had to speed up. "KusuKusu, slow down," I commanded her.
She turned to face me. "Okay, but hurry- oof!"
KusuKusu fell to the ground. I know it wasn't meant to be funny, but I giggled. I bent down to pick her up.
"Ouch! Yo, who did that?" someone proclaimed.
KusuKusu and I looked up to see the thing she bumped into. She had bumped into not a thing, but a chara. A very familiar chara at that.
In a few seconds, another chara joined. "See, Rhythm. That's what you get for going ahead.
I was stunned. Nagihiko's charas, Rhythm and Temari, were floating a few feet in front of me. I stood up and poked them to make sure they weren't just figments of my imagination.
"Yo, what was that-"
KusuKusu went in front of them. "Temari, Rhythm long time no see!" she giggled.
Okay, they are real. But I thought Nagihiko took them along when he went to Europe. So if they're here, then that means…
"Where's Nagihiko?" I interrupted.
Rhythm floated up to my face. "Oh, he's coming. He's," he pointed, "around the corner."
After he answered my question, he flew back to Temari and KusuKusu.
I stood frozen. In a matter of a few moments, I would see Nagihiko face to face after about a month and a half. I was bracing myself for what happens next. I actually couldn't wait to see Nagihiko. I was confident and wide-eyed.
Tough times watched us come undone
You found someone
The last time I saw him was when Kirishma was pulling me away from him. With that tough time, we had come undone. Surely, though, I can restore it.
I was planted to the same spot. The three charas were busy talking. In a few seconds, I heard footsteps coming in my direction. This is it. I can do this.
Nagihiko turned the corner, but he didn't seem to notice me.
Here goes nothing. "Hey, Nagi-"
"Ugh, quit laughing. It wasn't that funny," his gaze was kept behind him at something. He stopped walking.
A couple of seconds passed and a girl came up behind him. "Yes, it was! The expression you made was hilarious. It looked like you pissed your pants." The girl next to him kept laughing.
After a while, Nagihiko gave up and laughed with her. "I guess it was pretty funny."
I watched as the two laughed together. In that time, Rhythm hovered to me. "There's Nagihiko," he stated.
I glared at him. No duh, Captain Obvious. Temari and KusuKusu joined my side, but I didn't pay much attention to them. All I did was stare at Nagihiko.
Little time went by when the girl next to him seized her laughter and noticed me.
At that very second I turned my face away from them. I didn't want to see Nagihiko anymore, so I was going to walk away. There was just one problem. My feet wouldn't budge. It's like they became a jumbled jell-o mess.
I listened to see if they were talking about me.
"Hey Faith, why'd you stop laughing?" Nagihiko asked.
Oh? So… her name's Faith. Who is this Faith?
When I turned in their direction again, I saw Faith pointing at me. Nagihiko's eyes followed her finger. Once he saw me, a smile formed on his face. At that notion, I blushed and turned away.
Knowing my legs no longer felt like jell-o I started to walk away, but then stopped when I heard his voice. "Rima-chan! Rima-chan, is that you?"
Of course, it's me. What other Rima has hair as incredibly long as mine and is as short as me?
My legs and body rotated to face them. They approached me.
"Rima-chan, it is you! How have you been?"
It took me a while to answer. I managed to say, "Fine. How about you?"
"Great," he grinned. He turned to look at the person standing next to him. "Oh, Rima-chan, this is my friend from England," he gestured toward the girl. "This is Faith Suzuki."
She stuck her hand out. "Nice to meet you Rima-chan."
At first, I didn't take her hand. I just admired her looks. She had hair similar to mine in length except hers were brown and straight. Her eyes were the color aquamarine. She was also about the same height as Amu and Yaya. I was awestruck.
"Rima-chan, are you okay?" Nagihiko waved a hand in front of my face.
"Huh?" He pointed at the hand that Faith stuck out. "Oh." I finally took it and shook it. "Nice to meet you too," I mumbled avoiding her gaze.
When we let go, Nagihiko spoke. "Well, we better get going Faith."
"Where are you going?"
"To the ice rink, then a picnic" Faith answered as she lifted a picnic basket. It was quiet until she jumped toward me and stuck her face near mine. "You know what, Rima-chan, why don't you come along?"
"Uh, I don't know how to ice skate."
"Don't worry. Neither do I, but I'm sure it'll be fun." She beamed at me.
I looked up at Nagihiko. "Yeah. Why don't you come along, Rima-chan?"
"O-okay. I guess."
Tell me why I think about you
And tell me if you think about me
And tell me when you touch her
Is it really love or just another fantasy?
At the ice rink, Nagihiko was getting the ice skates while Faith and I were waiting.
It was awkwardly quiet, so I decided to strike up a conversation. "How long have you known Nagihiko?" I asked.
She turned toward me. "Oh, Nagihiko? We've known each other since we were little. We dance together."
"You dance?"
"Yup. I was his partner for a dance competition," she trailed off. I stared at her. She was spacing out, but then shook her head after a bit. "Sorry about that. Anyways, do you know about Nagi's alter ego, Nadeshiko?"
"Yeah. They're the same person." I paused for a brief moment. "They are the same person, right?"
She laughed. "Of course. Don't tell him I told you, but I'm the one who taught Nagi how to act like a girl."
Interesting. Some black-mail information.
"You know Nagi talks a lot about you and the others. I'm glad he has great friends back here."
I gave a small nod.
Nagihiko soon arrived. He handed a pair of ice skates to Faith and kept a pair for himself. As they were putting them on, he faced me. "Are you sure you don't want to ice skate, Rima-chan?"
I shook my head. "You know I suck at these things."
"So does Faith, but that doesn't stop her. She's probably even worse than you."
Faith growled at him. Afterward, she walked to the rink.
"Okay, just sit here and watch us. We'll try not to take long."
He left my side. I watched the two on the ice rink. Nagihiko skated around the rink while Faith held on to the railing for support.
I thought I was alone, but I heard a squeal come close to me. "Rima, you said we were going to get food!"
I totally forgot KusuKusu was hungry. "I can't leave now though. What will Nagihiko and Faith think?" Even if I wanted to, I couldn't give KusuKusu the food in the basket. Faith would think I'm a little piggy.
She crossed her arms. "Alright. I'll wait. You're lucky Temari and Rhythm are here." She flew out of sight.
"Rima-chan, who were you talking to just now?" I looked up to see Faith a few feet in front of me.
"Kusu-" Wait, she can't see charas. "I mean nobody."
She was suspicious at first, but dropped it. "Anyways, I'm going to attempt to ice skate in the middle. Wish me luck."
She skated away from the railing toward the middle. When she made it, she was jumping for joy. When she jumped it was no problem, but as she was coming down, her foot slipped and she was about to fall.
I stood up from my seat to see what would was going to happen.
Instead of falling and possibly injuring herself, Faith was caught by Nagihiko. "Faith, I told you not to do that. Please be careful."
When I saw Nagihiko catch her, something inside me snapped. Was that a touch of love or just a fantasy? I shook the thought away and watched them.
And tell me does she make you laugh
And tell me does she make you move
And tell me does she get you
Take away your breath
Just tell me that it can't be true
What I found about you
Nagihiko was now helping Faith ice skate around the rink. I could see Faith talking, but I couldn't hear her. It must've been funny because I saw Nagihiko laughing.
I heaved a sigh. I kind of regretted joining them.
It feels like a nightmare
To see your hands in her hair
You seem happy ever after
After waiting for about thirty minutes, we left the ice rink and went on a picnic in the park. When we arrived at the park, I froze. Of all the parks, did it have to be this one?
"Finally, we're here. Hey, Nagi do you remember this park?" Faith questioned as she rolled around in the grass.
He stopped pulling out the foods from the picnic basket. I noticed him stop. When I looked up, he was staring at me. "Oh, I remember it all right." He shook his head, " I mean, yes. I do remember. We did a performance here, correct?"
Faith sat up and nodded her head while I turned my head away slowly, not wanting to make eye contact.
The three of us were eating the packed sandwiches. Nagihiko's charas and my chara floated in front of our faces, hungry.
Nagihiko signaled to me. I distracted Faith while Nagihiko gave the charas a sandwich to eat. The charas frolicked off somewhere with their sandwich.
Moments went by and I was lost in thought. After I came back to my senses, I carried on eating my sandwich. As I was eating my sandwich, I observed Faith and Nagihiko across from me. Faith was still eating her sandwich, but Nagihiko had finished his.
Nagihiko scrutinized Faith. Faith saw him. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she spoke with her mouth full.
"You have grass stuck in your hair."
"Oh. Oops." Faith dropped her sandwich and tried to pick at the blades of grass stuck in her hair.
Nagihiko motioned her to stop though. "Don't worry, just eat your sandwich. I'll get them out."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I'd be happy to." He gave her a grin as she picked up her sandwich and leaned on Nagihiko. Nagihiko started to remove the grass from her hair.
I studied them as I kept nibbling on my sandwich. I don't know why, but it feels like a nightmare to see his hands in her hair. It feels even worse knowing that he's happy.
I'm stuck in denial
I can't fake a smile
You play innocent
It's so damn hard
Why have I been feeling this way all day? Is it because I love…
Wait… no! I don't love, let alone like, that cross-dressing purple-headed lying goes to Europe and doesn't tell me play-boy. And I refuse to ever again.
As I finished thinking that, I tried knocking the thought of even liking Nagihiko out of my head. But, it wasn't working. I literally tried slapping it out of my head, but I got a confused and suspicious look from the people across me.
"Everything alright, Rima-chan?" Faith asked.
"Yes. Everything's great." I faked a smile.
Silence ensued. After a while though, Nagihiko broke it. "Faith, do you mind going to check if the ice cream cart's here?"
Faith got up. "Sure," she cheered. "Then I'll come back and ask you guys what flavors you want. It'll be my treat." She skipped off.
I faced forward. Oh, great. I'm here alone with Nagihiko. Why now of all times? I remained as quiet as I could be which really wasn't that difficult. I was getting used to the stillness.
"Rima-chan," Nagihiko began.
I attempted not to look or answer him, but it was no use. "What is it?"
What is he going to say? Does he remember the letter?
"Why are you faking a smile?"
I stiffened. He can still see right through me. I made an effort to remain calm. "What are you talking about?"
"Rima, I can see through your act. I knew something was bothering you right after we left the ice rink. What's the problem?"
"None of your business… cross-dresser." I replied coldly.
He was shocked when I called him that. I was actually shocked myself.
"Rima-chan, did I do something wrong?"
He knows what he did. How can he play so innocent?
I stood up and pointed a finger at him. "You know very well what you did." Anger was boiling inside me for reasons I don't understand.
He stood up too, but he kept his voice composed. "Really, Rima-chan is something the matter?" He walked toward me, his hand outstretched.
I slapped his hand away before he placed it on me. "Leave me alone." I hesitated, but eventually shouted, "I hate you and I always will!"
Nagihiko jumped a little. Hurt.
Slow down
I want back what's mine
Can we rewind?
"I'm back. I just decided to get random flavors- What's going on?"
I turned to my right and saw Faith. The rage inside me reached the top and exploded. I faced Nagihiko. "Nagihiko," I screamed, "I never want to see you again!"
I ran away from the scene with Faith and Nagihiko calling my name.
Tell me why I think about you
And tell me if you think about me
And tell me when you touch her
Is it really love or just another fantasy?
I quickened my pace as soon as I left the park. I had no idea where to go or where I was going, but I kept running. Thoughts of Nagihiko filled my mind.
Why do I keep thinking about him? Why?
But I do wonder, does he think about me? And whenever he's with Faith does he feel love like how he said he loved me in his letter? Or is it all a fantasy?
And tell me does she make you laugh
And tell me does she make you move
And tell me does she get you
Take away your breath
Just tell me that it can't be true
What I found about you
Then again… maybe it's not.
Faith's known Nagihiko longer than I have. She most likely makes Nagihiko laugh more than I do. She gets and understands him. Faith and Nagihiko are perfect for each…
No. This all can't be true!
My running started to slow down until it was a complete stop.
So much for happy endings
So much for miracles
So much for trusting
It- It feels so typical
I miss youI miss you
I stared at the ground full of dark spots. I hadn't realized it, but I was crying. My tears traveled down my cheeks and landed on the ground.
So much for a happy ending in my life. So much for the miracle that I'd actually be happy. So much for giving my trust to people.
This feels so typical.
From where I was standing, I crouched down and formed into a little ball. Tears were still falling when I felt someone beside me.
"Rima, there you are! Why did you leave- Why are you crying?"
KusuKusu. I didn't answer her. She patted my back to show that it was okay for me not to answer. I buried my head deeper.
I felt awful for saying those things to Nagihiko. He's bound to never look or talk to me again.
When Nagihiko left for Europe I indeed missed him, but why did I? Why was it when I saw him for the first time today, I was happy? And why is it when I saw Nagihiko and Faith together, I was hurt?
Answers struck my head immediately.
I thought about them for a while and then came to a decision. No matter how much I wanted to deny it, the answers I thought of were… right.
The anger that was boiling inside me that lashed out at Nagihiko was jealousy. I was jealous of Faith.
And the other… Even though I said I would never feel that way again, I'm going to give in and admit it because I'm tired of fighting it. I feel this way because…
I'm in love with Nagihiko.
We were picture perfect
Flawless on the surface
We were walking on a straight line
"Rima, are you sure you're okay? I could've gone to the meeting and told the others."
"Don't worry about it KusuKusu."
On my way to another guardian meeting. Yesterday after I came home from running and crying around the city, my parents got into another argument. I assured them I was alright, but they kept fighting. I had to convince them to let me go to the meeting today. I sighed.
KusuKusu and I reached the royal garden. I pulled open the door and walked inside. I knew I was the last one to arrive because I heard the other guardians in a conversation.
"It's really great to have you back, Fujisaki-san."
"Nagi! Yaya missed you."
"Nagihiko how was Europe?"
"Did the Jack's chair show the people at the dance competition who's boss?"
I looked up at the table where my friends sat and made my way there, very slowly. I took a seat and it got quiet.
"Rima-tan! There you are. Look who's back," she motioned toward Nagihiko.
Just as I thought, Nagihiko didn't look at me or say anything. I kept quiet myself.
"Jack. Queen. What's up with you two? I thought you two would be talking up a storm."
Again, nothing. The other four left the table and went to discuss, most likely about our behaviors. Obviously, Nagihiko didn't tell them about yesterday.
I glanced over at him right when he was glancing at me. We turned away from each other.
Then, we put our attention to the four guardians at the door. "We forgot we had to do something in Tsukasa's office. Stay here until we come back." They ran out.
Could they make it anymore obvious?
Tell me why I think about you
And tell me if you think about me
And tell me when you touch her
Is it really love or just another fantasy?
It was just Nagihiko and I now. Even the charas left. How was I supposed to talk to him?
I placed a hand on my heart. Thinking of him made my heart ache, but I have to do something about it.
I extended my arm across the table and looked in the opposite direction. Well, here goes nothing. "Um about yesterday, I'm-"
I gazed at my hand on the table. Nagihiko had placed his hand on top of mine.
"I'm sorry for whatever I did, Rima-chan. Please forgive me?" he asked. He presented a small smile.
"O-of course." I blushed. "I should be saying that to you though. I yelled at you and…"
He chuckled. "Don't worry about it. Just as long as we're still friends." His small smile turned into a big one.
I blushed yet again. I nodded. That was fast.
"Anyways we better tell the others everything's alright, so we can start the meeting." He got up from his chair. "Shall we Rima-chan?"
I got up from my seat and followed him. "Right."
We walked toward the door together. The door burst open right as we were about to open it.
And tell me does she make you laugh
And tell me does she make you scream
And tell me it's over
It's only a dream
What I found about you
"Oww!" Nagihiko and I yelped as we rubbed our heads.
"Nagi, there you are!" At the entrance stood Faith.
"Faith, what are you doing here? How did you even get here for that matter?"
"I'm here to tell you we have dance practice." Before Nagihiko could question, Faith stuck her finger up. "If you don't think I'm telling the truth, then go ask your mother in the parking lot."
"She's here!"
"Yes! So we better go before she grows impatient. Come on." In one swift motion, Faith grabbed Nagihiko's wrist and was about to leave. "Hi and bye Rima-chan."
"Tell the others where I went, Rima-chan." I watched Faith and Nagihiko run. In a couple of moments they were out of sight.
And tell me does she get you
Take away your breath
Just tell me that it can't be true
What I found out about you
I retook a seat at the table right as the guardians came back. "Rima, where's Nagihiko? Is everything okay between you two?" Amu inquired.
"He had dance practice," I answered. "And don't worry. Everything's fine again."
They all signaled with a nod and a thumbs-up before taking a seat. We then began the guardian meeting.
And tell me does she get you
Take away your breath
Just tell me that it can't be true
What I found out about you
After the guardian meeting I walked home with KusuKusu.
"You seem better, Rima."
I offered a tiny smile. I was happy that Nagihiko didn't hate me even after all the things I said to him. But I hated how he had to leave with Faith for "dance practice."
We walked in silence for a few blocks when I noticed KusuKusu stop and was staring at something. I followed her gaze to see Faith and Nagihiko on the opposite side of the street. I quickly took KusuKusu and hid behind something. I thought they had dance practice!
I was too far away to hear what Nagihiko was saying, but to me it looked like he was screaming at her. Faith on the other hand, looked like she was in tears.
Does that mean it's over between them?
I held my breath, waiting to see what would happen next. Instead of Nagihiko walking away with her following, he pulled Faith into a hug.
My heart was crushed. I rubbed my eyes to see if it was only a dream. But… it wasn't.
Nagihiko and Faith broke from the hug. Nagihiko wiped the tears away from Faith's face before taking her hand and leading her probably back to his house.
I winced before I took off in the opposite direction of my house. I needed to run and run like yesterday and because Faith and Nagihiko were going the way I was supposed to.
This is what I found out about Nagihiko. Because of it, I couldn't breathe. And I need… oxygen.
To be continued…
Ha, Rima's getting what she deserves… uh, I was just kidding. Everything will be explained in good time.
With the lyrics or without the lyrics: that's the question.
Wow. O_o I swear this chapter epically failed so, constructive criticism please.