Love Love Contest! Fight!
Disclaimer: Don't own KH characters or rights.
Warning: shonen-ai (boy x boy romance), crude humor, language, SoraRiku below.
Chapter four: The worst enemy
Previously…
"You kept the one who betrayed you?" Axel smirked, placing a hand onto Riku's shoulder. "How unlike you."
"Well…" Riku drawled out, eyes fixed on one particular energetic brunet. "I just thought that… maybe I can believe in his words this time."
It was Saturday morning and Sora really just wanted to sleep in more than anything else. Seriously, who would defy this boy his only chance to get some rest after a prolonged period (it was one week, to be exact) of competing and so much brainstorming that his brain felt as if it would burst?
Well, Kairi would.
Groaning into his pillow, he let his arm blindly do the search for the phone. Once it found it, he grabbed the screeching thing, grumpily pressed a button, and placed it to his ear.
"Hello…?"
"Can I speak to Sora please?"
"I am Sora." The brunet muttered irately.
"Ew… You are? What are you, 40?" Sora could hear the redhead making faces. "What's wrong with your voice?"
"It's Saturday morning, Kairi." Sora sighed and sat up from his bed. "So, what do you want?"
"Don't be so cold!" She whined with a chuckle, "So, did the dance go well?"
Oh… right. The dance. Sora grumbled mentally, inhaling before he started to tell her about the whole night. How he was completely shocked by her "gift", how Tidus helped him dress out, how he danced with Riku, and how Riku caught Tidus kissing another girl.
"…Anyway, it all ended in good and Tidus got to stay." Sora sighed contently.
"Good your head!" Kairi scowled, "How can you be so stupid as to helping your competitor?!"
"I'm not that kind of a person!" Sora pouted, his attention diverted when Tidus came back into the room. "I gotta go, I'll talk to you later." With that, he hastily hung up.
"Aw man, she's still on the top after all." Tidus sighed as he collapsed onto his bed face down.
"She who?"
"Naminé." Tidus turned over. "I heard that she really likes Riku, like, really likes him. They say that she's a daughter from a rich family in Radiant Garden, and she has liked Riku since they were kids. It's gonna be hard trying to win Riku from her… she's got so many good qualities about her…"
"That's true…" Sora agreed sullenly, "She's so pretty and quiet. I've never seen her done anything bad. It's almost like she's an angel."
"Hey, then how about we become friends with her and go on a group date with Riku?" Tidus sat up, hopeful. "Maybe that'll bring us to a higher rank."
"Maybe…" Sora rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "By the way, what happened last time? Who was that girl that you were… kissing?"
"She was an old friend." The blond scratched his head sheepishly. "It was just a goodbye kiss, I swear. I don't know what Riku saw it as, but we didn't mean it like that. I'm really sorry to get you involved. If it wasn't because of me, you probably could've ranked higher than Naminé."
"Aw, don't worry." Sora stood up and patted Tidus' shoulder. "You helped me so much. I was just doing what I can."
Tidus nodded with relief, and Sora smiled. "Let's go find Naminé."
The ocean of Destiny Islands was ever gleaming, pale waves complementing the deep cerulean sea. The morning sun was warm, and the beach was already sporting young people scattered along the outskirt. Naminé sat alone in a chair of the beverage shop, looking out to the playing teenagers, the brushing ocean. She observed how the rays of the sun rained down onto wet skin, how the water beads reflected the light through different directions.
Sora and Tidus were going to approach her, but they were intercepted by a group of girls first.
"Hey you." A girl, seemingly the leader of the group, said impolitely. "You're Number one, aren't you?"
"Yes." She replied reclusively. "Is something the matter?"
"We are just here to tell you not to think too highly of yourself." The girl asserted. "Riku likes you for now but soon he'll turn his attention away."
"Is that so?" Naminé sighed, looking down. "Well, if you say so. But I still think that Riku will choose me in the end." She smiled harmlessly. "I believe that my love for him will touch him until the end."
"Huh?" The girls twitched their lips and crowded around the innocuous girl. "What kind of attitude is that?"
The leader girl made a really ugly face, and raised her arm, her palm flat and ready to slap on Naminé. Sora ran up and held her wrist.
"Please don't do this." He said with a threatening voice. The girl glared at him, then stalked off with her gang of sidekicks.
"You alright?" Sora asked. She nodded slightly, and the brunet sat down across from her. "Um… excuse me, but…" Sora paused to phrase his question correctly. "Why… do you like Riku that much?"
"Eh? Well… there isn't exactly a reason…" She looked down shyly, blushing. Even Sora and Tidus thought she was cute, no wonder she could maintain number one in Riku's heart. "I just… love him since a long time ago. How should I put it? It's just a feeling that I got when I was still a girl. Like, 'ah… I'm going to marry that person…' Or something like that."
She's even down to marriage…? Sora was a little unnerved by Naminé's pure yet unwavering candor. What's worse, it was that innocence and vulnerability she showed that shook Sora the most. How could he possibly try to take Riku away from her, when she had probably devoted her entire life into loving Riku? Moreover, she entered this contest because she really loved Riku, whereas he entered because he wanted revenge on his ex. Suddenly feeling disgraceful, Sora stood up silently without another word, and started leaving for his room.
"Wait, Sora!" Tidus pulled at the boy's shirt. "Aren't you going to ask her to go on a group date with us?"
"Sorry." Sora let out a breath. "Somehow I don't feel like going anymore. If you want, you can go ask her yourself."
As Sora made his way back to the hotel across the beach, his mind was plagued by Naminé's words. I believe that my love for him will touch him until the end. I just... love him since a long time ago. It's just a feeling that I got when I was still a girl.
I can't win against someone who loves him so much… Sora sulked when his cell phone rang. Kicking some sand away from his sandals, he pulled out the phone and answered.
"Hello?"
"You certainly have some guts to hang up on me." Shit. Kairi.
"I'm sorry." Sora winced, reaching the hotel and going back up to his room. "But, no matter. I'm coming back."
"Coming back?" The girl asked confusedly, "What do you mean?"
"I'm going back to Radiant Garden." Sora declared, ignoring the girl's undignified gasp. "I've been thinking about a lot of things. I just don't think this is right, after all. I'm coming into this contest, not because I love Riku, but only because I wanted to prove a point. This is just unfair for those who actually like Riku." Sora sighed. "Just being here is already unfair to those who got eliminated before, and if I win – even though I hardly think so – I'm going to end up hurting a lot of people. Kairi, I can't bring myself to do such a thing to the others."
"You're saying this now?!" The maroon-haired girl protested. "That's real stupid. I don't remember having a friend like you."
"Huh?" Sora whimpered; Kairi sounded really angry.
"Gah, forget it." Kairi scowled. "Come back if you wish, but don't expect me to pick you up."
The dead line met Sora before he could speak. Sora sighed; what a mistake he had made. He always only wanted the good for everyone, but now he ended up hurting so many people. Kairi, Tidus, Selphie, Riku… I don't know what I should do. Sora frowned, hating himself.
"Forfeit?" Roxas blinked twice before responding. "Now? Why?"
"For personal reasons." Sora gulped and bowed down, "Thank you for taking care of me thus far. Do I have to report to the Fan Club President for a flight back to Radiant Garden?"
"Well, I suppose I can arrange it for you." The blond boy said, "But are you really sure about this?"
"Yes." Sora nodded, "I came into this contest for a reason other than liking Riku. If I continue like this, it will be unfair for the other people. Especially those who love Riku so dearly…"
"I see." Roxas laced his hands together. "Alright. I'll transfer the message to Riku."
"Thank you." Sora bowed again. Then he turned and walked out of the beverage hut's office. Daylight was over, and the sky was deep violet-colored. Sora could see the stars in the sky already, the night breeze welcoming him to the beach. It tasted salty, like ocean water. He would miss this place.
During the following two days, Sora had packed up as discretely as he could without bringing up Tidus' notice, and had been declining any offer of hang-out with Riku from the blond. On the third night, he caught a chance when Tidus was sound asleep, and silently left the room, luggage in toll.
"Ah…" A voice caught his attention when he walked past the beverage shop. It was Axel, leaning against the wooden railing of the hut, gazing up at the sky. "Running away, huh?"
"Eh?" Sora raised his eyebrows, then pointed at himself. "You're talking to me?"
"Well, isn't it true?" Axel looked over at the brunet. "You're running away."
"No, not really-"
"You see a strong opponent like Naminé, you start to think that you have no way to win this, and so you run away." Axel looked back up at the sky. "I've seen so many like you… It's like you're controlled by her, manipulated to her liking. Riku never could seem to get out of it. I was starting to think that you might be different, but… you turn out to be just the same. Just another star about to fall…"
"No, I didn't quit just because of her." Sora denied. "Well, she is part of the reason, but mainly it was because of me. To tell you the truth, I didn't like Riku. I still don't really like him. Coming into this contest was a mistake, and now I'm trying to amend that by leaving-"
"I guess you don't know, huh?" Axel kept cutting him short. "The reason Naminé keeps getting the top rank."
"Reason…?" Sora frowned, "Isn't it because Riku likes her, too?"
"Wow, you are naïve." Axel laughed. "Riku has history with Naminé. Their families were kind of… business partners. Riku was the son of one family and Naminé was the daughter of the other. To their parents, to their families, to their relatives and even to Naminé herself, they were the perfect couple. They were meant to be together. But Riku doesn't think so. To Riku, she was always just a younger sister. Maybe he liked her for a while, but it didn't last long. Riku could never say it out loud, though. For as long a friend as I have been, he never tried to defy Naminé in any way. Maybe it's his parents, but I think it's more because of her. Because of how she puts so much hope in him, of how she seemed to be the type that would kill herself if anything goes wrong with Riku. Now that I think of it, it's almost like she's manipulating him, like how she manipulated you.
"When she told you of how much she loves Riku, you felt guilt, didn't you? Call me too suspicious if you will, but I think that's her way of making sure that Riku will be by her side. Anyone with a heart good enough would leave her and Riku alone, and in the end, Riku could never get away from her. He didn't even dare put her anything below rank one, just so that she wouldn't breakdown." The redhead sighed, and took out a pack of cigarettes, picking one out to light it on. "Why do you think you're still here until now after all that's happened? Why do you think you didn't get eliminated after the first two rounds? It's because Riku wanted to believe in you. You were so different; when you came around with that ball of light around your face, I really thought that Riku could finally get away from Naminé for once. He believed that you could change his life." Axel sighed. "But I guess we're all outta luck."
The wind blew stronger, hitting Sora's face with icy coldness. He chuckled bitterly, looking down at his feet. "I'm really a coward, aren't I?"
"Eh? …Ah… Yeah." Axel nodded rightfully without hesitating for politeness. Sora pouted even more, feeling even worse of himself. He could not blame Axel though. He was indeed running away. Nevertheless, a mistake had been made; hurt had been cast upon others. He could only wish that this was the last wrong choice he had to make.
Sora stood alone in the airport. The gummi ship would depart in an hour. He had plenty of time. The elimination must be starting… He thought as he stared up at the clock. I wonder if Tidus had found out what happened to me yet…?
Suddenly he felt guilt. One of the most painful consequences of his decision was Tidus. His poor friend would be abandoned. Sora wondered if Tidus would even consider Sora as his friend after he found out the truth. He probably wouldn't. Sora heaved a sigh. Radiant Garden wasn't something to look forward to, either. Kairi was still angry at him, although the brunet started to doubt that it was simply because he quitted.
What is she being so mad about? Sora frowned. "I don't remember having a friend like you." What did she mean? It didn't sound like it was relating to his forfeit. It's because he wanted to believe in you. You were so different. I'm really a coward, aren't I? Yeah.
Sora looked up. Something suddenly hit him.
I don't remember having a friend like you.
A coward?
Yeah.
The third elimination was starting, yet Sora was nowhere to be found. Tidus was anxious; wondering where his friend was. He feared that something might have happened to the boy, but then he couldn't find out for sure. Even when the announcement process started and the people were all seated, Sora's seat remained empty.
"Today is the day of the third elimination. And before we start our course, I have a special announcement." Roxas stated. "A few days ago, contestant Number eleven, Sora, came to me and declared that he has decided to-"
"Wait!" A voice called out at the other end of the table. Everyone turned back, and Sora was right there.
"I take it back." The brunet said, hoping that his last-minute retractation was still valid. "I'm not leaving. I won't run away. I'm different. I'm not a coward."
Axel smirked his Cheshire cat smirk, and gave an approval nod.
"Er…" Roxas was at a loss of word. He turned to Riku, and lowered his voice, "W-What should we do…?"
"Hm… Let's see…" Riku rubbed his chin, restraining his smile. "Alright, I'll decide again on my own." He stepped up. "The one that is going to be eliminated today is…
…Number five." He concluded. It turned out to be the girl who led the group that harassed Naminé.
"Har?!" The girl sputtered disgracefully.
"Yay!!" Tidus jumped, "Sora! We're in!"
"Hm." Sora's eyes were thinned to lines. "Ah, hold on. I have something to say to Naminé." He walked off towards the sitting girl who was smiling to herself secretly. Everybody stopped their cheering and moved their attention to the brunet.
"Naminé, I have something to say." Sora expressed affirmatively. "I'm not afraid of you. I know how much you love Riku, and how hard it is to take him out of your hold, but I'll do it. I'll show you. I won't let you control me anymore. I won't let you control anyone's life anymore. Just watch. I'll change this. I won't lose to your love for Riku."
"Well, well, well." Axel sniggered, especially at Riku's slowly blushing face. "That's what I'm talking about."
A/N: Can't believe I forgot to upload this chapter on FF. Too tired to do anything right now *dies*.