Snowdrops Are For Hope

By: pnaixrose

Disclaimer: I don't own DNAngel or its characters.

Chapter 7: Dancing

Satoshi stood there, anxiously waiting to be welcomed into the Harada mansion. He was unusually impatient for some reason and scolded himself. Why should he be? He was only meeting Harada Risa so they could go to Riku's party together. It wasn't like it was a date or anything of that sort.

He sighed, running a hand through the unruly hair which had simply refused to look neat when he had been fixing it earlier. What was he kidding...? He knew why he was so damn nervous. He would be spending the whole night as her escort. Whether he wanted it or not...it was a date.

Pressing the doorbell for the umpteenth time, he cursed women and their long preparation times. Glancing at his watch, he realized that it was already a quarter to six. He had been waiting outside for fifteen minutes already! He had distinctly told her that he'd come at five thirty!

Getting fed up, he pulled out the spare key Daisuke and Riku had given him and entered the house without permission. He had been trying be all polite and gentleman-like by waiting out there but it became too much.

A bit peeved as he closed the door behind him he heard foot steps from the stairs and frowned. "Oy, Harada-san," he yelled in annoyance, his voice echoing throughout the huge house, "how long does it take to–"

His blue eyes widened as he saw her hurrying down the steps and his voice suddenly died down. She was simply...radiant. Her brunette hair was tied in a neat bun, showing off her long neck and elegant facial features. The "revealing" dress she had bought earlier that day looked even better on her now than when she had tried it on for him. For some reason, every single curve showed even more and he felt himself try to push down his blush. She finished the look with some dangling light blue earrings and a few thin bangles on her wrist. There was also a transparent, light blue shawl that hung loosely around her arms. And was she glowing or was that the gleam of the chandelier above them?

"Gomen, gomen, Hiwatari-kun! I really was going to open that door," she apologized with a bow as she stopped in front of him, a sheepish smile on her lips. "I should have warned you. I take kind of long when I get ready."

In actuality, she had been spruced up even more for this occasion. She tried to tell herself that it was so she could impress Riku's guests but it was no use. The only reason she took more time than usual tonight was because a certain cerulean-eyed man was accompanying her. She wanted him to look at her the way she had seen him look at her when she tried on the dress earlier today. She wanted those deep eyes to look at her...to want her.

She blushed, almost ashamed of herself...almost.

It was then that she realized that what she desired was actually happening, much to her surprise. Hiwatari Satoshi was staring at her with wide eyes...really staring.

Her blush deepened and she suddenly felt self-conscious. "H-Hiwatari-kun?"

Satoshi ripped his eyes from her and looked around the room nervously. Damn...he was staring at her so openly! "G-Gomen...You look..." Beautiful? Gorgeous? Radiant? Without a doubt the most stunning creature he had ever seen in his whole entire lifetime? "...nice."

A lie. A complete lie.

Risa let out a slight chuckle, looking away from him. Maybe she didn't look as great as she wanted to look. She was a bit disappointed but oh well. A simple "nice" was a big deal when it was coming from Hiwatari. But it certainly wouldn't be the word she would describe him right now.

He looked sharp in a proper black suit with a simple white shirt underneath the jacket. The light blue tie matched his deep eyes perfectly. He looked so suave and sophisticated...she suddenly wanted to...

She gulped and pushed the thought out of her mind. What was wrong with her?

However, his hair was still as unruly as ever. She liked his hair that way though. It made him look cute, the way his bangs fell so randomly over his glasses. He was, without a doubt, incredibly handsome. Drop dead gorgeous. She felt herself about to swoon...

"Shall we?" he said suddenly, breaking the silence.

She smiled as he opened the door and let her exit first.

Wow. Handsome and a gentleman. Who knew?

Riku was definitely being modest when she had told her sister that the restaurant was "not too big, not too small."

It was huge.

As soon as she and Satoshi were greeted by friendly doormen at the glass double door entrance, she knew that this place a lot fancier than she expected. And she was right. She stepped in and was greeted by a room about the size of a real reception hall, the ones that are most expensive. A few chandeliers hung above them and vines seemed to line every wall and climb discreetly up every pillar. The floor was black marble and the tables and chairs were without a doubt some of the shiniest wood she had ever seen. They had placed a temporary dance floor in the middle of the mass of tables. She even spotted a small garden where customers could eat to the left of the actual restaurant. From what she saw, there was a fountain and gorgeous flowers that customers could enjoy out there.

Definitely not was she expected. Riku must make a pretty penny with this place.

Guests who had already arrived were dressed elegantly and speaking with each other with smiles on their faces. Most of them she could see were business men and women. They were confident people and obviously had nice paying jobs. Risa suddenly felt...like she didn't belong?

"Harada-san?"

She snapped out of her reverie and looked at the man beside her. "Gomen. I-I just didn't expect anything this...elegant."

Hiwatari nodded and held out his arm. She took it gratefully as they roamed around, trying to find either Daisuke or Riku. Risa peered up at the blue-haired man. He looked like he was perfectly used to this kind of thing. Maybe it wasn't so surprising. He was chief of the police. He probably went to hundreds of these parties.

Risa looked around. Almost everyone was looking at them and women were whispering to each other. Did they recognize her?

No, duh, she told herself. She was Riku's identical twin.

But maybe it also had to do with Hiwatari escorting her through the crowd. Everyone was sure to recognize him.

Finally, after weaving through the stares of the crowd, they heard a familiar voice. "Oy! Harada-san, Satoshi!" Immediately, they saw an incredibly red mop of hair come toward them. "Thanks for coming!" a sharp-looking Daisuke said with his usual smile.

"Wow, Daisuke...this place is amazing!" Risa replied fervently. "How can you not have the reception here?"

He laughed. "Guess it just never crossed our minds. By the way, you two look great! Oh, here comes Riku."

Her gorgeous twin approached them with a smile. "Risa, you look beautiful! And you brought Satoshi! Amazing! He almost never comes to parties like these!" she said cheerfully. "In fact, when I invited you tonight, Satoshi, you refused. Well, what matters now is that we're all here!"

Surprised, Risa looked up at him in confusion, but he simply avoided her gaze. He didn't go to parties like these? Then why did he come? Especially when he had refused to before?

Suddenly a couple came up to Riku and started chatting. "Risa, Satoshi, sorry but we'll catch up with you later," Riku said apologetically. "But please, take a seat. The first entrée will be served soon."

As Riku and Daisuke got ushered away by the couple, Risa unraveled her arm from Satoshi's and looked up at him questioningly. "You don't go to parties? But you're the chief of the police. I assumed that you did."

He grunted and frowned. "I don't like parties. Just because I have a high position doesn't mean I have to attend parties. Only the necessary ones."

"Party pooper."

"It isn't as if you particularly like these kinds of parties either."

Risa laughed. "How'd you know?"

He looked at her and suddenly she froze under his gaze. Silence fell upon them before Satoshi finally spoke. "I can tell."

Suddenly, still locked onto his eyes, she was pushed aside by a herd of women. She frowned in annoyance as they started to speak to Hiwatari in high, flirty voices. Meanwhile, he definitely didn't look all that comfortable.

"Hiwatari-san! You came! I was hoping you would!"

"You look especially handsome tonight, Hiwatari-san!"

"How are things at the office, Hiwatari-san?"

It was sickening how they were all over him when he was obviously with someone else tonight. Totally sickening.

Satoshi sighed as he tried to wiggle out of the women's grasps. Dammit. This is why he didn't like parties.

Elegant music from a live band played as couples danced on the dance floor. Risa frowned angrily as she ate at a table full of other guests and their escorts. As for her own escort...

She glanced over to her right where a crowd of women surrounded Satoshi.

Huffing angrily, she stuffed her mouth, not caring the least bit of what the other people at the table thought of her. Let them think what they want of Riku's long lost twin sister.

"Ne, Hiwatari's looking especially good tonight, don't you think?" a woman at Risa's table whispered to her friend. "Maybe I should ask him to dance with me?"

Risa felt her blood boil. How dare they ogle at him with their prying eyes like that! She sighed, knowing she should've expected this when he picked her up for the party. He did look amazingly fine...she just didn't want others to look at him like that!

Wait...what in the world was wrong with her? Why was she being all possessive?

"Don't even try it! He's totally a no-go. I've never heard of Hiwatari accepting a dance from a woman before," the friend replied. "In fact, I've never even heard of him talking willingly to a woman before. I wonder why he came tonight. He should've known he would be swamped with girls."

Risa was wondering that too...

Sighing, she stood and headed towards the dessert table. What a lame party. All she felt like doing was going home and curling up on the couch with some dessert in her sweats.

"Uh...y-yes things are fine at the office...n-no, I don't have a girlfriend...no sorry, but I'll have to refuse..."

Satoshi sighed as he tried to get rid of these annoying women. Damn. Couldn't they take a hint? He knew this would happen if he came tonight, but...

He looked over at the woman who was making her way to the dessert table. Harada Risa had asked him to come. It was that reason enough to come tonight.

"Hey man, check out the Harada twin."

"Yeah, I know...Harada Risa, right?"

Satoshi's ears perked at the sound of her name. However, his eyes narrowed as he spotted two men nearby staring at her with smirks on their faces.

This didn't sound too good.

"Damn...look at those legs..."

Satoshi's eye twitched. He told her that the dress was too revealing!

"That moron Niwa already scored one Harada twin...I'm gonna get the other," one of the guys said with a laugh, heading towards the lady near the dessert table.

Suddenly, the usually calm Satoshi exploded. Nearly knocking over some of the women surrounding him, he curtly apologized and headed towards Harada Risa, hoping to get there before that jerk did.

No way was he going to let some punk ass like him talk to her.

Rise pondered what to get, looking over each delicious dessert with interest. She has always had a bit of a sweet tooth, especially when she's feeling mad or upset. Settling for some pastry in the corner, she was surprised when a stranger came up to her with a smile on his face.

"Hello, Harada Risa, ne?" he said, his hand stretched out in front of him.

She nodded as she grabbed his hand a shook it. Risa looked over wishfully at the pastries and willed that this strange fellow to leave her alone.

That fake smile wouldn't leave his face. "Excuse me for sounding so rude but, would you like to dance?"

Startled by the invitation to the dance floor, Risa looked around in nervousness. She really wasn't in the mood for the dancing at the moment. "Uh..." she stalled, looking for a way out. But then she heaved a sigh. She might as well try to enjoy herself here. "Sure, I'd–"

Suddenly Hiwatari appeared next to her, an intent look in his eye. She looked at him in confusion, wondering why he would rudely interrupt like that. It certainly didn't seem like something he would do.

"Risa, would you like to dance with me?" he asked hurriedly, glaring at the other guy.

Without her consent, he pulled her away from the dessert table and the stranger and made his way toward the dance floor where a slow song was currently playing. They looked at each other awkwardly for a second before Satoshi gingerly placed his hands on her hips and Risa wrapped her arms around his neck. Satoshi swallowed, but his throat was dry. He definitely didn't plan this "rescue mission" out that well. He didn't realize he'd be in this situation.

As they slow danced in silence, they became uneasily aware of how close their bodies were, just like on the crowded train ride from earlier that day. Yet, they felt comfortable and somehow it just seemed...right.

"Satoshi..."

His eyes widened and his heart beat quickened. He looked down in surprise to see a pair of brown eyes staring up at him. A small smile was on her pink lips. Since when had they gotten to know each other through first name basis? No female, with the exception of Riku, dared to call him by his first name. In fact, not many people, male or female, got to address him like that.

But...hearing his name from her lips...

"H-Harada-san?"

Risa shook her head slowly. "That wasn't what you called me when you asked me to dance with you." She saw his eyes widen with realization behind his glasses and she giggled. "It's all right..." she replied quietly. Then, she bravely rested her head on his strong shoulder. She didn't know why she was doing this or why she seemed to be attached to this man so strongly. But hearing him say her first name, feeling his arms around her...it made her feel safe and wanted, things that she hadn't felt for a long time. "I quite like it..."

Satoshi felt himself unconsciously pull her in closer. This girl was getting closer to him than anyone else has been before. But strangely, he liked it. He wanted to spill his emotions on her...to tell her all his secrets and fears. He wanted someone to trust.

He didn't want to be alone anymore.

Smelling her scent of her shampoo, he closed his eyes, listening to the soft music playing through the air. All he could think about was how this lady's petite form fit so perfectly with his.

She was frighteningly prying him open bit by bit. But what was even more frightening was that he wasn't stopping her.

Riku caught her sister as Risa was heading to the restroom. Satoshi was back at the table, being hounded by women again, but Risa suddenly didn't mind it as much. After that single dance and after being held like that, she felt special. She knew that not many women were on a first name basis with Hiwatari Satoshi and knowing that she was one of the lucky ones who were, she couldn't help but smugly smile at those annoying women.

"Risa! Risa! We need to talk right away!" Riku excitedly said.

Risa furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, noticing her twin's enthusiasm. She looked like she was going to jump up and down any minute now. However she welcomed it, having the chance to become a little closer to her twin sister. "Riku? What's wrong? Aren't you busy though?"

"This is way more important! C'mon!"

Riku suddenly pulled her sister to come as they headed through the guests and into the outside garden. It was dark out now and the garden was practically empty, except for a few guests here and there. Riku dragged her toward the bench in front of the fountain in the middle of the garden and made sure that no one was near them.

Risa was still confused as ever. "Riku, what–"

She pushed her sister down to sit on the wooden bench. "Now I don't have long, but I just had to talk to you."

"What's up?"

Riku's eyes seemed to brighten and Risa couldn't remember the last time she had seen Riku this ecstatic. Actually, since she arrived back home, Riku had never wanted to talk to her one on one. But now she's all excited and happy? Something big must've happened to make Riku suddenly forget all that had happened between them.

"How'd you do it, Risa?"

Risa looked at her twin in bafflement. "Huh?"

"How'd you do it? How'd you get Satoshi to come...and then get you to ask you to dance! You won't believe how many people are talking about you two!"

Risa paled and blushed at the same time. "P-People are talking?"

"Of course! Everyone's talking," Riku said. Then she paused and looked at her sister with a strange glint in her eye. "I saw you two, Risa...how you two danced..."

Her twin immediately looked away and blushed. "I...I-I don't know what you're talking about! It was just a dance! There was nothing meant by it! Satoshi simply asked and–"

Riku shook her head, interrupting her sister in mid-sentence. "First of all, Hiwatari Satoshi, one of the most eligible bachelors in the area, does not come to parties if he doesn't have to. Second of all, he does not willingly talk to women. Third of all, he does not ask women to dance with him. And fourth of all? He doesn't let anyone call him 'Satoshi' except me and Daisuke. And you just called him 'Satoshi!'" she squealed.

Risa shook her head, trying to deny everything even though she knew they were all true. "I-I'm just a friend, Riku! He and I have nothing–"

Suddenly, her sister took her hands in her own and looked at her, a serious expression on her face. "Risa...you can't deny it. Something more than friendship is going on between you two," she said. "Look, Satoshi is one of my very best friends. He's helped Daisuke and me through countless times. He is not a very sociable person, nor does he trust anyone easily. He's been through a lot of things a single person shouldn't go through...and he's experienced them alone. I've never seen him like this before. It's because of you, Risa. You've opened him up." She gave a genuine smile. "And I can't thank you enough. You've done something that neither I nor Daisuke, his closest friends, couldn't achieve...and only in a matter of a few days!"

Risa saw that genuinely happy look on her twin's face and knew that it was all true. There was something between her and Satoshi...something she had never felt before in her life. It even felt different from when...she had loved Dark. She looked down, a slight frown on her lips. Did she want this though? Did she want to go through all that hurt again? She...She didn't want another Dark. But then again...she didn't want anyone but Dark. That man with the dark violet eyes had always taken her heart. She wanted no one but him.

But what was this that she felt with Satoshi? It was unexplainable. She had never dreamed that she would feel this attracted to someone other than Dark.

She buried her head in her hands. She was so confused...so very confused.

"B-But Riku–"

"Ah, Satoshi!" Riku suddenly said. Risa abruptly looked up and saw him there, staring at them with pure concern in his eyes. Risa tore her eyes away, knowing that he saw that her mind was in turmoil.

"G-Gomen. I was worried that Risa...n-never mind. I'll leave you two alone," he stuttered, about to walk away.

"No, no! I'll leave! I'm sure they're probably calling me inside anyway," Riku said, hastily getting up from the bench. She turned to her sister and gave a suggestive smirk. "Have fun!"

As the Harada twin hurried away, the two she left behind didn't move. Risa felt his eyes burning a hole through her, but still avoided his gaze.

For awhile time seemed to stop. The only clue that suggested otherwise was the running water of the fountain nearby. Even so, their isolation from the party made it seem that they were the only two people alive.

Then he moved. Suddenly, he was seated next to her, examining the garden around him.

"Che," he said, taking off his glasses to momentarily clean them with a handkerchief from his pocket. "What horrible flowers they've put here."

Risa looked up, slightly surprised that he was the one starting the conversation this time. He'd never do that. She looked around and saw nothing but tiny purple flowers in the garden. They were beautiful though, especially since the moonlight seemed to make them glow. "What do you mean?" she asked. "They're pretty."

"Hmph. They're purple Hyacinths. They're often associated with sorrow," he stated. He glanced at her. "They say that conversation heals sorrow, you know? Care to converse?"

She smiled, suddenly realizing that he was trying to make her feel better. He was...so sweet. Surprisingly, it was working and she did have an urge to spill everything to him. But she held herself back. "Why do you have this weird fascination with flowers, Satoshi?" she said, purposely avoiding his question.

He was silent for a minute and she didn't think he'd answer back.

"You don't remember?" he asked suddenly.

She blinked in confusion. "Remember what?"

He let out a slight sigh, looking at the fountain in front of them, forgetting about the pair of glasses that were in his hands on his lap. "In eighth grade, it was autumn and we walked home together from school. I hated autumn...then you...you told me reasons why it was beautiful and suddenly it didn't seem as bleak as I thought it was. You said I was so negative and that I should–"

"–focus on the more beautiful aspects of life," Risa said in astonishment, looking up at him. He...remembered that day? That was the reason why he was a flower nerd?

Satoshi looked down at her, not realizing that she was looking at him. Their eyes locked.

Oh, his eyes. She remembered earlier that day when she had gotten lost in them, trying to find his secrets, trying to fill his longing, lonely soul. His eyes seemed bluer now, if that was possible. Maybe it was the dim lighting of the garden around them or maybe it was because of the fact his glasses were still in his hands. But now she saw the truth. The way he longingly looked into her eyes, the way they were slightly narrowed in pain...

He wanted her...needed her...wanted to tell her everything about him.

And she was scared. No one ever needed her like this. She had always been the useless, love-struck girl who hurt people with her own selfish needs. After all, when she had needed Dark, she had betrayed her sister. All because she needed him.

And she still needed Dark...wanted Dark...

No. This wasn't right. This definitely wasn't right. Things were mixed up.

She was still in love with Dark.

Satoshi's eyes darkened as if realizing that his needs were denied. But when he tore his gaze away and was about to put on his glasses, she stopped him. She reached out and laid a simple hand on his cheek, turning his head to face her, blocking his arm from putting his glasses back on.

She didn't want him to look away...she wanted to drown in those eyes forever.

He was startled. Extremely startled. There was hope in those deep cerulean eyes...hope that maybe she wanted him too.

"S-Satoshi...don't hide your eyes..."

And suddenly she grew aware that the space between them was lessening. Feeling her heart in her throat, she began to close her eyes, awaiting the sweet sensation of his lips on hers...

...Maybe she did have feelings for him. How else could she explain everything she was feeling?

Suddenly a voice boomed out through the quiet night and they were cruelly awakened from their dazes. They looked at each other in quiet shock as they heard Riku's voice drifting from the party.

"Well everyone, I'd like to thank you all for celebrating this special day. A few years ago, this business was no more than a simple idea of mine, but with a lot of support and amazing friends, it has become an unbelievable reality..."

"L-Let's go..." Satoshi said, putting on his glasses.

Risa calmed her ecstatic heart and had no other choice but to follow him.

Things were getting complicated...and she didn't know what to feel anymore...