(c) Yukiru Sugisaki
Kanashii hodo hikari dashita
Shiroi yami kirisaku tsubasa ni nare
Tsumetai taiyou ni terasare teta
Kainara sareta jiyuu ga atta
Kagamini utsuuta kiseki no naru
Masuku o hazushi hajimeta my soul...
Kuzure te yuku abe no mukou wa
Zetsubou mo
Kibou mo onaji kou suru
Mita sare mai kokoro aru nara
Tobitateru shuumatsu no PURORUGOUE
Yaiba no ho na kaze fuku sekai mamoru
Beki mono wa nan nano ka?
Hitotsu hitotsu itami wo shiru tabi
Nontou jibun da to chikazuku
Kie yuku fake light umare yuku true light
Kono te ni...
Shiroku somaru yami tsuki nukete
Atarashii jidai o kizami tsuzukero
Toki wa nashita kokoro no mama ni
Hateshi naku, tsuzuki teku
Byakuya o tobe
- Dnangel ~True Light~
A few days after gaining the new students and the start of summer vacation Daisuke and Nao had hoped for a vacation of fun and relaxation from magic and stealing…but as fate and Daisuke's mom would have it – not a possibility. They were only three days into their vacation and it was suddenly open season on them. Emiko had Daisuke stealing more artwork and artifacts left and right with Nao's help, and Nao found herself in Natsuki's line of fire more than once and if that wasn't enough for her, every time Tajima or Akito were around her something weird would happen…it mostly resulted in something exploding in the near distance with no known cause. All in all they just wanted a break.
Thankfully someone above granted their prayer when their class won a week long cruise to an island resort. Needless to say they quickly packed their bags and hopped on that ship with a skip in their steps.
Nao stretched her arms above her head and leaned against the rail next to Daisuke, "This is great! The sunshine, the azure sea, warm breeze…" She closed her eyes to the warmth of the sun, "The perfect vacation."
"Nao, you know that we're also studying sea life for three days right?" Daisuke reminded her even though he too was looking forward to not having to transform into Dark. He can finally be a normal teen.
Nao smiled and cover her ears, "La-la! I don't hear anything about school or studying!"
Daisuke chuckled at her antics. She was being lively like everyone else on the ship and he enjoyed it, he was happy that even though they weren't t the island yet, everyone was still having a good time.
"Look!" A student shouted pointing towards the front of the ship, "There it is!"
Everyone gaped excitedly as the tree covered island came into view. Everyone began talking about what they were going to do as soon as they got settled in on the island. Most of the girls said they were going to the beach, to wear their swimsuits and the boys would follow just to see that.
Once the ship docked everyone got their things to meet with the teachers to listen to the rules and punishment that were going to be in effect while on the island. Boys are roomed on the first floor and girls are roomed on the second floor and under no circumstances should either gender be on either floor, they may only interact in the lobby, dining room, teachers will be on constant watch on the floors and if they catch anyone breaking the rules they will be sent to their rooms and if they act out again they will be sent home. Students are not allowed to go any further than two miles away from the resort without notifying a teacher and curfew is at 10pm sharp.
When the rules were set everyone had to meet up with their partners and settle into their rooms. Nao envied that the Harada sisters got to room with each other…actually she envied all the girls because she got stuck with Mio. The moment they found out they were rooming together Mio couldn't stop talking! Mostly about how cute Daisuke was and any other thing she said was irrelevant. Just listening to her Nao felt that she needed a long quite nap away from her. The room itself was like any other hotel room, two beds with bedside tables and lamps. A big tv sitting on top of a dresser big enough to hold both their clothes, a closet and a bathroom. But what really caught her attention was the balcony view of the beach! She always loved to have a room with a view of a beach and beautiful night sky.
"Wow!" Nao gasped throwing her suitcase aside to run out to stand on the balcony, "It's so beautiful!"
"It is, isn't it?" Daisuke agreed from below her. How ironic that their room were near each other.
Nao was surprised to see him down there, "Oh, hey Daisuke!"
Hearing Daisuke's name, Mio pushed Nao aside to say hi to Daisuke's as well, stealing his attention from Nao, "Daisuke! Hi!" She winked at him, "My room is above yours – come visit me any time!"
Nao blushed furiously at the suggestion, "What are you talking about? That's against the rules!" 'Daisuke would never do that anyway!'
Hearing the commotion outside Tajima and Akito went outside in time to see Mio depart and Nao silently fuming.
"Very crude…isn't she?" Akito commented, referring to Mio.
Tajima leaned against the balcony, "I guess you can admire that she doesn't beat around the bush…" He glanced towards Nao, "Miss, Nao would you like to come to the beach with the rest of us?"
Nao released a built up sigh and nodded, "Sure, but I'm not going into the water…" She'd much rather collect the pretty shells and go towards the low tide areas to see starfish.
"That's alright," Tajima smiled, "We could walk around the beach instead."
Nao smiled back, "Sure, meet you all in the lobby." She waved goodbye and retreated to her room to get ready.
Once she was gone Tajima and Akito turned their attention to Daisuke and Saehara, who were having a childish discussion over Risa and Mio, but their attention was mostly on Daisuke. There was something about him that wasn't right to them, mentally they made note to keep an eye on him. Without a word they retreated to their room, formulating their plan of action while on this trip. They had a week to find out Nao's weakness, exploit it and gain the power of Kagutsuchi.
-00-
As if planned, all of the students and teachers gathered on the beach. Most of the students were swimming, splashing in the water, lying in the sand, or playing volley ball with a beach ball. Saehara on the other hand was solely focused on getting pictures of Mio in her purple bikini, standing with her back to the waves holding a beach umbrella behind her back with a straw hat on her head. He completely gushed over her taking shot after shot, not completely aware of her approaching them and holding her umbrella out to Daisuke asking him to open it for her.
Not one to say no, Daisuke complied and opened the umbrella for her, not noticing that on the outside out it his name and hers was on it with a heart.
"Thank you." Mio said, grabbing Daisuke's arm and pulling him down to sit next to her, "It's a love parasol, just for the two of us!" She whispered passionately.
"Huh?" Daisuke blinked in confusion. He really didn't understand Mio's way of thinking at all. Why would she have a love parasol just for the two of them?
He didn't get a chance to ponder why when Saehara grabbed him by the back of his shirt and pulled him down on the sand, standing over him looking very pissed, "Hey, Daisuke, how about we play in the sand?"
Daisuke didn't like the look he had in his eyes, "I, uh, really don't want to…"
Saehara ignored Daisuke's feelings as usual and grabbed a pink shovel and started to bury Daisuke quickly in revenge for stealing Mio's attention.
But Mio didn't like that Daisuke wasn't paying attention to her. Deviously she took her hat off and threw it in the breeze so it landed in the ocean. Putting on a whiney helpless voice she asked Saehara to go get it for her. Once he was gone she talked to Daisuke in a baby voice asking if he was okay as she brushed some sand off his face.
Tiredly Daisuke replied that he was fine. He was emotionally tired from everyone being weird today or maybe it was the hot sun making him tired? He closed his eyes in thought.
When she saw his eyes closed, Mio smirked to herself and held out the silver pendant she had been trying to put on him ever since she arrived. She was always interrupted but not this time.
"That's an interesting pendant." Or so she thought when Satoshi approached her donned in beach trunks, sunglasses, and an open jacket with the hood up to protect him from the sun, "May I have a closer look at it?"
Mio stared nervously at Satoshi and held the pendant close to her chest. She knew who he really was…she couldn't let him have it. Thankfully Saehara proved useful to her when he called her, waving her hat in his hand. Knowing that she failed this time, she quietly left Daisuke with Satoshi.
Satoshi silently watched Mio walk away, he knew that this was his father's doing and now he needed to keep an eye on Daisuke. Kneeling down, he slowly began to dig him out, "You need to be careful around Miss. Hio."
Not understanding what he meant Daisuke opened his eyes, "Yeah, she is a little different."
Satoshi knew Daisuke was naïve but he didn't think he was this oblivious. He wondered if there was any point in warning him about other suspicions he had. He looked at Daisuke through his sunglasses and decided it was best not to.
-0-
Nao walked with Tajima and Akito further away from the rest of the students where it was more secluded and quiet. She felt relaxed with the sea breeze blowing through her hair and the sun warming her skin.
"Do you see any shells?" Akito asked her.
Nao continued to look along the shore for any pretty shells that catch her eye, "I do, but they're broken." She used her foot to shift through the sand.
Tajima walked further ahead towards the rocks where the waves crashed. Stepping carefully he maneuvered around the sharp rocks to get closer to the lapping waves. Leaning down he peered into the clear water to see starfish, sea urchins, and plenty of seashells he was sure Nao would like. Dipping his hand in the water he pulled out a beautiful peach conch shell, the size of his palm, "Hey! Nao!" He beckoned her over, "I found a conch shell."
Upon hearing him, Nao and Akito picked up their buckets full of shells and made their way over to Tajima to look at the conch he found.
"Wow!" Nao gasped at how it sparkled in the sun, "It's so pretty." She lightly touched the outer surface, "And smooth."
Akito patted his cousin on the shoulder, "Good find. What are you going to do with it?"
Tajima blushed lightly and handed the conch to Nao, not looking her in the eyes.
Nao was taken aback by the gesture. It was a beautiful shell, she was sure he would keep it for himself. "Y-you're giving it to me…?" She was touched; gingerly she took the shell with care, "Thank you, Tajima. I'll take very good care of it."
Tajima smiled sincerely at her, "I hope you do…"
Akito looked between the two of them bored, "Well when two are done making out, I'm going to find something to eat." He walked away, "Later."
Tajima and Nao blushed awkwardly at his statement. They chuckled nervously and avoided eye contact and continued to walk along the beach looking for more shells.
-0-
After being dug out by Hiwatari Daisuke decided to look for Nao since he hasn't spoken to her since they got off the boat and he was wondering how she was enjoying her time. He found her a short ways away from the Harada twins with Tajima, Risa was kneeling near a big mound of sand and Riku was staring at sea slugs in an indentation in the rocks.
Riku was gushing over the sea slugs while Risa was disgusted by them, although when Daisuke got a closer look himself he had to admit that they did look interesting.
Risa watched with jealousy that Daisuke was near her sister. She wanted a guy to spend time with her like that, she'd even settle for Daisuke since Dark wasn't around. "Niwa!" She whined, "Help me, please!" She didn't care how whiney she was, she didn't want him near Riku.
Unable to say no, Daisuke left Riku's side to help Risa. She held a floral bucket to him and asked him to get more sand. He was skeptical to why she was playing in the sand but she insisted she was making art. He wondered why she wanted him to get more when there was plenty more around her, but he complied anyway and helped her sculpt a castle.
Nao watched them from afar, feeling a little…lonely and maybe jealous seeing Daisuke with Risa. She didn't mind if he spent time with Riku, but she didn't like it if he was with Risa or Mio. She's happy for him that he's getting what he always wanted – time with Risa. But she knew that Risa didn't like Daisuke like that and only uses him as rebound and to be honest when it comes to Risa…she frankly wanted to choke the girl.
Tajima saw her staring at Daisuke with a disappointed expression, "Nao?"
Startled, she turned to face him, "H-huh?" She asked, her voice wavering, "Did you find another shell?"
"Are you alright?" Tajima asked her, ignoring her question, "You look like you're about to cry."
Nao quickly wiped her face to rid any evidence that she looked like she would cry in any second. She should be happy for Daisuke regardless of her feelings. "I'm fine…it's just the air." She rubbed her eyes, "I think sand got in my eyes." She lied.
Tajima stepped closer to her and gently grabbed her wrists to stop her from rubbing her eyes, "You're going to make it worse if you do it like that." He told her softly. When he saw her opened eyes, he lightly blew in them to get rid of the invisible sand.
Unknown to Nao the others were watching them with flustered expressions. It wasn't every day you see a romantic scene like that in real life. Again Risa was jealous and Daisuke was left with a strange ache in his chest.
-0-
Later that night while she was making a seashell charms out of the seashells she found. She planned on making one for Riku, Tajima, Akito, and of course Daisuke. A blush came across her face when she thought of the smile that would appear of Daisuke's face when he gets it. He could be happy to receive any gift and to Nao his smile is the greatest reward. "He's so cute." Nao mused to herself.
Mio appeared over her shoulder, "Who's cute?" She asked startling Nao into dropping the seashell necklace she was making, "Hey, those are cute! Who are you making them for?" She nearly glowered at her, "One better not be for my sweet little Daisuke."
Nao nearly growled at her, "He's not your sweet little Daisuke! You barely know him so stop trying to force yourself on him." She didn't want to seem possessive of Daisuke but he was her best friend and it seemed like a natural reaction to protect him from crazy girls like her.
Mio crossed her arms smugly, "I don't know what your problem is. It's not like you have feelings for Daisuke. If you ask me that Tajima guy has eyes for you."
Nao stood up from her bed, "Well I didn't ask for your opinion and its none of your business if I have feelings for Daisuke or not." She rounded her bed to walk towards the bathroom. She opened the door and stepped inside but before she closed it she glowered at Mio, "And Tajima is my friend so do yourself a favor and get yourself real friends instead of stealing them." Then she slammed the door shut ignoring the flabbergasted look on her face. Leaning against the bathroom door, Nao crossed her arms across her chest. 'I know that I have feelings for Daisuke…I knew that long before anyone else…since we were kids…' Tears began to swell up in her eyes, 'It's not fair…I liked him before anyone else and he only sees me as his friend. He loves Risa…no one else…' She wiped her eyes and started her hot shower, 'I love him more than she ever could…'
