A/N: Another update! :D I've been writing advanced chapters because school's going to start in less than a week and I'm not sure if I have more time to update! But I promise I'll finish this story! :D This is... I dunno, I was laughing and telling myself to write something happier within this chapter because... won't spoil. xD This is quite a long chapter too, and one of my favorites, even if it drove me insane just writing it. Despite indulging myself sometimes with spoilers (sometimes I'm impatient), I won't give any for this chapter because I want it read! xD Thanks for the last reads and reviews! :D They're a huge help to the creation of every single update, chapter, and upcoming ones! I hope it's not turning out cliché or anything. I didn't have this kind of story idea before anyway. xD Well, read away! :D
Darkwerewolfess- Thank you once again! :D There are more twists coming along! :D Lol I think I spoiled something xD Yeah, I really wish he acted sweeter to Risa in the manga/anime/movie too, but he's fine the way he is! x3 Yeeeep! I really hope I could update that a lot even when school starts here and gets me busy! And thanks once again! :D It's my first xD thanks again! Hope you like this chapter!
DestinyDreamer911- Thank you! :D I'm glad you love it! Haha yeah! I really did some thinking about writing that... I thought it would be something he could say when they're a longtime couple! Thanks once again! I hope you like this chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Lovely Complex.
It's Best After the Worst
Chapter 10
Of Bittersweet Days
...
The interesting revelation sparked a wild conversation on their drive to Risa's apartment. They planned to beat the clock, but they didn't want their time together to end as well. Nobuko was amazed that someone related to Hitomi was studying in that school. She had mixed emotions about it, and tried to convince Risa that it was quite fishy rather than coincidental about Hitomi's reappearance in their lives.
"I still think it's fishy," she said.
"Me too… I don't know why," Chiharu said. "But at least he's not cheating!"
"He was horrible at hiding his feelings for you too," Nobuko added with a smirk. "I guess Otani-kun does have a weakness. I should tell him stories about bad things happening to you if ever I want him to do something that he doesn't like."
"Nobu-chan, that's evil," Chiharu snapped.
"I'll ride along if you do that!" Risa responded. Chiharu exhaled; there was no hope for Nobuko's schemes and Risa's need for more sweetness from Otani. "Well then… I'll have my share too."
"What? This is the first time Chiharu-chan ever accepted to take part in my schemes!" Nobuko said happily.
"I always took part in your schemes, Nobu-chan! I just didn't make it obvious," she chirped. "Plus, I think Otani-kun needs to repay his cruelty to Risa!"
"Right!"
"Hey, Chiharu-chan, may I ask you a favor?" Risa asked. The raven-haired girl nodded. "Can you bring me to Otani's school tomorrow? I want to surprise him."
"Didn't he say he preferred you at home?" Nobuko asked with a smirk. "But then, having Otani not being able to concentrate on work is tempting to see…"
"No problem!" Chiharu exclaimed. "Anyway, we're here! See you tomorrow, Risa-chan!"
"You guys are still free this entire week?" she asked before leaving the car.
"Yeah! I took an overtime shift for the last three weeks anyway," Chiharu replied.
"Darling says taking a break from work is best for me while we're waiting for little Naoki!" Nobuko said. "See you tomorrow, Risa!"
...
The red-haired woman couldn't contain her happiness as she locked the main door of her maisonette-styled apartment. She ran into her room as quickly as she could and changed her clothes, positioned herself in front of the television and daydreamed, ignoring the fact one of her favorite shows were on. A relieving sensation swept through her nerves while she recalled Otani's sweet words and his confirmation against cheating on her.
An hour later, the sound of the door unlocking rendered a blush on her cheeks. Soon enough, Otani entered, yawning whilst tossing his briefcase on the closest table within his distance.
"Welcome home!" she chirped. Otani simply nodded and walked towards her. He kissed her forehead and didn't bother to rush on continuing his sensei duties that he frequently brings home every day.
"Did Nobu-chan and Chiharu-chan bring you home?" he asked.
"Hai!"
"Thank them for me, alright?" he requested. Otani exhaled while Risa told him to rest his back on the couch, worried of his exhaustion.
"You need to rest, Otani," she said softly. "You look really tired."
"I am. Thank goodness you're safe."
"Eh?"
"Nobu-chan and Chiharu-chan visited me a while ago. They told me things… they scared me by telling me about the possibility you could've been kidnapped by the way you stood alone! Don't you ever stand outside alone like that! Do you want me to die?"
There were times when she felt very blessed with Otani's jealousy, but she felt scared at the moment. Otani was evaluating on the possibility of her being kidnapped and his anxiety if it ever happened. Nobuko was just giving an example for him to feel guilty on preferring overtime work than bringing her home. She figured Otani was too worn out.
"I'm sorry. But I wouldn't do that if you actually brought me home just like before," she said, hoping the idea would sink in his mind.
Sadly, Otani was stubborn.
"You know I can't do that. I really have to concentrate on my job now. The new assistant teacher is just a female version of Turi-sama! And both of them are MY assistants! They'll be the death of me!"
"No wonder you're so tired. Please take a break," she pleaded. "For me. I don't want to see you stressing out."
"If we're having Okonomiyaki for dinner, then I'll gladly do relax for and with you," he replied with a smile.
...
After enjoying a delicious meal together, Otani proved he was a man of his word and didn't touch his briefcase nor mentioned anything about his work afterwards. Risa's heart leapt in bliss as she and Otani spent the night playing videogames. She constantly asked him if he had any important work, for she was afraid that he would blame her if he forgot to attend to something that would risk his job. He reassured her nothing will go downhill, even promising it to her just to cheer her up. But the following day had more surprises than she expected.
The first half of the day made her wonder if she was merely dreaming because of its seemingly perfect nature that reminded her of previous "perfect days" that had annoying events erupting afterwards. Otani surprised her with the aroma of well-brewed coffee and fresh donuts when she woke up from a dreamless sleep.
"I bought the donuts at about 30 minutes ago as thanks. Resting really made me feel better! I was having horrible headaches just because of those assistant teachers."
And after that –
"And I think I'll fetch you later. I'm going to stick up to the principal, tell him to drown my assistant teachers with the work they passed on to me!"
When she arrived at work, a bunch of new faces aspiring to become famous overjoyed her through compliments. She smiled when she saw those she styled strutting like queens while cameras tailed them and captured their every graceful move and swan-like poses. She was praised the entire day. With a bonus, they were dismissed early from work. With that, she called Chiharu and Nobuko immediately. She waited for a few minutes outside, sitting on a bench while talking to one of the younger models she worked with. Nobuko had the pleasure of honking the horn of Chiharu's car countless times when they arrived.
"Did you really have to do that, Nobu-chan?" Chiharu asked, stifling her laughter.
"Yes!" Nobuko replied gleefully. "I told darling to prepare assorted butter cookies for you to give Otani. And please tell me why you look happy enough to burst. Wipe that grin off your face – it's too big and it's scaring Chiharu."
"No, it's not. But it's making me curious," Chiharu said.
"Otani was so sweet since last night! I can't get over it!" she exclaimed dreamily.
"Oh… no wonder you're so giddy," Nobuko said. "But I'm happy you are. You've been bummed for days anyway! And lucky that Mimi didn't rear her ugly head again… I might just charge at her."
"Now, now, Nobu-chan. Heikichi-kun specifically told me to stop your angry outbursts."
"Have you guys spent the day together?" Risa asked. The two girls nodded.
"Hai! I was surprised on how Nobu-chan eats lately," Chiharu added.
"Hey! I'm pregnant! I have cravings, you know," Nobuko snapped. Chiharu merely giggled. "I'm just teasing, Nobu-chan!"
"Do you think it's fine with Otani that I took the time to visit him?" Risa asked, assisting Nobuko in exiting the parked car. Nobuko gave her two thumbs up with a sly wink.
"Of course! He secretly craves to see you anyway," she said mischievously.
"Nobu-chan, I really dislike the way your mind works sometimes," Risa huffed.
"I'm used to it," Chiharu said. "You should listen to what she and Heikichi-chan are discussing."
"I don't even want to know!" Risa exclaimed, covering her ears for comic relief. They ended up laughing together as the security guard led them in, shivering at the sight of Nobuko. There was a possibility her fierce nature scarred him through her yells.
They quickly entered the building as they passed through excited and tired elementary kids. Risa groaned when she realized none of the girls in this elementary had the towering height she was cursed with back when she was in elementary.
"Wait, I'll be back! I'm just going to check something! One of my college professors has a nephew working here and I'm just going to ask some questions," Chiharu said. Nobuko gave her permission to leave them to surprise Otani. But instead, he surprised them back.
Before they entered the room, rustling sounds of flying paper halted them from entering. It made them even more curious when a female voice emerged from the few seconds of silence. The door was slightly opened, and Nobuko told Risa quietly to take a peek with her. Both their cheeks reddened when they spotted Hitomi assisting Otani with the papers in a very… seductive position. Nobuko's eyes blazed with anger as Risa's heart sank deeper.
"They claimed they saw you yesterday, but I think they were lying," they heard Otani say.
"I didn't even come here yesterday!" Hitomi replied.
"Typical. Maybe Koizumi asked them to spy on me. She definitely doesn't trust me anymore!" Otani screeched angrily. "But how do they know that we've been having contact with each other?"
"Don't ask me. I'm not a psychic. But did you tell them why?"
"Of course not! They would haunt me forever if I did!"
Nobuko stopped herself from storming in the classroom, knowing she would regret it. A cold sensation trickled down her neck. Turning around, she saw Risa sobbing silently, and several teardrops managed to drip on her neck.
"Risa, let's go."
She slowly aided Risa to stand up due to her weak feelings. After walking outside the building, Chiharu ran towards them with a horrified expression.
"What happened to Risa-chan?"
"Let's go to the car first. We have to talk."
...
"EH? Seriously?"
It was one of the rare moments when Chiharu raised her voice with panic. Nobuko responded with a nod, patting Risa's back. They did their best to comfort her.
"I found something out… far worse than that… might support Otani's actions with Hitomi…" Chiharu sputtered.
"Tell us now," Nobuko snarled.
"But Risa-chan…"
"JUST SPIT IT OUT! SO I… I mean… WE HAVE A REASON TO SMASH OTANI'S HEAD TO A BRICK WALL LATER!"
"O… okay… well… I met up with Hitachi-kun earlier, the nephew of my professor. He assists the principal in the student database and we're good friends. I asked him if Hitomi had a niece studying here, since I felt odd about finding it out. And guess what? She doesn't."
It was no surprise that the news tore Risa apart. More tears cascaded down her cheeks as her heart squeezed with anguish. Nobuko and Chiharu pulled her in a comforting embrace.
"We're here for you, Risa," Chiharu said.
"Always," Nobuko said, pulling them closer.
At some point, Risa felt relieved that her friends did their best to pull her out of her sadness. Too bad they needed to do something more because it was a problem involving Otani.
And her problems involving Otani… needed drastic measures.
A/N: I seriously want to improve the way I write angst and tragic moments, y'know. xD Well, that's it for this chapter! There's more soon! Please review, no flames hopefully! And stay tuned for the next!