Ran: Hi ho!
Me: Hi Ran, do you know what today is?
Ran: Yes! Happy birthday Nagi!
Me: Yeah, that. But do you know what today is in the story?
Ran: February 14…Valentine's Day! What's going to happen?
Me: You'll see after the disclaimer.
Ran: Disclaimer: Camilla-chan does not own Shugo Chara or any of its characters.
(Rima's POV)
11:00 A.M.
"Aww Riri-chi; you're no fun! Why can't you come shopping with us? I'll be your best friend."
"Are you crazy? You're already my best friend," I snapped at her. All morning, Yua-tan has been trying to convince me to go shopping with her, Nadeshiko and Utau. And to be honest, she's failing.
"So! Give me three reasons why you won't come with us." Grr, Yua's drying my patience.
"Well, let's starts off with my number one reason. Reason number one: I don't like shopping! Second reason: I have to do some errands. Third reason: I just don't want to. There. Happy?"
"What errands could you be possibly doing?"
I swear if Yua asks one more question, I'm going to kick her out. Isn't she supposed to leave any minute now?
"I have to do grocery shopping for my mom since she's taking care of Rikka. She thinks it's the least I can do for her. My dad's making me do some errands while he's on his business trip for the next four days. Rikka's making me pick up some art supplies and I have some errands of my own."
"Like what?"
Yua and I were in the kitchen washing the dishes. She handed me a plate and I was trying not to break it.
I also resisted the urge to kick her out. Must resist! Or else I'd have to finish washing the dishes.
"Rima."
Maybe I just shouldn't answer her.
"Rima!"
Yeah, that's right. Then she'll stop asking questions. I put the plate she handed to me away.
"RIMA KUSUKUSU MASHIRO!"
Ooh, the middle name. She's serious now.
I avoided her gaze. "What Yua?" I asked.
"I understand the errands you're doing for your parents, but what errands are you doing for yourself?"
She doesn't know, huh? "Well, today's February 14."
"Valentine's Day?"
"Technically yes, but I call it Friendship Day."
"Oh yeah. How could I forget? It's the day when Rima buys chocolate for all her "guy friends" at Briar Wood Prep. I'm guessing I'll be taking an extra bag with me home?"
"Yes and why the air quotes around guy friends?"
"How did you not realize that half of your "friends" liked you? And wouldn't it be just obligation chocolate?"
"Yeah, I know and yes it would be."
Silence followed after that.
Yua finally spoke again after a couple of seconds. "Also, because you know… The night I came to Tokyo, while you were taking a shower and I was waiting for my agent to come take me to meet Utau-sama, Rikka told me something about the day you left Kyoto."
Darn Rikka! "Uh, what did she tell you?" I tried to pretend that I didn't know what she was talking about.
"That Kirish-"
*Ding Dong*
Yes, saved by the door bell.
"Oh never mind," Yua said. She finished washing the last dish and wiped her hands on her skirt. "That's Utau and Nadeshiko. I'll see you later."
She grabbed her bag off the table and headed for the door. I followed her to the living room. Should I warn her about Utau and her shopping craze?
She reached the door, but before she opened she asked, "Rima, how are you going to carry all those bags home?"
Fuck. I didn't think of that. "Oh that. Hey Yua, could you ask Utau to meet me-"
"Nope. Gotta go." She slammed the door behind her.
Damn you Yua!
Eh, at least she'll find about Utau and her shopping frenzy. Ha, serves her right!
(Nagihiko's POV)
1:30 P.M.
"No problem Souma-kun. Have fun with your brothers. See you tomorrow." I hung up the phone. How come all my friends have lives and I don't.
Tadase is spending time with his grandmother, Kukai is hanging out with his brothers and my sister is going shopping with Utau-san and Yua.
I stepped outside. What am I going to do today?
"CURSE FATE! WHY IS FATE SO CRUEL TO ME!"
Rima-chan?
She was a few feet in front of her house with her back to me. She had both her arms up and her hands were clenched into fists.
I began walking toward her.
"Rima-chan?"
"GRR, WHY DID I AGREE TO DO THE ERRANDS?"
"Rima-chan?"
"Then again, they made me feel guilty. Oy vey!"
"Rima-chan." I tapped her lightly on the shoulder.
The second I tapped her, she squealed and fell to the ground. Wow.
"Nagihiko!"
"Nice to see you too Rima-chan." I extended my hand to help her up until I noticed a piece of paper next to her. I reached for that instead.
"Oh, thanks Nagihiko. You scare me to the point where I fall to the ground and you won't even help me up." I was scanning the paper while she was dusting off her clothes.
"Rima-chan, what's this?" I showed her the paper.
"Uh, the errands I'm running."
"Oh, here then." I handed her the paper.
As I did though, her face lit up and she put on a somewhat cute smile. I don't like where this is going.
"Hey, Nagihiko… Are you busy today?"
"No… W-why?" I was kind of afraid of her answer. I think I like devil Rima better than angel Rima.
"Well, I was wondering if you could help me carry the bags home." She gave me a sweet smile. I've never seen her like this before. Wonder what would happen if I said no.
"I'd like to Rima-chan, but -"
"Say no and I'll kick you." Her devil persona came in a few seconds. Now there's the Rima I know.
"You didn't let me finish. I'd love to."
Her face lit up again. What is up with this girl? "Great! Let's go! Lead the way since I have no idea where I'm going."
"Sure."
What did I get myself into?
90 minutes later
We already finished her dad's and sister's errands. Now all that's left is her mom's and her errands. I looked at the shopping list that was torn on one side.
Rima and I decided to split the shopping list, but then pay for everything altogether.
I've gathered everything on my list. I've got the juice, milk, fruits and vegetables. I scanned the cart and the list just to make sure. Yup, I have everything.
Now I have to find Rima-chan. I wonder where she is.
I went in search of her through all the aisles. I finally found her on the last aisle.
There she was in front of me climbing a shelf trying to get something on the top.
"Rima-chan, get down from there!"
"NO! I WANT POCKY!"
Pocky?
"Get down. You're going to-"
Rima lost her footing on the shelf and she fell backward on the ground. I watched her fall; it wasn't pretty.
Some of the items that were on the shelf fell also. I ran over to her. "You okay, Rima-chan?"
"I want pocky!" That's it; she doesn't care she fell. Wow, her and her pocky.
I stood up and grabbed a random pocky off the shelf. I handed it to her, but she wouldn't take it.
"I don't like Almond Pocky. I want Marble Tea Pocky."
Oh my God Rima. I stood up again and grabbed the Marble Tea Pocky off the shelf. Just like before, she didn't take it.
"It's Marble Tea Pocky, why don't you want it?"
By now, crowds of people were gathering around. Thanks Rima.
"I don't like the first one. Get me the second one."
She is so spoiled. How can Yua and her family deal with her?
I repeated the process and she took it. Finally!
I looked around us. People were everywhere. Yeah, thanks a lot Rima-chan. I spotted her cart next to the shelf and quickly loaded the grocery items into my cart. I pulled Rima-chan and pushed the cart away from the people.
Remind me to never go grocery shopping with her again.
15 minutes later
We were out of the grocery store. I was carrying all the bags while her highness next to me was eating her beloved Pocky.
I turned to face her. I can't believe I agreed to do the errands with her.
"Rima-chan, what's the last place?"
She took a bite of her Pocky before answering. "The candy store. I need to buy chocolate."
More sweets? She already has her damn Pocky.
"Oh, do you mind if we stop by here first?" I pointed to a sports store on our right.
"Eh, why not?"
She and I started walking toward the store. She put the rest of her Pocky away and I gave her some of the bags.
We walked around the store. "What are you getting here?" she asked.
"I don't know. I just wanted to check some-"
It was right there, in my reach. I couldn't believe it.
"Nagihiko, what's that?"
"This? Oh, it's what I've always wanted. It's an authentic limited edition memorabilia basketball book with every player's autograph. It comes with its own special cover, a pedestal and a free basketball."
"What?"
I just ignored Rima. This would be the best present. I wonder how much it is.
Apparently, Rima beat me to it. "I don't want to break up your fantasy, Nagihiko, but you do know its 61776 yen, right?"
"Sixty-one thousand seven-hundred seventy-six yen!" (AN:/ 704 US Dollars. I just made up the item and price.) "Then I'll never get it."
"But isn't your family, I don't know...RICH!"
"Yeah, but I can't buy everything I want with my parents' money; they'd go broke. Besides, I'm still paying back Nadeshiko for all the times she's covered for me."
"Well, then. That's too bad."
"I guess we can go to the candy store now."
"Okay, let's go."
"First, I have to hit the restroom." I handed her all the bags. "Wait here." Serves her right. She's treated me like a pack mule all day and hasn't even thanked me yet.
I hurried off to the bathroom leaving Rima in a daze.
A couple of minutes later
I returned to the spot where I left Rima, but she wasn't there. I ran out of the store only to see her sitting down on a bench with a bored expression on her face. "Took you long enough. We better hurry. I think the milk is starting to go bad."
We made our way to the candy store and Rima literally bought every chocolate box in sight. How is she going to eat all of this?
She at last paid and grabbed the two or three bags from the cashier. She handed them to me. Oh joy. She's making me hold all the grocery bags and the chocolate bags. Even though she's only holding Rikka's art supplies.
We walked out of the store and made our journey home. At least it's over.
(Rima's POV)
Those errands were endless. At least, I had Nagihiko as a pack mule. Ha!
We arrived at my house. I got the key from my pocket and unlocked the door. Nagihiko quickly rushed into the kitchen to put all the bags of groceries on the table. Are they that heavy?
I put Rikka's bag of art supplies and the other bag I was holding on the living couch.
I went into the kitchen to find Nagihiko leaving. "See you later, Rima-chan."
Wait, where is he going? He's not done helping me yet. "Where are you going?"
"Home. You know the place where I live."
"Aren't you going to help me unpack the groceries?" I peered into the grocery bag and picked up a carton of eggs.
"Rima-chan, I helped you with your errands all afternoon and I carried most of the bags. I'm going home." He began walking away.
"No, not y-" I slipped on a sponge, probably from Yua washing the dishes this morning. This isn't good; the eggs are going to go KERSPLAT!
I closed my eyes waiting for the fall and the eggs to crack, but there was no sound and there was no fall.
I re-opened my eyes to see Nagihiko. He caught me and the eggs. How is he that athletic? Even I can't do that.
"You know what. Maybe I should help you. Or else you're going to drag me to the store again." He chuckled.
He helped me stand upright and then put the eggs in the fridge.
I then started to unload the groceries while he put them away.
"Thanks Nagihiko," I said after we finished.
"Finally!"
"What kind of answer is that?"
"The kind of answer you deserve. I've been waiting for you to say thank you all day. Yeah, all I've heard is give me, get me, take me, make me, buy me, drive me, find me."
What the? I never asked him to drive me. Although, I did ask him to do the others.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
He sounds like my mom and dad. What do I have to say for myself? I'll just keep shut.
"Never mind. Since we're done unloading the groceries, I'm leaving." He left the kitchen and made his way to the front door.
I chased after him. I caught him as he stepped off the front porch. "Wait, Nagihiko!" He stopped and turned to look at me. Crap, I don't know what to say.
"Well?"
"So...we have school tomorrow, right?" What did I just say?
"Yes, Rima-chan. Bye."
"No, wait!" He stopped again. He's waiting for an answer, but I'm still formulating it in my mind. Maybe the present will soften him up. "I have something for you."
I dashed inside to the living room. I grabbed the bag next to Rikka's art supplies. I went back outside.
"Are you giving me chocolate?"
"No, it's.." I reached inside the bag and pulled out the basketball autograph book. "This."
His eyes became wide and his jaw dropped. "How did you? Why would you? When did you?"
"Just consider it a little Friendship Day and thank you present."
"Friendship Day? I thought today was Valentine's Day."
"Yeah, but I call it Friendship Day! Anyways, do you like it?"
"Of course. But Rima, how did you afford it, how did I not notice it and when did you get it?"
This is like Yua in the morning all over again. "I got it while you were in the bathroom. I blended the bag with Rikka's art supplies bag. And my parents put 87750 yen on a credit card each month for me."
"I still don't get why you would buy this for me."
"Well, like you said, I dragged you all across the city to do my family's errands, I made you carry most of the bags, I made you put the groceries away, I made you put up with me the whole day and I didn't say thank you until the very end. I guess the second you left for the bathroom; I realized that you've been a great friend. Although, you do get on my nerves."
"Rima-chan."
"Oh, I couldn't get the pedestal or the free basketball without tipping you off, but I did get the special cover." I handed it to him.
He grabbed it, but immediately put the cover on the ground and the book on top of it. What is he doing?
He took a few steps closer to me and stared into my eyes. Seriously, what is he doing!
He cupped his hands around my face. Shit!
He titled my face upward and inched closer. He slowly placed his lips on mine.
Oh. My. God.
(Utau's POV)
"Utau-sama, you really know how to shop 'til you drop!"
"I would've been able to shop more if we didn't get kicked out."
"Yeah Utau-san, what were you thinking?"
"I was thinking that that old woman's shirt did not go with those shoes." Hey, it's the truth.
"Yeah, but was it necessary for you to beat her down and cuss at her."
Kinda. I knew I should've dressed up as Hoshina Utau, then I would've gotten some respect. If I did though, I would have gotten mobbed. Yua's lucky she put on a disguise before we entered the mall.
The three of us were silent in the limo. We were driving to Nade's house.
I remained silent while Nade and Yua talked.
"You amazing though, Yua-chan. How did you keep up Utau-san all day?"
"Training as model. Oh yeah!"
The limo came to an abrupt stop. We're here. I was getting out of the limo. "I should've been a model too, but then I'd have to watch what I'm eating and-"
Whoa! I got out of the limo and saw something. Am I hallucinating? I rubbed my eyes and looked again. No, I'm not. Wow!
"Utau-sama, why did you stop mid-sentence?" I turned around to see Yua and Nade getting out of the limo. I pulled them out to make it go faster.
"Utau-san, what was that fo-"
I twisted their heads to the scene that I just saw.
It took them a while for them to react. Probably because their minds were processing it.
They at last exclaimed, "WHOA BABY!" at the same time.
I face-palmed.
I looked back up to see Nagihiko and Rima back away from each other all red. "Oh, you guys are back from shopping so soon?" Rima questioned.
Yua and Nade were both sides of me squealing They left my side and rushed to Rima's and tackled her inside the house.
I followed after them. Nagihiko was still on the front yard picking something up. I walked by him. "Utau-san," he muttered.
I paused to answer him. "Don't worry. You don't have to tell me."
"I don't?"
"No, because right now, I don't think you want to be bombarded with questions. And anyways, I'll get it out of Rima." I winked at him.
He presented a small smile and nod and commenced his way home.
I smiled after him and then turned to face Rima's house. I walked inside looking for Yua, Nade and Rima.
I haven't been in Rima's house before. I'll take this chance to explore. I wonder where they are.
(Rima's POV)
Do you know what's worse than two of your friends interrogating you? I don't know. I thought you could come up with something else.
Yua-tan and Nadeshiko are shooting questions like fireworks. Why did they have to come home early?
Just then, the door opened revealing Utau! Hopefully Utau will bale me out of this.
"I see you two are still asking Rima questions."
"Save me Utau!"
"Nah, I want to know what happened too." She joined the other two. Just my luck.
"So what happened?"
"Did Nagihiko help you with the errands?"
"Did you give him the present he was carrying? You do know today's Valentine's Day right?"
My friends. Aren't they wonderful?
I answered all their questions to my dismay. At the end, they started squealing. Oww, my ears hurt.
"Aww, you two should go out." Huh?
"You two would make a cute couple." Excuse me?
"It's possibly a romance, Rima." What?
A romance between Nagihiko and me. Me…and…Nagihiko. Nah. We're just friends, right? I think of him as just a friend. But does he? Besides the kiss, he does think of me as just a friend. Right?
To be continued…
Ran: Aww, so cute.
Me: Uh, sure. I did this last minute because I'm a huge procrastinator. I don't think it was any good.
Ran: Gees, Camilla-chan. Stop procrastinating!
Me: I'll try. Anyways, see you next time.
Ran: Bye everyone.
Haha, I finished this just in time for Nagihiko's birthday. Although, I did have to stay up last night to write it. I also finished the video I made. Other than that, the next chapter will be a filler and will come out sooner…let's just hope that. The title is Seiyo's Jocks, See You Soon Yua, and Yaya
Link: http:/www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=1XzenyxT2LQ
P.S. Thank you for the reviews. They feel like hugs from a friend.
P.P.S. Happy 4th of July!
Truths:
#21: I make up a dream before I go to sleep.
#22: I can't be best friends with someone without constantly making fun of them.
