Chapter 21

Hey! I update a lot these days, don't I? I've been having lots of free time for some odd reason.

*Sigh* So many thing's been happening. For exampe, our upcoming field trip and a limo coming to our school for some odd reason (Seriously). What happened to our school's "Simplicity" theme?

Anyway, enjoy life and I hope you enjoy this chappie! On with the story!

"Romance is just a cliché thing filled with angst and heartache…"
By: Riri-chi's story "Love at Seventeen"

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A red-head narrowed his magenta eyes at an old photo album.

He centered his gaze at a picture of a young girl; her curly, blonde locks landing softly unto her shoulder. She wore a white, summer dress and was standing bare-foot as she gazed at the beach with a huge, genuine smile planted across her face.

This picture was beautifully taken, capturing every angle of the girl's face, and so this red-headed treasured it for that.

"Kirishima-kun, I love you!" He recalled the girl telling him that in a cheery manner. She said that when he bought her the gag manga she had always wanted. Right after she said that, he recalled being kissed on the cheek by that sweet, passionate girl.

The boy instinctively brought his hand over to his left cheek where the girl planted that sweet kiss.

After awhile, he held the photo album close to his chest, promising himself never to lose it again.

~~~~~~Rima's POV~~~~~~

I woke up, brushed my teeth and did the normal morning routines with Amu and Yaya. Nadeshiko had lots of spare female uniforms that she lent us, and exactly two for males. Kukai and Tadase were lucky…

Anyway, Nadeshiko must've over-slept. I'd understand, after seeing what he was doing the entire night.

The moment I walked into his room, though, I paled.

"NAGIHIKO!"

My voice echoed through the Fujisaki household. Immediately, I grabbed the boy by the collar of the black and green school uniform then hissed, "Mind explaining why you're wearing that?"

Nagihiko took steps back, frightened by my outburst. Finally, he held his hands up in surrender.

"Calm down, Rima-chan! I was only trying this on!"

Just then, Kukai and Tadase scurried into the room with only their boxers on.

"What's going on?" They asked in unison. At the sight, I couldn't help but feel the heat flood my cheeks. I got a random pillow off Nagihiko's couch then hurled it at them. "Put some clothes on!" I spat.

Thuds of more footsteps came, and Yaya and Amu came rushing into the room. Amu had her usual cool and spicy look, though her hair-clip was still the same as the one yesterday- the black heart shaped one Tadase gave her not too long ago.

"Is something the matter, Ri-..."

She never got to finish because she caught the sight of Tadase and Kukai on the ground. Her face flooded with red and I couldn't help but worry that her head might explode because of all the blood rushing to her face.

"Tadase, Kukai, why are you wearing only big shorts?" Yaya asked innocently, kneeling down so she could take a look at their faces. Kukai raised a hand.

"Y-you see, we were dressing up when I noticed that my uniform was missing. Tadase and I looked for it when suddenly, we heard the second queen scream" He said.

Tadase rubbed the back of his head. "S-sorry. Souma-kun and I forgot to wear something for cover"

Amu's eyes sparkled. "N-no…it's okay!"

Pervert…

"So anyway, what happened, Ri…ma…" Amu trailed off when she looked at me. At first, I was worried why everyone gave me weird looks, until I realized that it wasn't me they were looking at.

Oh shoot…

"Hello, Amu-chan!" Nagihiko calmly smiled, not bothering to disguise his voice.

"N-Naddy…?" Yaya mumbled. Amu shook her head then looked at Nagihiko from head to toe. Finally, she gasped.

"…Are you…maybe…Nagihiko?" She wondered. I stiffened then reluctantly turned to Nagihiko, who was standing, right hand on the waist. He narrowed his eyes then smirked. "Yes…"

Awkward silence…

3…

2…

1…

"NANI?" Yaya and Amu had literally screamed. Tadase, Kukai and I had to cover our ears just to keep ourselves from being deaf. Amu was first to run to him. She stopped then examined him, making him shift uncomfortably.

"Wow. You really do look like Nadeshiko!" She squealed. Yaya bounced her way to him, glomped him then twirled his hair in amazement.

Sigh…teenagers these days…

"~Nee, Nagi, why are you wearing Seiyo's uniform?" Yaya asked. At first, I thought that he'd flinch; not knowing what to say, but instead, he calmly rubbed the back of his head then tilted it. "Well, I just got here and I wanted to at least try on the boy's uniform in my sister's school"

Amu started to look around.

"…Speaking of Nadeshiko, we're getting late for school. I wonder where she is"

I snickered and Nagihiko stiffened.

"Now that you've mentioned it…" I trailed off with a glint in my eyes. Nagihiko hastily ran off the bedroom.

"I-I'll go call her!" He yelled, shutting the door behind him.

"Did you guys see that?" Kukai wondered. We all looked at him and gave him skeptical looks. "See what, Kukai?" Yaya asked. Kukai put a finger on his chin.

"…I think I saw a blue chara following Nagi. Do you think that maybe he has one…?"

I thought about this. He did say he had a chara. I just never got to see it. In fact, we hardly see each other's charas because of this so-called Kiseki.

The door bust open, and Nadeshiko came in. Tadase and I were surprised, seeing how fast Nagihiko changed. Currently Nadeshiko, she fiddled with the hem of the green, middle-school uniform then walked towards us.

"Sorry to keep you guys waiting! Let's go!" She winked.

I've got to admit, walking to school with friends is actually fun.

True, it is different and more chaotic than the time when it was only Amu and I that were walking to school, but this also gave me happiness. It was…a different form of happiness.

I thought back. Maybe…it really is okay to trust people. Just maybe, though. I still find it too risky.

However, when you think about it logically, if I put all my trust on Amu alone, wouldn't it hurt more if I lost her, rather than to know that I have other friends to depend on?

No. That will never happen. Amu will always be there for me, no matter what.

I smiled at the thought then playfully clung unto Amu's arm.

"~Nee, Amu! I have strawberry pocky! Let's eat it together during recess today!"

"Let us join you!"

I let my eyes widen. I smiled then turned to the additional four in my group of friends.

Yaya…

Kukai…

Tadase…

…and even purple-head…

I nodded in satisfaction. "Okay!"

Looks like I have to break the promise, after all. The promise Amu and I made a few years ago when we first met- the one where we said that only the two of us knew about each other's true selves. From the looks of it, I may be getting used to the company of other people too.

However…I have this feeling that's not the only promise I'm breaking.

I turned to Nagihiko then let a little smile form my face.

I'm slowly breaking the promise I made during my first few encounters with this surprisingly charming boy.

I averted my gaze at the ground then grinned. This is such a nice feeling. Normally, on my way to school, I'm in my parent's car, hearing them quarrel non-stop. That is truly torture, and during those times I had to work on holding back the tears. Now, I'm care-free and walking with the few people I have learned to trust!

I guess I wasn't looking at the road, though, because next thing I knew, I collided with someone, and all the books I held scattered to the ground.

"I'm sorry! I-I wasn't looking! I didn't mean to…" Said the voice I had bumped into. I flicked my tongue then shook my head.

"Excuses, excuses…"

Nagihiko chuckled at my coldness towards this person. Curious, I looked up, only to meet the gaze of Fuyuki Kirishima!

I lightly blushed then picked the books up. Kirishima was going to help me but Nagihiko had kicked him in his thing before he could even kneel down! So instead, it was Nagihiko and Amu that had helped me with the books.

"Why'd you hit him there, Nadeshiko?" Amu wondered. Nagihiko shrugged as he shoved the books into my bag.

"It was an accident"

Yaya bounced her way towards us then looked at Kirishima.

"…Yaya didn't know that an accidental kick could actually look like a perfect karate kick!" Said guardian mumbled. Kukai shrugged then picked up some books too. Shyly, I glanced at Kirishima. "Sorry…" I mumbled.

From beside me, I could feel the evil and knowing smirks of Amu and Yaya.

"Oh! I just forgot! Nadeshiko promised me a treat! Let's go, Nadeshiko!" Amu chirped, grabbing the struggling Nagihiko by the arm and strutting off.

"W-wait, Amu-chan! Since when did I…"

"Ah! Kukai! Tadase-kun! Yaya wants ice cream! Go with her!" Yaya grabbed both boys by the hand.

"Yaya!" Kukai whined. Tadase, however, was looking rather worried.

"…But class starts in five minutes…"

I sighed. There goes the happy walk I was dramatizing about not too long ago. I turned to Kirishima with a calm expression then extended my hand to help him stand.

When he looked at me, he froze. Curious, I leaned in. "Kirishima-kun?" I mumbled. He leaned back then blushed.

"M-Mashiro-san…a-are you maybe…" He trailed off. I gave him a puzzled look then crossed my arms.

"Class starts in five minutes. Hurry"

"But your friends-"

"They're just setting us up!" I grabbed him by the hand then pulled him up. He gasped, much to my wonder. However, I had no time to ask him that.

As if on cue, the first bell rang.

"Let's go!" I huffed.

"I'm right behind you!" He yelled. Immediately, I heard his foot steps nearing me. After awhile, he was jogging next to me. "Hurry" I said.

He smiled. "I'll wait for you, Mashiro-san!"

I then remembered how slow I was. Kirishima-kun was going to be late for class all because of me!

"You're a basketball player. You can't afford to be late" I pointed out. I've only ran for a few feet and I was starting to get tired. When I slowed down, so did he. He smiled at me.

"…I'll wait for you"

…So because of me, Kirishima was late for class.

When I bust into the classroom, everyone silenced. This is a normal reaction. When me, or any of my friends enter our own classrooms, everyone is silenced. I looked around the room before sitting down. I let my gaze fall unto the violet-haired boy sitting on his seat and staring dully into the window.

When I sat, the teacher went on with the lesson, not even bothering to scold me because she knew how hard I was.

"…So how was your walk to class with Kirishima?" Nagihiko asked. He didn't even bother to look at me. His eyes never darted from the window. No one else seemed to hear him. For some odd reason, I did.

I shrugged then grabbed my note pad and pencil.

"He's sweet…"

I was looking forward to more conversation with him, but Nagihiko remained silent.

I thought I'd like his silence. I always say I hate it when he teases…but now that he's quiet, I couldn't help but feel so rejected.

"My, my! What a pleasant surprise!" Tsukasa grinned as he leaned back to his soft chair and then placed both feet on the desk. He narrowed his eyes the young green-haired boy wearing Seiyo High's middle school uniform.

The boy frowned then pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose.

"No matter how much you dislike my sister, I'll have you know that I have the qualifications to attend this school, principal. If you decline me for such a silly, childish reason, I could easily hire a lawyer and sue you." The boy said. The slim principal chuckled.

"I had no intention to reject you! In fact I'm quite excited! I want to see how this little story plays out!"