Disclaimer & AN: Thanks to everyone that's reviewed! I love you guys! =) Hahaha, okay, okay, moving on, the complication is ...less complicated. I'm kinda in a writer's block right now, with so many assignments but I think I'll get over it once Spring Break starts! Which is...in 2 days!
Anyways please R&R! (For Ryo & Rika)
Lunch, 12:42 PM, Outside
"Hey, what do you have there?" Andrew asked, sitting down beside Madison.
"Huh? Oh, hi." Madison looked up and smiled. "I was just thinking...and wondering." She said and took out the box.
"Oh, wow!" Andrew whistled, "That's some present. Who's it from?" Maddie shook her head.
"It's not mine. I don't even know who it's for or what's inside."
"Huh?"
"Well...I think Ryo's planning on giving it to someone else."
"Oh?" Andrew frowned. That was insensitive and somewhat cruel. "But how come you have it?"
"He dropped it at the hospital."
"Maybe it's something for his grandma?" Andrew asked, although the idea was farfetched. No one would give their grandma a gift from that store!
"I don't think so." Maddie laughed. "Don't worry about hurting me, he's already made it really clear and in a nice manner that he doesn't like me."
"Yea...I thought about that." Andrew said slowly. "When I first heard you were his betrothed, I never thought he would be the kind of guy to agree to something like this. And it was apparent he didn't exactly...feel the same way."
"Oh, I know...but I couldn't help but like him."
"I'm sure it's nothing personal though." Andrew smiled kindly at her, "Maybe he has someone special already." I wonder...who that person is.
"Maybe he does." Maddie smiled sadly,
---
"If you guys won't tell her, then I will!" Kazu frowned, "It's not nice to keep this kind of secrets, and she's already suspecting something, isn't she?"
"And how do you propose you do that?" Kenta asked. "It's not as if we don't want to, we just don't want to see her hurt."
"But it's going to hurt more eventually, right?"
"Why do you care so much?" Lina scowled, "It's not like it affects you."
"Rika?" Alice asked, turning to face her friend.
"I could care less." Rika shrugged. "Except what will she do once she knows?"
"That's the main problem." Ryo said, pulling a seat up beside Rika.
"Maybe we should just hint it."
"So who's going to do that?"
"Not Kazu." Jeri laughed. "He'd give everything away."
"Hey!"
"Let's get Henry, he has the most trust-worthy look." Takato grinned.
"Why me?"
"Kenta then." Rika stated.
"Me!?" Kenta asked, wide-eyed, looking around at all his friends.
"You'll be perfect." Alice grinned wickedly.
"We're counting on you." Ryo said, clapping him on the back.
No pressure at all.
After School, 4:21 PM
"You think he can do it?" Jeri whispered from behind the big oak tree in the middle of the yard.
"God, this is so lame." Rika muttered, leaning on the trunk of a tree nearby. "If you guys are so curious, why don't you just go with him?"
"Chill, Wildcat." Ryo laughed, ruffling her hair affectionately. She shot him a cold look. Jeri smiled warmly at the sight, it was good to know that those two were better now ever since the retreat. She found it sweet, their little confession and only hoped to have something like that with Takato one day.
Things have been better at school too, there were rumors about them possibly being back together. Sad really, it's not as if they were broken up in the first place. And it seems problems with Andrew have....faded.
I wonder if he suspects anything as well. Jeri wondered but focused her attention back.
"Besides, we're all curious to see what's her reaction!" Takato said, "I'm sure you are too."
"Matsuki. Shut it."
---
"Hey Maddie!"
"Oh, hi Kenta."
"Where were you? We didn't see you at lunch today?" Kenta asked, catching up to the girl.
"I was just...taking a walk. Didn't feel like eating much."
"Ah? Thoughts on your mind?"
"Yea...actually, I wanted to ask something."
"Hm?" Kenta asked, looking at her intently.
"Does...Ryo have someone he likes already?"
"...Well...if he did...what would you do?"
"I take that as a yes?" Maddie asked, smiling sadly.
"I didn't say that though." Kenta said carefully. "So would you tell your parents or something?"
"My parents?" Madison looked at him, alarmed. "No, no. I wouldn't tell them something like that."
"Why not? I mean...you do like him, right? And since you guys are planned to be married?"
"Well...you can't force anyone...and I guess I never took into consideration of the fact he'd already have someone. I have caused some trouble, haven't I?"
"No...no. I'm sure it wasn't your intention, or fault that is." Kenta smiled gently. Maddie laughed.
"So will you tell me who the girl is?"
"Ah? I never said..."
---
"You know what they say?
"What?"
"That they all want to cruise with you in your convertible by the beach."
"Oh?"
"Don't look so smug!" Rika snapped while Ryo grinned.
"Are you jealous?"
"Why? Are you going to drive them?"
"Why don't you just tell them that I wouldn't drive anyone else but you?
"And cause a riot? I don't think so."
"I'll save you." He laughed, poking her on the nose.
"I don't need any saving, thanks." She snapped, swatting his hand away. "You're awfully affectionate today."
"What can you say? I'm relieved."
"Nothing's changed yet." She reminded him and he pouted.
"You just have to spoil everything, don't you?"
"I'm only being realistic."
"And I'm just enjoying the moment. You should too." Ryo said and motioned her to come over.
"I'm not a dog!"
"Fine. And I was going to ask you if you wanted to go for a ride."
"Akiyama." She growled.
"The last name...I'm in deep trouble, aren't I?"
"Die." She said, chucking a pillow at him, he laughed dodging it and tackled her.
"Surely you wouldn't want that!" Ryo said, leaning over her, pining her arms.
"Don't you dare."
"And how are you going to stop me?" He asked, raising an eyebrow and leaned down to kiss her.
He found she wasn't as reluctant as she pretended to be. But that was Rika for you.
Jan. 28th, Monday
"You know...when people say that the bystanders see much more than the participators, it's true." Henry remarked one afternoon.
"And why is that?"
"Because...you really are blind. Can't you see that Andrew's...backed off for a while now? Maybe he realizes something, I think you should tell him."
"But-"
"Yea, it might not work, and I know this thing with Maddie hasn't worked itself out fully yet, but...perhaps you should consider getting rid of one complication."
"Maybe..."
---
"So now that Maddie suspects something, and says that nothing will happen, don't you think you should tell her?"
"She doesn't suspect that it's me, does she?"
"No..."
"Is there a need to tell her then?"
"Oh Rika..." Jeri shook her head. "You don't get it, do you?"
"What is there to get?"
"Don't you think you at least owe her an explanation?"
"For?"
"It was just a thought..." And Rika didn't reply, just stared off at the sky, deep in thought.
Dinnertime, 7:25 PM, Nonaka Residence
"Honey, is something wrong?"
"No...not really." Rika said, picking at her food.
"Did you already eat?" Seiko asked, worriedly.
"No, no, sorry Grandma. I'm just worried."
"About?"
"I haven't heard from Ryo all day...I wonder if anything is wrong."
"I'm sure he'll call soon."
"Yea..." He better. Rika scowled, checking her phone for the millionth time that evening. Where was he? And what was going on?
---
Andrew drove down the road, deep in thought. There had been rumors going around lately...and he wasn't sure what to make of those rumors.
A person suddenly appeared in front of the car and Andrew hit the brakes hurriedly. The car lurched forward. Shit, he'd been in too deep thought to notice. His eyes widened as he peered through the glass.
It was Ryo.
---
"Are you sure you don't want to pick up the phone?" Andrew asked, breaking the silence between the two apart from the ringtone coming from Ryo's phone.
"No."
"But...I think it must be Rika calling. She must be worried." Glaring, Ryo shut down his phone and put it away.
"..."
"Well...it seems you really dislike me."
"You're very astute on that, I'll give you that." Ryo said, looking at him.
"If you dislike me so much, why did you accept my invitation?"
"Because it's rude to turn down an offer, and it's apparent you have something to say to me."
"Direct. Well...I guess."
"Stop wasting my time." Ryo snapped. "If you have something to say, then spit it out."
"Alright then...I care a lot about RIka..."
Ryo stiffened in response as Andrew stared down at his folded hands.