First Kiss ~Unexpected Farewell?~

Author's Note :

This story was written for purely selfish reasons. It's the story I wanted to see in an episode. It was originally written as sort of a possible ending to the series, but I don't think it's right to 'end' a series like this so I changed it around a bit. Then I decided to write a group of stories based on the idea of 'How would each of the girls react if Rito kissed them?' I tried to come up with individual scenarios for each girl that would result in a kiss and this one worked perfectly as a first chapter.

This is my first attempt at actually writing a story with some tension and emotion in it rather than just comedy. Hopefully it doesn't come off as too sappy or forced.

Start :

Rito, Lala, Mikan and Celine are all eating breakfast and chatting as usual. As they finish and start clearing the table, Momo comes downstairs.

"Onee-Sama." She calls out. She smiles when she sees Rito "Good morning Rito-san."

"What's up Momo?" Lala asks.

"Mother called this morning. She's talking to Nana right now but she said she has something important to talk to you about." Momo's expression turns serious for a moment.

"Is something wrong, Momo?" Rito asks. Momo looks at him for a moment but just shakes her head and quickly leaves the room. Lala has already rushed off, excited for the opportunity to talk to her mother.

"And how about your studies, Nana. Are you still enjoying school on earth?" Sephie asks. She appears on a large screen on one wall of the Deviluke apartment. Before Nana can answer her question, Lala appears.

"Mama!" Lala shouts excitedly, bounding over to stand next to Nana.

"Lala, I see you're as energetic as always." Sephie looks to Nana. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for school now, Nana?"

Nana nods. She casts a worried glance at Lala, but she doesn't seem to notice. "See you soon." She says as she leaves the room.

"Are you coming to visit again, Mama?" Lala asks.

"Yes dear. Your father and I are both coming to earth. We will arrive tomorrow."

"Papa too! Wow, you two never travel together. I can't wait!" Lala squeals.

"Lala." Sephie says calmly. "There is something we need to discuss."

"Huh?" Lala says, noticing the serious tone in Sephie's voice.

"Lala! We're going to be late if you don't hurry." Rito calls up the stairs. Everyone is gathered at the front door, preparing to leave for school.

"Coming Rito!" Lala replies, bounding down the stairs. She tumbles into Rito, as usual.

"You're doing that on purpose now." Rito complains, as they both stand up and straighten their clothing.

"Sorry Rito." Lala says quietly, blushing slightly.

"What's with that reaction?" Rito thinks, as he follows the girls outside.

Rito and Lala are walking to school, with Nana and Momo following a short distance behind.

Lala grabs Rito's arm but he quickly shrugs her off, getting flustered. "Lala, why do you always need to hang off of me like that?" He asks.

Instead of her usual laughing reply, Lala just frowns and continues walking along, her head drooping slightly. "Just when I think she is acting normal again she changes her mood." Rito thinks. He considers Lala for a moment and then extends his arm to her. "Just don't cling so tightly, alright?" He says. She gives him a big smile as she takes his arm and they continue on to school.

Rito is sitting in class, trying hard to pay attention but failing. He glances around the room, looking at Haruna as she takes notes, and Yui as she raises her hand to answer a question. Out of the corner of his eye, he catches Lala staring at him. It takes her a moment to realize he has seen her. She quickly looks away, but moments later he sees her staring at him again.

A short while later, Rito, Lala and Haruna are sitting together with Risa and Mio in the courtyard eating lunch. Once more, Rito keeps noticing Lala staring at him. Haruna also notices this time.

"Lala?" Haruna asks as they get ready to return to class. "Is there something wrong?" Lala tries to put on a happy smile, but Haruna can tell something is up. As everyone else continues on to the classroom, Lala and Haruna remain standing in the hallway.

"Haruna." Lala says quietly. "I have a big favour to ask. Can you keep a secret for me? Just for one day?"

The final bell rings and everyone starts filing out of the school. The same group is heading home, but this time Haruna is with them as well. Her and Lala are walking at the back of the group, talking quietly together.

As they approach the street leading to Haruna's house, she quietly leaves the group, avoiding Rito as she heads off on her own. "That's odd." Rito thinks. "Is Lala's grumpy mood affecting Haruna now too?"

"Lets go shopping Rito!" Lala suddenly announces.

"What, shopping?" Rito says. "I kinda wanted to just go home and relax today."

"Oh, come on!" She insists. "We haven't gone shopping together in a long time. There's some things I wanted to buy while I…" She stops suddenly. "Err… I just felt like shopping today, OK?"

"Well, it's Friday so I guess there's no rush to get home." Rito concedes.

"Yay! Lets go!" Lala drags Rito by the arm as they head off.

Rito and Lala spend the afternoon together, visiting various shops in town.

In a clothing store, Lala tries on several outfits to see what Rito thinks of them. The last one she tries on is simply a very revealing set of lingerie, which shocks Rito as well as several other customers who are standing about.

In a grocery store, Lala picks out some fish for dinner. Rito tries to pull her away when she is standing in front of a shelf filled with extra spicy hot sauce.

In a café, they sit and talk while sharing a slice of cake.

"Wow, that was the best Rito!" Lala says as they finally head home. "We should go on dates like that more often!"

"Wha… date? Lala, I thought we were just shopping? We've done stuff like that before. That wasn't a…" Rito stammers.

"I'm just joking." Lala laughs. "You're always too serious Rito. When you decide to take Haruna on a date finally, you shouldn't get so flustered like that." Her smile fades a bit as she finishes.

They walk in silence for a bit until they finally reach home.

Lala is in the kitchen, trying to help Mikan with dinner (to disastrous results). Momo, Nana and Celine sit at the dining room table with Rito.

"Did you two have a fun day then, Rito-san?" Momo asks.

"Oh, uh… I guess." Rito replies. "Hey, does Lala seem alright to you two?" He asks.

Momo and Nana exchange a look, but before either can say anything Lala and Mikan enter from the kitchen carrying the food. "Rito, I made this special for you!" Lala says, presenting the fish that Rito saw here buying at the store.

Rito looks at Mikan, who shrugs and smiles. "OK, so Mikan helped me. A lot. But its good, see? Say ahh." She attempts to spoon a portion of the food into Rito's mouth but it burns him.

"Ouch!" Rito yells. He tries to jump back but catches his legs under the table. Both Rito and Lala end up in a pile on the floor, with Rito on top and Lala's shirt lifted up to her neck, exposing her breasts.

"Ah! Sorry Lala." He apologizes backing away. Lala just laughs.

"I told you it was too hot, Lala." Mikan explains. "Let it cool first."

Rito and Lala sit back up at the table and continue their meal. After everyone has finished eating Rito yawns and stretches. "That was a long day." He says. "I think I'll just have a bath and go to sleep."

Lala perks up at this. "Hey, Rito, can I join you?" She asks.

"What?! Lala no!" Rito replies.

"But you would let Mikan do it. Come on, it'll be fun!"

"No way!" Rito says. "Look, Lala, I don't know why you are in this mood today, but the hand holding and shopping were one thing. Having a bath together is totally different."

Lala pouts for a few moments. "Hey, big sis." Nana says. "Come with Momo and me. We can go use the hot springs in my safari. It's been a while since we did something like that." Nana looks at Rito as she says this.

"What's that look mean." Rito thinks. "Is she angry at me for NOT bathing with Lala?"

The three sisters leave together, leaving Rito confused.

Night time. Rito is tossing and turning in bed, trying to understand all the strange things that have happened today. He suddenly hears a squeak as his door opens. He turns to look but just catches a glimpse of a tail as someone leaps over him and tumbles in to bed. He turns the other way, expecting to find Momo but instead sees Lala lying beside him.

"Lala? What are you doing?" Rito asks.

"I wanted to sleep here with you, silly." She answers, yawning and laying her head down on a pillow.

"We can't do that!" Rito shouts. "Lala, you have your own bed."

"Oh, come on. We used to do this all the time." She complains.

"That was different. You would always sneak in after I was asleep."

"Oh. So it's OK if I leave and come back when you're asleep then?" She asks.

"No, Lala. That's not the point!" Rito says in an angry tone. "Can't you just let me get some sleep?"

Rito is shocked to see tears start to form in Lala's eyes. "But I just…" She starts. She shakes her head a few times, trying in vain to keep from crying. "I'm sorry Rito." She finally says, leaping from the bed and running out of the room.

Rito stares at the doorway for a moment. He finally gets up and follows after Lala, worried that something may be seriously wrong. When he reaches the hallway, he sees Nana standing in front of the teleporter that leads to the Deviluke apartment. "Where do you think you're going?" She asks.

"Lala…" He begins.

"Maybe you should just let her sleep it off. She has a lot on her mind today, Rito." Nana says. Before Rito can ask what she means, Nana steps into the teleporter and is gone. The look she gives him as she leaves makes it clear he is not welcome to follow. Rito returns to his room and after several minutes of tossing and turning, finally settles down to sleep.

The next morning, Rito arrives to check on Lala. He meets Momo outside Lala's room. "Is she up yet?" He asks nervously.

As he steps through the doorway into Lala's room he immediately knows that something is up. "I don't think she slept here last night, Rito-san." Momo says. Lala's room is clean for once, no inventions lying around on the floor. Most of her things are still here, but the doll Rito won for her at the arcade back when they first met is missing and her bed obviously has not been slept in.

"Lala!" Rito calls, as he leaves the room. "Where could she be?"

He hears some noises coming from the bathroom and then the door begins to open. "No wait, Rito-san." Momo tries to warn as she sees Rito rush towards the bathroom.

Rito collides with Nana, who is only wearing a towel. The towel goes flying into the air and then drops on top of Nana's head. Nana is now sitting atop Rito who is lying on his back rubbing his head. "Sorry, Nana." He says, trying to help her up. He only succeeds in placing both hands directly onto her chest.

"You damn beast!" She yells. She grabs onto his neck and begins to choke him, but then suddenly remembers she is naked. Instead she grabs the towel and makes a dash for her room, rushing by Momo on the way.

"Momo!" Rito says. "Please, help me find her." Momo nods and they begin their search.

Rito and Momo spend several hours searching about town for Lala. They search the school, library and some of the stores Rito and her had visited the previous day. Finally they stop at Haruna's house to see if she has been there.

"Sorry Yuuki-kun." Haruna says. "I haven't seen her today. Is something wrong?"

"I said something I shouldn't have." Rito admits. "I think she's upset about something, and I didn't pay enough attention to notice." Rito turns to leave, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

When they decide to search the park next, Rito is surprised to see a large number of Deviluke guards milling about. He also sees that most of the earthlings in the park have gathered in one area to observe something. As Rito and Momo approach, they see a spaceship has landed in the centre of the park. At the base of the ship, Nana and Zastin are watching a pair of figures descend the walkway from the entrance of the ship.

"Your parents?" Rito gasps, turning to Momo.

"Sorry Rito-san." Momo replies. "They asked that we not tell anyone until they arrived. Don't worry, they're only here for one day." Momo is acting strange and won't look Rito in the eye. "Come on, let's go see what they have to say."

As Rito and Momo approach the group standing by the spaceship, Sephie greets them warmly. "Momo, Rito-san, so good to see you both." As Momo moves to join her sister and mother, Zastin steps in front of Rito, cutting him off from the others.

"My apologies, Yuuki Rito, but your presence has been requested elsewhere." Zastin grabs Rito by the shoulder and activates a device on his wrist. Before Rito can ask what is happening, they both vanish in a puff of smoke.

Rito and Zastin appear on the roof of the school.

"Wha…" Rito tries to ask, but he is interrupted by a deep voice from behind him.

"I thought this would make a fitting place for our talk. It's been over a year since the last one we had here." Rito shudders as he turns around, already recognizing the voice. Gid Lucion Deviluke stands before him. He nods to Zastin, who activates the device on his wrist again and disappears. When Rito looks confused, Gid shows him a similar device on his own wrist. "Look familiar? One of Lala's toys. Luckily the Deviluke scientists were able to fix the problem her original device had with clothing."

Rito chuckles nervously at the joke, but Gid's expression suddenly turns serious. "Your time is up, Yuuki Rito." Gid states, flatly. "I must admit, I admire you for your fortitude. Living with all three of my daughters would be a trial for any man, and you have somehow kept them happier than they ever were sitting around the palace." Gid smiles a bit at this, but then regards Rito with a cold stare. "But the entire galaxy cannot wait on an indecisive teenager."

"But…" Rito begins, but stops as soon as he sees Gid's eyes widen in anger.

"I did not summon you here for a discussion! I brought you here so I could TELL you what is going to happen." He snaps. "Lala is returning to Deviluke with us when we leave. An appropriate suitor has been selected. One who can fulfill the role required of him and who will care for Lala properly. Whatever Momo and Nana decide to do with their lives is up to them, but Lala has a responsibility, to her family and to the galaxy. She has a duty to perform. That is all there is to it."

"A suitor? For Lala?" Rito thinks in a panic.

He moves as if to speak but Gid cuts him off again with a glare. "We leave in 3 hours. If you have anything left to say to my daughter, I suggest you make good use of this time." Before Rito can try to respond again, Gid vanishes, leaving him alone on the roof of the school.

Rito is alone with his thoughts. He starts thinking about the previous day and Lala's strange behaviour. Walking to school, the shopping trip, the special dinner. Then he remembers their fight and Lala running away in tears. "I HAVE to find her!" He says to himself as he runs off.

"Lala!" Rito yells again as he runs down yet another empty street. He is breathing heavily now, having run all over town searching. He doesn't notice Haruna standing by her window looking down at him in the street.

"Poor Yuuki-kun." She thinks to herself. She glances over to see Lala sitting on her bed with a bunch of playing cards spread out in front of her.

"It's your turn Haruna." She says.

Haruna looks out the window again, but Rito is already far away. "Lala?" She asks. "Are you really sure this is the right thing? Don't you think your father is being a bit unreasonable?"

Lala is quiet for a few moments, and then shakes her head. "This is best for everyone." She says, finally. "I've created so many problems, for both Papa and Rito." She pauses as Haruna gasps. "I don't regret meeting Rito!" Lala explains. "Or you, Haruna. But... I've had my fun. I got to experience something I wouldn't have ever known if I had just stayed at the palace and done as I was told. Now I'll go and do the right thing, and Rito..." She pauses again. "Rito can be with you."

Rito looks at his phone, realizing that his time is almost up. He sees the park up ahead and puts on more speed, running as fast as he can.

When he reaches the ship he finds that the Deviluke guards have dispersed most of the crowd. The only two people near the ship are Nana and Momo.

"Why are you here?" Nana asks, glaring at Rito before Momo can say anything. "I think you've upset big sis enough don't you?"

"Nana." Momo says.

"What? Why should he be sad anyways? He's got his normal life back now. Isn't that what he wanted." Nana huffs.

"I don't WANT my normal life back!" Rito growls, shocking both Nana and Momo.

"So what DO you want, Rito-san?" A soft voice calls out. Sephie descends the ramp from the ship. "Why don't you two go say goodbye to your father while I talk with Rito-san, hmm?" She says to her daughters. They both leave, still in shock at Rito's outburst.

"I'm..." Rito begins, but he is cut off by Sephie's laughter.

"Don't start apologizing now, Rito-san. Lala would be happy to see such fire in you. You should never feel bad about expressing your true feelings." Her smile fades as she continues. "I am afraid that I cannot help you though. My husband has made up his mind on this and he can be just as stubborn as any of his daughters. You will be a great man one day, Yuuki Rito. Just don't lose that fire." She looks at something over Rito's shoulder and then turns to leave without another word.

Rito turns around to see Lala standing behind him. She is carrying a small bag with a few of her things. He can see her doll hanging out of the front flap of the bag.

Rito again remembers the previous day, when Lala was acting strange, staring at him, trying to be closer to him. "You've known since yesterday, right?" He asks.

"Sorry Rito." She says. "I wanted to have one more fun day with you. I knew you would figure out something was wrong eventually, that's why I ran away. I couldn't stand to see you sad or angry at me." Tears start to form in her eyes again.

"Lala I…" Rito stutters as he chokes back tears. "How can I say goodbye to Lala?" He thinks to himself. He has a vision of the first time they met, and running along the rooftops to escape capture.

"I…" He tries again. "I'm sorry. That I couldn't give you what you wanted in the end, I mean. I should have been honest with you from the start and not dragged this on for so…" He stops when he sees Lala shaking her head.

"Don't say that Rito." She says sadly. "If that was the case, we would never have spent all this time together. I don't want to change that. I had so much fun, and met so many wonderful people, because of you!" She pauses for a moment and then steps forward and gives him a hug. "I'm going to miss you Rito." She hugs him for a few moments and then lets go.

Lala continues up the ramp towards the ship while Rito stares at his feet, speechless. "Hey, Rito?" She calls back in her usual cheery voice, causing him to turn and look up at her. She is smiling at him now. "Will you miss me too?"

Lala doesn't wait for an answer, continuing towards the door. "This is it." She thinks to herself. "I sure will mi…" She is interrupted mid thought as a strong hand grabs her shoulder and turns her about. Before she can react Rito kisses her passionately, embracing her. Time seems to stand still for both of them for a few moments. When Rito finally relents, they are both in shock at what just happened.

Rito still can't think of anything to say. "I did it." He thinks. "I kissed Lala. She asked me to a long time ago but I kept telling her things were too complicated. I only cared about my feelings and never thought about hers."

Lala finally breaks the silence. "I love you, Rito." She says softly. She turns one more time to leave and bumps into Gid, who is suddenly standing on the ramp behind her. He looks angry as he stands there tapping his foot.

Rito begins to stammer an apology, but then remembers his conversation with Sephie. He changes his mind and stands up straight, clearing his throat. "This is wrong!" He shouts at Gid. He hurries to finish before he can change his mind. "You can't do this to Lala. If it's her decision to go, then that's fine, but you shouldn't ignore her feelings just because they are inconvenient for you!"

"Like I did." He thinks to himself. He looks at Lala again, who has an astonished look on her face. He looks back at Gid, who has fixed him with another cold stare. Gid starts to walk slowly down the ramp, past Lala to stand directly in front of Rito. "Did I finally go to far?" Rito thinks. He grimaces, expecting the worst.

Gid suddenly laughs out loud, slapping Rito on the back so hard he nearly falls over. "You had me worried for a while there, Yuuki Rito." He says. His expression turns serious again, but he still appears to be smiling slightly. "Don't ever give me a reason to doubt you again. Your life depends on it."

Gid turns back to Lala, who has a confused but hopeful look on her face. He sighs deeply. "If you are still willing to wait on this fool to sort himself out, then that is what matters most. You can stay, if that is your choice." Lala nearly screams in joy but Gid holds up a hand, and she quiets down. "But, you should start preparing him for what is to come, and if he ends up breaking your heart in the end anyways…" He pauses for a second and then turns a smile on Rito. "No one will ever remember that this planet existed."

Gid turns to leave before Rito can think of a reply. At this point, Momo and Nana have also exited the ship and are standing with their mother watching Rito and Lala.

"Oh, Rito, Rito, Rito!" Lala cries. She jumps into his arms. He hugs her tightly for a moment and then sets her down.

"Wait… um your majesty?" Rito says. Gid turns back to Rito again. "This won't cause trouble for you? With the suitor I mean?"

"Suitor?" Gid asks, fixing Rito with a blank stare. He chuckles. "You really are as dense as Nana says you are, aren't you?" With that, he enters the ship.

"Rito-san." Sephie says. "You are a kind and considerate boy, and it is not a bad thing to take your time when deciding your future, but remember not to neglect those around you. When you are finally ready to make your decision, you may find yourself alone." She turns to follow her husband onto the ship.

That night, Rito lies awake thinking about everything that happened that day. He recalls the kiss with Lala and blushes. He hears another noise as someone leaps into bed with him. "This again?" He asks, as he turns to look at Lala.

She smiles at him. "Just for a little while?" She asks. Rito relents and makes room for her as she snuggles down under the covers. They lay in silence for a while.

"Hey, Rito?" Lala finally asks. Rito turns to look at her again. "Can we go on another date tomorrow?"

"What? Lala!" Rito sputters, he cuts off his reply as he sees Lala is laughing.

"You've been so serious all day. I just wanted to make sure the old Rito was back." She leans over and kisses him on the cheek before turning over and falling fast asleep.

End.