Chapter 14: I will change you!

TOKYO MALL

Veniz held Arika's hand as they went about the mall in Tokyo. Veniz decided that Arika skip one rehearsal practice and bring her to Tokyo Mall in Tokyo. Tokyo Mall is one of the largest malls in Japan. Arika's eyes widened as she saw all of the clothe stores at the mall. From Guess, Penshoppe, Calvin Klein, Lee etc. etc.

"Anou Veniz-san, I don't have the money for these clothes" Arika mumbled to Veniz. Veniz flashed a credit card and exclaimed, "Don't worry, it's on me" Arika's eyes widened upon hearing it. Niki laughed at Arika's expression and exclaimed, "Veniz is like that Arika, she is very gallant"

"Hey we're on a mission here, it's the Change-Arika Mission remember? We start at the appearance first" Veniz replied winking at Arika. Arika smiled and nod her head. She agreed to have a total make-over, not only the way she looks but also the way she acts.

Sakuragi Hanamichi then handed Veniz his credit card saying, "Just in case" Veniz took it and said, "Arigato nii-chan!" Mitsui Hisashi smirked and said, "Man Sakuragi, ever since you and Veniz went back to Germany for the hearing of your father's will, you returned back rich as a king!"

"That's what you call good luck Mitchy!" Sakuragi exclaimed. Kaede huffed and muttered, "Odahou..." Sakuragi flared up and exclaimed, "I heard that Kitsune!"

Arika giggled. At first she was feeling edgy that she surrounded by a rival school of Kainan.... Shohoku. But the players of Shohoku turned out to be really nice people. Veniz's brother Hanamichi is really funny, he may be a brag but he's a nice guy, very loving brother to Veniz and rather protective too.

Veniz's boy friend Rukawa Kaede don't talk too much, he'll speak to you if you speak to him. He and Sakuragi bickers a lot but it can be seen that the two are good friends. It also can be seen that Kaede loves Veniz very much, he always gives Veniz that look of love and that smile that people rarely sees.

Niki Haruka, the famous ballerina of Japan and Veniz's best friend is bubbly, cheerful and really nice. She is very fashionable as well. Her boyfriend Hisashi Mitsui who is now studying in Tokyo University, former MVP of Shohoku and still MVP for the Tokyo Basketball team. Mitsui is one hell of a gentleman and he's funny too.

"So you're Fujisawa Arika eh? The singing sensation of Kainan. According to sources, you equal Veniz in singing" Mitsui replied looking at Arika. Arika shook her head and said, "Please, Veniz-san is greater than I am" Veniz smiled and said, "I don't really mind Arika-chan, I saw you sing and I can say you are really good, I should really watch out for you, you know"

"These people are so nice, I wish I had gone to Shohoku rather than in Kainan but then... if I haven't gone to Kainan I wont meet Kiyota... but if I went to Shohoku, I won't feel harsh treatments... I won't have a bleeding heart right now" Arika thought as Veniz and Haruka busied themselves choosing clothes that would fit her.

Veniz faced her a sleeveless top and a jean skirt and said, "Try this on!" Niki then showed her a pair of stringed sandals and exclaimed, "Then pair them with these!"

AFTER 1 HOUR of CLOTHES SHOPPING AND SHOE SHOPPING

Arika looked at what they have bought. She had 2 bags from Guess, 2 bags from Penshoppe, 2 bags from Lee, 3 bags from Calvin Klein and 2 bags from the shoe department. "Now, let's shop some accessories that would match these clothes" Niki replied.

"Accessories?" Arika asked. Veniz took Arika's glasses off saying, "Yes, now first loose that glasses of yours" Arika exclaimed, "Veniz-san, I'm half blind without my glasses" Veniz then placed a small box on her hands and replied, "That's what contacts are made off"

Arika looked at the small box. Indeed it was a box of contact lenses. "I am to wear contact lenses?" she asked. "Of course, you got beautiful eyes Arika-chan, you should flaunt them" Veniz replied winking at Arika. Niki then studied her braided hair and replied, "Your hair is long yet you always braid them, looks like you need to have a hair re-do"

"You mean hair cut?" Arika asked. Veniz and Niki looked at each other and said, "Not actually a hair cut, a hair re-do!"

AFTER AN HOUR

"WOW!" Hanamichi, Kaede and Mitsui all exclaimed as they saw Arika's new hairstyle. Arika's black hair was dyed light red-brown and it was all shiny and soft. "Now remember what the hairstylist told you okay? If you follow them, you'll have that straight beautiful hair everyday" Veniz replied. Arika looked at herself on the mirror and nod her head. Even she was awed to what he hair looks.

Arika smiled to herself and thought, "I like this... I really like this" Niki grinned at her and exclaimed, "Now I wonder how you would look with the clothes combining the accessories" Veniz smiled and exclaimed, "Ah that part we have to wait for tomorrow"

KANAGAWA (SHOHOKU HIGH)

Mitsui stopped the car and exclaimed, "Here we are" Veniz replied, "Arigato Mitsui-kun! I'm glad your Niki-chan's kareshi desu!" Mitsui blushed and said, "Oh common now Veniz!" Hanamichi and Kaede got off first followed by Veniz and Arika.

"We'll be going now, I have to bring Niki home first before returning to Tokyo" Mitsui replied with that Niki bade farewell and drove off. Hanamichi patted her sister and exclaimed, "Kitsune an I would do some some hoops, wanna watch?"

Veniz shook her head and replied, "We'll pass, I have some serious talking to do with Arika-chan" Hanamichi sighed and said, "All right, just don't tire yourself" Kaede gave Veniz a peck on the cheek and said, "I'll see you later" Veniz smiled and said, "Hai!"

Arika smiled at Veniz and replied, "Rukawa-san is sure sweet ne Veniz-san?" Veniz blushed and said, "Kaede-kun is not really that sweet demo..."

"Ever since you became his koishii, he became sweet am I right?" Arika pointed out. Veniz nod her head and replied, "That what love can do to a person... it changes you... like this love you feel for Kiyota, this will change you" Arika looked down and said, "I have a confession to make Veniz-san"

"Eh?" Veniz asked. Arika didn't looked up and exclaimed, "Kiyota and I... no... I've knew Kiyota ever since I was a child. My parents were still alive them. We both went to the same elementary school. He was never my classmate, but I knew him. He's really famous. He's good at sports and girls from my class have crushes on him"

Arika looked up and continued narrating, "I am one of those girls who have a crush on him. That crush turned into love when he saved me from bullies trying to get my lunch. He save me Veniz-san, he even called me by name. He said "I am here.... don't worry now... I am here" that day I decided to confess my feelings for him. I don't care if he rejects it, I don't care at all"

She then looked at Veniz and said, "But that day was the last time I've seen him. He transferred to a school in Tokyo and I never saw him. When I stepped into High School in Kainan, I was surprised to see him there, all grown up but the same Kiyota Nobunaga I knew back then... demo... demo... he never recognized me... he couldn't remember me... not a bit..."

"Arika-chan..." Veniz whispered. "Dakara... when he asked for my help to be his tutor, I accepted it, hoping that it would remind him of the past, but it didn't. Now Kiyota is gone from me... stolen by a lie..." Arika replied fighting back the tears.

"That's it Arika, fight back those tears, don't shed any sad tears anymore. By the time you cry, I want them tears of joy" Veniz replied hugging Arika. Arika nod her head and said, "I'm glad you came to save me Veniz-san... if you didn't came I could or might not have the courage to come back to Kainan"

Veniz smiled at her and said, "By tomorrow... you will have 100% courage that's because you'll be going back there as a new person!" Arika gripped Veniz's hand and said, "Hai and I'll show everyone that I am no longer a dirt bag!" as she said this the sun who is about to set seemed to shine brighter that day.

TO BE CONTINUED

AU: The day of Arika's revenge is at hand!!! *evil laughter* Watch out Ria! Beware Kiyota!