After so much time that I have had to deal with school and short computer time, I am now in college and have my own computer to work with and I set my own times, so now I'm up and running with my new chapter. My apology to the long wait, but now I am able to put in more. Now on to chapter six! Enjoy!

Rika's POV

I can't understand what is going on. I don't know how I feel. I'm just...scared, but intrigued. Yamato is so much different from everyone else. He is so...sincere. I can trust him, I think. He cares for me. He wants to protect me. He wants me to be me.

Ishida Yamato, do I dare let you in my life? Do I dare want you to see who I am? Can I be your friend? Maybe...I can. I can let this happen. Even if I do get hurt again.

--Next day--

Sitting on the steps of Odaiba high, I waited for my target. It was a half an hour till classes begun and I hoped to catch him beforehand. Looking up I saw him. So, I got up to greet him.

"Konnichiwa, Yamato," I said to him.

Yamato looked at me and smiled. "Rika! Konnichiwa!"

"Do you have some time?"

"For you? Always!"

I had to smile. This would work. Something inside me told me.

"What's on your mind, Rika?" Yamato asked, brushing some hair out of his face.

"First, thank you for everything that you have done. Most people would not care."

"Most people are assholes, Rika. You don't have to thank me. What is the rest?"

"I was wondering...could we be friends?" I felt a blush in my face.

He looked surprised for a moment before his smile grew. "Hai! I wouldn't have thought of anything better!"

A smile formed on my own lips. "Arigato, Yamato."

"There is no thanks needed, Rika!"

"Okay." Overhead the bell rang. "Aye! I have a Chem. exam next! Sayonara, Yamato!"

"Good luck, Rika! Sayonara!"

Yamato's POV

Walking through the cafeteria, I searched for a good spot to sit at. Suddenly I noticed Rika sitting at a table by herself. My heart jumped as I walked to her.

I was a pleasant surprise when she asked if we could be friends. She had looked so happy, and I could feel myself reacting with it. I wanted to dance, in all honesty. I had never felt anything like that from another person; not even with Sora.

"Why are you here all alone, Rika-chan?" I said to her. She jumped a little as she turned to me.

"Yamato! Man, you scared me!" She smiled, nonetheless.

"I'm sorry, Rika-chan. And you can call me Yama-chan if you like."

She laughed a little at that. "Okay, Yama-chan it is."

"Mind if I join you?"

"If you like. But what about Taichi? I bet he'd be more fun to sit with."

"Taichi can live without me. I'd rather sit with you."

She smiled. "Arigato."

"How was the exam?"

"It was okay. A little harder than I thought, but I think I did well."

"Yeah? You're lucky. I hated the class last semester. At least I passed."

"It seems easy enough to me."

"Lucky, lucky you."

"Eh, I do the work, and it gets me through. What's your best class?"

"Econ."

"Really? I hate it! It's such a pain in the butt for me!"

"Very few people like it, don't worry."

"I won't, I promise."

"What do you do outside of school, Rika?"

"Nothing really. I just hang around the house and work on my homework."

"Do you want to come to my next concert?"

"When is it?"

"Thursday. We're doing a spring concert at the park."

"What time?"

"7.30. It shouldn't last past 9.00."

"Sure, I'll come."

"Great! Don't worry about cost, you'll get a free front-row center seat!"

"You don't have to do that, Yamato!"

"I don't have to, but I want to."

"Why?"

"Because I'm your friend and biggest fan."

"My...biggest fan?"

"I want your spirit, Rika. I admire your strength. If I'd have that, I'd be a better man."

"Yamato...strength is worthless without a good heart. I need that, but you do."

"Rika..."

"Yamato! Where have you been?" Rika and I looked up to Taichi.

"Right here, Taichi," I said, annoyed.

"Why with HER?" Taichi said. My eyes narrowed at him. How dare he say that!

"Why shouldn't I be with her? Friends should be able to talk, right?" I growled.

"Friends?!"

"Excuse me, I think I should get my notebook for class. Sayonara, Yamato," Rika got up and left in a hurry.

"Ishida, Yamato, what the hell are you to?"

"Yagomi Taichi, what should it matter to you?"

"Yamato, that girl is too dangerous! She'll pull you down and step all over you!"

"How can you judge her like that?! Have you ever sat down to talk with her?!"

"Hell no!"

"Then don't give me that crap! Until you can see who she is, get off her back!"

"What has gotten into you?!"

"Nothing! Now leave me alone for a while!"

Taichi stormed off and I got up to try to find Rika. How can he be so blind?!

I found Rikaby her locker. She looked drained. Damn that Taichi!

"Rika, I'm sorry," I said gently.

"No, Yamato, Don't be sorry. I'm a fool to think I could be friends with you. I'll ruin your life if I stay by you."

"Don't you even think that! All he said was total bullshit! I will not even let you be a little sad!"

"Yamato...why do you do this? You have so much; you shouldn't have me spoiling it all for you."

"Rika, I care about you. I want you in my life. Don't think that way."

"What should I do?"

"Be yourself. Let me in your life."

"Yamato, I'll do that for you."

"Good. Come on, we can go to class together."

"Sure."

Rika's POV

I was Thursday even and I was still getting ready for Yamato's concert. Slipping into my wine-colored dress, I stepped out of the bathroom to head off.

"Bye, see you soon!" I called to my mom.

"Bye, sweetie, don't be so late."

"I wont." With that, I drove to the park, passed though security easily, and settled into my spot. Band members were already getting set up. A few minutes later, Yamato came out. He spotted me, smiled, and hoped off the stage to greet me.

"Hey, Rika-chan!"

"Yamato, are you crazy! These girls will trample you!"

"Not at all! Besides, I'd do anything to see you."

I blushed at that. "Yamato..."

"And I should mention you look drop-dead gorgeous tonight."

My blush deepened. 'Ishida Yamato!"

He laughed and hugged me. "Wish me luck! Talk to you soon!"

He climbed back onstage to tune his guitar. Girls around me screamed his name, but he paid no mind to them. His eyes were only on me. I could only smile with pride.

At 7.00 exactly, he picked up the microphone. "Hey, Odaiba! How's it going?" Screams erupted in response. "Great! We have an awesome line-up set for tonight from our upcoming album. Hope you like it! Now, let's get on with the show!"

The concert started with a lively song called "Pot of Gold". Fans cheered and swayed through the entire show, no matte the style. But almost too soon the concert had to come to an end.

"This last song is very special to me. I recently made a friend in a wonderful girl named Makino Rika. She has made me feel so happy, I made this song for her. Rika-chan, this is called 'White Dove'. Thank you." My heart stopped and the crowd was silent as the soft, sweet song played. At the end, everyone cheered, but my eyes were full of happy tears.

"Oh, Yama-chan..."