Chapter 5

Fuuko

I took a deep breath and repeated it one more time. "Yes, my parents are getting a divorce."

"WHAT?! Are you sure??" Recca asked incredulously, his eyes widening in surprise. "But… WHY??"

Yanagi glared at him but nodded at me sympathetically, leaving him babbling to himself. She came over to me and squeezed my shoulder gently. She did not say anything but I knew what she was telling me. Your friends will be here if you need us. I gave her a small, grateful smile.

Tokiya looked at me impassively and finally said, "Oh."

Domon simply gave me a really strange expression. God, he looked like he was about to cry! "Fuuko! You poor dear!" And with that, tears started streaming down his face. I really do think I have weird friends, that's for sure.

* * * * * *

Raiha

I paced back and forth, in front of the ticket counter, munching on my popcorn. Women, always fashionably late as usual. Just as that thought popped into my mind, I saw Fuuko running towards me and waving.

"I'm so sorry! Domon refused to stop crying and I felt bad if I simply left him like that," she explained, smiling slightly at the apparently amusing memory.

"Forgiven. So, shall we get in? I've got the popcorn!" I beamed, rattling the half-empty tub in front of her. Our very first date! I was so excited that I started to drag her into the cinema. "Come on Fuuko-chan! The movie's starting!"

We found our seats and plopped ourselves down comfortably. Fuuko immediately began digging in to the popcorn. "Not salty enough", she said in between mouthfuls. Just then, the movie started.

I could hardly pay attention. I kept on glancing back at Fuuko, transfixed by her. I could feel the heat emitting from her, bringing back the memory of our night alone in her school. That memory gave me goose-bumps. Slowly, I edged in a bit closer. She did like-wise, much to my surprise. Yet, her eyes still remained fixed on the screen. Soon, we were sitting shoulder to shoulder. I breathed in the light, flowery scent of her floral perfume and sighed softly.

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Fuuko suddenly asked, her head turning to face me.

Fuuko

Raiha looked at me with a kind of spaced out looked. Then again, he ALWAYS has a spaced out look. It occurred to me that our faces were only inches apart. I unconsciously glanced down at his lips, then back at him. He was leaning in closer! I sat there rooted. I could feel all the blood rushing straight up to my face. Is he… going to kiss me? My heart beat with excitement as his handsome face came in nearer and nearer.

Then… he reached over to grab the tub of popcorn which I had placed on the empty seat next to me.

All I could do was stare at him open-mouthed. I was relieved, that was true but I felt a queer sense of… frustration?

"Anything the matter, Fuuko-chan?" he asked mildly.

Raiha

I glanced down at the strangely silent Fuuko walking beside me. I think she's mad at me or something. She kept on glaring at me throughout the entire movie. And when I asked her what's wrong, she simply rolled her eyes and mumbled, "Watch the movie, asshole." Which is actually normal behaviour for Fuuko. I smile wryly. Gotta love her for that!

We made our way to the McDonald's nearby for a so-called snack. Seeing how much food Fuuko ordered, I was amazed how she could pack so much into such a small frame! Even when she has her face stuffed with burgers, she still looked enchanting.

"Oi, what's your problem? Baka…," she grumbled. That's enchanting too.

"No no, no problem at all! Hey Fuuko-chan, how's your family thingy coming along?" I ventured. She seemed to be handling her parents' divorce rather well now.

"Hmm? Well, to tell you the truth, I still find it hard to choose between them," she said. She paused for a second before continuing. "I'm thinking of moving out. I seriously do not want to make a decision to live with either of them. I'd rather live by myself or with someone. Not that they'd care anyway,' she added with a tinge of bitterness.

"Are you sure?" I was surprised. "But you're only 17," I reminded her.

"Yes, but I think I'm quite old enough," she replied frostily. "Look Raiha-kun, you don't understand how I feel. I really can't bear to choose between them," she said in a softer tone.

I nodded gravely. Fuuko was old enough to make her own mature decisions. After all, how many teenagers can add 'saving the world' to their list of achievements?

"So where are you gonna stay?"

"Hmm… I'm not sure," she mused. "Recca's house is kinda crowded with Ganko now staying with them. Yanagi's parents are so strict they'll definitely object to some fight-happy friend of hers staying in their perfectly up kept house. Domon is TOTALLY out of the question! That's about it. Oh wait, there's Mi-chan but I wouldn't dream of knocking on his door asking for a place to stay. Yup, that leaves me with zip," she concluded with an exaggerated sigh.

The clockwork in my brains were starting to work now.

"I know!! I've got an apartment nearby! It's empty but full furnished. You can stay there!" I couldn't control my excitement as I grabbed her hands and pumped them up and down excitedly. Ugh, I'm such a dork! I tried to brush aside the fact that I was probably aiding Fuuko in running away from home. From what I've heard, her parents didn't seem to care much about her anyway.

A slow, mischievous smile spread itself on Fuuko's face and soon, she was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"God, I love you!" she squealed as she jumped out of her seat and hugged me.

I had to struggle to remain calm.

* * * * * *

Fuuko

This apartment block seems weirdly familiar. It reminds me of where…

"Mi-chan!!" I yelled.

Tokiya stood frozen to the spot, his hand on his doorknob and his mouth agape. "Wha- what are you two doing here?" he managed to stutter eyeing the goofily grinning Raiha in exasperation.

"Guess what? I'm your new flatmate!" I chirped.

If it was possible, the already pale-skinned Tokiya paled even further. Looks like I'll be having some fun living here…

* * * * * *

A/N: The more I read this whole story, the lamer I think it's getting… Ugh!! So if you think it's lame tell me… but if you think it's good, ALL THE MORE TELL ME!! Hehe, I think I should stop reading my own stuff ^-^ Anyway, thanks to those who reviewed. It's nice to hear from you guys!! Btw, anyone knows Fuuko's real age after the SODOM thingy? I put her age as 17 coz 16 sounded a little too young to be living by herself! So yeah, that's about it! =)