A/N: Yeah, nothing much to say. The second chapter, tally ho!

Disclaimer: Nope, no own. And I don't own the little snippet from "A Red, Red Rose" either. Robert Burns is that particular genius.

/commencer/

The Rivals

Chapter 2: He Said

-

"Riku! Look at your desk!"

"Hm?" Riku lifted her head from her book as she entered her homeroom. What was her sister jabbering on about now?

"Look at it!" Obediently, Riku swiveled her head to where her desk was.

And stared.

And stared.

And stared some more.

"Um, what is that?"

Risa rolled her eyes. "It's a bouquet of roses silly!"

Riku glared at her twin. "I realize that. Why are they on my desk?"

"You obviously have a secret admirer! Come on, let's see if he left a card!" Risa snatched her by the arm and dragged her over to the flowers. There were five in all, big blooms that still glistened with dew, tied together with a blue ribbon. They were beautiful, she had to admit.

Risa picked the bouquet up and squealed. "Oh, he did leave one! This is so exciting! Here, you read it!" She shoved the white card in front of Riku's nose. She looked at it suspiciously before taking it. The writing was big and cursive.

O MY Luve 's like a red, red rose

That 's newly sprung in June:

O my Luve 's like the melodie

That's sweetly play'd in tune!

"Oh poetry! How romantic," Risa sighed, hand to heart. She abruptly straightened. "Well, is it signed?"

Riku didn't answer. In fact, she seemed strangely entranced by the card.

"Riku? Did he sign it?" After once again receiving no reply, she snatched the card out of her sister's lifeless fingers. She looked at the loopy signature on the bottom right of the card. Her mouth fell open.

"Um…"

-

Riku had managed to avoid him for most of the day, and Risa had wisely remained silent about the whole ordeal. However, as she trudged to her locker to retrieve a book, she realized a crowd had gathered in the area around it. She shrugged then began to nudge her way through to her destination before the crowd swiftly parted. Riku blinked once, twice, a sinking feeling twisting into her stomach, before she looked up to see Dark.

In a pink apron.

With smudges of flour on his cheek.

Holding a small blue bag tied with a red ribbon in his outstretched palm.

He made his way to her, boyish grin in place and eyes sparkling.

"These are for you."

When she didn't reply, he grabbed her hand and placed the bag in it. Leaning in, he whispered something that the crowd around them desperately tried to hear, especially after Riku blushed profusely, but failed. Then, he made his merry way down the hall, whistling some tune.

-

The school was abuzz with rumors about Dark's sudden infatuation with Riku Harada, his previous rival. He continually left her gifts for a week and somehow was always popping up around her, much to Riku's dismay. She tried many tactics to avoid him, but, sadly, not even the barrier of the girls' restroom could stop him.

Some said they had seen it coming all along. These were the ones who had supported the theory that their rivalry was a cover-up for their romantic feelings (led by Risa Harada).

On Friday afternoon, Risa, Daisuke, Satoshi, and Krad were once again gathered for lunch.

"I just don't get it." Krad bit into his sandwich and chewed thoughtfully (or as thoughtfully as he could manage). "I mean, it's like Jekyll and Hyde. On Monday, he was perfectly fine. Tuesday, he comes up to me and starts telling me about how Riku was so adorable when she's confused and the wonderful way her eyes light up when she smiles." He shook his head. "I couldn't take it. I told him I wasn't going to talk to him unless it was about something other than Riku. And he left. He left me, one of his closest friends. There's something wrong with him."

"Maybe a spell was cast on him," Daisuke suggested.

Krad raised an eyebrow. "Are there such things as spells nowadays?"

Satoshi shifted his glasses. "Yes, there are modern-day witches, also commonly called Wiccans. They practice an Earth-based religion called Wicca, a polytheistic tradition. However, they believe in working for the good of the Earth, so unless some fangirl of his tried to cast one of these 'spells' on him (which, in all probability, could be true), we have to look elsewhere for his dilemma."

"You know, he could actually be in love with her," Risa said, after the obligatory pause whenever Satoshi explains something.

"Well, he could have at least said something to me. I thought we were close friends."

"Think of it this way—our plan is being completed without so much as a twitch of our noses."

Daisuke suddenly tilted his head at Krad. "Hey, do you know why the rivalry started in the first place?"

"Um," Krad furrowed his brow for a moment then shook his head. "You know, I don't. In fact, he hardly ever talks about Riku to me, except to complain."

Daisuke nodded. "Then maybe he really was holding back his feelings for her, and suddenly, something made him snap. Maybe he was tired of having to fight with her. I know it exhausts Riku to have to top him in everything."

"Yeah, she's always staying up late studying. She hardly ever goes out with friends, and she's never gone on a date. Mom and dad worry over her sometimes."

"However, we must also analyze the reason behind her fervor. She wants to be a lawyer. That career requires special dedication. She is only fulfilling what is needed of her to continue along her chosen path."

"True," Daisuke looked at the blue-haired genius and nodded. "We should be more supportive, shouldn't we, Satoshi?"

Satoshi's eyes softened somewhat. "Yes, we should."

Risa was just beginning to coo when a loud voice cut across the clearing. All four heads turned in the direction it came from and saw Riku storm to the main building, Dark close behind her. She looked upset, and he seemed to be trying to say something to her. After a few moments, they came near enough to the group for them to hear the conversation.

"Why won't you believe me?"

Riku stopped, took a deep breath, and turned around. "Because I can't. We've been rivals for too long."

"But I only competed against you so that I could be worthy in your eyes. I love you Riku."

The group of four collectively gasped.

"No you don't Dark. Please, just leave me alone." She sounded nearly hysterical and began to turn around before he grabbed her elbow. He pulled her in so they were face to face and caressed her cheek with his free hand. The group watched in stunned silence.

"I love you Riku. Let me be with you. Please?" He moved so their foreheads touched. Both of them were trembling as their lips moved closer and closer.

/fin/

A/N: Ha, cliffhanger. The conclusion will be posted in the next few days.