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Feels Like Home

Chapter Two

She Meets Her Match (But Regrets It)

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"See you at school, Riku!"

"Bye!"

As Riku pedalled down the drive on a bike borrowed from her grandfather she held a hand up, to answer Risa's frantic wave. She could almost see the grin on Risa's face.

Riku's grandfather had offered to drive the twins to the train station where they would catch the morning train to the clock tower and walk the rest of the way to school. After looking at a map of Azumano (which showed exactly where the school was), Risa had complained that it was much too far to walk. Their grandfather had told her that Riku would take the bike and she could ride that instead.

So that this could happen, Riku would have to ride it all the way to the clock tower and if that wasn't bad enough she'd have to cycle uphill. Not wanting to argue with her grandfather or upset Risa, Riku had agreed.

Reaching the gates to the house, Riku sighed and slowed to a stop. The things she did for her sister!

Her grandfather had given her a map to make sure she reached the school. How thoughtful of him. Riku traced her finger along the marked route to take – the quickest route.

One good thing about cycling was that it got her plenty of exercise, and the extra running she'd do alongside Risa later would be even better. Riku smiled. They may be twins, but Riku was in far better shape than her sister was!

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Risa strolled into the train station, packed full of businessmen and other students in a uniform that matched hers. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear for the umpteenth time and clasped her bag's handle tightly. Risa Harada was nervous.

At long last a train pulled in. She climbed on last and pushed her way between the passengers, looking for a place to stand or better still to sit in. She tried to push past a particularly tall man in an important looking suit when he moved suddenly out of her way; Risa stumbled forward into someone else.

"Hey…" she said, jerking back. "Could you please—?" Her foot slipped from beneath her and she fell backwards.

"I'm sorry!" A hand rushed forward and caught hers. She regained her balance and looked up into brilliant crimson eyes. The owner smiled slightly and dropped her hand. "I didn't see you there."

A boy with the reddest and most unruly hair she had ever seen stood sheepishly in front of her, rubbing the back of his head. He was wearing what she took to be the boy's uniform of Azumano Middle School, so Risa smiled back at him. "My name's Risa Harada," she said. "My sister and I are new here."

"I'm Daisuke Niwa," the boy replied. For an instant, he looked slightly puzzled. "Your sister…?"

"Riku. I'm meeting her at the clock tower."

Daisuke nodded. "OK then. Miss Harada, you said you were new here?" When Risa confirmed this, he continued, "Would you like me to show you around school at lunch?"

Risa's delighted smile lit up her whole face. "Oh Niwa, would you? That would be wonderful, I'm so glad! Thanks so very much."

Too happy at her good fortune, Risa failed to see the red that tinged Daisuke's cheeks.

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"Niwa…"

Mid-way in walking in the school's direction, Daisuke turned back to see Risa watching him, looking like a lemon by herself but yet sweet instead of sour. Her hands were clasped on her bag's handle again. "Miss Harada? What is it?"

"Well…" Risa almost chewed on her bottom lip. Almost. "Riku isn't here yet, so do you think wait with me until she arrives…?"

"Of course!" Daisuke walked to her side without hesitating. "Do you know when she'll be here?"

"No… but Niwa, she might… she might be lost!" Looking at the ground, Risa's eyes watered. "Oh, I should never have complained about the walk…"

"Um… Miss Harada…?" Daisuke, unsure what to do, put a hand on her shoulder. He had never met a girl like Risa before. "I'm sure she's fine, Miss Harada…"

There was a sound of a wheel skidding. "Risa?"

Risa looked up. Sitting on the bike, her sugar brown hair lifting softly in the breeze, was Riku. Her confused eyes took in Risa and Daisuke in a snap. "Risa?" she repeated. "What's wrong?"

"Riku!" cried Risa in relief. "You're not lost after all, thank goodness! Oh, yeah." Risa took Daisuke's wrist and led him over to Riku and her bike. "Riku, this is Daisuke Niwa. Niwa, this is my twin sister Riku Harada."

Daisuke seemed a little bewildered, but then the two were twins and looked almost identical. "Hi," he said lamely.

Riku greeted him back. "Risa, shouldn't we be getting to school? We can't be late on our first day."

"Right!" Risa bowed to Daisuke as Riku slipped off the bike. "I'll see you at lunch then, Niwa!" When Risa was set and Riku had checked where to go on the map, they set off.

Left behind, Daisuke stood dazed for a while. He smiled at nothing in particular and started to walk after them.

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Azumano Middle School was a big and very average school. The buildings were grey, the grass and trees were green and there were tarmac roads and stone slab paths on the ground every so often. Risa and Riku found a place to store their bike and headed in through the front doors.

Lockers were lined up along both walls and there were a number of paths to take through the hallway, all filled with people. It was only when they were looking around at it all when the problem arose; where were they supposed to go now?

"Why didn't you ask granddad?" Risa moaned at Riku. "He'd know."

"It's not my fault, Risa! Do you always have to blame me for everything?" Riku shot back.

"But how am I supposed to remember things like that? You always get better grades than I do."

"That isn't an excuse, Risa! Oh, never mind. We didn't ask Granddad, so let's ask around—"

But Risa was no longer listening. "Riku, I have an idea." she interrupted, smiling triumphantly. "Why don't we ask someone around here?"

"Risa… That's what I said…" Riku muttered, an irritated (and very dark) look on her face.

Meanwhile, her younger twin had walked up to the first person she saw –a smartly dressed, blue haired boy with glasses. Risa had a knack for talking to boys with unusual hair.

"Excuse me," Risa said. "My sister and I are new here, where do we go to be, uh, registered?"

The boy looked at Risa with a very bored expression. "New students should always arrive at the reception; it's on your first left. Isn't that what happens at every school?"

Ah.

Riku rolled her eyes whilst Risa laughed nervously. "Of course it is…"

As Risa trailed off, Riku said quickly, "Risa, let's go," and half dragged her away. When they neared the reception, Risa broke free of her elder sister's grip. Riku sighed, "That went well."

Risa couldn't think of a reply, except for an apology. "Riku… um, I'm sorry…"

"It's OK. I guess I should have thought of going to reception, or asking Granddad." Riku smiled at Risa, and just like that the two had made up.

"Now, that's what I like to hear."

The twins looked over at the receptionist's desk. A boy was casually leaning against it, his uniform careless and his hair a brilliant shade of violet. He was handsome, and knew it, but it was his smile that caught both girls' attention. Risa stumbled over her words. "What is it, I mean, what do you mean, Mr… Mr…?"

"Dark. Dark Mousy," the boy supplied.

"Mr Dark," Risa finished, bowing lower than she did to Daisuke.

"Hearing you two get along again," explained Dark. "Fighting is always wrong, don't you agree?"

"Yes, of course!" Risa squeaked. It wasn't often that Risa was flustered, but this was one of those times.

Her older sister looked from Dark to Risa and back again suspiciously. Dark watched Riku in amusement, his eyebrows rising. He pushed himself from the desk and walked away, but not before he winked at them.

"I hope we'll see each other again."

Riku narrowed her eyes. What an unoriginal pick-up line! He was so irritating and predictable and yet quite charming, in fact…

"Riku!" Riku turned to Risa, and immediately was taken aback. Risa's eyes were shining and full of dreams and fantasies as she grinned at her sister, and her pale cheeks were rosy.

…he was just the type Risa would go and fall in love with.

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"Class II-A!"

The teacher shouted over the voices of the students. They quickly sat in their proper seats in fear of the teacher's wrath.

"We have a new pupil today," the teacher continued. He turned to the door. "Miss Harada, would you like to come in?"

Risa stepped through the open door. As she walked her fingers relaxed on her bag and she smiled at her new class. The teacher put a hand on her shoulder. "Class, this is Miss Risa Harada. She will be temporarily joining our class. Please make her feel welcome."

Unfortunately for Risa and Riku, they had been split into two different classes. Risa was sent to II-A whilst Riku went to II-B. Risa had hoped with all her heart that Dark had been in her class, but as she scouted the room for a purple head she realised he wasn't there. Not even sweet little Daisuke, who was going to show her around at lunch, was in one of the seats.

Her eyes, however, caught sight of one boy in particular – the one with the blue hair. She had only just made a fool of herself in front of him, after all!

"Harada, there is a spare seat at the back," the teacher suddenly said, interrupting her thoughts. "That will be your seat." Risa looked over – sure enough, there was one seat in the middle of the back row. She made her way over, making sure to look as cute as she could - there were boys watching her.

But still, none could compare to Dark. He was just the gentleman she had been looking for; he was kind, handsome, charming, and considerate, everything she'd hoped for. He was the perfect boyfriend - apart from Kenji.

As Risa sat in her chair, her hand curled into a fist. She hadn't gone on one date with Kenji and she had had to leave him!

"Anyway, Kenji has a million girlfriends a year."

Riku was right. Kenji had been a player, even if he had been a gentleman. Although there was a good chance you'd be their girlfriend, players were never particularly interested in one girl, so… Smiling, Risa came to a conclusion. "From now on, I'll try and win over Mr Dark!"

"You have to be kidding me."

Turning, Risa saw a boy with amazingly long blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. He had a messy fringe and one long lock that swept across his face. His uniform was untidy but not at all dirty, and somehow he gave off a pure and heavenly air, like an angel.

Not that he didn't look angelic.

He sat at the desk next to hers by the window, and didn't bother looking at her as Risa said unsurely, "Excuse me?"

"You'll never get him. Dark has millions of fangirls following his every move like puppies – what chance does a newcomer like you have? It's pathetic."

Risa grew hot under the collar. "Hey, wait a minute—!"

"You aren't listening to me." The boy turned and fixed Risa with a cold stare with golden eyes like a hawk's. He was frowning and was very serious. "That arrogant flirt loves the attention he gets. You're just making it worse for others, and for yourself."

Eyes blazing, Risa raised her voice slightly. "You wouldn't know! You have no idea of a girl's feelings!"

"Miss Harada? Is there something you'd like to say?" The teacher was looking directly at her, pinning her against an invisible wall.

"No, sir," Risa said quietly. As the teacher turned away, Risa fixed the blonde boy with her angriest glare. How dare he make a fool out of Dark? That jerk…

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"Riku…"

Riku could feel her patience slipping. If that idiot said her name one more time, she'd do something she'd really regret.

"Riku…"

"Shut up!" she hissed, her body tense. "I can't concentrate!"

From behind her, Dark was resting his chin on his hand and smiling. "Am I that distracting, Riku…?"

Every time he said her name he drawled every syllable, but this time he did it so slow and powerfully that it made Riku bristle. "Stop saying my first name like that! In fact, don't say it at all!"

She heard Dark laugh softly, making her blush. It was so unfair! She had been horrified to discover him in her new class, and even more so to end up sitting near him, let alone in front of him. He kept grinning at her, and it was unnerving.

At least Daisuke was also in her class. She looked over at where he sat, at the front. His smile at her had been genuine.

Looking down at her work, Riku realised she didn't have a clue how to solve the equations they'd been set. The numbers and letters blurred, and Dark's words echoed in her head.

"Am I that distracting, Riku…?" … "Riku…" … "Riku…"

"Stop it!" Riku whispered to herself, shaking her head furiously. She was letting him get to her!

Suddenly, she froze. Although Dark had stopped talking, she could feel his eyes drilling a hole in the back of her head. He was staring at her! Couldn't he leave her alone for just a few seconds? What was his problem?

Dark still wore a smirk on his face. Riku was getting flustered, which was normal for a girl, but she was also very amusing – she kept trying to brush him off.

Yes, this term would be a lot of fun.

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"So? How is it so far?" Risa practically jumped onto the bench. "Do you like the school, Riku?"

"Mm." Riku chewed on some rice. She had sat at a table by herself in the canteen until Risa arrived. She had managed to lose Dark in English, since he was in a different class to her. "It's OK."

"I think it's great!" Risa told her. "I've made loads of friends already and I've come to a decision." Riku raised an eyebrow. "I know who my perfect boyfriend is!"

Somehow, Riku didn't like the sound of that. "Yeah…?"

"It's… Mr Dark!"

Something caught in Riku's throat. "…That… that jerk?" she managed to say as she coughed.

"Jerk? He's not a jerk," said Risa in surprise, patting Riku's back. "He's lovely. He's a gentleman! How can you call him a jerk?"

"Hmph." She should have seen that coming. Risa had been charmed the first time they and Dark had met; of course she'd choose him for her next boyfriend. But Risa could easily get ahead of herself – she didn't know anything about Dark. "So," she continued, changing the subject. "Where's Niwa?"

"I don't know," Risa replied. "Maybe he hasn't left class yet…?"

As if on cue, the redhead waved from the crowd. "Miss Harada!" he shouted. He was carrying his own lunch, and sat down next to Risa. "Sorry I'm late, Miss Harada."

"That's OK, Niwa," Risa answered, smiling, "I just got here."

"Oh, Miss Harada," Daisuke said, this time addressing Riku. "Do you want to come with us around the school? It'd be useful for you too, right?"

In reply, Riku mumbled a just about audible "yes".

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Azumano was really a very beautiful town. Riku listened to the rustling of leaves and the singing of birds as she unchained the bike and started to cycle out of school. She had stayed behind to find out about the athletic team – she might be against her old school's team now, but she still wanted to run. It was one of the few bearable things about school.

As she passed the gate, a figure there caught her eye. He was wearing the school uniform, of course, but over his shoulder was a gym bag. He seemed normal, but then she saw the colour of his hair.

Alarm bells rang off in her head, screaming at her to speed up and ride past. She tried, but the boy managed to see her, and he waved and called her name. Riku grit her teeth.

Dark Mousy.

"Riku!" He shouted her first name so gleefully, and it drove her crazy.

"It's Harada," she said sternly, stopping her bike. "What do you want, Mousy?"

Dark pouted. "'Mousy'? That's a little harsh, Riku!"

"Harada. And it's staying Mousy."

"But Riku, what's wrong with familiarity?"

"I don't want to be familiar with you, Mousy," Riku snapped, folding her arms. "And it's Harada." She was getting tired of reminding him this now.

Dark feigned hurt. "How could you say such a thing, Riku?"

He was enjoying this; she could see it in his eyes. "For goodness sake!" she cried in defeat. This was going nowhere. "Fine. Just this once I'll call you what you want, but you have to promise to call me Harada!"

Dark raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but smirk. "Well then, Miss Harada?"

"You had better keep that!" Taking a deep breath, Riku said grudgingly, "…What is it you want… Dark?"

Suddenly, Dark was in front of her. He bent down slightly, since he was taller then she was, and put a finger mockingly on her lips. He was still smirking as he said, "I want you."

When the meaning of his words reached Riku's brain, her face went scarlet. Frantically, she brushed his finger away. "That's… that's stupid…" she mumbled, her eyes on the ground. "You don't… you wouldn't…" She blushed even harder when he laughed. Stupid Jerk.

But he stopped abruptly. "Damn," he said, checking a watch he'd put in his pocket. "I'm late for athletic practise." When Riku looked up, he grinned. "I'll see you tomorrow, Riku!"

It wasn't until he was halfway across the yard when she realised what he'd said. "Hey!" she yelled angrily. "You promised you'd call me Harada!"

"Well…" Dark carried on grinning, and made sure Riku saw him wink. "I don't remember ever saying 'yes'!"

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Riku slammed her fork down on the table. "Granddad."

The old man looked up. "Yes, Risa?"

"It's Riku," Riku replied automatically. "Um… do you think I could start karate?"

The three of them were sitting around the dining table and eating their dinner – chicken and rice – in the fancy, decorated dining room. Her grandfather blinked. "Karate? Whatever for?" Risa seconded that sentence.

"To protect myself," Riku told them. "I don't know my way around this town so I might get lost and run into a terrible place with terrible people."

"Hmm. I think it's a good idea. You could start at my good friend's dojo," said her grandfather thoughtfully. "I could call him up after dinner if you'd like."

"Thank you, Granddad." Not that she would do something as silly as getting lost. This was for one reason and one reason only.

Protection from Dark Mousy!

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Chapter two is done! I planned this story out chapter by chapter, so each should be around the same size. But I'm terrible at planning, so don't trust me too much on that!

The pairings will eventually straighten out, but we need a build up first! We had some sparks being lit in this chapter, and it can only get better from here!

Thanks for your reviews. I realise I write from Riku's point of view a lot, but it's a lot easier to relate to Riku than her sister… I can't help it. But I'll make sure to work at it. There are a lot of scene changes in this chapter, but I don't think you want to know what happens in every single lesson of the day.

In the next chapter you'll get a taste of what it's like at karate! And don't forget to read and review. It's easy to do! (Wow, it rhymes.)

--KK

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