Daydreams in Summertime

A/N: OH. MY GOD. THERE IS A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF TYPOS AND ERRORS IN THE LAST CHAPTERS… but I'm too lazy to fix them. -.- Thanks to all of my readers and reviewers for reading my fic! Keep the reviews coming – I like knowing your thoughts and I love hearing feedback. It helps a lot too! And sorry for the late update – there was a minor setback about a "medically error" I had to deal with in this chapter. That, and Junior year sucks.

Oh, and in case you didn't know, Perly's (that icecream place in the flashback in chapter two) is, like, equivalent to Cold Stone and Baskin Robin's put together, for those of you who live in an area where they have those places. Cold Stone's got some bangin' icecream. ;D

So yeah! Here's chapter three – waddup!

Disclaimers:

1.) I do not own Kingdom Hearts or Final Fantasy, not any of its characters and setting. That's copyrighted to Squaresoft.

2.) Um, Perly's isn't a real place, so please don't go out looking for it. XD

3.) And the most important one of all – I am not a doctor nor do I study anything in the medical field. Sure, I did a little research to make this fic more realistic, but just because I have included things about amnesia, the fugue state and whatever does not necessarily mean that the info I provide in this fanfic is accurate. If you want to know more about this kind of stuff, ask a doctor or an expert… because I have no concrete knowledge on this stuff and I have no background in the medical career.

KTHXREAD.

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Chapter Three – The Coverup

It was a sunny midday with a warm gentle breeze, typical weather for the tropical environment of Destiny Islands. Within a few blocks away from the shore, a small building with a red roof stood between fast food restaurants and convenience stores. Above the entrance stood a sign with big, loopy letters that read Perly's. Through the glass window, Kairi sat with Riku and Selphie with a cup of icecream and a spoon in her hand. They were in the middle of a conversation.

"And what's worse, she thinks I'm Namine!" Kairi said.

"WHAT?" Selphie exclaimed. Riku, who was in the middle of slurping his coolatta, suddenly stopped and choked on it, then started coughing his lungs out. Kairi lightly pat Riku's back with an apologetic look.

"S-sorry," she said to him.

"Geez, Kairi. I didn't actually MEAN it when I said you should be Namine's replacement. Or did you really take that seriously?" Selphie said with a laugh.

"B-but I didn't even mean to be Namine…!" Kairi replied. Riku spoke after he cleared his throat.

"How in the hell did she ever mistake you for Namine? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Riku said.

"B-but, Mrs. Kamaya didn't even know Sora had a girlfriend at all. She just happen to find out right before we met," Kairi explained. "I mean, seeing me visit Sora for the a second time alone, of course she would've mistaken me for Namine."

"Actually, I'm more surprised that you actually went to see him again by yourself," Selphie said as she held her chin. "I mean, forget about Sora's mom mistaking you for Namine! You're a cute girl anyway which automatically makes you 'girlfriend-worthy'… but Kairi? Being able to have the guts to go see Sora alone? Could it be that you're finally spreading your wings, Kairi!" Selphie exclaimed. She hugged Kairi's head, her cheek pressed against Selphie neck as she let out inaudible muffles. Riku sighed at Selphie mellow-dramatic burst of joy.

"Oh, Kairi! You're finally coming out of your shell! Finally growing up and able to stand up to the world!" Selphie cried with a big grin. Kairi's head squirmed out of her death-grip, finally getting some air.

"S-selphie…!" she said, embarrassed to see other people staring. Selphie finally let go of her and snickered.

"Whatever," Riku said as he nonchalantly sipped his coolatta, although was probably more embarrassed to be seen with Selphie at all. "So, Miss Big-and-Independent-Kairi, I hope you told Sora's mom that you weren't Namine."

"Um…" Kairi looked down at her melting strawberry shortcake icecream, almost forgetting that it was still there. Riku noticed this and stared intently at her, expecting the worst.

"…Didn't you?" Riku asked. Selphie switched glances between Riku and Kairi and gasped.

"KAIRI!" Selphie yelled, loud enough to make Kairi jump. She looked up at her, stunned from the sudden outburst, then glanced ruefully at the other table. "No! Don't tell us…! Did you… You told her, didn't you? Or—…or did you not?"

Kairi gulped before shaking her head solemnly.

"N-no…" she squeaked. "I… I didn't tell her."

Selphie's jaw literally dropped, her eyes widened like a pair of saucers.

"K-Kairi…!" she uttered. For once, she had no comeback or snide comment and thus she realized that Kairi hadn't overcome her shyness as much as she thought. Riku put his hand up to his forehead and sighed.

"I knew it…" he mumbled.

"I'm sorry…" Kairi said. With her hands rested on her lap, she clutched the hem of her denim skirt and stared at its creases and folds. "I really wanted to tell her, but she kept going on and on about how nice I was and… I… I screwed up…" Her head drooped even more forward, but Riku caught her forehead and pushed her head back up. She looked at him with her head tilt, wondering why he did that. Riku pointed to her icecream.

"Your head was about to fall into your icecream," he said. A ring of laughter came from Selphie as she doubled over, getting another good stare from the other table of people. Riku stayed calm as usually, finishing off his coolatta. Kairi blushed, not even bothering to look back at them again, but they seemed to be leaving.

"Haa…! Kairi, you're too cute," Selphie said. "But, seriously! Why didn't you tell us the day this happened? Why tell us three days after? I'm here six days a week now, so we could've talked about it then."

"I didn't see you guys that day… and yesterday and the day before that, I guess I just didn't feel like bringing it up," Kairi explained as she finally took a scoop of her icecream.

"B-but why!" Selphie exclaimed. Kairi shrugged, not knowing how to respond. Riku sighed knowing that Kairi wasn't the bravest girl when it came to confrontation. He tried to remain calm to make things easier for her.

"So you're here six times a week, huh?" Riku said to Selphie, changing the subject. "Weren't you the one planning to get a beach tan as soon as summer vacation began?"

"Yeah – but the icecream here is the best and they needed new employees anyway! And the girl who's at the cash register right now…" Selphie gestured at her with her thumb, a girl with longer, darker brown hair than Selphie's, "…her name is Olette, and she's super nice! She lets me slack off when you guys are around. And can you believe we both have the same hair and eye color? She's like the future, prettier me when I'll be in college!"

"And here you are now, a unproductive Perly's employee who scares away the costumers," Riku invoiced.

"Whatever, man! You're just jealous because I have a job and you don't." She turned to Kairi, "Kairi, why don't you get a job here too? You can impress your older brothers by getting your first job through me," she winked.

"No, I'm alright," Kairi replied as she finished up her icecream.

"Why would they be impressed?" Riku asked.

"Cause then they'd see that Kairi's got an older sister outside of the family who takes such good care of her!" Selphie said as she pat Kairi's head. "Because sometimes Kairi's just a lost kitten in this big, ugly world."

"Selphie!" Olette called out from the cash register, "We have customers coming!"

"I'm on it!" Selphie responded enthusiastically. She got up from the chair and put her Perly's working cap back on then trotted off toward Olette. Kairi thought Selphie looked cute in her work attire, which was only a red apron and cap that both had the same loopy Perly's text on it.

"So…" Riku began as he set his empty coolatta cup to the side. "When you went to the hospital, you first saw Wakka, but Sora's mom comes in when he leaves… aside from the fact that Sora's mom thinks your Namine, what else happened?"

"Oh, that's right!" Kairi said with excitement, glad that her visit the other day wasn't a complete disaster. "Sora woke up! But he looked like he was in pain and he was really tired, so I think he went back to sleep."

"Uh… oh," Riku said. "That's good, I guess. But wait, isn't that bad?"

"Huh?"

"You know. If Sora's awake now, don't you think his mom would tell him that she met you – or, 'Namine' rather?"

"Actually, when he woke up he didn't seem to remember anything," she added.

"What? Amnesia?"

"Just for that moment, I think. I can't remember exactly what the doctor said since I hardly understood anything he explained to us, but I'm sure he said that he should be able to remember everything the next time he wakes up…" she explained. "I don't know how that works, but the doctor said he shouldn't have such bad amnesia."

"Oh. Well, that still doesn't change anything."

Kairi bit her lip and looked in another direction, unable to look directly at Riku's stern expression.

"What do I do…?" Kairi asked nervously.

"Go to the hospital and straighten things out. Explain to them it was just a misunderstanding and that you didn't mean to cause any confusion," he instructed. "I'm sure his mom would understand. Sora would probably forgive you too, since he's a sucker for shy girls."

"What?" Kairi replied with shock.

"Yeah," Riku confirmed. "Trust me, we've been in the same Blitzball team for years. Not only do guys talk about chicks in the locker room but all of Sora's past girlfriends were always shy little girls with no confidence whatsoever."

"Uh…" Kairi looked at Selphie, who was making shakes for the incoming customers. She recalled what her best friend said, how she was like a lost kitten with a lack of direction. "Do you think I'm like that…?" Riku looked at her unexpectedly. "Am I just one of those shy girls?"

"You're different," Riku replied. "You've got us to help you out. Those girls are just clueless and they're searching for an arm to hang onto. They just end up finding Sora's… I don't know why his relationships don't last as long though."

"So, I'm just dependent on you guys," Kairi said.

"Kairi… that's not it. We're just helping you out because we want the best for you," he said softly. "But this is something different. You're caught in a complicated predicament, and sometimes people can't handle those kinds of problems on their own. We are just human after all, right?"

Kairi nodded graciously, a smile spreading from cheek to cheek.

"Thanks, Riku…" she said, facing him. Riku look back at her sweet smile; she was short in comparison to his height and if he were to lean just a little bit more toward her, his lips would meet her forehead. The thought of it made him shudder. "You really are like a third brother to me. Mine don't really care for me like you do."

Riku looked away, only to see his coolatta cup, empty and disregarded. "No… problem," he muttered. Riku stood up from his chair. "You should go to the hospital now. I can't go with you, I have blitzball practice."

"And Selphie has to stay here and work," Kairi said. "I—I have to do this alone?"

"Sorry," he said, taking the cup. "But maybe it's best if you do. See? You're not totally dependent."

Kairi took her purse and also got up when Riku made his way toward Selphie. They saw her give the customers their shakes and icecream.

"Oh? More customers?" Selphie said as the two of them approached her. Riku threw away the empty cup in the nearby garbage.

"I need another coolatta," he said. He turned to Kairi. "I thought you were going."

"Yeah, in a little…"

"Go now," he said.

"Go where?" Selphie asked.

"The hospital," Riku and Kairi said in unison. "So Kairi can straighten things out with Sora's mom," Riku continued.

"Oh! Good," Selphie endorsed. "Well, get going! Unless you want a smoothie for the road?"

"No, I'm good…" she replied.

"Well then, get out of my store!" Selphie advised cheerfully. Kairi chuckled and nodded. "Report back to us as soon as possible."

"Okay…" Kairi said.

"And don't be nervous, Kai," Riku said.

"I'll try…"

They said their goodbyes and Kairi left. The two remaining persons of the trio watched her as she drove her brother's car toward the hospital.

- --- - --- - --- -

Kairi approached the familiar hospital room anxiously, exhaling deeply and grasping the edge of her mini-skirt. The goosebumps on her legs would have been visible if it weren't for the black spandex she wore that extended all the way down to her calves. She looked inside to see Sora's mom, Rin, inside and talking to Sora. She assumed Sora was awake, unless Rin also enjoyed talking to unconscious people; she didn't however seem very happy. Rin spotted Kairi outside the door; she told Sora to wait for a moment and went toward Kairi. The teen held her breath in anticipation.

"Namine, I'm so glad to see you," Rin greeted with a seemingly forced smile. "It's nice to know that you're starting to visit on a daily basis…"

"B-but… I didn't visit for two days," Kairi replied.

"Oh, that's alright… But, about that… I'm actually glad that you didn't come for those two days," she said. Kairi tiled her head in question, and Rin noticing this decided to explain. "Well yesterday when he woke up, he still had amnesia."

"Huh? Why? I thought the doctor said…"

"I know, even the doctor was a little surprised. This is an unexpected turn of events, but they're trying to find out why as we speak," she said. Kairi didn't know whether to think of the news as a good thing or a bad thing. Frankly, she didn't know what to think at all. "Yesterday wasn't pretty… and it wasn't just because he didn't remember anything. He's in total denial about the whole thing – he doesn't believe he has amnesia."

"What—? But how? If he can't remember anything, then why would he think that?"

"Well, it is true," she began sadly, "that he doesn't remember anything about his past… but instead, he remembers these weird things that never happened!"

"W-what…?"

"It's as if he replaced his old memories with new ones, like he formed a new identity! He said something about an orphanage and foster parents – he's just not acting like the Sora I know! Namine, he doesn't want to talk to me…!" Rin started to break down into tears and Kairi put her hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, not really knowing how to handle the situation. The young girl wasn't accustomed to console, let alone console a full gown woman in tears. Regardless, Kairi tried to remain calm. "Namine, I don't know what to do anymore… it's like my own son is disowning me – I mean, we didn't have the greatest of mother-son relationships, but… I don't understand! We didn't adopt him or anything…!"

"I-it's okay…! Things will be fine…" Kairi reassured, although she wasn't exactly positive it was true. But what else could she have said rather than joining her in her turmoil? Rin wiped her tear away, trying to regain her posture.

"I'm sorry that you have to see me in this state… how embarrassing."

"It's okay. No one can blame you…" Kairi let go of her shoulder to give her more space. Now she was caught in an even more complicated circumstance, realizing there were bigger issues than being mistaken for Namine.

"I'm supposed to be leaving for work now, but my husband hasn't arrive," Rin said. She looked at the young girl contemplatively. Kairi noticed the look in her eyes and anticipated for the worst. "Namine dear, thank you for tolerating me… but I need to ask you one more favor. Is it too much to ask if you were to stay with Sora until my husband gets here?"

"H-huh?"

"I'm sure Sora would enjoy your company as much as you would enjoy his," she added.

"But he won't remember me either," Kairi replied.

"Oh, but he remembers you from two days ago. Do you remember the first time he woke up? You were in the room, too. And don't worry about explaining who you are to him – I already told him that you're his significant other." Kairi's heart dropped but she shoved her displeasure aside, reminding herself that there were bigger problems to be solved at the moment. "But when I told him that, that's when he shut me out… I'm sorry dear, but will you? Maybe he'll listen to you…" Kairi saw the desperate look in the woman's eyes and then finally nodded reluctantly, not knowing what to expect next.

"Alright," she said. Rin, who was very much relieved, thank Kairi graciously and led her into the hospital room. There, Kairi saw Sora sitting upright, looking out the window. He turned to see pair walk in; time literally froze when Sora's eyes met hers.

"Sora, look who's here – It's Namine, and she's here to stay for a little bit," Rin said as she feigned a smile. As Rin continued to explain the situation to Sora, the two adolescents continued to stare at each other. Rin's voice started to fade and the only thing Kairi could hear was the loud thumping of her heart "Alright, Sora? You'll be fine here with Namine," Rin said. Sora turned to his mom and their eye contact broke.

"Huh? Oh, okay," he replied absent-mindedly.

"Namine, if anything happens, just asked for my number from the counter," Rin said. Kairi nodded in response and Rin bowed her head appreciatively. "Sora's dad will be here soon enough." She said her goodbyes to the two of them and went off. Sora and Kairi were left alone, and an awkward silence filled the room.

"Hi…" Sora greeted.

"H-hi!" Kairi piped back. "I-I'm…"

"Namine. Right?" Sora confirmed.

"Y-yeah," Kairi said.

"Sorry, but…I wasn't listening to that woman," Sora admitted. "What did she say again?"

"Uh, you mean your mom?" she said. Sora frowned at that statement.

"She's not my mom," he denied.

"O-oh… sorry," she mumbled. Kairi bit her lip nervously as she fidgeted nervously under his gaze. Sora noticed this and felt that guilt was pushing him to apologize.

"Please, don't say sorry… I didn't mean to snap – I'm sorry I did." Kairi looked up at him to see from his expression that his apology appeared genuine. He seemed understanding enough. "So, tell me, what did… uh, 'my mom' say again?" he asked again. Kairi smiled at him, glad that he'd at least humor her. "Oh, and I can't remember my name, but I've been told that it's Sora, so if anything just call me that." A soft smiled grew on Sora's face when he heard Kairi chuckled at that last statement.

"I'm—I'm Namine," Kairi replied. Before either of them could continue, Kairi's phone started to vibrate in her bag. She took it out hastily and flipped it opened to see a text message sent from Riku. It read: "I hope u cleared thingz w/ soras mom ". She sighed, closed her phone and put it back in the bag wondering how would she ever be able to explain the circumstances to him; how would she ever be able to tell them the truth about Namine now? What else could she do but go with the flow at this rate? Looking up, she saw Sora staring oddly intently at her.

"W-what?" she asked in a fluster.

"Uh—Sorry…" Sora looked away. "I didn't mean to stare…"

"It's alright… I'm not mad," she assured. Sora looked up at her again, his deep blue eyes piercing right through her. She wanted to melt.

"You looked upset after you looked at your cellphone," he mentioned.

"Oh, It's nothing," she said.

"And—and you're really pretty," he stated.

"Wha—?"

"It's true," he said, making Kairi's face turn bright red. "That's why I was, uh, staring… sorry," he mumbled.

"I-it's okay!" she said. Kairi felt her cheeks warm up and she covered her face. "B-but—I'm not that p-pretty…"

"You don't have to deny it," Sora said back. Finding Kairi's flustery reaction cute, even watching her made him blush with glee. He smiled inwardly, deciding that he liked her for her meekness.

"You're… less rebellious than what I had imagined," Kairi invoiced as she took a seat and put her bag on the floor.

"Huh? Rebellious?"

"Your mom told me you weren't listening to her and stuff. You seem much less stubborn than what she made it sound like," she answered.

"Oh. Well…" Sora took a deep breath before he replied with full honestly. "How would you like it if you woke up one day to find these people claim to be your parents even though you've never seen them before?" he responded. Kairi seemed to wince at his statement. "I'm sorry… I don't mean to sound mean, but that woman who's claimed to be my mom is really, really… pushy. I'm as confused as she is, and she's not really helping… It hurts my head, so I try to ignore her. And I feel sorry for her, because she really thinks that I'm her son."

"B-but she is your mom…" she squeaked.

"Okay, well – maybe she is, but…" he trailed off. Kairi tilted her head as if to urge him to continue. She remembered Rin telling her that Sora mentioned something about an orphanage – could Sora's new identity have something to do with him being an orphan? "But if she is my biological mom, why did she come to me now? And how did she find me? But, wait a minute, she can't be my mom… she said crazy stuff to try and make me 'remember' things."

"What do you mean?" Kairi asked.

"For one, I've never met you before I woke up here, but she told me that you and I were in together – like, you know, as if we had some kind of relationship going on." Sora coughed a little to clear his throat then looked down at his lap. "That's when I shut her out. Just the idea of it – it's just crazy… we've never met, and no one would ever like me that way."

"That's not true!" she cried. Sora who was taken aback looked up her with surprise. Kairi covered her mouth and looked away. She noticed that her palms were sweaty when she breathed upon it. "S-sorry… but…" she gulped before continuing, deciding to obey what her gut was telling her; keep going along as 'Namine'. "B-but we are… together… you and I." She said. And yet ironically, we're not, she thought to herself. The last words that escaped her mouth seemed to give her a sour aftertaste and she redirected her gaze away from him in shame.

"Uh. Are you kidding me…?" he uttered in disbelief.

"E-everything… that your m-mom said… I-it's true – you have a-amnesia, but we don't know why or how yet… you don't have to believe me yet." Kairi stuttered. She forced herself to have eye contact with him in spite of her redden cheeks. "But y-you and I are b-boy-…friend and… g-girlfriend…"

"You're lying…" Sora denied, but Kairi timidly shook her head.

"You don't have to believe me…" she whispered. Because technically, I am lying… Afraid of what to expect out of him, she peeked up at him – her heart skipped a beat when she saw Sora bashfully looked away to avoid eye contact, finding his shy reaction unexpectedly adorable. He seemed like he was pouting but his face was flushed from ear to ear. He frowned to himself, unable to find a way to refute her without sounding mean. Perhaps this whole ordeal was all a sick joke, but her firm assertion and the look in her eyes and expression seemed too convincing. Regardless, he still thought she was crazy – but why did he keep blushing? He shook his head and chose to change the subject. "Namine, why am I here? How did I end up in this hospital?"

"Um. Because—because you're hurt," she replied awkwardly.

"Is that all?"

"You were in a car accident," she added. "A-and, someone ran a red light and hit your car…" Sora took a moment to think on what she just said and nodded.

"Well then… I don't remember that," he confessed. "But that seems like a realistic cause of amnesia." Kairi sighed in relief and made sure not to mention that his best friend, Tidus, died. "Namine?"

"Y-yes?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Okay…"

"Sora!" a voice called out. Before the two teenagers could react, Sora's dad came rushing into the room, huffing and panting. He was a tall young man, a little over Riku's height, with a stubbly beard and hazelnut brown eyes. His hair resembled Sora's, only it reached down below the base of his neck. "Sorry—traffic—was bad," he said between breaths. He bent over to catch his breath, and then took notice of Kairi seated in the chair. "Oh, are you Namine?" he asked. He looked around. "Did Rin leave already?"

"Y-yeah, she did…" Kairi replied. She got up, bowed a little and put out her hand for a shake. "I-I'm Namine, sir. It's nice to meet you."

"Uh…" Sora's father shook her hand. "Nice to meet you too. Rin says a lot about you… I didn't know Sora had a secret girlfriend."

"H-HEY!" Sora called out. "I'm right here, you know!"

"Oh, pipe down! You're supposed to be in denial about it anyway!" his dad answered back. "Wow, that was the most response I got out of him since he woke up," he said, winking back at Kairi to ensure her that he was just teasing. Kairi snickered at how interestingly playful Sora's dad turned out to me and marveled at how much it reminded her of Selphie. She wondered what it would be like if they ever met.

Oh… That's right, I should be heading back, she thought.

"Don't get her involved in this," Sora complained.

"I'm sorry," Kairi interrupted, "but I have to go now."

"Oh, so soon?" Sora's dad asked.

"I was only supposed to stay here until your arrival, Mr. Kamaya. And I also have to be somewhere right now," she said.

"Well, alright. It was nice meeting you, Miss Namine. And just call me Soruen," he said.

"You really have to go?" Sora called out. Kairi looked back at Sora unexpectedly.

"Y-yeah… I'm sorry." Kairi waved and bowed. "Goodbye."

They said their farewells and Kairi left the room only to hear Soruen crack corny jokes about Sora's last words. She escaped the hospital and mad her way toward her brother's car, almost in denial about what had just happened. Just within a few moments, things have taken on a strange beginning. Kairi wondered how she even got caught in the mess, but nevertheless she somehow felt jolts of excitement. Kairi, the quiet, shy girl who only stayed in her comfort zone with a few friends had finally committed to something so radically new and different that she hardly knew what to expect.

She sat in her brother's car and opened her purse to take out her cellphone in case she missed any texts or calls. It was then that she saw Riku's text in her inbox, the same one that she received when she was talking to Sora. She read it over again: "I hope u cleared thingz w/ soras mom ". Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself again that she had impulsively taken Namine's name and role as Sora's girlfriend. A sudden dread came over the teen when she thought of what events she would be led into, and sure enough the foreshadowing rain clouds were already rolling in. She definitely knew that Riku would not be happy if he found out that Kairi had only been caught in a spider's web.

She pushed the 'reply' button and began to text her response:

"yes i did. she was very nice about it so thingz r ok now."

Without another giving herself another second to think, Kairi pushed 'send' and stuffed her phone back in her bag.

.

a/n: AH HA HA HA HA HA I FINALLY FINISHED THIS CHAPTER.

Please tell me if this chapter was alright. My beta-readers were either unavailable or discombobulated today, so… I'm kind of unsure… X.x

So, REVIEW NOW PLEASE!