White Rose of STARISH Ch. 4
Wow, it took a bit to get this chapter up and ready to post online. I'm almost done with my classes for the winter semester so I should have a bit more time to work on my stories. It is so hard trying to pick just one story to focus on so much that I find myself jumping back and forth between stories. I'll add a bit to the story here and add a little to a story there. For some reason, I just can't seem to focus on just one story over the other. I've tried to keep to an updating schedule a few times to get content up regularly for you guys, but my mind can't focus on a story unless I have an idea. I've tried to add a story when I don't have the inspiration and the results were weird and very not where I wanted to go. As for the episode where it concerns Tokiya after the Hayato concert, I am not quite sure how I want to work that in after this chapter. If anyone had an idea, I would be open to suggestions. Looks like we have a couple reviews, so I will get with that.
LunaWolfSunTigeress15: Thank you so much for the review Luna. I always look forward to your reviews. As for keeping this a reverse harem, I am leaning towards that. I love everyone in the STARISH group and I think that is because we get to grow with them as characters in the first season before they actually become idols.
pupstarstar: Hello lovely. When I read your review, I have to admit I took it as inspiration when writing this chapter. I knew that I wanted to have Aika interact with Satsuki besides fear from the beginning, but I just couldn't think of how I wanted Satsuki to react. I'd like to think that I wrote Satsuki well, but I could be wrong.
It's nice to be able to see this when I come back to a story to post a new chapter. I love seeing the reviews that I have waiting for me. Well, I won't go on for too much longer. WE just have the quote and we'll get on with the story.
"I'd rather die than to live without passion."
-Jeon Jung-kook
On with the story!
ooo0ooo
Excited nerves could be seen in Aika's posture as she picked out her outfit for the day. Instead of a cutesy look that she wore back at home with her grandmother, she chose a darker outfit with a pop of pink. A black crop top with spaghetti straps was paired with a black miniskirt over sheer pink leggings tucked into black heeled boots. To go with the outfit, a black choker was secured around her neck and a pair of gold earrings went in her ears that had a gold pearl on her lobe with gold crescent moons hanging from the pearl. Inside the curve of the moon sat white roses while pink crystals continued to hang down from the crescent moon. As for her makeup, she applied a small bit of pink around the corners and bottom of her eye to give subtle color then applied clear lip gloss to enhance her natural lip color. Her hair went into its usual odango style so all Aika had to do was spritz on some perfume and slip her black purse over her torso. Before heading out, she ducked into the cafeteria to grab a quick bite to eat even though her stomach was in knots. It's better to eat now then pass out later due to nerves and not eating, Aika reasoned with herself while she quickly ate some nikuman. Just as she swallowed the last bite, Aika ran into Masato, Otoya, and Tomo-chan when she walked by to take care of her wrappers.
"Aika-chan!" Otoya called out to her when he saw the familiar white hair.
"Hey Oto-chan, Masa-chan, Tomo-chan," Aika greeted them, flashing a smile that showed her dimples.
"Are you going somewhere?" Otoya ventured when he saw the way she was dressed.
"Yes, I'm going to Hayato-sama's concert."
"He's supposed to announce his new song," Tomo-chan told the boys.
"I'm so excited that I was shaking getting ready this morning," Aika beamed.
"I am concerned," Masato spoke up after placing his tea cup on the table he was sitting at with the others.
"About what?" Aika voiced.
"If I didn't have a bunch of assignments, I would go with you," Tomo-chan sighed while she rose from her seat to lean into Aika.
"Why?" Aika tried to ask.
"Are you sure you'll be alright by yourself, Aika-chan?" Otoya questioned, his eyes showing his uneasiness and worry about her going by herself.
Now that Aika knew that they were questioning whether or not she would get herself lost, she sort of stiffened.
"Thank you for the concern," she began with slightly red cheeks. "But I'll be fine getting to the venue on my own."
"I hope you don't get lost," Masato sighed.
"Do I really seem so hopeless?" Aika asked the group with the most even voice possible even though she could feel her temper start to rise.
"In that case," Ren spoke up while placing a hand on Aika's shoulder.
"I'll escort the Little Tigress."
"Ren-chan," Aika uttered at the nerve of the ginger male.
"While we're at it, why don't we enjoy a date together?"
"What makes you think that getting a date with me would be so easy?" Aika challenged with an eyebrow raise.
"I would be far more concerned that way," Masato pointed out.
At his words, Ren looked up to glare at the blue haired male. Masato in turn glared right back. Boys, Aika sighed in her head at the obvious display of male dominance.
"I'll be fine everyone. I swear," Aika insisted. "I'm a tough girl. I found my way here for the test all by myself. I can handle going to a concert."
"I see," Otoya commented unconvincingly.
"I'll see you guys later," Aika offered with a roll of her eyes.
The others watched her walk away with concerned eyes. While they wanted to insist to accompany her to the concert on the off chance that she would get lost, they knew better than to try to argue with the stubborn girl. Geez, Aika thought to herself while walking down the hallway. I'm not that helpless. As luck would have it, right as she turned a corner, Aika ran into what seemed like a wall. A yelp left her as she fell back hard onto the floor.
"You've got to be kidding me," Aika groaned under her breath only to notice that in the fall, her copy of Hayato's CD had fallen out of her purse. This doesn't count, she thought to herself. I haven't even left campus yet.
"Sorry," Aika told the unknown person as her hand shot out to retrieve the CD she dropped.
To her surprise, she realized that the hand belonged to none other than Tokiya.
"Tokiya-san," Aika uttered in shock.
Tokiya said nothing as he rose to his feet with her CD in hand. Aika didn't know what to say until Tokiya winced when he shifted his weight wrong.
"Are you okay?" Aika asked when she saw the flinch.
While Tokiya might not like her that much, she still cared about his health and safety. Rather than answer her, he simply handed back the CD then turned to leave.
"Uh," Aika said before she found herself thinking of what to say.
Tokiya stopped but didn't turn around to hear what she had to say.
"I hear Hayato-sama is having a concert today."
"Are you going?" Tokiya inquired.
"Yes."
"Make sure you don't get lost."
"Are you kidding me," Aika let out in disbelief. "I am not that bad with directions."
I'll show them, she thought with determination. I'll find my own way there and show them that I am perfectly capable of getting myself places.
Even though Aika said that, she still found herself a little turned around.
"This is ridiculous," Aika sighed to herself while she studied her map.
"I was so sure I made the right turns. I guess I'll just have to check the street signs."
As soon as she looked up from her map, she caught sight of a blond boy who looked eerily similar to Natsuki. Except he couldn't be Natsuki because he wasn't wearing glasses and the standoffish aura that was coming off him in waves was nothing like Natsuki's peaceful one. It seemed that he was writing something on the papers that he held close to his chest as if to guard it from the world. Rather than go up to him and start talking with him, Aika simply observed him. He did not want to be disturbed at the moment and Aika wasn't going to be the one to ruin his peace and quiet. It wasn't until she saw some jerks throw trash onto his head that she actually walked over to him.
"Oi!" she shouted at the guys who were so careless with their trash.
"You should watch where you're throwing your trash. You just threw that on his head."
The boys only waved her off to which she huffed at. She decided to leave them be and instead inspect the Natsuki look alike's hair to see if any food got stuck there.
"There doesn't seem to be any food in your hair," Aika told him. "But that doesn't excuse what they-,"
Aika didn't have a chance to finish her sentence because she was moved carefully out of the way so that the look alike could charge at the boys and punch the wall beside one's head. When Aika saw the deep dent in the concrete,her eyes widened and she was very worried about his hand. I hope he didn't break it, Aika fretted as she rushed over to the commotion. The boy who had a near death experience was shaking badly while facing the blond male.
"Throw your garbage in the trash," the blond told him, grabbing a fistful of his shirt.
"I think he's had enough," Aika interjected when the boy who was in the blond's grasp looked like he was ready to pass out then and there.
"What is more important is taking a look at your hand. Is it broken? Does it hurt?"
Without asking for permission, Aika took said hand in both of hers to inspect it. The boy who was being threatened not just seconds ago took this as an opportunity to hightail it out of there while the white haired girl had the murderous blond's attention. The blond himself was watching the girl with slight annoyance and some parts amusement. He was annoyed that his prey had fled, but he had never had anyone try to take care of him before. He existed only to protect so he didn't care if he was hurt. He would even go as far to say that the touch of her fingers all over his hand had a calming effect on him. While she was small, it had looked like she was ready to fight the boy he just had in his grasp when the trash hit his head. She is a feisty one, he thought to himself.
"There you are!" came Syo's voice before Aika saw him sprint forward to place glasses on the blond's face. Aika's eyes widened at the action while Syo looked like he had just run five blocks. The blond's body stood stock still as the person who had occupied the body's mind was forced to the back for another person. The person who was just out tried to claw their way back to the surface so that they could see more of the girl, but the other person ended up winning. The person who looked up at both Syo and Aika was definitely the Natsuki that Aika had thought he was earlier.
"Huh, Aika-chan, why are you here?" Natsuki asked in confusion.
"I was coming through for a concert," Aika answered uneasily. Compared to who she had seen earlier, Natsuki and the person seemed like polar opposites. Wait, no. They weren't complete opposites. Aika couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she could see that there were similarities between them. One could even liken them to twins.
"Why don't we all stop at a cafe?" Syo suggested when he saw the confused face Aika was pulling.
"That sounds great!" Natsuki agreed at once.
ooo0ooo
And so the group moved to a nearby cafe where they ordered snacks. Syo stuck with a pot of tea, Aika settled with a melon soda float, and Natsuki ordered a cute purple parfait that Aika wished she had ordered.
"It's so cute," Natsuki chuckled while he eyed the star cookies.
"You understand now right," Syo whispered to Aika.
"He's Natsuki right now, but when he takes off his glasses, he becomes the completely different Satsuki."
"At least I can call him by a name now," Aika sighed.
"I don't know what happened when he was little, before we met, but he sent a ton of people to the hospital after they made him mad."
"But he seemed to like you," Syo commented. "I have never seen him take to someone so quickly."
"Should I be flattered?" Aika questioned.
"Extremely flattered," Syo confirmed. "Usually the only way to be safe is to turn him back into Natsuki. Satsuki is also surprisingly good at composing, and he spends every free moment writing songs. He's what you'd call a prodigy."
"That's amazing," Aika grinned. "I would love to brainstorm with him."
"If anyone would be able to do it, you would," Syo said. "But he doesn't remember anything when he turns back into Natsuki."
Huh, Aika thought to herself only to be brought out of her thoughts by Natsuki.
"Aika-chan."
"Yes?"
"You really do…Look like my beloved Elizabeth."
Do I really look like a dog, Aika groaned in her head even though she kept a smile on her lips.
"When I'm with her, I feel like I'm enveloped in a sunny spot."
"That's one of the best feelings in the world," Aika smiled. "I absolutely love just lounging in patches of sun. Though I have to take care so that I don't fall asleep."
A soft smile and a chuckle left Natsuki when he saw the small smile that hinted at Aika's dimples.
"Aika-chan, you really do understand," he said while bringing a cup of tea he just poured to his lips. However, the steam from the tea caused his glasses to fog up that had him reaching to take off his glasses. Syo looked worried at the action and moved to stop him while Aika was completely ok if Satsuki decided to pay them another visit.
"Don't take your glasses off, Natsuki!" Syo exclaimed that caught the taller blond off guard.
"What?" Natsuki voiced at the opposition to his action.
"I'll cool it down for you."
Aika had to try hard to keep from laughing out loud or smiling at the scene of Syo blowing on Natsuki's tea to cool it so she hid it behind a sip of her melon soda float.
"You're so considerate Syo-chan," Natsuki smiled at his childhood friend.
Thankfully, the steam had cleared from Natsuki's glasses but Syo blowing on the cup had moved Natsuki's hair across his nose which caused him to start to sneeze. With a particularly hard sneeze, Natsuki's glasses fell off his nose and onto the table. Aika continued to calmly sip on her drink while Syo was looking to Natsuki in dread.
"Hello Satsuki-san," Aika greeted him with a smile before going back to her drink.
"Are you not afraid of me?" Satsuki teased her with a smirk and an almost menacing gleam in his eye. Aika could only watch as Satsuki moved closer in order to try to intimidate her.
"No, I'm not afraid of you Satsuki," Aika said with conviction.
"Unlike Natsuki, I'm not a nice guy."
"You could have pushed me away or hurt me when I was by your side earlier," Aika pointed out, subtly watching Syo retrieve Natsuki's glasses from the table.
"But you didn't."
"I could do it now," Satsuki argued.
He was a little irked that the white haired girl in front of him showed no fear towards him yet he was also a little glad. She had run to his defense earlier after all.
"Why would I be afraid of you protecting Natsu-chan?"
That question seemed to floor him because he almost recoiled away from her that was enough of an opportunity for Syo to slip the glasses back on him. In a flash Natsuki was back and staring down at Aika who he had noticed he was too close to. He liked being so close to her, but he backtracked before he came off as creepy.
"Pardon my intrusion," Natsuki said as he moved back to sit in his seat.
"It's fine," Aika smiled at him.
"So, where are you two headed today?"
"We're going to the Carnival World Amusement Park," Natsuki answered excitedly.
"Really?" Aika asked in pleasant surprise. "I'm on my way there too. Hayato-sama has a concert there later today."
"You could walk with us if you want," Syo offered. "Just so you don't get lost."
"It was a one time thing," Aika pouted, still a little sore of getting a little lost after assuring her friends that she could get to the concert alright. Syo and Natsuki on the other hand couldn't help but find the way Aika had her cheeks puffed out with just the slightest hint of a blush on the apples of her cheeks to be extremely cute.
"That's great," Natsuki smiled. "We'll be able to watch the Piyo-chan character show after the concert."
"Sounds like fun," Aika agreed when no one asked about her getting lost.
The group then finished their drinks, then walked together to the park. Aika had showed her ticket and was let in before the other two, so she was the first one to find a table that was full of Piyo-chan merchandise. One item in particular caught her eye and she hastened to buy it and head back to the boys.
"Hey Natsu-chan, bend down for a moment please."
Natsuki looked a little confused by Aika's request yet he still bent down to Aika's level at her request. Without further ado, Aika plopped a Piyo-chan hat on Natsuki's head and stood back with a proud smile.
"There we are. The yellow even matches your hair."
"Thank you," Natuski smiled down at the petite fair haired girl who in turn flashed him a smile that showed off her dimples. Natsuki's heart skipped a beat at the sight and a light blush settled on his cheeks at the cute sight in front of him. Even Syo couldn't deny the adorable sight in front of him that had him grinning at the infectious joy the white haired girl gave off.
"We still have about an hour and a half until the concert," Aika said after checking the time on her phone.
"We should have time to go on a ride or two before we have to head over to the concert. Is there anything that you guys want to get on?"
"Let's go to the carousel!" Natsuki smiled in excitement.
"That's a great idea Natsu-chan!" Aika agreed.
Syo groaned at the thought of having to go on the childish ride, yet he couldn't deny that the smile on Aika's face was making the idea grow on him.
"You two can go on," Syo told the other two when they turned to him to get his opinion.
"I'll just stand to the side."
"Are you sure?" Aika frowned, a little worried about Syo feeling left out.
"Yeah, I'm sure," Syo smiled while placing a hand on her head.
"You two have fun."
"Then we'll make sure to do what you want next," Aika promised him with a smile that had an unconscious smile that tugged at his lips while his heart warmed towards her.
"Come on Natsu-chan," Aika said to the tall blond.
Before Natsuki could say anything, she took his hand in hers and all but dragged him after her towards the line for the carousel. He was a little surprised at her forwardness yet he appreciated the way her hand felt in his. With how the girl acted, he sometimes forgot just how small and petite she was. His hand easily dwarfed hers and her hand felt really soft against the callouses he had from playing the viola. Even the warmth her hand gave off traveled up though his own hand and arm to settle around his heart. Just from this alone he had a sense of security that had him holding her hand in return.
They didn't have to wait long for their turn on the carousel and were more than happy to step up and pick their horses. Natsuki chose a yellow horse with a white mane that he looked like a giant on while Aika chose a pure white unicorn that she had to sit on sidesaddle. Luckily for the two, their steeds were right next to each other so that when they were finally seated, they both turned to each other and gave each other huge grins that threatened to break their faces.
"Syo-chan," Natsuki called out to the shorter blond who was watching them with a fond smile on his face.
"Take a picture of us!"
Syo shook his head at the energetic blond yet he still reached into his pocket to take out his phone to get ready to snap pictures as the two went by. The two posed for a couple pictures, but the majority of the pictures that Syo took were candid. They might have also been mostly Aika with a few being of Natsuki and Aika laughing together. They went around a couple times then they got off and met back up with Syo who was looking through the different pictures he had taken.
"Let me see Syo-chan!" Natsuki exclaimed as he crowded behind the shorter blond.
"Hey!" Syo complained as he tried to move out from under Natuski's larger frame. Natsuki was very happy about the pictures that he saw of him and Aika, yet he couldn't help but feel a little jealous at the way Syo had been taking mostly pictures of Aika. He must like her, he thought to himself.
"Where do you want to go next Syo-kun?" Aika asked the shorter blond who had managed to get Natsuki off of himself.
"We can go to the prize booths," Syo said with an easy smile. "It's right on the way to the stage."
"Lead the way then!" Aika exclaimed joyfully, looping an arm through both Syo's and Natsuki's arms.
She may not have mentioned it to the boys, but this was the first time that she had really ever hung out at an amusement park with friends. She had always been too frail when she was little to try anything like that, yet now she was able to do so and watch a Hayato concert right after. To her it felt like a dream come true. Both Natsuki and Syo couldn't help but give a small smile at the large smile that Aika had on her lips that had her dimples out on full display. When they saw the way that her dimples shone through, they thought that they would do whatever it took to keep that kind of smile on her face.
"How about we try the gun shooting game?" Syo suggested when they reached the games that were on the edge between the amusement park and where the concert was going to take place.
"I'm game," Aika agreed.
Both Syo and Aika picked up a toy gun full of cork pellets after paying with Natsuki hanging back to take pictures.
"How about we make a wager?" Aika offered as she pulled the butt of the gun to her shoulder.
"What's the wager?" Syo questioned, looking interested in what she had to say.
"First one to ten win. If I win, you have to buy me a crepe."
"Alright. If I win, you owe me a new hat."
"You're on."
Without waiting for the other to say start, they both started firing away at the targets. Natsuki has already started snapping pictures of both Syo and Aika with a happy flush on his cheeks. They are both so cute, Natsuki thought to himself with a soft chuckle. Syo-chan doesn't like it when I hug him, but maybe Aika-chan won't mind that I hug her. As he thought that, Syo had already shot down about five of the moving targets and he felt really accomplished with his task. However, when he looked to his right to see how Aika was fairing, he saw that she had just shot down her tenth target with terrifying accuracy. His eyes widened at her marksmanship and his gun lowered slightly in his shock. Natsuki himself couldn't help but be in awe at Aika's accomplishment while Satsuki, deep inside Natsuki's mind, couldn't help but admire the petite white haired girl.
"I believe that was a win for me," Aika teased, placing her gun back on the counter.
"Yeah," Syo let out in one breath.
"How about we change what I get as a prize?" Aika asked after selecting a prize from the vendor.
"I'm listening," Syo said as he too put his gun back on the counter.
"We'll both go to the mall on Saturday and we'll go shopping. That way you can get something you want and I can get myself a crepe."
"Okay," Syo readily agreed after hearing her proposition.
"Can I come with?" Natsuki questioned after hearing Aika's words.
"Sure Natsu-chan," Aika agreed with a soft smile. Natsuki gave a smile at her agreeance while Syo looked a little worried at the prospect of spending a day with Natsuki. He already had his hands full before running into Aika trying to get glasses back on Satsuki to bring back Natsuki. Well, Satsuko likes her, Syo mused to himself. It might make it a little bit easier to get glasses back on him.
"Here Syo-kun," Aika said, handing a white plush tiger over to the slightly taller blond.
"A gift from me to you."
"Thanks Aika-chan."
"Look at these pictures I took of you two," Natsuki cheered while kneeling down a bit so both Syo and Aika could see the pictures. Aika was more than happy about the pictures of the day while Natsuki and Syo couldn't help but take in the way Aika's eyes and face lit up in happiness at the pictures. I could get used to seeing that face everyday, they both thought fondly. Even deep in the recesses of Natsuki's mind, Satsuki was watching Aika with interest as well as amusement. Why is she so excited about some pictures? At least she is making Natsuki feel safe and happy.
"We should start heading over," Syo suggested.
"You're right," Aika agreed.
She linked her arms with the both of the boys before leading them over to the stage area that was already set up for the show. As soon as they had gotten their places amongst the crowd, the lights on the stage lit up to let the crowd know that the show was about to begin. Aika's eyes sparkled while many other girls around her cheered and talked animatedly with their friends. I can't believe I get to attend Hayato-sama's concert, Aika gushed to herself in her head. When the screen on the stage changed from the cover of Hayato's new single to a collage of his faces, the cheering in the crowd grew louder in anticipation.
"At any rate," Natsuki commented from Aika's side. "He looks just like Tokiya-kun, doesn't he?"
Aika kept her thoughts to herself even though she was ninety-eight percent sure that Tokiya and Hayato were one and the same.
"Naturally," Syo told the taller blond. "They're identical twins."
"Like you and Kaoru?" Natsuki voiced.
"You have a twin?" Aika asked the stylish blond beside her with wide eyes.
"Yeah," Syo grinned. "He's the younger twin and he's studying at our sister school."
"That's amazing," Aika smiled up at him. "Will I get to meet him?"
"I'm sure he'll be around one of these days."
Aika's attention was then brought back to the stage when Hayato's voice came over the speakers.
"Good morning!"
Her lips rose into a bright smile that had all of her dimples on display as the show started.
"Thank you for coming to my concert tonight!"
In an explosion of confetti, Hayato jumped out onto the stage and began to sing.
"In a special mood,
You can become happy
Do you know the magic password?"
As Hayato sang, Aika's brow furrowed at the change in Hayato's sound. He did not sound at all like this when he had first debuted and it was bothering her. It had no doubt everything due to the bubbly persona that he gave when he was performing.
"You can't get away
With lying to yourself
Come on,
Look up at the sun
Brilliantly glittering
A shower of sunlight shining through the trees."
Syo was the first one to notice Aika's frown and grew worried about his friend.
"What's wrong, Aika-chan?"
"Hayato-sama has a beautiful voice as always," Aika began with a small smile that faded back into a frown.
"But...it's not the same as before…"
Natsuki heard the exchanged words and he couldn't help but try to understand what Aika was saying.
"Sparkling more than the sun,
Because the light of the dream is forever!"
Aika watched Hayato spin as art of his choreography yet flinched when he stepped on his foot wrong. This caused his microphone to fly from his hand and drop onto the stage. Aika watched with wide eyes when Hayato watched the mike bounce on the floor of the stage before coming to a stop a few feet from him. What's going on, Aika asked herself worriedly. The jarring wave of interference and sound that the mike gave off was enough to make Aika dizzy that was not helped with her growing worry for the idol on stage. Shouts for Hayato to keep performing flew across the stage while Hayato stood still without reaching for the fallen microphone. That was enough to get the fan girls yelling Hayato's name and encouraging him to go on. Some girls behind Natsuki were so restless that they bumped into him. Aika watched it happen out of the corner of her eye and she turned in enough time to see Natsuki's glasses hit the ground then broken in half by the heel of a female fan. Oh no, Syo thought to himself when he realized what had just happened. As if the situation couldn't get any worse, it started to thunder and rain on everyone. Aika watched Satsuki warily as he grabbed the Piyo-chan hat on his head to throw it off. Fans started running all over the place while Satsuki gave a feral yell. He then stalked forward towards the stage that had Aika hesitating on doing anything.
"Hayato!" Satsuki yelled at Hayato who was still on the stage.
"Why do you sing insincere songs?!"
While Aika had thought the same thing while listening to the song before, she wasn't going to outright ask him. When he continued running forward, Syo tried to catch him but ended up short. In the meantime, Aika went to try to find a substitute for Natsuki's busted glasses. Satsuki had managed to dodge the staff that tried to detain him and simply knocked out the other staff who tried to come after him. This is not good, Aika worried to herself as she turned her attention back to the blond who had made it to the stage.
"You're in the spotlight," Satsuki began in his gruff voice.
"But your true feelings hide in pitch dark shadows. It pisses me off."
Hayato looked taken aback at Satsuki's words while his mind tried to register that these words were coming from who he thought to be Natsuki.
"I'm the dark side of Shinomiya Natsuki," Satsuki continued. "But I don't lie to myself. Listen to my song."
Instead of putting up resistance to the odd request, Hayato simply gave a nod to agree with Satsuki's request.
"Let him," Hayato directed towards the band members who were watching the new addition to the stage warrily.
Since Hayato was vouching for the tall blond, the band members went back to their instruments and listened to the instructions that Satsuki was giving them. In less then five minutes, the band struck up the music that Satsuki then proceeded to get lost in. Aika herself couldn't help but be pulled into with the fast rock beat that came from the guitars and drums.
"Buzzing shadow minds
Almost driven to madness:
'Who am I?',"
Aika shook her head to make herself focus and grab the broken glasses from the ground since she could not find an alternative anywhere around her.
"I have the glasses Syo-kun!" Aika called over to the shorter blond only for the lenses on the glasses to shatter.
Fuck, Aika thought to herself. I can't put these on him and get Natsu-chan back….but maybe I can do something to distract Satsuki. Syo-kun did say that Satsuki likes me. I could buy Syo-kun enough time to find something else.
"I'm going to try something!" Aika shouted over to him before bolting towards the stage much to Syo's displeasure.
"Shadows and light
You and I
Come closer
Asking each other
'Real' or 'fake'
Black?
White?
Why?
Why?"
As Satsuki continued to sing, Aika carefully made her way towards the stage. Through careful maneuvering, she made it to the stage and edged herway towards Satsuki who was singing his heart out. While she made her way to him, she listened to the lyrics of the song he was singing so passionately. Is he...Is he talking about being trapped in Nastuki's body? She had just made it to his side and was about to put the glasses on him when he turned to face her. Instead of jumping out of fright, Aika met his gaze bravely while her hands lowered a bit. A smirk quirked Satsuki's lips up in one corner as he reached out to grab the arm wrist of the hand that held the glasses and pulled Aika into his chest.
"What are you doing Satsuki-san?" Aika asked, feeling Satsuki's strong arms wrap around her waist.
"Let's do something fun," he whispered down at her.
Aika's mind raced with different routes to take to get the glasses back on him, but she couldn't come with anything. She could only watch as Satsuki leaned closer to her. However, she couldn't find it in herself to be scared of him. Even if he wasn't Natsuki, she didn't believe that Satsuki would do anything criel to anyone who was Natsuki's friend.
"Aren't you scared?" Satsuki questioned the petite girl in his arms who looked up at him with half lidded eyes.
He had to admit that he liked the way that Aika felt in his arms and he didn't quite want to let her go. Her soft body against his that moved along with his was making a warmth blossom in his chest.
"No," Aika denied without missing a beat. "I know that you wouldn't do anything cruel to me."
Satsuki was greatly taken aback at her words which was an ample opportunity for Syo to slip the Piyo-cahn hat on Satsuki's head. The glasses part of the hat seemed to act as glasses for Satsuki disappeared from behind the eyes looking down at Aika so that only Natsuki remained.
"Aika-chan?" Natsuki uttered in confusion as he backed away a little from the fair haired girl.
Aika let out a small sigh of relief as she smiled up at the tall blond. Natsuki then turned to see Syo who looked like he just wanted to go home.
"And Syo-chan. What's wrong?"
That only served to make Syo very irritated.
"Let's go," he ordered while pushing Natsuki towards the stairs of the stage.
"Why?!"
"Just move, now!"
While the two blonds were making their way off the stage, Aika walked over to Hayato who was watching the procession with mild confusion.
"Are you alright?" she asked when she got close enough to see the bandage that Hayato had wrapped around his ankle. She was even more sure now that Tokiya and Hayato were one and the same.
"If you're injured, you should have rest. Putting strain on it won't let it heal."
"Aika-chan, what are you doing?!" Syo called back to the white haired girl.
"Come on!"
"Please think of your health more," Aika insisted before she turned on her heel to run after Natsuki and Syo.
ooo0ooo
There you have it guys. A new chapter that has more interaction between Tokiya and the introduction of Satsuki. As for a later chapter of the story, I am thinking of having Aika and Syo go to the mall together. Should I just have the two of them go together, have Natsuki join them, or have the whole group go with them to the mall? I love all of these ideas, but I can't decide which one I want. I think I'll put up a poll on my page so that I can see where everyone is leaning. Besides that, what did you think of the chapter? Do you like how Aika treats Satsuki? I wanted her to be able to be accepting of Satsuki as a person on his own. That's all I have for this chapter so if you have any questions or comments about the story leave a review or feel free to shoot me a pm. Remember, reviews are magic!
-White Wolf