Recap
"The doctor managed to fix his leg back to normal but he will need to wear a whole leg cast. The doctor recommends that he shouldn't walk on it for two weeks. We would like it if he stayed here during that time. After that he will need to take it easy and only walk when he needs to."
-nurse
"Thank you."-Rima
"For what?"-Mrs. Mashiro
"For being here for me."-Rima
"I don't think we should be together."
-Rima
"Rima, you never bring me down. I've always needed you. I need you the most right now."
-Nagi
"I'm sorry. I still want to be with you. I know we are bent but we aren't broken,"
-Rima
Rima: I'm really sorry about the last chapter
Nagi: It's alright Rima
Rima: No it's not
Nagi: I forgave you Rima
Rima: I know
Chapter 16 Good News and Plushies
*Rima's POV*
"You're back again Rima-chan." a nurse said.
"Yes, I have to drop Nagi's homework off. He really doesn't want to fall behind," I said as I dragged my backpack that had twice as many books in it.
"You've been here every day for the last two weeks. I find it really sweet."
"I have to take care of him. He's done so much for me. It's only the right thing to do is to return the favor," I said. I was doing everything I could to make up with Nagi. I nearly broke his heart right after I was the reason he broke his leg. I let my emotions get to me. I'm not going to do it again. I'm going to take care of him the best I can, even when he gets out of the hospital.
"Nurse, when does Nagi get out?" I asked.
"He gets out tonight if the doctor approves that he is healed enough. Of course he'll have to use the crutches," she said.
"He doesn't like them," I said.
"I don't think anyone likes them, but they need to keep their support off the leg," she said.
"I know. If you don't mind, I'd like to take these things to Nagi now," I said.
"Go ahead. He's been bored when no one is visiting him," she said. I walked down the familiar hallway. I've come to this hospital every day for the past two weeks. I could tell you all the nurses names that work during the day and the day janitor. Of course I tried my best not to talk to them too much. The nurse I talked to is the one that checks up on Nagi the most. I think she's the only one I really talk to. I knocked on Nagi's door. I was scolded once by a nurse for not knocking, since then I knock.
"Come in." Nagi sounds better than when I saw him the first time. I know his leg really hurts but he always hides it. I still see him flinch if he moves his leg too much. I want Nagi to be out of the hospital but I don't want him to be hurting.
"It's me." I popped my head into the room.
"Rima," he said excited.
"Kusukusu!" Rhythm ran up to her and hugged her while twirling around in the air.
"I hear you've been bored," I said.
"Yes. My leg doesn't hurt as bad as it did the first day. I get really bored. My mom and Nade tried to bring me things to entertain me like books and games. I read all the books and playing games by yourself isn't fun," he said.
"We tried to play but..." Temari scratches the back of her head while giving a nervous laugh. Temari's temper got the best of her.
"I'll play with you after homework," I said. I managed to pick up the backpack and set it in a table. I pulled out the books.
"What do you want to start with first?"
"Doesn't matter to me," he said. I grabbed the first book I saw. It was history. I grabbed both books and both of our notebooks. I make sure to take really good notes during class, then during lunch I write everything down in his notebook in the nicest handwriting I can. It's been tough but I get it done every time.
"Alright, we have a packet about world war two," I said. I sat at the table to do my homework while Nagi used a little table that goes over his bed whenever he needs something in front of him. After a few minutes, Nagi will ask me a few questions. He was always the genius out of the two of us. I'm not going to lie and say I didn't enjoy this role reversal.
"Where does it talk about Germany and Italy joining forces?" I got up and looked though the notes till I found it.
"Here," I said.
"Thanks Rima," he said. After an hour of homework we began to out all the books away.
"Are you sure you're alright carrying all those books. Aarin or Kukai can help you," Nagi said.
"They've offered but I turned them down," I said. I finished putting everything away.
"Now what game do you want to play?" I asked.
"Any of them as long as I have some to play with that won't throw the pieces when she is losing," Nagi said while looking at Temari.
"I'm sorry I'm a sore loser," she said.
"Kusukusu, do you want to play?" I asked. There was silence.
"Kusukusu?"
"Her and Rhythm decided to play outside," Temari explained.
"Oh," I said. I picked the first game that was on the top. It was Monopoly.
"Do you plan staying here for hours?" Nagi said.
"Today is Friday so mama said I can stay longer than usual. Is that ok?"
"Of course, I'm not complaining. I just didn't want your parents to worry," he said.
"Mama and papa are having a date tonight and will pick me up after," I said.
"Rei?"
"Her and Aarin are spending the night at Utau's. They are still putting the tour details together with Sanjo," I answered.
"Good news about that. The doctor said that by then I should only need a boot by then. I'll be able to walk but slower," he said.
"So as fast as me," I said. He began to laugh. His laugh made me laugh.
"I'll still probably be slower," he said.
"You overestimate me," I said. He smiled at me. I got the game out and set it up. Nagi was the hat while I was the dog. We began to play.
*Time Skip*
Three hours, six nurse check ins, later we were still playing.
"I can't believe you're still playing," Temari said.
"It was fun at first but now it's personal," I said.
"Rima, you're about to lose. You only have one corner of properties. I have the rest," he said.
"But I have mansions on them. If you land on them then you'll lose," I said.
"That's a small chance," he said.
"It will work. The orange and red properties never failed me before," I said. After a few turns of me losing money for me Nagi rolled the die and landed on an orange property just like I planned. Of course he lost almost all of his money but he still had a lot of properties. I rolled and landed on a brown property.
"Here's my six dollars," I said in a teasing tone.
"You may have gotten lucky but I will win," Nagi said. He rolled a three and landed on a red space. After we did the math, Nagi went bankrupt making me the winner.
"And you said my tactic was dumb. I beat Rei every time with it," I said.
"I wish I would have known that," Nagi said. I smiled and batted my eyelashes acting like I was innocent. I put everything away.
"You won fair and square," he said.
"Thank you," I said as I bowed. He smiled at me.
"Come here Rima," he said. I went to the side of his hospital bed.
"Do you need somethi-" He cupped my face and kissed me. We haven't kissed since he's been in the hospital. I missed it.
"I thought a reward was needed," he said still cupping my face.
"Yes," I kissed him again.
"And that's good luck for your doctor check up," I said. He smiled at me. The doctor would be here soon so we decided to watch TV and talk for the remainder of the time.
"Rima."
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow, what are you doing?"
"Tomorrow is Saturday. Nothing really. I haven't made any plans," I said.
"Rima, it's February 6th tomorrow," he said. My birthday.
"Oh yeah, I forgot. I've been so busy lately that it just slipped my mind," I said.
"I'm sorry I'll be like this on your birthday," he said.
"I wouldn't be having a birthday if you weren't like that," I said.
"True," he said. THere was a knock on the door.
"Come in," he said. The doctor walked in.
"How are you feeling Mr. Fujisaki?"
"Pretty good except I got beat in Monopoly today," he joked.
"Let's hope that's the worst thing today," the doctor said after he gave a little chuckle.
"Miss Mashiro, may I ask you to step out while I check up on him?"
"No problem, I was getting hungry anyway," I said. I walked out of the room. I went to the cafeteria and ordered some food. Mama and papa gave me money since they knew I would be here later than usual. I sat down and quietly ate my food.
"I wonder if Nagi will be healed enough to be able to see you on your birthday," Kusukusu said.
"He will see me either way. I'll come here if I have to," I spoke quietly.
"You're super determined to take care of Nagi," Kusukusu cheered.
"He took care of me for over a year. It's about time I did the same for him," I said. After Kusukusu and I ate we went back up to Nagi's room. The door was open. I knocked on the door frame.
"You can come in Miss Mashiro. The check up is done," the doctor said.
"How is he?"
"He healed better than we thought he would around this time. You must have taken really good care of him," the doctor said.
"That's a relief," I said.
"It seems you'll get to see him on your birthday," he said. The doctor then walked out.
"That's great news Nagi," I said as I walked up to him and hugged him.
"I know, and I even have your gift," he said.
"How could you possibly have a gift? You've been here for the last two weeks," I said.
"It's a secret," he said.
"Your mom?"
"Nope."
"Nadeshiko?"
"Nope."
"Kukai? Tadase?"
"Nope."
"How?"
"You may never know," he said. I pretended to pout. He kissed my cheek.
"You'll find out tomorrow Rima," he said.
After a while mama and papa picked me up and took me home. They were happy to hear that Nagi was getting out of the hospital. There was one thing that bugged me. Mama and papa haven't brought up my birthday at all. Maybe they forgot about it.
"I know it's the weekend but I would like for you to take a bath and go to bed, alright?" Mama asked.
"Alright. I'm tired anyway," I said. I did as I was told. I took a shower, brushed my teeth, got in my pajamas, and went to bed.
*The Next Day*
"Happy birthday Rima!" Kusukusu yelled as I got up.
"Thank you Kusukusu. It seems everyone else but Nagi forgot about it," I said. I was a little disappointed. I got dressed in one of my cute dresses. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
"Hey Rima."
"Rei!" I hugged her.
"Miss me that much?" she asked.
"Do you know what today is?" I asked.
"Of course I do. It's saturday," she said. Even Rei forgot about today.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," I said.
"Hey Rima, since I'm bored, can I fix your hair and makeup. There's a new thing I want to do for the tour but I want to see it on someone else first," she said.
"Sure," I said. So for the next hour she worked on my hair and makeup. Kusukusu kept trying to cheer me up but it wasn't really working.
"Ta-da!" I looked in the mirror.
"Rei, all you did was straighten my hair and put a little bit of makeup on," I said.
"I'm trying to go for the natural look but I don't think I can pull it off as well as you," she said.
"Are you done?" I'm kinda hungry," I said.
"No, now we have to dress you up," Jazlynn said.
"But I'm already dressed," I said.
"You look cute but we need you to look like a star," Angel said.
"I guess," I said. It took another twenty minutes to pick my outfit. I wore a white blouse and a blue skirt. I wore white tights underneath.
"Perfect." There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Rei and I said at the same time.
"Girls, I made breakfast. Why don't you come downstairs? Rima, you look very lovely today," mama said.
"Thank you mama," I said. The three of us walked downstairs. Why did they forget? When my parents fought they would at least get me something or wish me a happy birthday while they were leaving for work. I thought it would be better since my parents have been doing so well.
"It's dark," I said as we made it to the living room.
"Can you turn the lights on Rima?" mama asked. I thought it was weird but I did as she said.
"Surprise!" I screamed and hid behind Rei
"Rima, it's ok," Rei said. I looked at the living room again. My friends were all here. Each of them wearing a party hat. There was a big banner that said 'Happy Birthday Rima'. There were presents and decorations.
"Happy birthday Rima," Nagi said. He was sitting on the couch with his leg sticking straight out. His crutches were right next to him.
"I thought you all forgot," I said.
"Of course not Rima," mama said.
"Here you are Rima," Papa handed me party hat. I hugged my dad.
"Thank you," I said both of my parents.
"You're welcome Rima. Go have fun," papa said. I went up to my friends. We all had fun. there were jokes, stories, and laugh especially seeing Ikuto in a party hat. He didn't like it but Amu convinced him to wear it. When it was time to blow the candles out, mama and papa brought out a cake with my favorite characters from Bala-balance on it. We dimmed the lights and they sang to me.
"Make a wish Rima," Rei said. I thought about it for a few seconds then blew out the fourteen candles.
"What did you wish for Mashiro?" Kukai asked.
"She can't tell you or it won't come true," Yaya said. I would never tell. It was a wish that is already coming true and I didn't want to ruin it even though I know blowing out the candles didn't really affect your wish.
"Who wants cake?" mama asked. Rei helped mama pass out cake while I opened presents. I got a few more headbands in multiple colors from Yaya, a bala-balance bike helmet from Kukai (which I still haven't learned how to ride a bike and it's too cold to try), a cute outfit from Utau, bracelets from Nami, a new series manga from Tadase, more accessories from Amu, the rest of the manga of the new series that Tadase got me from Nadeshiko, Aarin got me a Wii game, Rei got me art supplies, Kairi got me more manga (was I that predictable), Nade got me cute shoes, and Ikuto got me...
"A shrimp plushie?"
"You're the shrimp," he said.
"Thanks...I think," I said.
"Your mother and I also got you a gift," papa said.
"Actually a few gifts," mama said. I looked at them excited. They handed me two presents. I opened the first one that was big. It was the complete set of bala-balance characters but they were all plushies. They were adorable and I loved it.
"Thank you," I said to them.
"You're welcome Rima. Go ahead and open the other one," papa said. It was smaller tha the other one. I ripped of the wrapping. It was a blank white box. I looked at it confused.
"Open the box Rima," mama said. Papa wrapped his arm around mama's shoulder. I opened it. There was a small trophy inside. It read 'best big sister'. I looked at them confused. I wasn't an older sister I'm an only child...
"I'm going to have a younger sibling?" I asked. Everyone gasped with shock.
"Yes Rima, you're going to be a big sister," mama said as she placed a hand on her stomach. She wasn't showing yet. I hugged both of them.
"I believe there is one more present," papa said. I looked around confused. Nagi smiled at me. He pulled out a big envelope.
"What's this?"
"Open it." I opened it and there was a document.
"Read it out loud," Nagi said.
"Dear Nagihiko Fujisaki,
We are happy to tell you that out of the thousands of nominees for a new character on bala-balance, we decided on your character Rima M. We loved the character traits and back story of this character so much that we decided to put her in the next edition of Bala-balance. In this envelope should be a copy of the newest manga.
Thank you,
bala-balance team." I looked in the envelope and just like the letter said there was a new manga. The cover had a small, blonde girl doing the bala-balance pose. It was titled 'Rima the Brave'. I was so shocked. It didn't even feel real.
"Rima?" Nagi asked. I looked at him. Tears filled my eyes. I hugged him close.
"Thank you," I said.
"When did you have the time to do this?" Amu asked.
"It was a few month ago. I was looking at things I could get for Rima. I went on the bala-balance website. There was a contest for a new character in the manga. You had to send in a picture of the character, traits, back story, things that the character would do, things they like, and things they dislike. The writing was easy. The hardest thing was getting a picture. There was no way I could draw Rima. I'm not an artist. I asked Rima a few months ago to draw me a picture of her doing the bala-balance so I could keep it. So Rima helped with the gift," he said.
"I knew they were going to have a new character but I didn't know there was a contest for it," Rima said.
"You're the new character," he said. This was the best birthday ever.
Kusukusu: Awesome! I want to be in a manga too
Temari: *sweatdrops* you are in the Shugo Chara manga
Kusukusu: oh yeah!
Rhythm: anyway, moving on.
Kusukusu: Question # 18 What do you think was Rima's birthday wish?
Temari: I wonder if it has to do with Nagi
Kusukusu: maybe she wished to be the newest character in Bala-balance!
Rhythm: there is no way she wished for that
Kusukusu: you're right. Review