The Idol and the Prince
Part VII
09/01
Rise hummed to herself as she lounged underneath the hot spray of water in the shower. The warmth cascaded down her body, relaxing her stiff shoulders. Closing her eyes, she drifted off, wishing that she could have slept a little more restfully last night.
Today was the first day of the new term and she couldn't help but feel giddy at the thought of seeing Naoto again. She had been rejected in a way, but that only fuelled her to try harder to achieve her goal. It wasn't like it was hopeless. After all, he did give her that kiss, right? Rise blushed at the thought, thinking back two weeks as she recalled what happened at the end of their festival date. He was surprisingly gentle, but all the while so tense and hesitant.
The redhead shuddered pleasantly at the memory, a smile stretched across her lips. She was going to make sure Naoto would never be able to escape from her clutches.
Splashing her face with the warm water, Rise turned the faucet down, stepping out of the shower stall as she wrapped a towel around herself. Drying off, she walked over to the sink, wiping the steam off the foggy mirror. The redhead frowned at the sight of the dark circles around her eyes, leaning in closer to get a better look. The idol struck a pose, pouting her lips cutely. However, she still looked like something the cat dragged in. If only she didn't stay up slaving over a hot stove...
Rise sighed, reaching under the sink to find her blow-dryer. She plugged it into the outlet and had her hand resting on the switch when...
Ding ding
She peered over to the counter where her cell phone was sitting. Cautiously, she picked it up; a faint hope made her wish that it was Naoto.
Good morning, Rise-san.
I`m sorry to contact you so early, but I`m tied up with
work right now. Could you tell sensei that I won`t be in
for the morning classes?
I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
-Shirogane Naoto
"I would really appreciate it..." Rise giggled at the message, amazed at how Naoto could be so formal all the time.
Suddenly, she realized something about this that would throw a wrench into her plans. Not in for morning classes? Including lunch?
She had spent all night practicing her cooking skills, finally producing a delicious bento that was sure to seduce Naoto into her hold. He just had to make it back for lunch or everything she did last night would go to waste.
Frantically, the idol texted him back.
Beepbeep
Naoto felt the small vibration in his pocket and his heart nearly jumped into his throat. He pulled out his mobile, drumming his fingerson the table anxiously, staring at the electronic device.
"From your girlfriend, Shirogane-kun?" A snigger followed.
Naoto spun around, an indignant blush stained his cheeks. "Adachi-san. I would appreciate it if you did not make assumptions about my personal life." Turning back to his desk, Naoto shook his head and willed the blush away, wondering why on earth he was being so childish.
So what if it was Rise's reply?
Naoto scoffed, taking a deep breath before flipping open his phone as he checked his mail.
I'm sad, Naoto-kun...
You're always so busy with work. I hope you won't
be too stressed.
Try and make it back for lunch, kay? I have a
surprise for you.
I'll be waiting at our usual spot.
~Rise
"Our usual spot...." He smiled at that. Nothing was different, right? They would go back to being exactly as they were before the summer festival. He stared at the message again, feeling unease settle in his chest.
No matter how Naoto wanted this to be the truth, his heart pounded at the thought of seeing Rise. It seemed ridiculous, but Naoto had a feeling that he wouldn't be able to keep himself from kissing her again.
Briiiiiiing
The lunch bell finally rang and Rise was the first one out of the classroom. With her bag held tightly in her hands, she sprinted down the hall and up the stairs to the roof. Flinging the door open, Rise breathed in the fresh air and basked in the bright midday sun.
"Ahhh...What a nice day it is for a picnic." She stretched her arms, tired of being cooped up in that classroom all morning. She set her bag down by the ledge as she peered over the railing. Whipping out her phone, Rise was about to give Naoto-kun a call when suddenly...
"Ahnnn..."
Rise froze, hoping that wasn't what she thought it was. Not only was the sound very embarrassing, but the voice was quite familiar....
"S-stop! Y-yuki-Ahnn..."
The redheaded girl's jaw dropped. "Y-yuki...? No…It can't be."
The mystery voice, although more feminine than she remembered it...sounded awfully like a certain martial arts obsessed sempai of hers. Turning around slowly, Rise tried to pinpoint the source of her afternoon disturbance. It was coming from the metal shed covered the opening to the stairs.
"I-I can't take it anymore! Yukiko!"
Rise sighed, shaking her head in shame. It was no doubt that her suspicions were correct. Leaning over the railing, the idol let out a sigh, waiting for the sounds to die down. When she thought it to be safe, she ventured behind the metal shed, peeking around the corner.
The sight was certainly was a rare one indeed. Maybe too rare... It seemed like the perfect time. Rise tried to stop the temptation, but her hand wandered down to her pocket, where her cell phone was.
-Click-
Half covering her eyes, she addressed her sempai. "Konnichiwa, Chie-sempai. Yukiko-sempai...Having an early lunch?" Innocently enough, Rise's cheeks coloured a bright red at the sight of the two girls who were in a sorry state of dress.
Chie was flat on the floor, Yukiko straddling the girl with a very feral expression on her face.
"R-Rise-chan, It's a misunderstanding, really!" Yukiko scrambled off Chie, pulling up her torn pantyhose that was wrapped around her knees.
The idol almost felt faint as she watched the two girls scramble to put their clothes back on.
"R-Rise!" Chie attempted to cover herself as she clutched her blouse close, but Rise caught an eyeful of the girl's exposed assets. Eyeing the brunette, Rise noticed that the girl's figure really was very curvaceous. Then, as Chie attempted to sit up, Rise noticed that a pair of pink panties were strung around her ankles. The redhead attempted to fight the blush that rose to her cheeks, her body temperature becoming unbearably high.
"Sempai, I'm not saying this out of insolence, but as your friend." With a terribly annoyed expression on her face, Rise lectured her two upperclassmen as they scrambled about in embarrassment. "I-If you two are going to do such...indecent things...you might as well find a better spot to do it. Next time, you two might not be so lucky."
Standing up, Yukiko straightened her tie, dusting off her skirt. She cleared her throat, her cheeks still blazing red. "I'm very s-sorry that you had to see that, Rise-chan. W-we'll stop doing this at school..." Bowing politely, the slender girl offered her apologies.
"Stop doing this!?" Rise whispered heatedly under her breath, a kind of alarm registering in her mind as she realized the meaning behind Yukiko's words. Have they been doing this kind of thing all the time...? The idol turned three shades redder.
Beside her, Chie was picking her green jersey off the floor, her mouth drawn in a thin line and her face still layered with sweat, her cheeks flushed. A little breathlessly she apologized as well. "A-as Yukiko said...we're both very sorry..." The usually spunky girl was abnormally quiet now, her eyes averting Rise's gaze.
"U-uh...It's okay?" Rise was flabergasted, confused and so terribly disturbed in a way she just couldn't imagine. Coughing slightly to hide her embarrassment, she cleared her head.
An awkward silence descended and the three girls avoided each other's gazes, a defined blush on each of their cheeks.
"…Ne, Chie-sempai."
Chie looked up, slight panic clouded over in her eyes.
"Is the reason you always zip your jersey all the way up to the top....so that...you can hide all those hickies that Yukiko-sempai gives you?" The redhead held an evil glint in her eye, smirking as she asked her question.
"Y-y-you better stop that b-before I get mad, R-Rise-chan." Chie looked away as she put up her tough act, which wasn't working out too well.
Smiling sweetly, Rise cocked her head to one side. "I don't think you should be making threats, Chie-sempai. I do have pictures you know..."
The older girls were speechless, rooted to the spot by a sudden bout of fear.
"Y-you're...joking, right?"
Shaking her head, Rise took her phone out, scanning through the pictures until she came to one she personally found very incriminating.
"Ahh!" Yukiko leaned in close as she took a look at the blackmail material. "T-the details are so...clear." She gripped the phone, a strange expression in her eyes.
"What!?" Both Chie and Rise stared at Yukiko incredulously.
"Your camera's so high quality, Rise-chan. You can even see Chie's-mpff!"
Chie clamped a hand over Yukiko's mouth, dragging the girl away. "Uhh...Well, Rise-chan. I really do hope you're not going to do anything with those photos...We'll make it up to you somehow! Now, if you don't mind, we'll be going!" With a struggling Yukiko in her arms, Chie dashed down the stairs and back into the school.
Giggling at their antics, Rise thoroughly went through all her photos, deleting the evidence she had just archived. Contrary to what her sempai might think, she just wasn't that kind of person to exploit and manipulate others. Through means of blackmail of course.
Sighing, she walked over to the edge of the building, peering over the railing. She had learned many things today. About how Yukiko sempai really wasn't as innocent as she looked, how Chie sempai was more girly than she let off and how...cell phone cameras were oh so very convenient.
A lingering smile on her lips, Rise wondered when Naoto-kun would show up. He promised her that he would be here too...
Naoto struggled to catch his breath as he ran down the streets. Checking his watch, he was knew he was going to miss lunch if he didn't hurry.
"Rise...I hope you're not still waiting for me..." Panting, he propelled himself forward, the school finally coming into view. He pumped his legs harder, crossing the ashphalt courtyard in mere seconds. The detective barely paused at the doors as he burst through them, barreling through the halls despite the few stares he attracted. The warning bell had just rung, the hallways near empty.
Mounting the steps two at a time, the boy sprinted up the stairs to the top floor. At the top of the stairs, right before the large metal doors, he stopped. Naoto's lungs were on fire, sweat dripping from his face. Stripping off his blazer, the detective sat down on the landing, trying to catch his breath. He had never been so grateful for his morning jogs before, but now, he was simply satisfied with the fact that he had made it here in ten minutes. Naoto clutched a hand to his heart, feeling the pounding, the coursing of the blood through his body. The sound was so loud that it drowned out his thoughts.
Laying a hand on the doorknob, he hesitated before he opened the door. His pulse was off the charts now and not only because of the run he just finished. Pushing the door open, he closed his eyes for a minute, hoping that Rise was there. Holding his breath, he was blinded by the sun as he came out onto the roof.
Still panting, Naoto paused as he looked around. The roof was deserted, completely devoid of life. Letting out a sigh, the detective didn't know whether he was relieved or disappointed. Walking over to the railing, he leaned over it precariously, holding a hand to his hat as a cool breeze washed over him.
Shaking his head, he was thinking of going to class, but after finishing all 57 of those case reports in record time, and nearly sprinting to school from the precinct on the outskirts of town...he just wasn't in the mood. Turning around, he slid down against the railing, drawing his knees to his chest.
Suddenly, something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. It was a shade of red that was all too familiar.
Rise?
Bolting up, he walked over to the side of the stairs, where someone was sitting in the shade against the metal shed. Cautiously, he approached the person.
A strange sensation rippled through him as he recognized the sleeping girl. With her head lolling to one side, her eyes were closed and she was fast asleep. Naoto watched as her chest rose and fell with each slow breath; her arms slacked to her side. He smiled, reveling in her serene state.
Settling down beside the girl, Naoto wondered if he should wake her for afternoon classes, but he just couldn't muster up the courage to disturb the sleeping beauty.
"Naoto-kun..."
"R-Rise-san??" He jumped at her voice, but let out a sigh of relief as he realized she was still sleeping. Leaning back, Naoto took off his beloved hat, leaving it on the floor beside him as he brushed his hair back.
"What's wrong with me...?" He smiled brokenly as he tried to concentrate on the clouds that drifted by above him, but he couldn't. Rise's innocent expression, her slightly parted lips... Wait...did she...just say his name?
Naoto's face reddened all the way up to his ears as he looked away abruptly.
"Naoto..." Her voice trailed off dreamily.
He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to rid himself of the images that plagued his mind. He tried to resist the temptation as he thought about waking her, but instead, he stood, heading for the stairs. Taking one last look at Rise, Naoto hesitated.
He swallowed hard and cursed his willpower. Turning around, he muttered to himself, his resolve completely crumbling. He looked down at Rise, his fists clenched at his side as his thoughts ran rampant.
"Anh..." Rise groaned as she snuggled up against her soft pillow, a familiar scent flooding her senses. She frowned as she felt her source of warmth inching away, clutching onto the fabric for dear life as she drifted between her dreams and reality.
"Gah…"
The redhead stirred, her eyes fluttering open. The voice sounded really familiar. And uncomfortable.
"Ngh…The pillow's….all tense now…."
"R-Rise-san?"
"Naoto-kun?" Blinking repeatedly, Rise thought she was dreaming when she heard that unbelieveably soft tenor voice. She lay there, unmoving, revelling in her illusion.
"Uhh...are you awake, Rise-san?"
Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes groggily, letting out a yawn. "Ara…what are you doing in my bedroom, Naoto-kun?" The idol was still half asleep as she acted on impulse. "Could it be that you want something….?" Rise lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Naoto's neck as she buried her face in the crook of his neck.
"H-hey! Rise! S-snap out of it! P-please!" Naoto struggled under her hold, trying to pry her off. However, the more the detective resisted, the tighter Rise hugged him. He could feel her soft lips against his neck, her generous assets pinning him to the spot. His face couldn't get any redder as he arched his neck to avoid Rise's wandering lips.
"Naoto-kun…" The redhead nestled closer to Naoto, loving the way his slender body felt against hers. However, as the boy continued to thrash about and yell frantically for her to stop, her mind started to clear up. Rise regained her awareness, noticing that Naoto's voice was incredibly close and sounding really…real.
"Ahh!" Suddenly, Rise pushed herself away from Naoto, her face flush with embarrassment. "W-what am I doing?" She inched away, hugging herself as she felt her skin tingle underneath her uniform.
"…" Naoto looked at her in silence, his face a messy portrait of mixed emotions. He cringed in terror, hoping that Rise was fully awake now and that she wouldn't come within a meter of him for a while. His mind was…sorting out some things.
"I'm so sorry, Naoto-kun! I-I really don't know what I was thinking…" The redhead laughed nervously as she waved her arms around frantically.
"I-It's okay! You were still half asleep anyway and it's not like you meant for all those things to happen and…and…" The boy trailed off, sulking at his sudden inability to articulate himself.
For a minute, the air became as thick as can be with an awkward tension. The two fidgeted and avoided each other's gaze as they kept quiet.
Suddenly, a rumble erupted and Rise looked up, shocked. She stared straight at Naoto, but the boy just lowered his head. Then, again the noise broke the silence and Rise couldn't help but crack a smile. She quickly clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle those giggles. It wasn't long before Naoto's stomach let out yet another cry and the redhead nearly fell over laughing.
"T-This isn't that funny, Rise-san!" Naoto clenched his fists, his face burning red like a tomato. He just wished he could crawl under a rock.
Waving the matter off, Rise giggled. "It's okay. We're even now, so let's both forget about today's little mishaps!" She smiled widely, her embarrassment fading as the situation lightened up.
"I-I guess…" The detective pouted, sulking quietly.
"Aw, c'mon, Naoto-kun. Cheer up! I bet you forgot, but I still have a surprise for you!" Bouncing around, Rise was as giddy as a love struck schoolgirl, which she was… She rummaged through her bag, pulling out a square package wrapped in pretty pink fabric.
"Umm…" Naoto looked at the bright and very girly color; hoping whatever was inside wasn't as pink as the outside. He stared at it apprehensively. "You know…my birthday isn't coming up anytime soon…"
"Silly Naoto! Of course I know that! Your birthday's on April 27th, right? This is something entirely different. Just open it!" Holding out the covered box, Rise smiled invitingly, trying to coax Naoto's worries away.
Trying to ignore the fact that Rise knew some personal details about him, Naoto took the girl up on her offer and undid the ribbon. "Bento?" He stared down at the small rectangular box, warm in his hands.
"Mh hmm." Rise nodded proudly. "I made it myself!"
"Just for me…?" The boy arched an eyebrow at that, making Rise fidget under his stare.
"O-of course not! I-I was just thinking of making some lunch for Souji-sempai, but I'm not very confident with my cooking skills, so…so…I was wondering if you could sample it for me?" The idol fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, looking up at Naoto with a cute pout and pleading eyes.
He looked away abruptly, unable to resist Rise's idol charms. "S-sure, I'll try it out." He opened the box, a wonderful smell wafting up from the colourful lunchbox. Fluffy omelettes, perfect friend rice and octopus shaped sausages. Naoto blushed. It seemed exactly like the lunch that Rise would prepare. It was cute.
She held out a pair of chopsticks and Naoto took them with a smile, digging into the bento that was already making him salivate. He gulped down a mouthful of rice, his taste buds awash with a myriad of tastes. It was salty, sweet…sour….bitter….and terribly spicy. The detective paused for a moment, coughing slightly.
"So, how is it…?" Rise looked on expectantly, her eyes glistened with anticipation.
"It's…" He swallowed the last bit, trying to manage a smile. The spices were overwhelming, the mix of flavours were making him a little...sick. The food was absolutely…
"Delicious!" The detective forced a grin, wiping off the sweat beading on his forehead.
"Ahh…I'm so relieved! I stayed up all night trying to make something edible. I'm so glad it turned out okay."
"Y-yes. I'm glad too." He knew it wasn't a good idea, but he prepared himself for another round, picking up the chopsticks in his shaking hands.
"Oh, by the way, Naoto-kun, sensei gave us some information on the school trip next week. We're going to Tatsumi Port Island! Aren't you excited? It's going to be so much fun." Rise squealed like a little girl, closing her eyes as she imagined all the fun things she and Naoto could do at night. At night… She blushed, shaking her head to dispel those horrible thoughts.
"T-That sounds fun…" His voice was a little weaker now, shaky.
"Ne, Naoto-kun, are you alright? You sound kinda…"
"I-I'm fine! Just fine…" Naoto took another bite, feeling his stomach turn over.
Suddenly, the boy was feeling faint as he left the bento half eaten. His head was spinning and he felt extremely nauseous. As his grip slacked on the container and the pair of chopsticks, he fell backwards, knocking his head on the concrete. The pain resounded in his skull, jumbling up his senses.
Everything went black and the detective lost consciousness, Rise's frantic screams echoing in his ears. He wished that he wasn't such a nice guy.
A/N: I know I did plan for this chapter to come out before the end of June, but it's just been sitting in my folders for months now, but it's here now. Kinda rushed and lightly edited. Sorry for mistakes and the such.
It's been a long time since I've updated anything...Sorry for the long wait. This chapter is kinda filler, so I apologize. I promise that next chapter, the drama will really start! Promise ._. School trip, right? Hang on till then. Hopefully, chapter eight will come out by the end of July.
Thanks for reading and please review!