While I Was Away
By: Naru-chan
Disclaimer: DNAngel is not mine!
Naru-chan: YAY! Finally done! 16 pages! X.X So don't think I wasn't working on it! It took forever...
Daisuke: There, there, at least you're done and the readers are happy! ::smile smile::
Naru-chan: ::glares at Daisuke:: Just for that, you're gonna suffer in this chapter!
Daisuke: WHAT?!
Naru-chan: Don't look so surprised, you were gonna suffer anyway. ::laughs evilly:: My world lit. teacher says only good literature has bad endings! Maybe you should have one!
Daisuke: T.T So cruel...
Dark: DO I APPEAR YET?!
Naru-chan: ::sweatdrops:: uhhh...no?
Dark: GRRRRRRR!
Satoshi: Ha ha, I get a girlfriend in this chapter. YOU, Dark, YOU don't even APPEAR! MWAHAHAHA! ...I'm tired...
Naru-chan: ::holds Dark back:: Relax, relax! You'll appear in the next chapter, I promise!!!!
Riku: By the way, I'm going to explain how the chapter's work! The first chapter was mainly about me, second about Daisuke, third about everyone, and then some sorta pattern like that. If the chapter says "she" or "he" it won't always refer to Daisuke or me!
Daisuke: And there's sometimes a time lapse!
Naru-chan: ::grins:: Awww, don't they make a cute couple?
Daisuke and Riku: ::BLUSHHHHHHHH!!!!!::
Dark: HEY!
Risa: ::frowns and pouts::
Naru-chan: Oh yeah! Please help me with the pairings!!! Here are the options:
Daisuke/Riku
Dark/Riku
Satoshi/Riku (Ha! Right!)
Risa/Satoshi
Risa/Daisuke (I don't really want this one...)
Risa/Dark (Yeah, seems unlikely in this fic, but I'm like a God and can make it happen! HAHAHA!)
Naru-chan: Those are the pairings for now, but I'm gonna add new characters from FRANCE! ::grins::
Riku: I'm the main character right?
Naru-chan: Uhhh...I guess.
Riku: Then I get to thank people! THANKS EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED!!
Naru-chan: I would personalize it, but in order to update faster, I'll do it next time, okay?
Dark: Since I don't appear yet, I get to introduce the next chapter! Here it is people! What you've all been waiting for... (Actually I bet you're all waiting for the next one, where yours truly appears!), Chapter Three!
Chapter 3: Nothing To Hold Her Back
The e-mail had come back immediately. After all, the school had invited Riku to go before she even sent her application, so why wouldn't they accept her? Yet somehow Riku didn't feel so happy when she got it. Yes, she'd be able to go far away from Risa and Daisuke, but... was that what she really wanted? Some part of her said yes, but another part said no.
Riku stood up and went out to her balcony. The cold night wind hit her face, and ruffled her white skirt she had made. She leaned against the stone railing, and looked up at the stars. They were so beautiful. Would they be just as beautiful in France? She turned her head toward the direction she usually looked. ...Toward Daisuke's house. She felt her heart speed up achingly. He probably knew where she lived... he probably looked at it every night. But then, he wouldn't be looking because of her. He'd be looking because of Risa. His kind, beautiful, red eyes... were always for Risa. That was all...
She turned and went back into her room. There was nothing more she could do. She'd been trying for three years. Those red eyes would never look in her direction... Now...she could start over. Yeah...now if only she wanted to.
Riku slowly descended the stairs. She had to tell Risa some time. Might as well now. They always say the sooner the better, right? She reached the bottom and watched her twin sister lying on the couch, watching TV. Somehow, seeing her twin made it seem as if that statement wasn't true. She wanted to run away that moment! But something pulled her back, and she found herself looking around the room.
The room was huge, since they were technically rich. It had a fluffy pink carpet, lights everywhere, a large TV that was a flat screen, and so much more. Riku never really liked the room, though Risa loved it and spent most of her time here or in her room in the house, but right now Riku felt that she actually liked the room.
"Hey...Risa," Riku said softly, sitting on the edge of the couch.
"What is it, Riku?" Risa smiled brightly.
"You know...that we're going to high school soon, right?"
"Of course! Everyone's going to graduate!"
"Well, I've picked which school I want to go to. They've already accepted me," Riku smiled slightly, trying to lighten her mood.
"What? Why didn't you tell me? We were supposed to send our applications at the same time! But, no doubt Hikari High will accept me too," Risa smiled.
"Um...that's what I wanted to talk to you about." Riku stared down at her slippers, which she rubbed against each other. She felt heat rush to her face. "I'm not going to Hikari High..."
"Huh?" Risa blinked, confused. Now Riku had her full attention.
"I'm going...to a high school in France."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Risa screamed, her eyes bulging out, and she literally fell off the couch.
(Scene Change)
"Are you sure about this?" Risa asked for the billionth time.
They were both sitting on the dining table, eating breakfast. Rays of sun came from the windows, lighting the whole large room up. Outside you could hear the birds chirp cheerfully. It helped Rica's mood slightly, but not much.
"Yes, I am, Risa!" Riku cried exasperated. She couldn't help but glare at her twin. How many times did she need to say it? She was sure! But...then if she was so sure, why was it really that it bugged her that Risa kept asking? Was it because she wasn't...? No! She was leaving!
Indeed she was, because at that moment she got up, grabbed her stuff and ran outside. She jumped onto her bike and rode off, ignoring Risa's cries of distress. Risa stood at the door, frowning, thinking to herself, "How mean..."
Riku enjoyed this time alone. She always did. Pedaling was no problem for her. Scenes whipped by her. The nearly broken bridge, the fountain, the houses, the people... All so familiar, yet today seemed strange. The thoughts kept on coming back to her. Would France be like this? Will leaving Daisuke really help? Will I really gather enough courage to leave?
She took a deep breath, closing her eyes. She savored the moment, letting the butterflies in her stomach calm down for a second. It didn't last long though.
"What will you think...?" Riku whispered to herself. She sadly stared into space. "Daisuke..."
(Scene Change)
"EHHHHH? RIKU'S GOING TO FRANCE?!" The whole class screamed at the same time. The all immediately crowded around her.
"What'd you decide?"
"I want to go to France!"
"Oh, I'll miss you Riku!"
"Aww, don't go!"
Everyone spoke at the same time, and Riku could barely hear. She laughed uneasily, knowing for sure that her face was as red as a tomato. She looked around, trying to find a certain redhead through the crowd. Unfortunately, she wasn't that lucky. Too many people (probably about 30) were surrounding her. How would she ever find her way through all of them? But then seeing Daisuke might make her regret, and that was the last thing she needed to worry about.
Risa stood at the far edge of the class. She watched silently as loud classmates surrounded her twin. She didn't know what to say, to feel. She didn't want to leave her twin. She was her twin after all! But then, inside, she had always felt slightly competing with Riku... But she loved Riku still. Riku took care of her. Riku watched over her. Riku...
Daisuke was paralyzed. His face was drained of all color. Riku was going to France for high school! That's four years! That's 1416 days! (Check my math please) 33984 hours! 2039040 minutes! 122342400 seconds!!!! His heart raced, pounding rapidly against his chest. Breathing seemed like a chore. Was it just he, or was water stinging his eyes slightly?
"Yeah, can you believe it?" Takeshi said, looking toward the swarm of people, instead of Daisuke (luckily for him). "So quick and sudden. It seems she's going there to the famous Academy of Arts."
Academy of Arts? Daisuke wondered. Since when did Riku do ARTS?
"I should be the one going!" Takeshi shouted, obviously disappointed. "I'm the one who has all the talent!"
Daisuke couldn't laugh. He didn't even try. If breathing was such a hard task, then he didn't want to think about actually speaking, much less laughing. His brain couldn't even think of how to do such a thing- much less anything right now.
He swallowed. Hard. But he had to do something! Anything! But what? It's not as if he could tell Riku not to go. But then why would he do that? It's not as if he loved her. Right? He loved Risa. Right?! But then why did he care so much? Why did he feel as if the ground beneath him shook? And even more, why would Riku even listen to him if he asked her not to go? She had made it clear to him about the way she felt about him...
He didn't realize it, but his feet seemed to have a mind of it's own.
Riku looked up, shocked, to see Daisuke pushing through everyone. What was he doing? What was he going to say? She panicked. He held out his hand toward her, though the people were still between him and her. It reminded her of the time he offered her help... so many times.
"Oh God, please don't let me regret this!" Riku thought, clenching her hands into fist. "Please!"
"Everyone, back to your seats!" The teacher shouted. She gave everyone a death glare that said, "Hurry before I kill you," and everyone scurried to his or her seats.
Riku sat down and let out a sigh of relief, but at the same time, she couldn't help but wonder... What would Daisuke have said...? Still, part of her refused to acknowledge it at all. It was a little late for him to suddenly care about her. Which he didn't, of course. Of course he didn't...
She took a deep breath and watched the teacher explain how the graduation field trip would work. Her last trip in Japan. She wanted to remember it. And she would.
"And so we'll be going to this wonderful island here! We'll travel here, here, here, and here!" the teacher smiled as she pointed the places out. After she explained this, she was going to make the class a free period. "For some of us, this will be a very special trip. Right, Riku?"
Riku, caught off guard, blushed. The whole class (or rather everyone except Daisuke, Satoshi and Risa) laughed.
"Hey guys, let's have a going away party for Riku!" someone suggested.
"Yeah!" there was a chorus of agreements and cheers.
Riku mustered a smile, but felt empty inside. Celebration was the last thing on her mind. Did she really want to celebrate something she still wasn't positive she wished for?
"Hey Riku, what are you going to that Arts school for anyway? I mean, what's your 'art'?" Someone asked, curiously.
Daisuke's ears suddenly perked up.
"Um..." Riku blushed. "I'm going there as a fashion designer..."
"Ehhh? I didn't know that you're into fashion!" Daisuke exclaimed. He had never thought Riku was like that. Not that...he'd thought of Riku really before.
"I'm not into fashion and trends! I like making clothes that express one's personality!" Riku frowned angrily.
"Wow, that's so cool!" someone shouted, and everyone agreed.
"Not...not really..." Riku stammered.
"Yeah, but I thought you'd be there for your singing!"
"I heard Riku could have been a star!"
"No way!"
A star? Daisuke thought in awe.
"Yeah, it was Naru Co. that wanted to sign her up as one!"
"Is it true Riku?"
"Why didn't you take them up on the offer?"
Riku blushed but didn't answer. She just hadn't thought she was good enough. Besides, she wasn't the type to wear flashy, sexy clothes for everyone to see.
Risa felt a twinge of jealousy. So what if Riku could design clothes? So what if she could sing? She was the cuter one! The smarter one! She had guys that liked her while she watched Riku be alone! She could have men eating out of the palm of her hand! So then... why wasn't she the one who had all the attention? Why... wasn't she happy?
"Daisuke!" She said loudly and brightly. She smiled and walked over to him. He'd make her feel better! He cared for her! He was such a great friend. "Are you excited about the trip?"
Daisuke's red eyes stay on Riku for a second before they focused on Risa. He nodded slightly and tried to be cheerful, not disconsolate like he really felt for some reason he couldn't comprehend.
"Yeah, I'm very excited," he laughed slightly. "Yeah. To be near the sea, be on the beach, watch the stars at night...I can't wait! It's like you'll lose all your worries there..."
Risa rolled the words over and over in her head. She could see it. She really could. Yet, part of her felt so empty and cold she didn't know how to feel. She looked up, for no reason, and found herself staring at Satoshi.
Satoshi was the ideal person when you thought of ice and snow. He was emotionless! Well... that was what Risa believed. He never smiled-his expression never changed (all he did was frown and smirk occasionally)! But... what did he feel inside she wondered. Sometimes she smiled when she was sad... Could that mean that he was happy when he frowned or glared at someone? She stared at him, utterly absorbed, it seemed. She didn't understand him at all. But did she want to?
Satoshi looked up that moment, and looked Risa right in the eye. Risa's eyes widened, and she hastily looked away, knowing that she had been caught. Satoshi's ice-cold eyes slid slowly back to what he had been writing, but Risa still felt like a mouse caught by a cat. She swallowed hard, but still felt a lump in her throat.
"Great! He saw me watching him! What on earth did he think of me now? God, he must think I'm another one of his fans!" Risa thought miserably. She covered her red face with her hands. She couldn't stand the thought of someone thinking she liked them when she didn't. But... did he even think that? He was so weird, she wasn't sure.
"Risa?" someone said her name, causing her to jump. She looked down at Daisuke, who was looking at her oddly. "Are you okay?"
"Ah!" she blushed again. "Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha! I'm-I'm fine!"
Riku watched out of the corner of her eyes. Her bright smile dimmed a bit, and she felt herself swallowing hard. She cleared her throat loudly and got up. She excused herself before going outside. She tried not to rush, but she felt herself panting slightly by the time she closed the door behind her. She turned, about to run down the hall, when she bumped straight into Ukawa, the class president.
"Ah...Riku," he looked down since he was taller than her. He then looked sad. "Riku...are you really going to France?"
Riku felt uneasy around Ukawa, but politely nodded. "Yeah, I am."
"Ah...I see. Umm, could you follow me to somewhere where I could tell you something I've been meaning to tell you?"
"Well..." Riku murmured, glancing back at the door behind her.
"It'll only take a moment, I promise," he smiled.
"I guess..." Riku sighed. What bad timing, she thought. I had just wanted a moment to myself. Still, she followed him to find out what he wanted to tell her.
Meanwhile, back in the classroom, Daisuke glanced surreptitiously at where Riku was supposed to be. He found himself stunned when he discovered that she wasn't in her seat.
"Uhh, Risa, where's Riku?" he asked in a rather tense voice.
"Riku? I think she just left," Risa answered, pointing at the door.
"Ah, excuse me, but, umm-! I've got to...buy some-uhh- dinner!" he shouted as he rushed out the door.
"Dinner...?" Risa blinked. "But...It's only 2:50..."
Daisuke felt odd when he rushed outside the class, only to find Riku nowhere in sight. But still, it gave him a moment to think... Why did he suddenly care so much about Riku? His old thought...that it was because of his relationship with Risa wasn't possible anymore. He realized that too late though. Then the reason would be because...
"Cut it out, Ukawa!"
(Scene Change)
Riku entered the classroom grudgingly. She looked around at the room full of brooms and unused tables. Wind caused the curtains in the room to billow forward.
"Well?" she said as she looked up at Koji impatiently.
"Riku...I know you like me, and I want you to know I like you too," Ukawa smiled confidently with arrogance.
"WHAT?!" Riku cried, utterly thrown off. "I don't like you that way!"
"You don't have to deny it anymore," he persisted.
"Cut it out, Ukawa!" she screamed, backing up against a table. "How many times do I have to tell you?! I DON'T LIKE YOU! I don't know how you got such a stupid idea...!"
"But I always see you looking at me... That means that you like me, right?" Ukawa pointed out.
"But...that's..." she groaned, and felt herself blush.
'That's because you sit near Daisuke! Ugh, I can't tell him that...' she thought.
"That's it. I'm outta here," she turned around and tried to open the door. She turned and turned the doorknob, but it only rattled.
'Oh no!' she realized. 'It's locked!'
"Rikuuuuuu," Koji said, grabbing her and pushing her against a table as he leaned forward to kiss her.
"Stop! Let go! Please!" she screamed.
'I can't push him off!!' Tears well up as she thought 'Daisuke...Daisuke!' "Daisuke!!"
Suddenly the door busted open with a "WRACK!" noise, and in came Daisuke to the rescue, with a dark, angry look on his face.
"Arg!" Ukawa yelped as he was forced away from Riku and onto the floor.
"Class Jerk! Get your hands off her!!" he shouted, and if looks could kill, Ukawa would have died from all the daggers Daisuke threw at him.
"But...the lock..." Ukawa answered in surprise.
"A crappy lock like that? A child could get through that door... Who do you think I am?"
"I'll get you for this! What's your name?!" Ukawa rose from the floor, pointing at Daisuke.
"It's Suburouta Gondawara!!" Daisuke yelled seething, kicking Ukawa on the butt, sending him flying. "Can't you recognize your own committee members?!"
"Daisuke...? Why...are you here...?" she said softly causing him to turn and look down.
"...Are you okay?" Daisuke offered her his hand, just like so long ago...
"Yeah..." She, still stunned that he showed up here, was about to touched his hand to use it to get up, when she realized with a jolt that she was going to hold Daisuke's hand. She quickly took her hand back and stammered, "I-I' fine! I can get up myself!!"
When she just fell only swayed backwards, Daisuke felt himself smirk. He didn't feel quite like himself for some reason. "So, you can, huh...?"
"Yes! I can!" she answered. The she muttered, "Argh! In just a minute...Ahhh...I don't feel so good..."
"Riku...you always look the same whenever I see you...Oh...well...it's annoying to dressing up all the time..." Daisuke said softly. He felt as if he was in a trance. 'Are these my words?' he wondered to himself. 'Or someone else's? ...Or have they been with me...all this time?'
He felt himself get onto his knees. Riku turned around, looking at him oddly.
'What's going on?" she thought as she watched him lean forward. 'Am I...dreaming?'
Just then the bell starting ringing, signaling that it was time to go to home now. Daisuke jumped backwards, feeling shock numb his body. His eyes widened, realizing what he had been about to do.
"Daisuke!" Riku cried.
He dashed out of the room, bumping into Risa on his way out. He looked at her for only a split second, but she already saw something in his eyes she had never seen before...such pain... He continued running though, not turning once.
"Risa...?" Riku whispered from the door. Risa didn't turn around, but just ran away. "Wait, Risa!! Risa!!"
Riku could do nothing but watch, as Risa didn't stop running.
Risa's heart clenched painfully hard. Daisuke was with Riku! But why did it bother her so much? She had rejected him so many times before...over and over! She stopped when she felt her panting body lean on a wall. She turned and spotted Satoshi standing there, behind her.
They didn't move. Satoshi looked at her with his cold (did they seem warmer?) eyes.
"Satoshi?" She didn't dare breath; not knowing what he'd do next.
He walked forward and held her in his arms.
She felt her heart beat uncontrollably. Tears slipped down her cheeks. From anyone else, those words would have seemed meaningless, but from him...it seemed as if she had just been given the world.
"Satoshi! Please stay with me! Stay with me always!" she whispered fiercely into his chest. She didn't know where these words came from, or how they spilled out of her mouth, but part of her had always wanted to say them.
Satoshi wasn't a man who cared much about girls. Except Risa was different. He would always watch her from the corner of his eye whenever she was around. They were opposites, but they were alike as well. She was always smiling and he was always frowning. But deep inside, there was emptiness, a void. Maybe...they could fill it for each other.
(A/N: Yeah, I know, it's a bit rushed, but I couldn't wait or think of another way they got together...)
(Scene Change)
Tomorrow was the day of the trip, and Riku was nearly done packing. Shoes... Shampoo...soap ...sandals...shirts...pants... She kept her hands moving. If she were busy, she wouldn't think of what happened. But of course, trying not to think of what happened made her think about it.
Every since that day, Daisuke refused to even look her... Risa wouldn't speak to her...even though there was a rumor that she was now going out with Satoshi Hiwatari. But what seriously bugged Riku was Daisuke. Why had he almost kissed her? Why had he suddenly appeared out of nowhere and saved her? She felt a pain that still had not dulled over the past few days. Why wouldn't he look at her anymore?
If this continued...then...it was a good thing she was going to France! Yeah! A good thing...
Still, her heart refused to feel that way. Since Daisuke almost kissed her...that meant there could be a chance for her right...? ...Right...?
(Scene Change)
Daisuke stared off into space on his balcony. He hadn't been able to do anything right lately, constantly spacing out. He had finished packing, but it had taken five times before he even did that right (He'd packed things like CDs, books, even his computer...!). Before he realized what he was doing, he found himself staring at where Riku and Risa lived... A painful feeling pounded against his chest.
Daisuke still hadn't been able to find out what had been doing that day... He hadn't apologized-he couldn't even bring himself to look at Riku! But...he had to do something! She was leaving soon! And...Risa was going out with Satoshi now! He didn't know what to do...Risa wouldn't look at him either. He couldn't comprehend what was going on anymore.
He continued to stare at the large mansion as scenes of Riku flashed in his mind. He hadn't...he just realized...remembered to tell her about the teddy bear event from so long ago... With the news of her going away, he hadn't really been able to think of do anything right...
He let out a long, sad sigh. What was he going to do? What...?
(Scene Change)
"Wahhhhhh!" Risa let out a cry of pleasure. She leaned on the railing of the boat, looking out at the sea, with the wind blowing in her face. "This feels so good!"
"Does it...?" Satoshi asked, in his quiet, cold way. He winced at the sun. "You're as carefree as always... To me...it's too bright..."
Risa smiled at him. She was used to his attitude by now. "You've got to look at the light. It's better than the dark!"
Satoshi watched as Risa laughed and twirled in a circle. Part of him still couldn't believe that they were... "Going out" now, but the other part was never happier in his life. Not that his face showed it much...it was still cold, frowning, and glaring always. That is, except, every once in a while he would smile slightly...not that anyone knew of course! He had a reputation to keep up, you know.
Still...watching Risa made him want to smile. And that was plain creepy for him.
"What are you thinking?" she smiled.
"...Nothing," he lied.
"Hmmmm," she wondered suspiciously. She raised an eyebrow at him and leaned back. "Are you sureeeee?"
Satoshi, unsure of what to say, just turned around and started to walk away. They had, after all, just arrived at the island of their destination.
"HEY!" Risa cried in surprise. She followed him, laughing. "Don't be like that!"
Satoshi sighed loudly. "I'm going to find a place to sleep... We're already here."
Risa pouted. "Aww, Satoshi..."
"Relax, I'll find you later," he assured her.
Risa gave in with a sigh of her own, and turned back to where she was, but she spotted Daisuke. She felt her heart beat faster slightly. She knew she had a sad expression on her face.
'What's...so great about being friends...?' she thought to herself.
She knew she shouldn't be thinking like this, having Satoshi and all... She did like Satoshi! She really did! Over the past few days, he had been quickly warming up toward her (at least she thought so)! But...still, Daisuke refused to get out of her mind. Did he...really like Riku?
She slowly followed behind Daisuke and his friends to land.
(Scene Change)
Riku stared up at the sky. She wore a black halter-top and a black skirt. The colors matched her recent mood. The sky was so pretty...so white...and blue. It seemed unlike the sky at home for some reason... She wished that her life could be just as clear as the sky...that if she looked at the reflection of her life...she would see everything as amazing as the sky.
"Riku, Riku!" a group of her friends rushed over to her.
"Eh?" Riku blinked in response. "What is it?"
"We were you sing for us?"
"S-S-S-Sing?!" she stuttered, nearly falling on her red face. All she had wanted to do was get some peace and quiet and maybe nap a little since she was having trouble sleeping lately, but to singing had definitely not been part of the plan!
"Yeah," they insisted. "Since you're going away and all...people are singing right now! There's a karaoke bar!"
Riku looked unsure, but when she looked into the faces of her teary-eyed friends, she finally gave in dissolutely. She let them drag her inside the plaza, and on the way, she found herself glancing at Daisuke. He still...wouldn't even look her... she thought, looking away sadly.
(Scene Change)
"Hey, hey," Takeshi exclaimed loudly to his two friends. "Let's go to the karaoke bar!"
"But...why?" Daisuke wondered. He scratched his head and curiously looked at his friend through his red eyes. Today he wore a black and white striped shirt and black pants. He had, apparently, only packed mostly black clothes for the trip by accident.
"Why?" Takeshi looked at Daisuke as if he was crazy. "To show off our skills of course!"
With that, he dragged Daisuke away, and the other friend (what's his name?!) followed with a groan.
"I can't wait! I'll show you guys who has-"Takeshi was cut off when, as they stood right in front of the door, Riku started to sing.
"Ahhh..." Daisuke uttered softly in awe. He had never heard Riku sing before, so he was shocked.
How high would I have to fly
To lose sight of you, so far away?
If I turn my eyes away, I might feel better.
But I want to always be looking at you from somewhere.
Because there's no way I could forget you.
At my wits' end, I simply keep staring up at the sky.
It's almost as if I were like a small bird inside a cage,
Searching for the window, aimlessly wandering around.
I want to see you right away, because I love you,
Even though I want to run away because I'm scared of being hurt.
If this unseen barrier around me should tear away my wings,
Still, you are so precious to me that it makes me sad.
(A/N: If you think the lyrics are a bit odd, I agree, but I don't know how else to translate it, since I took it from the anime subtitles I have...)
Riku sang slowly, yet loud enough for everyone to have heard. Since she had sung with a far away look in her eyes, she had not realized that her audience was larger than what she had thought. She put down the microphone with a sigh. That song..."A Caged Bird"...makes her think of herself and Daisuke...
Suddenly there was loud cheering and clapping. Riku, stunned, turned around and found her staring at none other than Daisuke's red eyes! Her eyes widened and she felt color rush into her cheeks. She couldn't think! Oh my God, what did he think?
"Yeah! Go Riku!" Takeshi cheered.
"What are you guys doing here?" Riku's friends laughed.
"We were going to sing, but we just so happened to have come when Riku was singing," he initiated them.
Daisuke didn't know what to say. He was just as speechless as Riku. He was amazed that she could sing so well! Not that...he ever thought she was a bad singer, but...he never expected to be blown away like that!
Riku, not knowing what to do, hurried out the door on the other side of the room, only to run into Satoshi. She winced in pain and looked up. Satoshi, half asleep and without glasses, stared down at her blankly. He had, unknowingly, woken up and followed the sound of Riku's voice. Still, since he was half asleep, he could only the blurry version of Riku, and-believing it was Risa-he hugged her.
"HUH?!" everyone else screamed in disbelief (even Riku). Riku felt her already red face become redder, and Daisuke didn't know why, but he had a sudden urge to sock Satoshi in the face.
"W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Daisuke opened his mouth, but somehow the words didn't come out of his mouth, but instead came from Risa's.
Everyone, horrorstruck, turned around to see Risa standing behind Daisuke's group. She stood there, eyes wide and a trembling hand covered her mouth. She quickly ran up the stairs, back outside.
"Risa!" Riku screamed after her twin.
"Risa!" Daisuke shouted as well. He was about to run after her, when he felt someone rush past him. With great speed, Satoshi ran after Risa.
"...Wow...he's fast," someone said as they all stood there, speechless and stunned over what just happened.
(Scene Change)
"Risa! Risa!!" Satoshi yelled at the top of his voice, trying to get her to stop. "It's not what it looked like!"
"Leave me alone!" was her reply. Tears spilled down her cheeks. Satoshi...liked Riku! He didn't really like her! He was hugging Riku for Pete's sake! She ran across the water, not caring that her brand new sandals were getting soaked.
"Risa! It's not what it looked like!" Satoshi persisted.
Risa, out of nowhere, suddenly tripped and fell onto her knees. She panted heavily, with tears still streaming down her face. She couldn't stop them.
"Risa..."
Satoshi reached out to check if she was all right, when she suddenly screamed, "DON'T TOUCH ME!"
He flinched. "Risa...it really wasn't like that... I was still half asleep! I thought she was you..."
"Don't say that!" she cried. "I'm not Riku! I'M NOT! I'M RISA! RISA! Don't'..." she choked, "Don't...say that..."
Satoshi walked in front of her and leaned on his knees. He slowly lifted Risa's face so that she could look at his eyes. Pain flashed in them.
"Gomen..." he said softly.
She looked at him with such a painful and confused expression, it broke him heart.
"Am I...that much like her...?" she whispered.
"No, not at all," he smiled slightly. "You are two separate people. You're Risa, and she's Riku."
Risa sniffed sadly.
"Risa..." he looked passionately at her. "It really wasn't what it looked like."
"I know..." she smiled. "I know."
They embraced, and Risa whispered, "I know."
(Scene Change)
Meanwhile, everyone else decided not to talk about the subject of Risa and Satoshi. The teacher announced that if anyone wanted to go swimming, this was the time.
Riku hurriedly changed into her swimsuit, which was a two-piece. It was a pale blue color. She also quickly grabbed a towel on her way out.
On the way out, she thought to herself. She still felt bad about what happened earlier, but it wasn't her fault. SATOSHI was the one who hugged HER! Not the other way around...
She let out a sigh. There was nothing she could really do. It was up to Satoshi to make things right with Risa.
"Oof!" She cringed as she bumped into someone again. She looked up apologetically. "I'm sorry, I wasn't look..."
"Ah..." Daisuke uttered. He was wearing a red swimming suit and holding a red towel. He felt his face become just as red when he noticed what Riku was wearing.
"Ah..." Riku answered.
"AHHHHHHHH!" they screamed, jumping back while blushing madly.
"G-Gomen!" they both cried, bowing, and therefore hitting each other on the head the same time, which then caused them to land on their butts. They moaned in pain and rubbed the part of their heads that they hit. It was a pretty comical scene.
"Um...I'll watch where I go next time," Daisuke assured her.
"Yeah..." With that, they both continued on their way outside.
'This is...weird,' they thought.
'It doesn't matter...does it? Him trying to kiss me...' she thought sadly. 'He liked Risa, not me. He likes...Risa.'
'What do I do?!' Daisuke wondered, panicking slightly. 'We haven't spoken since I almost k-k-k-kissed her!'
"Ano...Riku...about that...'thing' that happened a few days ago..." he began, though he didn't even know what he was going to say. "Ummm..."
She stared at him with her clear, caramel eyes. They softened with sorrow. "Mou...forget about it."
"Eh?" he blinked, unsure what to say.
"Riku! Hurry!" her friends called her over.
"Hai!" she laughed and ran over to them. It was a cover, of course. She didn't want to laugh, much less smile! She wanted to break down and cry! He really, really didn't care about her... He probably still loved Risa, even though she was now with Satoshi. She could tell that they were still together since they were walking around holding hands.
It made Riku want to slap Risa with all her might. She wanted to scream, "WHY DOES HE HAVE TO LOVE YOU?! YOU DON'T LOVE HIM AT ALL! I'VE LOVED HIM ALL THIS TIME, BUT ALL HE CARES IS ABOUT YOU! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY! I HATE YOU!" but of she couldn't do that... She didn't really hate Risa, but...
Riku looked up at Risa's smiling face. How was it that Risa was so happy when Riku was so miserable? Riku looked away, and ran through the ocean.
'Forget about it,' Riku told herself. 'It's stupid to think too much about it anymore... I've already thought about it for three years.'
With that thought on her mind, she dove deep into the blue ocean. It was so beautiful here. She could see the clear sand below her and nothing but blue surrounded her. Nothing but blue...surrounded her.
(Scene Change)
Daisuke didn't know what to say or do. He was so confused about his feelings. He felt so desolated since he heard that Risa was going out with Satoshi. Yet, he felt worse still that Riku was going away to France. He almost kissed her too! Though he wouldn't admit it if you threatened him with his life, he had regrets about not kissing her! So...whom did he love anyway?
He gave up trying to figure it out. He had to get ready anyway. Tonight was Riku's surprise party. Unfortunately (fortunately?), he had been picked to be the one to go pick up Riku. Lucky, lucky him. He decided on a black turtleneck sleeveless shirt, and a pair of pants. He tried to get his red hair to behave, but it-like always- refused him.
'Well,' he thought, swallowing hard, 'This is it.'
He walked up to Riku's room and nervously knocked.
"Satoshi is that-," a happy voice cried, opening the door. Daisuke nearly freaked out when he found his face extremely close to Risa's.
"Daisuke!"
"Risa!"
They looked at each other in awe. Risa obviously looked like she had gotten ready for the party. She wore a pink dress, with lots of ribbons and lace.
"Umm...is Riku not ready yet for the you-know-what?" Daisuke asked in a low voice, in case Riku was around.
"Oh, she's taking a shower...I was...waiting for Satoshi to pick me up..." Risa answered slowly.
"Erm, then I guess I'm early," he laughed nervously. "I'll just...be going now..."
"No! Wait!" Risa reached out and grabbed his hand. "I wanted to ask you something..."
"Um, okay?"
"Come inside," she said, dragging him in.
"Wait! That's a girl's room! I can't-"he argued.
"It'll be quick. I just wanted to ask...do you like Riku?"
"Eh? Where did this-?"
"Risa? Are you still here?" a voice came from the bathroom. "I thought you'd be gone with Satoshi by now."
Riku came out of the bathroom, dressed in a black tube top with a white blouse over it and a long denim skirt. She found no one in the room though.
"Hmm...she must have left," Riku said to herself. "Ah, well, I guess I'll just go to the dining room." (That's where the party is, unknowingly to her.)
Riku left he room, shutting the door behind her.
Risa and Daisuke watched her from inside the closet. Daisuke, not knowing what was going on, felt his heart race. What would Riku think if she saw him like this? Risa didn't say anything but buried her face in his shirt.
"Umm...I think it's safe to go out now," she said finally.
"Oh, okay," he smiled slightly. "You go out first. Be careful."
"Satoshi?" Riku blinked. She had been walking down the hall and saw him walking toward her room. "Are you looking for Risa?"
"Yes, I'm supposed to take her somewhere."
"I thought she was with you!" she cried in surprise. She turned around. "Come on, let's go back. I'm sure she's in the room if she was waiting for you."
Slowly they opened the door and stepped out. However, Risa caught her foot on something on the floor and began to fall. Daisuke followed her, since her foot had accidentally kicked his shin.
"AHH!" they both screamed. They fell in an awkward position, with Daisuke on top of Risa.
"W-What are you two doing?!" a surprise cry came from the door. There stood Satoshi and Riku, looking shocked. Satoshi wasn't that worried about it though. He knew Daisuke wouldn't be like that, and Risa cared for him, but none-the-less, it hurt.
"I-It's not like that!" Daisuke stuttered.
"Yeah, it's not like that!" Risa agreed. "We just...happened to be in this position!"
Now it was Satoshi's turn to want to sock Daisuke, but he refrained himself. Barely.
"I understand," Satoshi assured Risa, and relief flooded her face.
Riku, however, said nothing. She just turned around and walked away. She had nothing to say. It was no concern of hers. Still, tears flooded her eyes. She furiously wiped them away. It had nothing to do with her.
"Riku!" Daisuke called after her.
"We'll be late for the party. Come on," Satoshi said. He walked over and gave them a hand in getting up. "We're supposed to take Riku there."
"I don't think...she wants us to," Risa said sadly.
(Scene Change)
"SURPRISE!" everyone cried on the top of his or her lungs when Riku walked into the dining room.
"WOW!" Riku answered in amazement. The room was decorated and so festive. There was a banner saying, "Good Luck In Paris!" and balloons everywhere. People even had those little paper hats on their heads. There were mountains and mountains of food on the tables.
"Neh, Riku, you want this don't you?" a friend of hers asked, referring to the party. "Because if you don't, we can stop it."
Riku stared blankly at her friend. She knew the girl meant the party, but to her, it was about going to France or not. Time seemed to stop for Riku, as images flashed through her mind. Daisuke. Risa. Everybody! Japan... her home... the sky, the stars... Risa. Daisuke smiling, cheering, falling into the swimming pool, with his pet, watching sunlight in his hands! Daisuke, Daisuke, Daisuke! Did she really want to leave? But then an imaged burned into her mind...Daisuke leaning over Risa.
"There's nothing I want more," Riku smiled. To her friend it appeared as a happy, normal smile, but truly it was a smile that told you that they gave up. They surrendered. They were defeated once and for all. Riku finally knew for sure that she really was going to leave for Paris, France. Nothing was holding her back anymore...
"Do you like it?" another friend asked.
"I'm blown away!" Riku laughed.
"YAY! We succeeded!" Takeshi laughed. "I rock!"
"You didn't even DO anything!" someone else pointed out, causing everyone to laugh.
"Thanks, everyone!" Riku bowed her head.
"It was nothing!"
From then on, everyone was happy and merry. They played games such as spin the bottle (where Takeshi got slapped plenty of times), "I've Never", pin the tail on the donkey, and so on. They even had a talent show!
However, during the middle of the party, it started raining outside, and Riku, leaning against a window thought, 'How appropriate.'
Unknowing to her, Daisuke watched her, with a sad expression, but he didn't go up to her. He couldn't. Everyone was crowding around her the whole time. It was, after all, a party for HER. So inside...he felt like a caged bird.
(Scene Change)
When Riku went home, the first thing she did was she began packing. She needed to get ready for High school. She hadn't started before that since she had still had doubts about going out not. She needed to do something so that she didn't need to see Risa. Not that it mattered, since Risa avoided her with all her might. Which was just fine with Riku.
No one else except for Riku knew when her flight was leaving. That is, no one except people who needed to know, like her guardian. Risa didn't even know! Riku was going to leave her a letter and then just go. She doubted Risa even wanted to see her off. She couldn't anyway. That day she would be busy. Everyone would. That's why Riku picked that day. She didn't want to have a big goodbye. She wanted to leave quickly, quietly. Besides...there was nothing left in Japan holding her back.
(End of Chapter Three)
Naru-chan: You like?!
Riku: Ha, you'll never guess what day I choose!
Risa: Actually, they CAN guess...
They glare at each other
Daisuke: sighs sadly Rikuuuuuuuu!
Riku: Yes?
Daisuke: Uhhhh... can't think of anything so runs away blushing
Dark: Oh, my Riku! hugs Riku I love thee!
Riku: freaked out Do I know you?
Dark: goes to a dark corner and cries
Naru-chan: She hasn't met you yet!
Satoshi: Loser.
Dark: WHAT WAS THAT?!
Naru-chan: Much love! Please review and I'll update faster! XD So review, review, review!
Dark: Yeah! I wanna appear already!
Riku: And remember to vote for who ends up with who!
Naru-chan: Please keep in mind I might not follow exactly what you vote for, but I'll try my best! ::smile::