The moon rose high lighting a path for Tadase to follow. The night air nibbled at his skin, and he felt Rima snuggle closer to him-shivering as Tadase carefully and cautiously carried Rima up the stairs that led to the apartment floor she lives on. To him, it felt like he was carrying a new born baby because of how light she was.
He looked down on each and every step, not wanting to make the wrong step and fall down the stairs or do something embarrassing along those lines.
When he reached the top of the stairs he came across two doors. He tried to remember what room Utau had said she lives in.
He knew it was either 507 or 508. He stared at both doors, but decided to go with 508.
He knocked on the door. A few moments passed by and Tadase was beginning to think it was the other door, until the door creaking open caught his attention.
Tadase became aware of the young handsome man, and guessed that he was probably Nagihiko.
The first thing Nagihiko noticed was Rima in Tadase's arms. Nagihiko had a feeling that the wealthy looking man was Tadase. His eyes brows narrowed a bit and he asked in a concerned tone,
"What happened? What did you do?"
Tadase was taken aback; he was sort of upset how he immediately got accused.
"I didn't do anything. She ate some alcoholic desserts and passed out from it."
Nagihiko had disappointment wash over his face. "I'll take care of her now." Tadase exchanged Rima over to Nagihiko, which he was now in control of.
Tadase knew this made him look bad. It was past midnight, and he was now dropping her off. He knew this was the time for Nagihiko to be getting the wrong ideas.
"You can go now." Nagihiko said sounding upset.
Tadase gave a short nod, and didn't dare to say another word and turned his back to the door and left. He knew that he wasn't going to show his face at their door ever again, unless Rima was actually awake next time around.
Nagihiko shut the door, and carried Rima to the bedroom setting her down gently. She moved a little bit but was still out like a light.
He pulled the covers over her, and sat to the side of the bed. He began talking to himself, but directly to Rima.
"I know you can't hear me...but when I was with Kukai today I thought about you constantly."
"I was having these flashbacks…and I was beginning to remember a little. I want to thank you for being by my side. I want to remember everything and everyone and find out what's a lie and what's true."
"I also felt jealous when that guy dropped you off. I'm not sure why, maybe it's past feelings resurfacing?"
Nagihiko stood up and left the room, shutting the door behind him. To him, it felt like he couldn't believe what Tadase had said. But, he knew he shouldn't judge someone too quickly.
He decided to look through books and things around the house to help with his memory. He sat at the kitchen table looking at another photo album. When it felt like he was on the verge on a memory he fell asleep.
It was the following morning and Nagihiko woke up to the sound of the doorbell buzzing uncontrollably. He got up feeling groggy and clumsily made his way across the room to open the door. As he opened it Hitomi greeted him with open arms and leaped towards him and squeezed him into a hug.
"Good morning sleepy head!" She giggled pulling away seeing Nagihiko smile slightly.
"Oh did I wake you?" Hitomi frowned and entered the apartment. She scanned around the room for Rima. When she didn't see her she felt more relaxed.
"Its fine I don't like sleeping in anyways." Nagihiko gave a reassuring smile.
Hitomi glanced around the apartment, thinking of where to put her evidence. Nagihiko stared at her wondering why she kept looking around. When Hitomi noticed Nagihiko's thrown off expression she pulled out a distraction she was hiding with her hands behind her back.
"I brought you cookies!" Hitomi skipped towards him and revealing and handing him a blue wrapped gift bag with a note attached to it.
"Thank you," Nagihiko accepted it and set it on the counter. "Do you want to stay and eat some?" He offered politely.
Hitomi grinned, anyone would be sickened by her fake personality.
As much as she wanted to, she thought of lie that'd make her sound sweet.
"I'm sorry I'm actually volunteering today to help little kids raise money for this program."
"Oh, what program?" Nagihiko asked curious. Hitomi couldn't think of another lie, instead she changed the subject, "Can I use your bathroom?"
Nagihiko nodded and she paced herself down the hall to the bathroom.
Next to the bathroom door was a little table stand with a few books scattered on it. She thought this would be an excellent area for her plan. She reached into her purse and pulled out the camera and set it on there. She purposely knocked down a few of the books, so that it'd draw more attention. She licked her lips in satisfaction, making a few minor adjustments. Knowing her job here was done, she headed out.
"Well I guess I'll be going. I'll come by again tomorrow!" She flirtatiously winked and headed out the door. Nagihiko just gave a short wave.
He didn't like bering the only one awake, so he decided to check on Rima who was still probably sleeping. He walked to the bedroom and opened the door to see Rima ruffle through the layers of blankets and flip over to her side, pulling the sheets over her head.
Nagihiko gave a soft chuckle and closed the door again to turn back when he saw something in the corner of his eye. He turned his head to see books on the floor; he picked them up and set them back onto the table stand.
He noticed a camera. He didn't know what or why, but something was drawing him to the camera. He carefully grabbed the camera as thoughts processed through his mind. He felt as though he passed a boundary. He knew he was being overly nosy, but maybe there were pictures of him and Rima saved onto there from the past.
He turned it on and pressed the playback button, waiting for the pictures to load.
The photos began playing back as a slideshow.
At first, the first few pictures were fuzzy and dark. But as the photos continued he came across a picture of Rima and Tadase. Rima was really close to him and holding his hand. There were others of them dancing, smiling, and having a great time. He switched off the camera not even wanting to finish looking through all the pictures. He was more bewildered by the sight and felt that jealousy itching at him again.
"Hitomi was right…"He didn't even have to confront Rima about it, all the proof was there in his hands.
"Hey you!" Nagihiko startled, almost dropped the camera and quickly curved around facing Rima. She was still drowsy and yawned. Nagihiko set the camera in his pocket without her noticing. Rima rubbed her eyes, and to Nagihiko she looked like a little girl- a mischievous girl.
"What's the matter?" Rima stared up at him, but Nagihiko gave a blank expression. Rima added, "You're giving me a weird look."
Nagihiko tossed a light laugh. Rima noticed how his arms tensed up. He backed away and paced down the hall.
"I don't remember anything about last night." Rima said honestly feeling her head pounding. When Nagihiko didn't respond she asked again,
"Are you sure nothing is wrong?" She began feeling nervous, as her palms became sweaty, and started to worry if she had said something last night.
Nagihiko shook his head, and Rima noticed a cute plastic bag and gasped, "What is that?"
Nagihiko shrugged, "Hitomi came by and dropped off some cookies." Rima's eyes narrowed, "Did she?" She said to herself. Then she started thinking that maybe Hitomi said something to him.
Rima walked up to the bag, "Can I have one?"
Nagihiko said bluntly, "Go for it."
Rima twisted the bag open, and took a whiff of the cookies. She hated to admit it but it did smell worth eating. She reached inside and grabbed one and took a bite. As the cookie hit her tongue she winced at the awful flavor. She began chewing slowly, not wanting to to swallow it. Nagihiko raised an eyebrow.
"How is it?"
Rima gulped down the nasty food and sighed, knowing she didn't want to eat that for breakfast. "Let's go out and eat breakfast. I know this place that has better pastries."
Nagihiko sighed running a hand through his hair he didn't know whether to go or not this time. Rima noticed his reaction and felt rejected in a way. She knew there was something different about him.
Nagihiko grabbed the keys off the counter and replied dryly, "Why not."
Rima tried to smile, but couldn't. He didn't say another word as he exited before she did. She slid the nasty bag of cookies into the trash can before leaving. She didn't like where this was going
Nagihiko parked the car, as both got out. The whole car ride was awkward. Even if Rima tried to bring up a conversation Nagihiko only gave one word answers. At one point she asked if he was mad, but he didn't say anything. Rima tried convincing herself maybe he didn't hear her. Honestly, it was starting to tick her off. Why couldn't he just say what was on his mind? Were they really that distant?
They entered the coffee shop as a chime went off, that scared the crap out of Rima. She exhaled deeply and made her way over the cashier. Rima only asked for a regular coffee, and as for Nagihiko he didn't want anything. Even when Rima tried to persuade him he rejected the offer. The cashier looked tired and lazily filled a styrofoam cup with coffee, added sugar, then fit on the lid as it squeaked when it clicked in.
When the cashier handed Rima her coffee, she dragged Nagihiko to a table for two in the corner beside the window.
Rima popped open the lid to her cup and reached for a container of sugar packets and ripping them open using her teeth, beginning to pour the sugar into her coffee.
"Didn't they just add sugar?" Nagihiko asked propping his elbows on the table. He didn't even know why he was asking, he didn't even feel like talking to her anymore. He needed some space for the time being.
Rims added one more sugar packet and responded, "Yeah, but I need extra-they don't add enough." She stirred the cup and was blowing on it.
She hated how he was avoiding her eyes. There was something definitely wrong. She sighed and thought about bringing up small talk again. She wasn't going to give up so easily.
"The last time I went inside this place was with Yaya. I actually use to beg you to buy me coffee here every morning." She said happily, thinking of a delightful memory.
Nagihiko nodded, not sounding as close as enthusiastic as Rima was.
"Yeah, I'm sure."
Rima delayed taking a sip of her coffee and looked up at him, "What's that suppose to mean?"
Nagihiko shook his head thinking about what he found earlier, "Nothing. Everything out of your mouth must be true."
Rima was confused and surprised at his change in mood.
"Of course I wouldn't lie..." She frowned, "Did I say something last night?"
Nagihiko just stared out the window watching a crowd of people peer into the window. Then, he draw his gaze back at Rima. Rima bit her lip and felt her eyes shaking.
Nagihiko responded, "I don't know what's real."
Suddenly he got up from his seat and spoke truthfully, "You were the first person I actually trusted out of everyone."
He reached into his pocket and tossed the camera as it slid across the table until it reached Rima, "Put that in your photo album."
Rima felt like something was scratching at her heart. She looked down at the camera and looked back at Nagihiko but already saw him exiting the door.
"Nagi-"
She called for him, but carefully grabbed the camera and browsed through the pictures. She gasped and dropped the camera from her hands. All of it came back to her of what happened last night. She got framed; she was scared at what was happening. She quickly got up from her seat as it grinded against the floor board making her cringe from the noise. She hurriedly dashed out the door. She looked around her feeling like everything was moving at a fast pace. She pushed past a few people. She saw Nagihiko getting into the car and ran towards his side of the door, but he shut it before she got close enough.
He turned on the car engine and she knocked on the window. He didn't bother to look at her.
"Nagihiko please listen. I don't know how or who took those pictures but..."
She saw Nagihiko look in his rear view mirror. She shouted again trying to stop him, "Nagihiko please! That wasn't even my camera!"
"I'm sorry I was being close to Tadase, I was just drunk. I was being careless. I didn't know what I was doing!"
Nagihiko backed up the car and just avoided Rima, she moved out of his way as the car moved forward and drove down the street.
"This is just a dream he can't be mad."
Rima stood there in the middle of the road thinking of how this could have happened. She should of never of went with Tadase and stayed bored at home. She regretted a lot of things and right now that was on her top list.
A honking of a car horn made her jump. She realized she was still standing in the middle of the road. She gave an apologetic wave to the drover who looked furious.
She walked onto the sidewalk and heard a laugh behind her; she turned to see Hitomi walking towards her.
"Are you two fighting?" Hitomi made a sorrowful face and smirked underneath, "After you two were getting so close. It's funny how quickly things can change."
Rima walked towards her as they met up halfway face to face. "Just get out of my life."
Hitomi ignored her and smiled, "How'd you like the pictures?"
Rima's kept the same annoyed expression on her face.
Hitomi leered evilly, "You still can't do anything to me. You don't have the guts."
Rima laughed, "Nagihiko isn't here right now is he?" Hitomi looked nervous for a few seconds but laughed it off.
"You won't hurt me."
Rima rose her hand up to slap her in the face but glanced around and saw kids jumping around. She sighed and gave in.
"You're lucky."Rima looked her right in the eye, "I'm a lot more mature than you."
Hitomi responded with a "Whatever." They had a stare down and both girls stayed silent. Rima glanced to the side and turned to walk away. Hitomi huffed,
"You can't just walk away from this."
Rima continued walking away, "I'm not. I'm moving forward."
Hitomi laughed shaking her head, "Whatever that means."
.
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A/N: Just a few more chapters to go everyone! Shortest chapter ever-my bad xD Thank you everyone for the reviews! :D Yaaay! Hopefully there's no mistakes, it's 2AM and I can feel my eyes shaking xD Tell me whatcha think of this chapter if you wish to. (:
My responses to last chapters reviews:
Rikanchu: A coackroach in her mouth? LOL! xD That's hilarious! Hitomi is just the definition of bitch. xD And for Tadase he's just a friend, maybe…I mean you can look at it both ways xD
Half Angel Half Evil: Haha! I can actually picture it, a whole war! She'd definitely lose for sure. –nods- xD And thank youu! :)
SuperBlizzardJack: Tadase is a gaybo! I hated him throughout the anime! xD Nice threat to Hitomi! :) Haha, and that's a good idea, love your way of thinking. xD
chocolate covered charas: Awwh thaaaank yoooooooou! 8D Haha don't worry I hate Hitomi and want her to die too! She's getting in the way of my story! xD
arkee: Haha, for justice! xD She seriously needs a whack in the face, I say go for it! xD
khdragongirl: Bitchtomi! Haha I love that nickname! xD Don't worry Hitomi will pay…maybe. xD Mwahaha!
nagiplusrimaequalsawsome: Your welcome (: And thanks! Oh that's my favorite order of the pairings too! 8D
Hopefully I didn't miss anyone! D: If I did please let me know!Thank you everyone :D Till next time! (: