Lost Stage: Soul Ignorance
By Jyoohan
Phase 006 – Can't stay away from you
0731 Hours – April 14, 2011
Cave by the river – Morning Glory
Riku slowly opened her eyes. She sat up feeling something around her. The moment she took it off she shivered from the cold air. "Where am I?" Riku squinted her eyes still feeling tired.
Riku got up with the thing tightly around her. "Niwa-kun." Riku watched as Daisuke came up to her from the river.
"Here." Daisuke held a canteen.
"Um, thanks." Riku drank and found the water icy cold.
"Sorry, but there isn't anything warm to eat or drink."
"No, it's alright." Riku tried to warm herself up by tightening her grip around the coat she had on, while doing this she noticed something. Mud all over her shoes and socks… and even Daisuke looked dirty. "N-Niwa-kun?"
"Yes? Harada-san?" Daisuke smiled innocently standing in the river, washing the mud off.
"Last night… what happened? I-I, I can't seem to remember." Riku didn't know how to organize her thought. Riku watched him having a serious face but disappeared like a ghost.
"Nothing, it rained a lot, but we were inside the cave." Daisuke began rubbing his arm. "So we were alright." Daisuke tried to climb back up to where the cave was.
"Here I'll help." Riku grabbed his arms.
"No wait, I'm fi-argh!" Riku and Daisuke screamed as they both fell into the river.
"Harada-san? Are you alright?" Daisuke blushed seeing the position they were in. Daisuke could feel Riku's body against his since the water made their clothes suck onto their bodies like a wet suit.
Riku face turned hot red.
"Harada-san, I'm sorry it was an-." Slap.
A little moment later…
"It-it-it-iiit… that hurt." Daisuke rubbed his face. He didn't really blame Riku for hitting him, but the reason that happened was… "Last night. I heard her." Daisuke thought to himself and felt something on his hand. "Ah… this ring." He stared at it. "It couldn't be." Daisuke rubbed his arms feeling a little soar from carrying something for a long while.
"Niwa-kun? Let's go." Daisuke turned to see Riku in her swimsuit. Daisuke blushed, remembering what it felt like a minute ago.
"Stop looking at me like that!" Riku turned her face walking away.
"Ah, sorry. Let's go then." Both of them got ready to find their way back.
"Today the class supposed to go swimming by the waterfall near the base of the mountain so, if we follow this river in the map. We should be able to meet up with them." Daisuke trailed his finger down the path they would be going.
"Okay let's hurry then." Riku grabbed her things and immediately began to walk down the river.
"Ah, Harada-san. Wait for me." Daisuke grabbed his things to quickly follow.
Riku couldn't shake that thought last night. It felt real, but felt like a dream at the same time.
"Your swimsuit looks good on you." Daisuke complemented Riku in her orange two-piece.
'What is he thinking right now?' Riku thought suspiciously.
"I've never really seen the others wearing different swimsuits before." Daisuke was just trying to make casual conversation, but Riku took it in a little naughty direction.
0805 Hours – April 14, 2011
Haru-Sora – Golden Friends
"Do you think it's really okay that we don't help looking?" Few of the girls chattered in the changing room.
"Riku should be alright. I mean, Niwa-kun is with her right?"
"Yeah, but still… do you think she'll be alright with Niwa-kun?" Some of the girls giggled.
Saehara could hear them outside as they passed by. "Hm… I wonder if she'll be alright."
"Ah don't worry so much. I mean, how incapable can Daisuke be?" Sekimoto laughed. Suddenly both had a very gloomy look. "They're doomed."
"Don't judge him so quickly."
"Ah? Hiwatari-kun? When did you come?" Saehara jumped hearing Satoshi's voice.
"I was standing her waiting for you to enter the cafeteria. All of us would like some breakfast." A group of students were grumbling why nobody was moving.
"Ah shut up, going in already." Saehara and Sekimoto grabbed their meager breakfast. "Jeez, food here sucks." Saehara suddenly felt the glare of the cafeteria lady. "I mean, it's so good I could just suck on the plate." Sekimoto watched in amusement seeing Saehara in cold sweat.
"Hey, but Daisuke can't be that unreliable right?" Sekimoto bit into his toast.
"Well I don't know, but at least we get to go swimming." Saehara drank some milk.
"Yeah, all the girls must have their swimsuits underneath their clothes."
"PPrrrfffFF!" Saehara suddenly sprayed milk on Sekimoto's face.
"Mio-san... in a swim suit." Saehara was having many vivid images.
"Ta-Takeshi…" Sekimoto twitched and feeling violated… infested with Saehara's germs. Saehara suddenly ran off, to prepare his camera no doubt.
"Towel?" Satoshi handed to Sekimoto.
"Thanks." Sekimoto looked shaken… more disgusted.
"The instructors said to get ready. We're heading to the falls right now." Satoshi said raising his voice letting the room here him.
"Okay!" Some girls tried to sound cute to Satoshi. Satoshi looked moribund hearing those cute voices.
'What is this guy?' Sekimoto thought.
Anyways, the class got everything ready to go to the falls near the mountain. The hike wasn't rigorous as the previous one, but still it was a cold morning.
"Ah-choo." Mio sneezed.
"Oh Mio-san, you mustn't catch cold. Here, wear this jacket." Saehara zoomed in on his chance.
"Hey! That's my jacket moron!"
"Oh thank you very much." Mio took a step back.
"Don't worry, if you catch a cold. I'll suck it out myself!" Mio blushed wondering if Saehara would do what he said he would. "Best way to get rid of a cold is to give it to someone else, right Mio-chan?" Saehara was trying to hide his blush with a smile.
"Oh look at the snake looking down at his meal." Some of the girls giggled watching Saehara.
"Can we really be going to take a swim while Niwa-san and Harada-san is lost out there?" The teacher argued with the counselor.
"I'm sure they're fine. I mean there's a man with her right? What's there to worry and the others are searching down the river as we speak." The counselor tried to calm the class' teacher.
"Hey, hey, I think I can hear the falls!" Risa shouted to everyone.
The air suddenly became quiet with everyone trying to listen for the falls. "Ah! I hear it! It's just over those rocks!"
"Good hearing. Haru Falls is just right around here." The counselor guided them around to a giant pool below the falls. "But this is pretty unique place." As the counselor said this some of the boys began to gag from drinking the water.
"Eh? Is the water poisonous?" Someone shouted.
"Actually, it's the temperature." The counselor smiled handing a small cup of the water to the teacher. "Try."
The teacher took a sip, but immediately sprayed it out.
"Huh? What can temperature do to taste?" Some students decided to take a sip themselves, but all of them spat it back out looking disgusted.
"You guessed it, the water is lukewarm, neither hot nor cold." The counselor began to laugh.
"But how can it be like this?"
"This river has few geothermal patches here and there along the river." The students gave some "oh's" and "ah's".
"There's a good size geothermal spot near the falls so the water is lukewarm at the edge of the lake. So if the deeper you go, the warmer the water is."
"So it's almost like a hot spring then." As soon as Satoshi said this everyone's eyes gave a glint with one meaning, but two individuals had a different thought.
"Must… commit… evil… acts…" Satoshi turned to see Saehara and Sekimoto with a malevolent look on their faces.
"You wouldn't dare." Satoshi gave a glare back.
"It's two against one. We got nothing to lose eh Sekimoto?" Both grinned. "Now… hold still while we…carry- oh crap! No! What the heeeeell!"
"Takeshi! Whaa? No-no-no! Whooaaa-aaaaaah!"
Kr-Splash. Satoshi dusted his hands while the two delinquents took a belly flop dip in the pool.
"Oh, I didn't know Hiwatari-kun was so strong."
"Who knew? He was so cool!"
"He was so hot showing his strength." The girls kept mumbling about Satoshi's sex appeal.
"Okay, those two are in. What about everyone else?" The counselor threw his shirt off and jumped in with the two… from atop the rock near the pool, which is pretty high up.
"C'mon!" The counselor jumped in making a giant splash, hitting some of the students.
0912 Hours – April 14, 2011
Atop Haru Falls – Leap of Faith
Riku hummed peacefully floating atop the river. "This feels so nice." Riku smiled till she felt herself bump into something. "Ah, Niwa-kun? Are we almost there?" Riku paddled her feet.
"Not yet, I don't hear the falls yet." Daisuke was also floating down the river with Riku. Daisuke and Riku felt at peace letting the river make the trip for them.
"Ah, sun." Riku closed her eyes feeling the sun glaring through the tree tops.
Daisuke smiled seeing her acting cute.
"The water feels so good." Riku sighed in pleasure.
"Yeah, I wonder why the water is so warm. It wasn't like this up river."
"Maybe we're just lucky." Both laughed.
Riku suddenly stood up. "Can we stop here for a sec?" Riku asked out of the blue.
"Huh? But we're almost there."
"Just wait here alright? And don't follow me!" Riku got out of the river and shivered a bit from the cold air. "You better not peek!" Riku shouted before she walked into the forest.
"Don't peek?" Daisuke wondered what she meant.
'Daisuke, Daisuke. I guess you are just a little boy when it comes down to it.' Dark pitied the innocent middle school kid.
"Dark? What do you mean?" Daisuke was so confused it wasn't funny.
'C'mon Daisuke, you should at least know by her reaction.' Dark wasn't even smiling anymore.
"I'm serious Dark, why would Harada-san run off like that?" Daisuke grumbled.
'Like a men, women have to go, too… Daisuke.' Dark chuckled waiting for Daisuke to get the message.
"Have to… go?" Daisuke suddenly blushed. Now it suddenly made sense. "How could I be so dense?" Daisuke cried waterfall of tears at his own ignorance.
'Yes, yes. Admitting it is the first step to becoming a man.' Dark pitied again.
"You're not helping Dark!" Daisuke sank down in the river again.
'Ha-ha-ha. But she did look cute in her swim suit huh?' Dark said absentmindedly.
"Mm… yeah." Daisuke pictured it in his head, Riku coming out of the cave earlier in the two-piece. He'd never really seen Riku act timid like that before… well before she suddenly got angry.
'Jealousy is poison' Dark whispered to himself.
Daisuke felt his heart beating a little hard. "What's wrong with me? I shouldn't be thinking like this." Daisuke scratched his head, laughing it off. He looked down into the water to see his reflection.
"WUUAAAAAAGH!"
Daisuke began frantically digging in his bag and found the item. He looked into the mirror to see Dark. "What happened? When did I transform?"
'I should be asking that question! Let me take over! I could really romance someone right now.' Dark tried to switch places.
"No-no! Harada-san might come back anytime!" Daisuke began searching for Risa's picture.
"Niwa-kun! What happened?" Daisuke could hear Riku coming back.
"Hah! Found it!" Daisuke looked at Risa's picture and closed his eyes but still saw Dark's hair. "Wha? How come I'm not changing?"
'Poor Daisuke, my DNA has to react with the person I love.' Dark forcefully kicked Daisuke out of the pilot seat.
"Ah… now that I have control, I'll just…" Dark stared at the picture, but a quick sight of a girl flashed in his mind.
"Niwa-kun?" Riku came to the river seeing Daisuke standing there with a picture. "Did something happen?" Riku looked a bit worried.
"Oh!" Daisuke quickly hid the picture. "Nothing I just uh… slipped and almost lost the bag. Sorry!" Daisuke tried to think where he could hide the picture.
Riku noticed he was hiding something. "What is that?" Riku looked at him with sharp eyes. "It better not be mine, right?"
It suddenly hit Daisuke. Riku put her things inside Daisuke's bag so it wouldn't get wet. Could the situation get any possibly worst…? I think it could.
"Let me see it now!" Riku tried to grab it behind Daisuke's back.
"No, wait! It's mine! Really!" Daisuke didn't know how to keep Riku away.
'C'mon! Make a move on her!" Dark was acting like a naughty fox.
Daisuke moaned inside, he didn't need Dark giving him even more trouble. "Harada-san, it's really nothing important!"
"Then why are you trying to hide it?" Riku made another grab but slipped and pushed both of them underwater.
Both resurfaced, spitting water. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push you." Riku looked to see Daisuke lost whatever the item was. "Was it really… yours?" Riku wondered.
Daisuke nodded.
Riku suddenly felt guilty and stupid. "I didn't mean to… I just thought-."
"No," Daisuke cut her off, "I don't need it anymore." Daisuke leaned back and floated on the water, imagining the picture floating off down the river. But something else bothered him even more.
"Seeing her face, the one I like most. She doesn't move my heart anymore." Daisuke ran his hands down his face. "Dark do you hear me?" Daisuke whispered.
'Huh? Did I miss something?' Dark muttered.
"Eh?" Daisuke suddenly felt like an actor in an empty house. "Dark… what have you been doing?"
'Oh? I get sleepy when you get all serious. It's more fun when you're screaming and laughing.' Dark snickered.
Daisuke suddenly dove underwater, while Riku watched in awkward curiosity seeing Daisuke act just the way he did moments ago. She was thinking he might be a little crazy.
Daisuke rose up next to her smiling again. "You must have thought I was weird right?" Riku blushed. "I didn't mean to get lost in my thoughts like that. Let's go find the others now."
Riku hid a small grin seeing Daisuke being his goofy happy self again.
"Huh?" Daisuke got out of the river.
"What is it?" Riku followed him.
"Can you hear it?" Daisuke stared down the river hearing a small sound.
"Falling water?" Riku wondered to herself.
"Waterfall?" Daisuke smiled.
"We're finally here!" Both began to run towards the falls while the roar of water got louder and louder. "There they are." Daisuke saw few of the students running at the edge of the pool below the falls.
"It's cold." A wind blew strong past the two.
"I bet it's much warmer in the water below." Daisuke smiled at Riku.
"Huh? Oh no! We're not jumping all the way down there!" Riku freaked.
"Are you scared of heights Harada-san?" Daisuke wondered.
"No! It's just… falling from heights is what scares me." Riku sat down wondering how to get out of her predicament. Riku suddenly saw Daisuke's hand.
"Do you trust me?" Daisuke smiled in assurance.
Riku frowned for a minute, but took his hand. "Yeah." Both walked up to the edge of the falls. Daisuke threw the bag down the falls knowing it'll be alright. Nobody knew that they were up atop the falls.
"Ready?"
"M-m-mm…" Riku wondered how Daisuke could be so calm.
"Don't be nervous." Daisuke squeezed Riku's hand. "I won't let you get hurt." Riku half turned her face feeling herself blush.
"On the count of three," Daisuke and Riku got ready.
"One." Daisuke counted.
"Two." Riku whispered.
"Three!" Both shouted.
1126 Hours – April 14, 2011
Haru Falls – May we drop in?
Splash!
"Huh? What was that?" Sekimoto turned seeing something floating towards them. "Hey, this is Niwa's isn't it?"
"Hey, whatcha got there?" Saehara popped from under the water. "Huh? Daisuke's bag?"
"Hey look up there!" Someone shouted and everyone looked at the top of the fall seeing two people who just jumped off.
"Daisuke!" Riku shouted, feeling her body beginning to fall. "Don't let go!" Riku shouted as she saw the water coming closer and closer.
"Don't worry!" Riku looked at Daisuke for a moment as he spoke. "I'll never let go!" Riku suddenly felt her heart jump into the skies.
"Cool!" Someone shouted seeing how big the splash was.
"Daisuke!" Saehara shouted seeing his friends before he hit the water.
"What! Niwa-san and Harada-san?" The teacher began swimming for her life towards where the two plunged in.
Daisuke and Riku resurfaced… but about 2 meters away from where everyone was looking for them. "Are you alright?" Daisuke looked worried seeing Riku coughing.
"Niwa-kun?" Daisuke listened carefully. "Can we do that again?" Both laughed feeling the rush of the fall fading away.
"Riku!" Risa suddenly latched onto her sister. "I'm so glad you're alright! I was so worried something would happen to you!" Riku felt a bit weird with Risa being over-emotional with her while everyone is watching. Soon all the other girls began to crowd around Riku asking different questions.
"So, you two made it back. I'm not surprised." Daisuke turned to see Satoshi there with his stoic look on as usual.
"Hi Hiwatari-kun." Daisuke laughed nervously.
"Oi! Daisuke!" Takeshi grabbed Daisuke in a heaven or hell chokehold. "Where the hell have you been? Being all alone with a girl? What evil acts could you have done?" It seems Takeshi was handling his own way of getting revenge from Daisuke for making him worry. Daisuke feels the brotherly love.
"A-…air-rgh!" Daisuke was turning red… now purple.
"Hey, let go of him. He's really going to faint you know." Sekimoto watched with sweat rolling down his head, seeing Daisuke's twitching arm of desperation.
"Huh? Oi! Hey Daisuke!" Takeshi shook his friend but he was limp like a rag doll. "What's the matter with him?" Takeshi turned him around but freaked. "He's dead!" Takeshi dropped him in the water. Daisuke's body suddenly popped up. "Now he's a zombie!"
Everyone began to sweat seeing Takeshi being an idiot.
"Oh Daisuke! You alright?" Mio turn him around so she could see his face. "Don't worry! I'll kiss you and then you'll wake up!" Suddenly the whole class caught interest.
"Oh!" Takeshi suddenly had a look near death.
Mio's face got closer… and closer… and closer… and closer… then closer… then even a bit more closer… so close their nose now touching. Girls began to blush seeing the scene while the boys looked… ill-mannered.
"What do you think your doing?" Riku jammed her forehead into Mio's head.
"CPR!" Mio stuck out her tongue innocently.
"Well the victim didn't exactly drown!" Riku huffed.
"Does Riku want to give Daisuke CPR?" Mio smiled mischievously.
"W-w-w-wha-wha-w-…" Riku stammered feeling embarrassed.
"Teacher, Niwa-kun is really drowning now." Satoshi pointed out. Riku dropped him when Mio started her mind game.
After some bickering and laughs, Daisuke was dragged out of hot water to recover.
"Ah… remember that other time? Hiwatari-kun's CPR?" Some girls mumbled.
"Oh… I could still feel the stimulus."
"Aaaah!" Daisuke suddenly woke up.
"Oh, Niwa-kun. Good morning!" The girls giggled.
"That was fast."
"What the?" Daisuke looked around. "Phew, no CPR." Daisuke sighed in relief. "Ow… my head." Daisuke rubbed his head.
"Da-i-su-ke…"
Daisuke rubbed a sore spot but saw Takeshi had a giant bump on his forehead. "Saehara-kun? I'm sorry I didn't mean to."
"Such power! This is the first time you actually hurt me! You actually hurt me!" Takeshi started his spar again.
"Ah leave Daisuke alone already!" Riku shouted.
"Stay out of this woman! This is among men!" Saehara laughed.
"Get away from me! Stop it! Stop it! Wuuaaagh!" Daisuke shouted.
Satoshi looked in mild amusement at his corner of the pool. "At least I can relieve some stress here." He relaxed in the hot pool. "Huh?" Feeling something touch him, he reached over and pulled a small yellow case. "What's this?" He opened it to find Risa's picture. "The younger twin?"
"Ah!" Satoshi almost jumped hearing a throng of shouts. "Hiwatari-kun is carrying around a picture of Risa-chan?"
Satoshi turned around seeing 7 girls. "No, I found it."
"You don't have to be embarrassed about it!"
"We'll support your love!"
"I'll keep quiet!"
Satoshi began to sweat seeing them with smiles, but saw them like death was hanging over them while they left.
"So much trouble over a picture." Satoshi was about to throw it until he stopped. He flipped it open one more time seeing her. "…" He quickly pocketed it.
1649 Hours – April 14, 2011
Secret Spot – Getting to know that infamous man
"No way, I'm not going back there!" Daisuke walked past the trees as usual to his little private spot.
'I order Daisuke! I'll be bored as hell just being with you asleep in the middle of the forest!' Dark shouted.
"Shout all you want but I'm not listening!"
'Daisuke!' Dark began probing his mind. 'Eh?' A brief image flashed in Daisuke's head. 'Hey... you had a dream that Satoshi guy was giving you CPR again huh?'
"Ah…" Daisuke blushed. "That was a nightmare."
'Heh-heh-heh, I bet you enjoyed it.' Dark had fun getting his vengeance.
"Shut up Dark!" Daisuke found the tent. "I'm supposed to return this before tomorrow morning." Daisuke groaned feeling it's almost time to leave. It had been fun for the past few days, well besides him and Riku falling into the river and all. But everything came out alright.
'Well you better hurry Daisuke.' Daisuke knew Dark was right.
"Daisuke?" When Daisuke popped his head in, he saw Riku lying there rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "Is that you Daisuke?"
"Harada-san!" Daisuke fell back. 'Ah…' Daisuke had that familiar burning feeling. 'I know I didn't. I couldn't have.' He tried to move his body, but it wouldn't respond to his command.
"Finally I get a chance to come out, eh Daisuke?" Dark smirked.
'Oh my gawd!' Daisuke screamed. 'Why right here and now of all the luck?' Daisuke was in utter panic that he couldn't even organize his thoughts.
"Daisuke I didn't mean to scare you. I just thought napping her for-." Riku suddenly saw Dark standing in front of the entrance. Riku stared for a sec and slipped back into the tent.
"Hm?" Dark thought how she was acting was peculiar. He poked his head in. "Are you feeling alright?" When he turned, Dark felt something soft yet firm whack him upside the head.
"Pervert!" Riku continuously whacked him. "Get away from me!"
"Hey, stop that!" Dark tried to defend himself from the non-lethal weapon.
"How the hell did you find Niwa-kun's tent? What are you even doing here? And what did you do to Niwa-kun?" Riku screamed freaking out, seeing Dark of all people.
"Oh? Daisuke?" Riku suddenly stopped hearing Dark say Daisuke's first name. "I tied him up, gagged him, and dropped him in a hole just outside." Dark pulled out feather, and the feather glowed with silent power.
"Niwa-kun!" Riku stepped on Dark's back as she went outside. She looked around and found a hole next to the tent and looked down to find… a rabbit with a tag saying "hi!"
"What…?" Riku opened the tent to see Dark peacefully relaxed inside.
"Where is he?" Riku shouted in anger.
"Oh? Why are you so worried? It's not like you like him right?" When Dark suddenly saw Riku going stiff he smirked. 'Bull's eye.'
'What? What are you doing Dark?' Daisuke blushed hearing Dark suddenly asking such an awkward question.
"Oh, almost forgot something." Dark pulled another feather and put it to his forehead. 'I think it's best that I speak to her alone Daisuke.'
'Dark? What are you doing? … Dark…' Dark felt Daisuke's conscious relaxing and now asleep.
"It's none of your business how I feel about him!" Riku tried to control herself.
"But it is, since he is my little brother." Dark smiled. 'More like cousins actually, but who's being technical?'
'Come on Riku, calm down girl. If he tries anything, you can always kick him.' Riku was trying to regain her composure.
"Hm I wonder why Daisuke would hang out with you. You're always being rude to me and hastily tagging me as a pervert. I wonder what Daisuke would think if he heard you say such things." Dark was kicking out the big guns.
"Shut up! You're nothing like Daisuke!" Riku shouted.
"You're absolutely right." Dark agreed, surprising Riku. "I'm not clumsy like him, I don't let people take advantage over me, I'm more popular than he could ever be, I can be with anybody I want to be, I'm more responsible than him, I'm more reliable than him," Riku fists shook hearing Dark make a mockery of Daisuke, "I'm… better than him."
"You're wrong!" Riku couldn't take it anymore. "That's not like him at all! It's not! He's caring, he's supportive, he's there for you when you need him, he'll think of others before himself, he's not selfish like you! He is reliable! He is responsible! You could never compare yourself to him! Daisuke will always be better than you!" Riku fell to her knees after shouting this. "Always… always better."
"That's the way you feel huh?" Dark said in a low tone. "I guess you really like him."
When Riku heard this, she felt something trail down her face. She felt as if her tears already answered her, how she felt about Daisuke.
"Do you mind listening to a story I have about myself?" Dark spoke very seriously. "I loved only one woman and only her from the moment of my existence until now. When I first met her, she was a very frail girl and not strong like you. But she always wanted to become stronger. I watched her. I don't know when but I began to have something growing inside my heart for this girl."
Riku listened quietly. She thought to herself maybe she had been a little hasty.
"She soon became a strong woman, and I found that I loved her when my time with her was short. I wondered why she would always try to work so hard and then she told me. She wanted to show me she was strong. That I wouldn't have to came and help her. I never really had a chance to confess to her, but in a way we knew how we felt for each other." Dark felt his heart beating in pain. "But I remember that day, 40 years ago, when I last saw her."
Riku wiped her tears. "I didn't mean… for you to bring painful… memories."
"Harada Riku," Dark looked at her with sincere eyes, "don't let your fear control you like it had done to me."
Riku bit her lip feeling her heart throb in pain, not knowing why.
Dark crawled over and exited the tent, standing next to Riku. "Well see you around." Riku looked up, and Dark suddenly felt his heart reacting again from a girl in his memories. Dark turned and began to leave. "Good Night."
Riku watched as Dark left but saw something interesting from Dark's head. "Red…?"
2142 Hours – April 14, 2011
Bath House – Sudden Memories
"Jeez, can't they give me a break just for once?" Daisuke groaned with his small bucket full of bathing items and spare clothes. The guys kicked him because he smelled weird from the swim earlier. "Dark what happened?"
'It's for your own good that you don't know.' Dark said seriously.
"I don't like it. You're so serious all of a sudden." Daisuke opened the door the bath house. "Did you do anything to Harada-san?"
'No… but you should find out your true feelings.' Dark muttered.
"My true feelings?" Daisuke stood still for a second in thought. His feelings for Risa is gone. Without her, he can't transform now. But he transformed earlier. Daisuke groaned not able to put the pieces together, but a girl always came to mind to him quite frequently now. "So Harada-san is fine right?"
'Call her by her first name for once.' Dark slipped away from Daisuke's nagging questions.
Daisuke grumbled but thought for a second. "Her first name… Riku?"
Daisuke stepped inside the bathhouse. "Hope no one is here." Daisuke began to undress to hurry and get it over with.
'Don't forget to get in between the toes.' Dark hummed.
"Leave me alone." Daisuke grumbled walking into actual bath area. Daisuke got in the hot water pool. The past few days were supposed to be relaxing but that last event really tired him out. Daisuke leaned back letting the hot water melt his pains away. Feeling his conscious slipping without knowing, Daisuke still had someone troubling his mind. "Riku."
Daisuke felt himself falling asleep but ignored it and let himself slip into a quiet sleep. Daisuke dreamt about a memory long time ago. It was odd, he was watching himself.
"Mom?" Daisuke could see his whole family in a giant bathhouse. "Wait… this was… that time in 3rd grade." Daisuke laughed suddenly remembering. Takeshi, Masahiro, and Daisuke were running around splashing each other. It was a field trip… very odd one, but a memorable one nonetheless. Takeshi's dad couldn't come so Takeshi came with Daisuke, Daisuke's mom, Masahiro, and Masahiro's mom in the women's bathing area.
"Ah, Riku, Harada-san!"
Daisuke turned seeing himself waving towards two girls who looked very much alike. "Harada-san?" Daisuke looked and recognized them.
"C'mon! The hot water pool is right over here!"
Daisuke watched the scene. One of the younger girls who looked like Risa, she was excited and immediately ran to the pool, but the one that resembled Riku stood their looking very bashful.
"Are you okay? You look like a cherry." Daisuke smiled.
"Ah… I'm… I'm fine, Daisuke."
"Huh?" Daisuke suddenly sat up, waking up from his brief sleep. "Was… was that?" Daisuke shook his head. "…"
Daisuke thought for a moment. "She called me by my first name… not Niwa-kun. And… that would mean, we were really good friends right?" Daisuke looked down at his reflection in the water. "Why can't I remember, Riku?" Daisuke didn't hear the sliding door open and close, hearing the pit pats of footsteps.
"Sitting here won't help-" Daisuke stood up to see… Riku. "-me?" Both stared at each other for a long minute. "N-…Niwa-k-kun?" Both looked down and blushed.
KyaAAaaaAAaaaaAAA!
"No wait! I…" Daisuke sat back in the pool trying to hide his… uh… boy thing, while Riku is trying her best in the open tile floor.
"Stop looking!" Riku began throwing anything near reach: shampoo bottles, soap, plastic bath chairs, bath buckets, wood brushes, and other misc. bath items.
"I'm not… I… please calm down!"
"What the hell are you doing in here!" Riku slipped on a bar of soap. "Ah! Ow, ow…"
"Riku are you alright…?" Daisuke froze staring, feeling the blood rushing up to his head. Riku felt ten times worse knowing a certain someone is staring at her. "I said stop looking!" Riku grabbed a bath bucket, wind up, and the pitch.
BONG!
"Ah?" Riku stopped trying to cover herself to see Daisuke hanging over the small wall around the hot water pool. "Daisuke!" She saw blood dripping and quickly ran up to him.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you like that, I mean I was but not make you bleed!" When she raised him up, he had a giant bump on his forehead, but his nose was bleeding.
"Eh?" Riku began to sweat. She suddenly looked down seeing her body exposed. "Kya!" She tried to cover herself again but suddenly let go Daisuke's head, which dropped and hit the tiled floor.
"Niwa-kun!"
After some time…
Riku blushed feeling completely embarrassed. "Why did he have to be here of all the places?" Riku washed her body, but her mind more occupied with someone lying unconscious on the other side of the small wall that was in front of her.
" Groan …"
Riku suddenly jumped hearing him coming to.
"What happened? Harada-san?"
"I'm over here and don't look!" Riku tried to control the stammer in her voice.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to peek or… look… I…" Daisuke felt like a pervert, wiping the blood from his nose.
"It's alright, just drop it." Riku filled a bucket and washed the soap off her body. "You came to bathe right?" Riku said this not hearing anything from the other side, but heard him turn on the small shower on his side.
Both sat and bathed silently. It was one of the most awkward moments for Daisuke and Riku. On the other side of this small wall was the other person naked and bathing. Who wouldn't be blushing and feeling a bit exposed?
"Um, Harada-san?" Daisuke decided to take some guts and be a man.
"Yeah?"
"I had a dream before you came in." Daisuke felt a bit stupid, but it was better than being quiet this entire time. "I dreamt about a field trip long time ago."
Riku thought to herself, wondering how he can talk in their current situation.
"We all went to a bathhouse, the whole class with our parents. I don't know why, but I suddenly remember that." Daisuke laughed nervously. "But I remember something, we were all real good friends."
Riku felt her heart twist in pain.
"I just wonder why I can't remember much about you Riku." Daisuke didn't know how much pain Riku was feeling at the moment. Daisuke didn't hear any response and decided it was better to be quiet.
After a few more minutes Daisuke got up and left. Riku turned her head not to look. Riku couldn't hold it anymore. "Why am I crying? Why does my chest feel so heavy?" Riku got up also finishing her bath.
Riku entered the locker rooms quickly drying and changing into her clean clothes. She sighed feeling a bit better after a nice bath. She opened the door.
"Harada-san."
Riku froze seeing Daisuke waiting outside.
"I thought I should um… walk you back to your room."
Riku smiled. "Thanks, Niwa-kun."
0915 Hours – April 15, 2011
Riku's Cabin – The Bus… go zoom-boom-boom-boom!
"Riku! Riku! Waku up!"
Riku moaned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"What is wrong with you? Didn't you sleep last night?" Risa tapped her feet in agitation.
"What's wrong Risa?" Riku hugged her pillow.
"I heard Dark is coming again and I might miss him!"
Riku began to sweat knowing her sister was in a 'Dark' frenzy at the moment. "Hum… Niwa-kun." Riku couldn't get him out of her mind. She felt her heart beating ravenously by just saying his name. "Why am I feeling like this?" Riku was so depressed she couldn't see the answer dangling in front of her.
"Riku! Hurry and pack up!"
Riku sighed as she eventually getting everything together. Time passed, Riku dragged her things into the foyer of the main cabin. Everyone was there chatting and messing around, but she felt like a lead weight was inside her head.
"Riku!" Risa tried to keep her sister awake, but her efforts were futile
Riku leaned back in her chair finally feeling some sleep come to her.
"Hey Daisuke! C'mon tell me, why were looking so flushed when you came back?" Takeshi whispered vigorously. Masahiro had a face saying he was very interested as well.
"Bug off, it's none of your business!" Daisuke tried to escape.
"Daisuke! We won't let you escape until you tell us who it was!"
Daisuke froze in cold fear if they ever found out whom it was. "I'm telling you, it's nothing!"
"Okay everyone! The bus is here! Get ready now!" The teacher waved with an enthusiastic surge of energy.
"Was it Risa-chan? Hum?" Takeshi had an evil, evil smile.
"Riku! C'mon!" Risa tried to wake her sister
"Ah! Mio-chan! Hey Daisuke, hurry it up!" Takeshi was following Mio frantically.
"Um… Harada-san?" Daisuke walked up to the twins.
"Niwa-kun! Perfect timing! Can you help Riku up?" Risa clapped her hands.
"Eh?" Daisuke looked confused.
"Just help her into the bus!" Risa just grabbed all of her and her sister's luggage and ran for the bus. "I'm counting on you!"
Daisuke just gaped. "But…" Daisuke turned to Riku sleeping. "Oh man, Harada-san." Daisuke tried to wake her.
"H-huh?" Riku leaned forward but falling headfirst.
"Ah! Harada-san!" Daisuke caught her and somehow got her to stand up. "What's wrong? Did you sleep last night?" Daisuke helped her walk towards the bus.
"Ung… sleepy." Riku couldn't think, too tired.
"Niwa-san, what's wrong with Harada-san?" The teacher helped them up the bus steps.
"I dunno. She just seems really tired."
"Take her to the back of the bus, let her sleep there." The teacher asked the students to clear the aisle.
"Yes." Daisuke made his way towards the back end of the bus, but feeling quite a few stares on the way.
"They've been hanging around a lot together."
"Wonder what they did when they were lost."
"Did Riku do anything to him?"
Daisuke felt embarrassed hearing his classmate's whispers. "Come on Harada-san, you just need to sit down now."
Riku somehow in her semi-conscious state got in her seat.
"Okay everyone here right?" The teacher did a head count. "Now, we're off!"
Creeeaaaak-POP! Aaaah!
"We're alright!" the bus driver huffed.
Mooaaan-CRACK-pOp! Waaaaah!
"I think we're alright!" The bus driver puffed while everyone began to pray for his or her safety.
Daisuke held onto Riku so she wouldn't hurt herself again.
"Aw… your so sweet Niwa-kun." One of Riku's friends watched.
"What are you talking about?" Daisuke took off his trench coat and covered Riku with it to keep her warm.
"You're acting so cute, catering to her needs." They began to laugh. "Harada-san asked me to help her alright?"
"You mean Risa?"
"Yeah."
"Well you didn't have to, but you did." Riku's friends giggled.
"I…" Daisuke got stuck in words.
Bu-bump!
Riku's head fell comfortably on Daisuke's shoulder when the bus hit a pothole. Daisuke instinctively grabbed her. Suddenly, Daisuke dared not look forward for the rest of the trip, sensing grins and stares… maybe even some fingers.
"Why won't they just leave me alone?" Daisuke sighed at his predicament.
"Niwa-kun…"
"Huh?" Daisuke turned hearing his name. Riku murmured in her sleep. Daisuke sighed deciding to sleep himself. With Takeshi around, nobody can get good sleep.
1410 Hours – September 1, 2002
Harada Residence – Happy Birthday
"Riku! Come on! Mom and Dad want us to be home right now!" Risa tried her hardest to hurry her sister back home.
"What's the big rush?" Riku couldn't understand why here mom and dad sent her to pick something up at the bakery. "We shouldn't hurry like this! What if we drop whatever is inside this box!"
Risa suddenly stopped and actually listened.
"Are you okay?" Riku now looked very concerned. Everything was so freaky today.
"No! Nothing! I just wanted to watch something really badly back at home!" Risa thought up quickly.
Risa hummed, feeling even more suspicious.
The twins came around the corner to see cars parked everywhere in front of the house, inside and outside the metal fence and gates.
"Eh? Who're all these people?" Riku looked surprised.
Risa just giggled and looked very impatient. "Hurry! Let's get inside!" Risa pulled harder and opened the door.
"It's pitch black, what's going on Risa?" After finishing those words, the lights turned on, revealing a horde of people with party hats on.
"Happy birthday Riku!" Riku almost fell off her feet suddenly seeing all these people.
"Whoa, I'm sorry. We didn't mean to scare you." Riku's father caught her before she actually fell over and hurt herself. "My, my, you forgot about you birthday didn't you?"
Bunch of Riku's friends circled around her, wishing a happy birthday.
"You should have seen it!"
"You were really surprised huh?"
"You can remember anything except yourself!"
Riku blushed feeling a lot of attention centered towards her. "I was wondering why everyone was acting a bit strange." Riku smiled ruefully.
"Now your presents!" Someone shouted.
"Not yet! We still have the cake!" Riku's mom brought in a large decorated cake. Strawberries, melon, kiwi, and more assorted decoration were dotted on the cake. Riku's eyes lit up seeing how good the cake looked.
"Go on, blow out the candles." Riku's dad lifted her up so she could blow. With a quick "pyu", everyone clapped and took pictures.
Riku played happily with her friends until someone asked her a question. "Hey Riku, are you really leaving for a long time?"
"Yeah, my dad and me are going down south. But don't worry, I don't think I'll be gone too long." Riku didn't want to stay away from her friends.
"Too bad you have to leave soon."
Riku gave a timid laugh.
"Riku-chan! Time to open up your present!" Riku heard her mom call her and ran wondering wait gifts she may have gotten. The first box was a fluffy, frilly dress.
"Kyaa! That matches with the dress grandpa got me for my birthday!" Risa shouted.
Riku smiled and turned to the next gift and then the next, gradually opening each one. "Thank so much everyone!" Riku loved all the gifts she gotten.
"Ah wait! We have a late one!" An old man ushered a young boy forward.
"Sorry! I kind of put it on the wrong table." Daisuke blushed at his silly mistake.
Riku suddenly felt her face lit up like a Christmas light.
"Go on! Open it." Daisuke urged handing her a small box wrapped beautifully, most likely by Daisuke's mom, who is waving with lotsa energy.
Riku opened the wrapping to find a small box with a wind up key on the side. She looked up at Daisuke and back at the box and began turning the key making a "crick-crick" sound with every turn. When Riku stopped winding it, the most soothing melody filled her ears, but what surprised her was the little box opening by itself and what was inside.
Daisuke smiled with a big toothy grin seeing her happy face.
Riku saw a little bear with its paw up as if greeting her spinning on a little carousal disk that rose up with the lid. She watched it with fascination until the song slowed. She watched the little bear slowly return inside the music box with the lid slowly closing shut.
"Where did you buy such a thing?" One of Riku's relatives wondered.
"Actually, Daisuke here made it." Daisuke's grandpa patted him with a proud smile hidden under his beard.
"But grandpa and dad helped me out a lot." Daisuke countered.
"Nonsense, you did all the work. We just told you how to do it." Daisuke's dad ruffled Daisuke's hair. "Why are you being so modest for?"
"Th-thank you" Riku walked away feeling her face is about to burn up from the heat she was emitting.
"That's such a nice present!" Riku's friend pointed at the music box.
"Hey!" Takashi walked in out of nowhere.
"Eh, you're the kid that lost my bear." Riku glared at him.
"Oh! Don't look at me like that or I might do something you don't want me to do." Takashi said in singsong with an evil grin.
"What are you talking about?" Riku didn't like him ever since that missing bear scenario.
"You like Daisuke don't you?" Takashi whispered getting a flush out of Riku.
"Y-y-y-you wouldn't." Riku stammered.
"Oooi! Daaaii-sukeee!" Takashi waved.
Riku panicked noticing Daisuke really was coming.
"Riku? What did he say?" Riku's friends wondered what was going on.
"Yeah Saehara-kun?" Daisuke looked as oblivious as ever.
"Harada-augh!" Takashi groaned feeling his sore foot.
"Don't you dare!" Riku challenged him.
Takashi smiled. "Harada-san here, woops!" Takashi pulled his foot making Riku miss and slip. Daisuke quickly caught her before she fell but… crack
Riku's heart sank seeing Daisuke's present in pieces all over the floor. Riku didn't dare move, but watched as Daisuke pick up bits and pieces.
"Don't worry, I can fix it." Daisuke tried to comfort her, but Riku could only see that evil little grin Takashi showed without any care in the world.
Riku bit her lip bracing herself to what she's about to say. "I hate you!" she shouted in Daisuke's face.
Takashi evil grin changed to surprise. Takashi looked at his friend seeing surprise written all over his face.
Riku ran past him with her friends following close behind.
"Riku!"
2100 Hours – April 15, 2011
Azumano Bus Terminal – Painful Memories
Riku opened her eyes slowly seeing Daisuke's face.
"You're awake now."
Riku bolted up surprising Daisuke. "Where are we?" Riku had to control herself almost feeling her tears about to show.
"Um… we just arrived at the terminal." With that said, the bus stopped with a loud creak-pop.
"Thank you." Riku got up immediately leaving Daisuke's side.
Daisuke looked curiously at Riku wondering what happened.
Riku quickly got out already seeing the butler taking her and Risa's belongings. "Ah, good evening. I've parked just to the side." The butler led her and Risa to the car. Riku quickly entered the car covering her eyes feeling her tears escaping.
"Eh? Riku? What's wrong?" Risa wondered seeing Riku act strangely.
"Nothing, I guess I'm still tired." Riku faked rubbing her eyes, acting like she was still sleepy.
"That's really odd, you were asleep the whole time! Sounded like you were dreaming, too. It was a long trip since they were checking the bus since it started making a lot of weird noises." Risa talked a bit more about what happened while Riku was out.
Riku sighed looking out the window to see Daisuke looking at her with a bit of worry in his eyes. Riku quickly turned her face trying to hide her face. 'What is wrong with me? Every time I look at him.' Riku felt the car beginning to move.
Riku stayed silent throughout the ride, listening to Risa's stories during the trip they had.
The car finally arrived at home. Riku quickly went to her room falling on her bed feeling so tired but restless. "What was that dream I had?" Riku remembered every single detail of it, even the one at the park when it rained. "Why does my chest hurt so much?" Rubbing her hand to her heart.
Riku turned only to see her bear sitting on her desk. She blushed only to have the bear remind her of someone who's holding a lot of weight in her heart.
Riku quickly got up and took the bear and searched under her bed for her treasure box. She pulled it out and dusted the top before opening it. As she placed the bear back in its place something caught her eye that made her heart jump.
She slowly reached for it with shaking hands, pulling out the little object that she suddenly so clearly recognize. She gulped as she slowly turned the key on the side, hearing the same winding noise so long ago.
When she let go, the music began the tears that slowly started to flow from her eyes down to her face. Riku covered her mouth trying to keep in her cries and hiccups. 'It wasn't a dream. It was real. It was real!' Riku remembered what she said to Daisuke. 'I hurt Daisuke…'
Riku fell over, leaning on her bedside unable to hold herself up. Riku knew, only a fool would try to deny their feelings when it was this obvious.
"Daisuke, I love you."
To Be Continued
Disclaimer: Okay, everyone knows the drill so I won't get the hell sued out of me. I do not own DN Angel and any product that is related to it. Unless I bought it of course… like my DN Angel wall scroll!
Oh my gawd! Oh my gawd! I finally took the time to finish this! Oh my gawd!
Well I think it's safe to say that I have very grumpy readers out their and I only have to blame my own laziness and other B.S. crap for that. Mostly playing video games but who cares eh? Heh-heh… I'm actually really nervous if someone hates me for taking this long. Many sincere apologies. Hell I'm writing this five in the morning currently for crying out loud!
Well I have one thing to say about California though; it has messed up my language problem. I can't go one day without here a curse. Sheet, fook, dang, beach, and of course I'm using alternate spelling since I would like to avoid parents wondering what the hell I'm writing.
Sigh, Well I have a little bit of an idea what to write and the next one… probably will take me half a year at this rate eh? Better give me lots of encouragement. It actually does help.
Now for my infamous Review feedback!
A: Well it's good I got another addict… just kiddin'! Glad you like it! And to all you readers out there I'll give you a little candy to think with, I'm going to end this with a bang! A hell of a bang! Probably ugh… I don't know… 40 pages of writing? Approx. 30,000 words maybe? I don't know.
Dowsett: No need to say that, we all have our own interest no matter how much we think each other is wrong. I guess some girls get that stimulant when they think of a guy on top of a guy. Ugh, as a guy personally, that creeps the hell out of me.
Neow-chan: I think you're amazing, too!
Lizzy: I think that was suspense?
Kemious: Sorry I shortened! I'm trying to balance and get to the really important screens but also put in some fillers to cool down between key events. Did that make sense? Well the point being, I'm trying okay!
Tetsusagai: Shortened also! I updated! Woo-hoo! Lalalalala!
AnimeFan: I'm an anime fan, too! You can tell I don't really know what to say!
Sweet-pika: ugh… hell too short to put any feedback! Sorry!
AnimeVietGrl: Thanks for the multiple reviews!
Broken Brain: If I did own it, I'd be living it on Hawaii right now with all the cash that came in from the manga books, anime DVD, and art books, and lets not forget the merchandise… blah blah bla…
YumiAngel: Glad you think my fic is of great value to your heart… if it even goes that far. Which I hope it does! Smile!
Okay I'm done! I see the sun coming up! Good night!
Review me for more effective production time right now! only!