Chapter Three: The Meeting

It's a Saturday, and as usual, that creep Takishima asked if I had plans today.

*Flashback*

"Hikari, are you free, tomorrow?"

"Eh?"

"If you are let's go do something."

"Kei, why are trying to take away my Hikari? Saturdays are the times that we shop together. So obviously she's not free!"

"I don't remember inviting to this conversation." He said looking down on her.

"WHAT?!" Akira was infuriated ready to hit him with the table.

"Okay, Akira, you don't have to beat the crap out of him," Tadashi said restraining her.

"If I don't have to beat him up, then I'll just have to do with you," she said glaring devilishly at Tadashi. Her smile was twisted and manic.

"On second thought go ahead."

"Uhm," I tried to speak.

"I'm sorry Akira, Takishima. I have plans." I said quietly.

"What do you plan to do?" Takishima's voice became colder than usual. His eyes hiding behind his bangs. He smiled as twisted as Akira did. A vein was throbbing in his head.

"Something."

"With who?" same weird, scary, twisted smile.

"Someone."

"Boy or girl?"

"Boy?" I answered unsure.

"Oh really," he was cracking his knuckles. "Do I know this person?"

If you could imagine his background: Flames behind him. Ghostly murderous aura circling him. Thunder shooting behind him. Who wouldn't be scared?

"Why are you interrogating me?" I answered instead.

Silence.

"I'm sorry." He said all sad and looking down.

Huh, this guy is something.

*Back to the present*

Takishima just scares me sometimes. He treats me like I'm some kind of child that needs protection all the time. I just wish he'd stop doing that.

I walk to the Starbear café, the one beneath the bridge. I find that someone I'm supposed to meet, sitting at a table.

"Hikari-san," Aoi called out.

"Coming."

Even though he said some things that really hurt me two days ago, I'm not the type to hold grudges. Unless it's my rivalry with Takishima, well, that's a different story.

"So, I'm sorry about two days ago," he started once I took my seat opposite him.

"No, it's okay. You're right, I am dense actually. That's why yesterday: I've been thinking all day. The things you said. About others – about Takishima."

"So?"

"Well, let's just say that was an awkward 'first day'." I smiled.

He always stares when I smile. Just like Takishima, though not as creepy.

"So how's Kei-sama?"

"Takishima's fine. Still weird and obnoxious but fine."

"Good," he sounds so relieved.

"Why?"

"Oh nothing!" he said covering it up with smile.

"Well, if we're done, I think I can still catch up with Akira and –"

As I stood up, he grabbed my hand.

"Uhm, maybe we could just walk around for a while." He said not looking at me.

"Sure."

"It's not a date," he added hastily.

"I know."

He stood up and we went to the fountain.

There weren't a lot of people there. We were mostly alone. I'm both relieved and I feel a bit awkward.

Takishima probably won't' make any surprise appearances. Despite that, I'm with a guy that hurt me emotionally more than once. But, I forgive him.

"Hikari-san, you want some ice cream?"

"Oh, yeah!"

We go to a small cart driven by a fat man.

"Let's see, I'll get a chocolate, a mint and a choco-mint!" I smiled.

"Okay then miss. That'll be 500 yen."

"Okay," I look into my wallet, I found out I only had 350. Damn it. I have another weird look on my face.

Aoi probably saw it, and it made him pay for the ice cream.

"I owe you."

"No, it's on me."

"So, why'd you want to walk around?" I started after we settled on a bench near the fountain.

"Just to get to know you better."

"Oh," I feel strange.

"Aoi, why do you protect Takishima so much?"

"Because, Kei-sama is a special person to me. Very special. He made me feel so at home, like I belonged. When I was young I did things nobody my age could do, except Kei-sama. He's somebody worth looking up to. He's a good friend."

Because…Hikari is a special person to me. Very Special. Takishima, get out of my head.

"If someone is truly your friend you know you'd do no matter what to protect them. Anyway, it's my entire fault I get hurt. I'm the one that does all these things to myself. But, it's all to protect him."

"I'm glad to hear that," I smiled again. This time he smiled more to himself, rather than me.

"Okay, c'mon then." I grabbed his hand and dragged him to the fountain.

"I'm pretty sure you know how fountains work. Right?"

He nods.

"Good, then make your wish."

He dropped a coin and closed his eyes. He looked like a little boy that was making his first wish.

He grabbed my hands and kissed it.

"Arigato Hikari-san."

"Sure. And Aoi, call me Hikari instead."

He smiled, "Okay."

Finally, he smiles a genuine smile.

I still have a weird feeling though. Like I'm being watched.

Hikari, you don't know how much this hurts me. Seeing you with someone else. Takishima Kei hid behind the trees that surrounded the fountain.

"It's getting dark. You better go, Hikari."

"Sure, you too, Aoi."

"Thank you for this day."

"Same here."

"Good night." He got my hand and shook it.

"Yeah, good night."

I walked along the lit streets to my house. I saw a shadowy figure up front. But I didn't know who it was until it said –

"Hikari."

"Takishima? What're you doing out so late?" I have a feeling on what he might be doing out here.

"How were your plans with someone?" I knew it.

"Uhm, they went fine." He wouldn't look at me.

"Takishima, is everything okay?"

"Why do you keep doing this?"

"Eh?"

He had me against the wall again.

"Why wouldn't you tell me?"

"Takishima…"

"Do you want me to constantly be this way? Worried?"

"Takishima."

"Why?"

There are times when I want to smack this guy until he reaches hell. There are also times when I want to comfort him. Like now…

He seems so wrecked. Why does he always do this to me? Why does he have to make me feel like the villain?

I touched his face. He still wouldn't look at me.

"Takishima?"

Nope.

"Takishima."

Try again.

"Kei."

He looked.

"I'm sorry that I keep doing this to you. I'm not really sure why, but I have to apologize to you. Don't feel sad, please. That hurts me," he seems taken back, "it hurts me to see my friends hurt."

"Hikari."

His eyes glowed. I got locked in them.

We stayed still for a few minutes.

"Okay then, I guess it's time to go home then," I broke the silence. Laughing the whole thing off.

"Hikari."

He pulled me into a tight embrace. He was so warm. Oddly enough, I felt happy to be where I am. I didn't want to let go. But, to think of it, he was still my rival. But now I don't think it mattered – what am I saying?

SMACK! I slapped my forehead. We broke away.

"Hikari," he looked at me with a puzzled expression, "why did you do that?"

"Nothing!" I laughed off, "just a fly on my forehead."

"Oh," he was still confused, "good night then," he said, finally smiling. I smiled back. He turned the opposite direction and we both went our separate ways.

In truth, there was no fly on my forehead. I just needed a reason to break away from him. Every time he does that – touches me, hugs me – I always end up so jumpy. There are even times I can feel my temperature going up. And, even without a mirror, I can feel that my whole face is red. I hate it when all those things happen. It's unbearable. That guy is honestly something.

Stupid Takishima.

A/N:

Hey guys! This would have to be my very first author's note for this story, so congratulations to you for reading this. Anyway I'd just like to say thank you to the those who reviewed, alerted and favorite my story "A Little More Dense". I really appreciate it, and it keeps me so motivated.

Anyway, as for the succeeding chapters, I still have to tweak them. They seem a bit drabble-ish. So anyway, I won't keep you guys waiting, they're pre-written anyway.

Thanks!

~randomnessonhigh