Disclaimer: For the third time, I don't own Flame of Recca.

I have no beta reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are mine.

Again: This chapter is edited.

Stalker

Chapter 3: The Stalker?

Yurikago Hoshi stepped out of the room where the photography club held their meeting. He looked around and spotted Kamatari Natsuo talking to Kirisawa Fuuko. He was going to ask the former about the photography contest (that was what their meeting's all about), but hesitated since he was talking to someone.

As a kid, Hoshi already had a talent concerning art. He can draw, paint and even sculpt--though not as good as Yumi Haru. But there is one thing that he likes more than holding a pencil and drawing an interesting subject in a blank paper, and that is photography. Nearly everyone in their club considered it as a hobby, but not him. He loves to take pictures of anything and everything and he tries to capture its beauty on film.

He glanced again at Natsuo. He was still busy with his conversation with Fuuko. He shifted his gaze to the pretty purple-haired girl, who had that 100 carat smile on her face. Hoshi blushed. If there was another reason why he joined the photography club, it was Fuuko Kirisawa.

She had stolen his heart from the moment she stepped inside the room of his Psychology class. Beautiful, confident, popular and cheerful--that's how Fuuko was known. She had chosen a seat near the window, which was an advantage for him because he can see her perfectly from where he was sitting. He was aware that a girl like her wouldn't even spare him a second glance, so he doubts if she remembers him—or if she even knows him.

Why don't you go and talk to them? His inner voice told him.

I can't. He answered back.

Why? Are you scared? The voice taunted him. You're a chicken Hoshi. You can't even talk to a girl like her even if your life depends on it.

Fuuko's not just a GIRL, she's different. He retorted.

The least you can do is give it a try. The voice said. Remember, when the opportunity comes, grab it. Now's the perfect opportunity!

He felt his palms went clammy and he realized that his feet were already taking him directly to where Natsuo and Fuuko are. He grinned nervously when he approached them. "Ano, Natsuo-san," He called and Natsuo turned to look at him.

"Oh, it's you Hoshi." Natsuo recognized the tall, light brown-haired guy who approached them. "Is there anything I can do for you?" He asked.

Hoshi smiled shyly. "I just wanted to ask you something about the photography contest."

"Hey," Fuuko called. "I think I know you." She pointed a finger at him.

"Me?" Hoshi asked coyly.

"Yeah," Fuuko nodded. "Wait, you're…" She tapped her forefinger on her chin. "You're…"

"Yurikago Hoshi." Natsuo said.

"That's it." Fuuko snapped her fingers. "You're from my psychology class during first year, right?"

Hoshi nodded. He was surprised that Fuuko knows his name and the fact that he existed. His heart pounded heavily inside his chest. He gave her a small smile, which Fuuko returned.

"I heard so much about you from Natsuo." Fuuko said. "He said you're very talented."

"Arigatou." Hoshi managed to say. He was blushing madly.

"I forgot to introduce myself. She extended a hand which he shyly took. "Fuuko Kirisawa. I hope you still remember me."

"Of course I remember you." He said softly, shaking her hand. How can I forget you? You've been plaguing my dreams for a long time now. He thought. "You're a very popular person in our school. That's why it's hard to forget someone like you."

Fuuko smiled. Hoshi prayed for time to stop. Finally, his dream came true. Fuuko Kirisawa was smiling at him and not only that; he was also holding her hand. They're soft. Just like I imagined they would be. He murmured inside his head. Their handshake lasted for only a few seconds. But to Hoshi, it was like, forever.

Fuuko retrieved her hand and turned to Natsuo. "I have to go now." Fuuko said. "It was nice meeting you Hoshi-san."

"Can't you wait for me?" Natsuo asked. "I'm sure Hoshi and I wouldn't take long."

Fuuko shook her head. "Sorry but I have to go to the other building and get something from my locker. Besides I need to get home as early as I can. Mi-chan's coming back." She sprinted towards the entrance after giving Natsuo a peck on the cheek.

"Kiss Mikagami-san for me!" Natsuo called after her.

"Will do!" Fuuko responded.

"So what are you going to ask me about?" Natsuo turned to Hoshi.

"I want to know what kind of subjects we can and can't take pictures of." Hoshi replied. He already had a lot of subjects in his mind.

"Already going to take pictures?" Natsuo looked at him in amazement. "You're something."

"I wouldn't do anything this weekend anyway." He explained.

"Well, Tsuki-san told me that the contestants can pick whatever subject they like." Natsuo said. "He doesn't care what the members present as long as they present something."

Hoshi nodded. "Arigatou Natsuo-san. I'll give some of my pictures to you on Monday."

Natsuo smiled. "Is that all? I'm going to bet that you'll win this contest Hoshi. You're very talented." He glanced at his watch. "I have to go now and see if I can still catch up with Fuuko-chan. Bye for now." He gave a small wave before sauntering away.

Hoshi nodded and followed him with his gaze. Fuuko. He thought sadly. She's the only girl that I ever love. And yet…she'll never be mine. He lowered his gaze on the floor. Mikagami's coming back, so I guess…I have to content myself on watching her.

--

Fuuko slammed her locker's door open. Of all things to forget, it just had to be her English notes. She cringed when the sound echoed along the empty hall of the Arts and Letters building. "Creepy." She muttered. She was about to grab her notes when she noticed something sitting on the top of her books.

Tilting her head, she tried to make it out. A box? She brought it out to examine it. Well it's certainly not mine.

She opened it and gasped. Inside the box was a silver charm bracelet. "Sugoi!" Was all she can say. She glanced back at her locker and found out that there is also a rose with a note attached to it.

Reaching out, she took the white rose and inhaled its sweet-smelling fragrance. "Wonder who sent this?" She murmured. Then she remembered the note. "Mi-chan?" She guessed and grinned. I guess he's already here. She looked around as she opened the letter. Maybe he's hiding somewhere around, ready to pop out and give me a kiss. She snickered a little at her own thought. Well that's the side effect when you miss someone who's been away from you for a week. She smiled and proceeded to read the letter.

Then she froze.

My dear Fuuko-chan, the note began.

I hope you like my little present. It's beautiful, right? But not as half as beautiful as you are. Nothing can compare to your beauty. What are you waiting for? Wear it. It'll look good on your wrist. Did you like the rose too? I'm sure you did. I know all about your likes and dislikes Fuuko-chan. So don't be surprised if I sent a bouquet of lilies or a bouquet of white roses to you one of these days. Or maybe I'll send you some tulips or…tsk, tsk, tsk! You have so many favorite flowers. But I'll send them all, every one of them, just to prove that I really, really, really love you. I want you to keep the bracelet as a proof of our love.

As they say in Spanish, hasta la proxima ves…till next time Fuuko-chan. Aishiteru.

Fuuko gritted her teeth as she crumpled the letter. That's it. She's going to find out who's sending her all of these stuffs and beat the crap out of him. She grimaced and was about to rip the letter in half, when a voice (resembling Yanagi's) reminded her that it would be better if she show it to Tokiya.

Hesitating for a moment, she tucked the letter at the pocket of her jeans and slammed her locker shut. She was about lock it when a sudden thought made her pause. How in the world did the rose and the bracelet got inside my locker? She pondered. They didn't pick the lock by themselves, did they?

Well it's certainly obvious that they can't since they are non-living things. Her mind rationalized. She breathed deeply as she continued staring at the lock in her hand. Even if she locks it now, it wouldn't stop her secret admirer from opening it again and placing whatever he wants inside.

I'll get a new lock tomorrow. She decided as she started walking towards the building entrance. It was starting to get on her nerves. She can tolerate the mysterious letters showing up at doorstep of her apartment and sometimes in her locker. But a letter is so thin that it can be slipped easily under the door or locker without bothering to unlock it.

What she can't tolerate is that her mysterious letter sender managed to place a rose and a gift inside her LOCKED locker.

She slowed her pace as she neared the building's exit. That was when she realized that she was still holding the rose and the gift. With an expression of pure disgust on her face, she looked around for a nearest trash can. When she found one, she threw both items in it and closed the lid with all her might.

"Whoa!" Natsuo exclaimed as he approached her. "What is happening here?"

Fuuko turned around sharply that she nearly collided with Natsuo. "Oh it's you." She whispered. "You scared me. Don't do that again!"

Natsuo frowned. "What happened?" He grabbed Fuuko's arm. "Tell me."

The former Fuujin master placed a hand on her forehead and took a deep breath, calming herself. She didn't tell Natsuo about the letters and its sender. And probably, now is the right time to do it. She gave a weak smile and said. "How do I look?"

Natsuo bonked her in the head. "BAKA!!" He shouted. "Here I was concern about your welfare, and then all you can say to me is HOW DO I LOOK?" He half-screeched. "Well to tell you frankly… you look like--eeew!!"

Fuuko managed to laugh at that. Trust Natsuo to amuse her at times like this. "Seriously Na-chan? How do I look?" She repeated the question again.

"Dazzling in your pale color." Natsuo answered, placing both of his hands on her cheek and giving her a friendly smack on the lips. "And with your hair sticking out everywhere." He stuck his tongue out at this.

"Well Mikagami-san will surely have a fit when he sees me." Fuuko sighed.

Natsuo snorted. "Come on girlfriend. I can't let my Mikagami-sama see his other half like this. Even though you're my rival for his love, I'll fix you up enough to make him drool."

The girl in front of him grinned. "I always look best no matter how my hair looks like or what I wear. Heck, I'll even look good wearing a sack." She stated confidently. Finally her nervousness managed to subside a little. They started walking towards the university's exit, heading for the bus stop.

"A sack huh?" Natsuo repeated. "Maybe you should really try wearing it. I wonder how the whole university will react."

"Hey I'm not serious about the 'sack thing'." Fuuko replied as she and Natsuo waited for the bus. "And it's nice of you to accompany me."

"Well not really," He gave her a cheeky grin. "I'm going to Niko-chan's today, that's why I was asking you to wait up for me. He lives near your apartment, in case you've forgotten."

Fuuko nodded. A bus stopped in front of them and they boarded it.

After settling down on a vacant seat, Natsuo turned to her with a serious face. "You know, you nearly wrecked the trash can when you put back its lid a while ago." He recalled in a somber tone. "Something's up. Care to tell me about it?"

"I haven't been telling you something, actually." Fuuko said after taking a deep breath.

"Maybe you should do now. I'm all ears."

"Just promise me that you're not going to blabber it to anyone." Fuuko stared at him seriously. Natsuo nodded. "I told Yanagi about this already."

She began to relate to Natsuo all about the letters she'd been receiving, the gift and the rose at her locker and her unwanted and unknown admirer.

--

By the time she finished the story, they were already trekking the street towards Fuuko's apartment.

Natsuo was frowning. "From the way it sounded, I'll say he's not only an admirer Fuuko, He's stalking you." He muttered as they walked slowly along the deserted and lamp-lighted street.

"Sometimes, I can sense that someone is watching me but I haven't paid any attention to it." She plucked some imaginary strings from her blouse. "I told Yanagi that I would tell Tokiya all about it."

Natsuo nodded. "Yeah you should tell him. At least, you'll have someone to watch you and keep you away from that admirer of yours."

"Well here we are." Fuuko announced when she saw that they're already near the apartment. They passed by a Yaris sedan that was parked on the side of the street.

"Do you want me to accompany you inside?" Natsuo asked.

Fuuko shook her head. "No need. I can manage." She replied and gave Natsuo a quick peck on the cheeks. "Bye now!"

"Don't forget to kiss Mikagami-sama for me." Natsuo reminded her again as he blew her a kiss. Fuuko nodded with a grin and bounded towards the two-storey house.

Mi-chan is still not here. She thought as she stared at the empty garage. She noted that the bike she used yesterday when she went to the grocery store was still lying in the middle of it. Oops… better take care of that before Mi-chan runs over it. She reminded herself that she would return it to its rightful place later.

She unlocked the apartment's door and stepped inside. It was already dark outside and was even darker inside the apartment, since it was nearly 8 pm. Just as she closed the door she felt someone's presence behind her.

Her hand started groping for the switch beside the door, as stealthily as she could. She was downright nervous. What if that someone inside the apartment was her secret admirer? He told her in one of his letters that they will see each other soon. What if he managed to enter the house by picking the lock of the door just like what he did to her locker? She took a deep breath and readied herself just in case.

All of a sudden a voice boomed out from the darkness.

"I've been waiting for you."

--

So you think you can just throw my gifts just like that Fuuko-chan? Well we'll see about that won't we? I know you liked my gift. Who wouldn't? It's not every day a guy will give you a silver bracelet.

But it's more than just a silver bracelet. It's the proof of our love. OUR LOVE. And you threw it away as if it doesn't have any importance to you. I'll punish you for it. I'm going to make you understand that we belong together. WE BELONG TOGETHER!

You're mine. I'm going to make you mine… whatever it takes.

-To Be Continued-

Chapter 3. Finished. Whew!