---Chapter 1---

--2 WEEKS AGO--

"Come on! We're going to be late at this rate! Hurry up!"

"Lulu…I've always wondered why you hurry to school when you hate it so much?"

"Well, it's not that I hate it. It's just that I don't like work is all." I said.

My name is Lulu Suzume. I have short chocolate colored hair with blonde highlights and bright green eyes. I am self-conscious about myself so I mostly stick to wearing the school uniform. I can't help being shy so I can't get friends as easily as I hoped. I go to Shourai High School in class 1-C and I am the youngest in my grade at the age thirteen. One of the main problems I have is people make fun of my size. I may be small but I can fend for myself! Rikuu helps me when it gets real bad… even though I am strong, I can't fend off an army.

Rikuu Hitoshi is my childhood friend who I met in first grade. He is 15 years old and has hair as black as…well night I guess. His eyes are the same but have a softer feel to them. You could say he is like my older brother; living right next door could do that.

"Hello…Lulu? You kind of zoned out there for a second. Are you feeling ok? You can't get sick on your birthday now can you?"

Oh yeah! Today is my fourteenth birthday! After school, Rikuu and I are going to celebrate with a picnic, the place is my choice of course. That is, if I can survive school first….

"Ugh…school is so boring." I said.

"Come on Lulu! It's already sixth period, so stop complaining. It's your birthday anyways!" shouted Suki.

Suki has been there for me for as far back as I can remember. Her full name is Suki Utako. She is the same age as Rikuu and she has almost a sunset kind of colored hair, she also has crimson eyes. She is hyper, cheery, caring….and my best friend!

"Remember, we have that picnic after school today! I brought curry!" shouted Suki, "Where are we going by the way?"

"I think I want to go to that open field that's behind our house." I said.

"We'll meet after school at the field then." said Rikuu.

--AFTER SCHOOL--

I was so happy when the bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Math has never been my best subject. I waited at the school steps for Rikuu. We would have to go get the stuff for the picnic before we went. Suki took the bus home so it should be no problem for her to get home and back in no time.

"Thanks Rikuu! I am so glad you guys are doing this for me! It makes me so happy!"

I have always loved that field. There were so many good memories about that place…. it was like my childhood memories were wrapped around one spot.

"No problem Lulu. It is your birthday after all."

Then, out of nowhere he picked me up and put me on his back. I was so shocked…I wanted to yell at him to put me down but no words came out. I mustered up my courage and asked him.

"W-why did you pick me up? Put me down!" I shouted.

"You looked tired… and is this not what big brothers are supposed to do? Even though I may not be your biological brother, I still feel as if you're my sister." said Rikuu.

He really was like my big brother. I couldn't just sit there looking like an idiot so I just rested my head on his shoulder. It felt good to rest up there…since he was pretty tall. I just closed my eyes and just laid there. He was right, I was tired.

Before I knew it we arrived at my house. He helped me off his back and I put our school stuff in my room. I stopped by the guest room and just stared into it. Maybe he could stay over tonight… I do need help on today's assignments…

I went downstairs and saw him with the bag we were going to use for the picnic. I zoned out while I was away again! I hope he hasn't waited on me too long…

"Sorry Rikuu… I ha..."

"It's ok! You don't have to worry. Oh by the way, I am going to be staying over. You may need help on today's assignment."

How did he know? Do I have it written on my forehead or something?

"H-how did you know?"

"I guess that's what brothers are for. You probably know what I am thinking too sometimes."

I had never thought of that. I guess I do read what he is thinking sometimes… but at least I will get a good grade on the algebra assignment we got today.

We left a note for my mom on the fridge as we always do if we get there before her. My mom and dad both work so we like to walk home from school. We took the backdoor out to the street and started our long walk to the field.

I couldn't find out where I wanted us to eat at but I felt as if Rikuu had an idea. I turned and followed him instead. His idea was much better than mine… since I didn't even have one yet. He took me to a hillside by the river where he taught me to fish and swim. This place was where my best memories were. It had the oak tree where I first learned to climb…and fell out of it and scraped my knee. Rikuu carried me home on his back as Suki ran home to tell my mom what happened. They make things a lot better these days.

Suki was on her way, it would just take fifteen minutes to get here. We didn't want to start without her so we decided to wait for her. I decided to sit in the grass by all the buttercups. It sure smells nice… I should stay here a while. Rikuu sat next to me and just sighed.

"Nice day huh?" he said.

"Sure is." I replied.

--15 minutes pass--

"Hey you guys! What's up!" shouted Suki.

"Took you long enough." said Rikuu as he started to stand up.

Suki and Rikuu began to argue, as they do sometimes. I wanted to break it up, but somehow it felt more at home this way. I just sat there as I took everything in.

I don't know what it was, but I felt something cold splash on my face.

"Are you crying Lulu? What's wrong?" said Suki.

"What? I'm not….."

Of all things it had started to rain. It was as if the sky began to sob like it just told a sad story. I dreaded the moment the rain hit my face. My mind shut off due to my utter confusion of how such a good moment could turn out like this. I felt someone pick me up and carry me. It's probably Rikuu…he did say he was like my brother.