Bonus Chapter: More Than Friends?

Just a little somethin' somethin' for Phil ;D Plus, I wanted to write something while I waited for my fight scene. Ignore if ya want~

Sometime after 6/24...

"Sure you don't need anything, Rise-chan? I can go get you a soda or somethin'..."

Rise laughed, and waved her hand, "No, no, I'm okay, really~!" She assured, and he nodded slowly in reply.

Narashino was an amazing bodyguard. He was tall, fit, strong... A bit intimidating? But that was okay, she always liked guys who towered over her in height; it made her feel safe, secure. She's known him since she was 13, and although she resented the idea then, she found herself slowly enjoying his company the more she spent time with him.

But time was moving too slow for her, and they were still stuck in the "friend zone." She wasn't entirely sure if she wanted more with him, but she did want to become closer. A bodyguard and their idol needed to have a close bond... Right?

"Say, Narashino-kun, why'd you become a bodyguard, anyway?" Rise was sitting up in her bed, her brown, slightly curly hair was down, and her curious brown eyes were boring into his own green. She was cute; her face was round, almost child-like, but her voice was brimming with confidence that made her seem even older than she was.

Narashino was awestruck by the question, to say the least. For as long as he's known her, they've never talked about personal things... In fact, they didn't get the chance to talk all that much, with her constantly being shipped off to concert upon concert, and him hanging back. He suddenly felt the room grow hotter, "Because, I wanted to make sure everyone I protect was protected..." His voice trailed off weakly, which caused a frown to appear on Rise's face.

"And you don't mind? What about your parents?" She sounds like music; pure, sweet, and filled with good intentions. Maybe that's what he liked most about her.

"Dead." He answered bluntly, avoiding her eyes. They were deep enough to get lost in, and bright enough to burn whoever gazed in them.

Rise chewed on her bottom lip, and said softly, "O-oh... I see..." She almost felt sorry she asked; she didn't mean to kill the mood like that. She curled her toes underneath the blanket, and Narashino cracked a small smile.

"'s okay, it was awhile ago. What about you?"

She blinks, "What about me?"

"What're your parents like?" Her parents... Was it sad she didn't remember them? Her parents aren't dead. They also didn't abandon her. She abandoned them, for her career. Sure, she sends postcards every once and awhile, and they send her money on her birthday, but that was as far as their relationship went. Rise can't even remember the last time she saw them. She told Narashino that, and he gave her a sympathetic nod.

"Ah, I see... I guess being 'n idol's tough, huh?"

She lowers her eyes, "Yeah... Guess so... Hey, um... Can we bake some cookies?"

He looks like he's about to laugh, but refrains from doing so, "...Cookies?"

"Uh-huh! The great thing about not being an idol anymore is not having to worry about my figure~" Rise answers with a smile, and giggle. He's glad she's not gloomy anymore.

"Haha, alright~ But I get to eat the batter!" He announces with his own smile, and her eyes widen.

"What? Tch... Fiiiine~" She laughs as he scoops her up, and they both run down the stairs, towards the kitchen.

Spending time with Rise definitely made his days that much brighter.

I don't think Rise ever mentioned her parents in her Social Link owo (It wasn't in her profile either...) I'm just assuming she has some, but if anyone finds out otherwise, I'll take it out~