[A/N]- The last chapter before the epilogue! I think...:S
Thanks for everyone who reviewed my last update! I had a lot more reviews this time and I appreciate it very much! (:
Here it is- chapter four!
PS- I'd like to apologize to lovecomlove. I was writing a review for your story and accidently sent it while still writing. And just so you know- I did enoy it! ;P
Risa opened her eyes and then winced in the bright morning light. She yawned and then stretched, effectively kicking her sleeping boyfriend on the floor.
"Ack! What the- ?" he cried, and rubbed his eyes. He looked up at her and then glared. "What a nice morning greeting."
"Ah! Sorry, Otani! I forgot you…em…are you alright?"
He rubbed the back of his head and then sighed.
"This girl of mine is a burden."
"It was an accident!"
"I didn't hear an apology though, did I?"
She huffed and crossed her arms.
"I'm sorry…sir."
He stood up and brushed himself off.
"Alright, get dressed and pack up. I'll go take a shower."
Risa nodded and again the uncomfortable feeling was back in her stomach.
She was leaving.
Back to her university; away from Otani.
"O- Okay. I'll pack up then."
"Good," he picked out some clothes from his dresser and went to go shower.
She sighed and got dressed.
Risa patiently waited at his desk for him to return whilst trying to ignore the growing feeling of sadness. She didn't want to leave.
She tapped on his desk and then froze.
She looked down at the drawer that she had opened a couple days ago and knew Otani had something in there he didn't want her to see. Something that had her name on it.
She reached for the knob when the door squeaked open. She turned swiftly and stood.
"Ota- ! Oh. Hello, Yuicchi."
Otani's roommate smiled and put down some books and took a seat at his desk.
"Good morning, Koizumi. That's a nice hairdo you're sporting today."
Her face flushed and quickly tied her bed head into a bun at the top of her head. He laughed and got out his laptop.
Koizumi watched him type away for a moment and then decided to have a chat with him.
"Yuicchi-san…I found out that Miki is your sister."
He nodded, "My younger sister."
"Right…em…well, I know she has a crush on Otani…"
He frowned at her and turned away from his computer to face her.
"Hm…she has expressed a certain interest in him, I suppose."
Koizumi's expression turned determined.
"I think you should tell her to stop fighting me for him. He is my boyfriend."
There was a second of silence and she glanced at him who was frowning deeply at her.
"I'm sorry, Koizumi-san. I didn't realize she was being such a hassle. It's just…" He looked at his hands in his lap. "Miki has had abusive boyfriends in the past. A lot of rejections and hurtful relationships. Her self-confidence is really low and she goes for the males that don't treat her well."
Koizumi listened intently, hopefully finding the underlying cause for the whole Miki situation.
Yuicchi looked up. "Otani is the first nice respectful guy she has ever liked. I know you two are dating, but I asked Otani not to be too hard on her. I was afraid if he rejected her too harshly, she would go back to the way things used to be."
The door opened and Otani came in with a towel around his neck.
"You ready, Koizu- ? Oh, hello Yuicchi. I haven't seen you around in a while."
He turned to him and smiled. "I've been busy…plus I wanted you to have time alone with your girlfriend."
Otani and Koizumi both flushed and looked away from each other.
"Yes…um…that was courtesy of you."
Yuicchi laughed and turned to Risa.
"I know your leaving today- it was a pleasure getting to know you. Otani is very lucky to have a girlfriend like you."
She smiled widely and shook his outstretched hand enthusiastically whilst Otani looked away, embarrassed.
"Thank you, and make sure you help Otani study hard. He's very lazy and his tiny brain has trouble processing information."
"What did you say?! I'll smack you! I'll do it!"
Yuicchi roared with laughter at the comedy duo and agreed.
"Yes, he is very stupid isn't he?"
"Very, very stupid."
"I'll hit you both!"
Risa picked up her duffle bag.
"I'll see you again sometime Yuicchi. I hope your studies will go well."
He smiled as she opened the door.
"Goodbye, Koizumi!"
"Bye-bye! Let's go shortie!"
Otani fumed and stomped his way out behind her.
"Delicious!" Risa cried and pushed her bowl away. "Your cafeteria food is better here than at my university!"
"The smartest students need the best food to keep their minds sharp. That's why the food at your school is greasy and high in fat."
"What did you say about me, midget?!"
"You heard me, totem pole!"
She stood and opened her mouth to retort angrily, but then held back. Otani was standing as well, ready for a fight and noticed her reluctance.
"Heh? Something the matter, Koizumi?"
She shook her head with a smile.
"I don't want to fight. I'm leaving soon."
Something in his eyes hardened and he sighed, turning away from her and crossed his arms.
"Otani?"
"Right, time to go."
He left the cafeteria before she did and she had to race to catch up with him.
"Hey, Otani, what's the matter?"
"Atsushi-kun!"
Gritting her teeth, Risa turned to the source of the noise and found Miki running up to them.
"Atsushi-kun! I know your girlfriend is leaving today- can we hang out after she leaves?"
Risa huffed and clenched her fists, intending to tell her off, but Otani beat her to it. He brushed past Risa and stood in front of her.
"Miki, Koizumi is my girlfriend. She may be leaving, but that doesn't stop her from being that. You need to stop interfering with our relationship. I don't want to be rude, but you leave me no choice."
Miki took a step back, offended and hurt. Risa felt her heart swell with pride as she watched her boyfriend defend her.
"She's the one I like. I'm not going to give her up, so I'm sorry for wasting your time and effort, but I won't change my mind."
"Otani…" Risa breathed and Miki's eyes filled with tears.
"But, but…I thought you…"
"Sorry, Miki."
He turned and suddenly she grabbed his shirt. He turned to look at her reluctantly.
Tears were streaming down her face.
"Is there no hope?"
Otani looked into her face and very sincerely, he apologized.
"I'm already taken; there isn't room for you. Sorry."
She sniffed and burst into tears.
"It's just- I- I like you so much-"
He sighed.
"You're going to make Koizumi miss her bus."
She glared at him, but suddenly her lip quivered. Her eyes teared up again and her scowl was lost. With an 'I hate you!' she turned and ran.
Otani let out a long breath out though his nose and glanced at Risa who was watching Miki run with a strange expression on her face. He sighed again.
"Let's go," he muttered and slipped his hand into hers as he brushed past her. She followed obedietely.
They got to the bus stop and sat down, waiting for the bus to take Risa away.
She glanced at him, wondering if he was deep in thought over Miki or her departure. He crossed his arms and looked up at the sky.
"Do you have everything with you?" he asked and her question was answered.
"Ah…yes I think so."
"Good."
Slowly the ache in her heart grew stronger as she spotted the bus rolling slowly to their bench.
They both stood.
Koizumi forced a smile at him.
"Well, goodbye then."
He smiled too. "Don't drive the passengers crazy."
She felt a little irritation at his light teasing, but the seriousness was too thick for her to retaliate. She sniffed, feeling the tears coming.
"I'll mail you later then," she said as the bus stopped and she turned to it.
"Koizumi, wait-"
She smiled bitterly, tears in her eyes.
"Goodbye, Otani. I'll call you when I get there."
Risa turned to leave and he grabbed her wrist. She turned slowly and he enveloped her in a hug.
His face only came to her chest, but the hug itself was warm and reassuring.
"O-Otani, we're in public…" the tears began to fall in spite of herself.
"Doesn't matter."
She hugged him back, tears falling thickly down her face.
"I'm going to miss the bus," she sniffed.
He let go of her halfheartedly.
She gave a forced smile. "Goodbye, Otani."
"'Bye. Call me when you get there."
Her heart ached at how easy this seemed to be for him to let her leave. She buried her face in her hands and blindly reached for the railing on the bus steps.
She hurried into a seat on the bus and began crying into her hands.
She felt a lurch of panic as the bus started rolling and went to wave at Otani.
However, he was already making his way back, his hands stuffed into his pockets.
"Ah- Otani!" she called out the window and he didn't turn. She cried his name louder. "Otani!"
He didn't turn around and the bus sped up, not giving her time to call a third time.
"Otani!" she sobbed again uselessly.
He was already gone.
[A/N] - I'm so cruel! :D
I know that wasn't as long as my usual ones- but hopefully the epilogue will make up for it.
And YES- there will be another chapter. Never fear!
Please review!
