"I thought you would try to sleep," I said.
"Without a goodnight kiss? Never," he said. I smiled and kissed his cheek to tease him.
"Goodnight," I said as I snuggled up to him.
"Rima," he whined.
"I'm just messing with you," I said as I giggled. I kissed him. He pulled me as close as he possibly could. After awhile we broke apart.
"Goodnight," he said.
"Goodnight," I replied as I snuggled up to him. My head was on his chest. The only sound we could hear were the quiet snores of our charas until finally we both fell asleep.
Chapter 27: Questions No One Wants the Answer to
*Rima's POV*
"Bala Balance!" Kusukusu and I busted up laughing.
"That was so funny," Kazumi said.
"Guys we have to be quiet in a movie theater even if no one can hear us," Temari pointed out to the charas. Nagi took me to see the new Bala Balance movie. I can't believe they made my favorite manga into a movie. Nagi heard about it and decided to reward me since we danced all weekend. Of course tonight is a school night but my mom allowed it since my grades didn't really matter in this world and that I had worked hard and needed some relaxation.
"I'm guessing you're liking the movie," Nagi said.
"Yes, thank you for taking me," I said then pecked his cheek. I then absorbed all of the comedy in the movie. I'm very impressed how it's pretty much word for word and the characters do Bala-Balance perfect, or course not as perfect as mine but it's close enough.
"I think she completely forgot you and us charas," Rhythm whispered to Nagi.
"I heard that," I whispered.
"Let her have her fun. She doesn't get to see her favorite manga turned into a movie everyday," Nagi defended me. I smiled at him.
"I will give you all my attention...after the movie," I said.
"That's all I ask for," he said then kissed my cheek.
"I think Nagi just brought her here because he wanted a bit of lip action after," Rhythm teased.
"Rhythm," Nagi scolded in a whisper. I couldn't help but smile. I bet Rhythm was semi-right. After a while the end credits were moving up across the screen.
"Ready to go?" Nagi asked as he put his coat on. I nodded my head as I quickly put on my coat. We walked out of the theater hand in hand.
"Did you like it?" he asked.
"Of course! I loved it! It was just perfect!" I cheered. He smiled at how happy I was. I decided it was his turn to do something he wanted. I began to pull him.
"Where are you taking me?" he asked.
"Somewhere," I said not being very helpful. He seemed to not care and continued following. If he didn't want to go then he could easily stop me. The only sound we could hear was the snow crunching under our feet.
"Rima, no one's here," Nagi pointed out as I pulled him into a nearby park. It was untouched since there weren't any snow prints.
"I know, I thought it was time you did something fun," I said with a smirk.
"Really?" he asked with a grin. I got really close to him, so close that our foreheads were touching. I then whispered in his ear.
"But that doesn't mean you don't have to work for it," I said then dashed away from him. Before he could respond I quickly made a snowball and threw it at him and it hit him square in the chest.
"Rima," he whined.
"If you want a kiss you have to fight me for it," I said being overdramatic. Why not go all out?
"I declare war," I said. My charas began to make snowballs as did I. Nagi was still confused why the sudden random act.
"Don't let her win," Rhythm said. Nagi also began to make snow ammo.
"Attack," I yelled. My charas and I began to pelt them with snowballs. One hit Nagi in the face.
"You're gonna pay for that," Nagi said playfully and began to run at me with a snowball. I ran from him but since he was athletic he caught up fast. He threw it gently at me and it hit my butt.
"Playing dirty," I teased. He laughed and I beamed. I made him laugh. Maybe I should become a comedian like my mom said. Cold snow was sprinkled on my face.
"Nagi," I whined.
"You got me in the face but at least I didn't throw the snow in your face," he said as he wrapped his arms around me.
"Alright I won, what's my prize?" he asked.
"Close you eyes," I said. He did as he was told. I squirmed out of his arms and fell onto the snow and began to make a snow angel.
"You can open your eyes," I said. He did and saw me on the ground moving my arms and legs.
"It's a snow Rima," Kusukusu said. Nagi smiled and plopped in the snow next to me and also made an angel.
"The angels are holding hands," Temari pointed out. Nagi grabbed my hands. I looked at him. His eyes showed caring and love. I rolled over to him.
"I guess I should stop teasing you," I said.
"That would be nice," he said. He leaned in and kissed me. His arms around waist and my arms around his neck. The intense cold of the snow forgotten. I was here with him and that's all that mattered. He sat up and pulled me onto his lap with out breaking the kiss. I felt like the wind was knocked out of me...wait I needed oxygen. I broke apart needing to breathe but after I took a few breaths Nagi kissed me with more force and compassion. He acts as if today is the last day on Earth.
*Nagi's POV*
I wanted to savor this moment. I overheard my mom talking to Tsukasa on the phone and she said that Rima and I might not remember each other in this world. That meant that we would never date. I wanted this memory even if it was in the deepest part in my brain. She broke the kiss for air.
"Nagi, is there something wrong? You act you only have a day to live," she said. I knew she'd figure out that something was up.
"Right now, I just really want to be with you," I said. It wasn't a lie but it wasn't really the truth either. I really wanted to be with her especially after we go back to our world. Then it would be more official. I guess our relationship didn't count here. She must've bought me semi-lie since she smiled at me and kissed me again. I felt guilty for keeping this from her but I didn't want her to worry. I kissed her back but this time I was more gentle. This time I had to break for air. I plopped back into the snow. Rima rested her head on my chest.
"Nagi, do you think we have a future together?" she asked. It would've been an innocent question usually but now it scared me.
"I hope so," I said honestly. I really didn't want to lose Rima. She helped me with so much, I helped her with so much, we build each other up, comfort one another, she's my girlfriend, my everything. I...
"I love you," the words slipped out of my mouth. I didn't mean to say them but they were out there now. I know Rima has love issues and now I put pressure on her.
"I love you too," she said. I looked at her, shocked by her reply but then I couldn't help but smile. I gave her a quick peck. I now felt the cold now that we weren't making out anymore.
"I better take you home before we freeze to death," I said.
"I wish you could stay with me longer," she said.
"Me too," I said but had a different meaning. In the other world if Rima and I remember each other then would everyone else remember us? I guess no one really knows the answer to that question. This whole experience could be wiped clean from our memories and we wouldn't even know it.
"Nagi? Are you sure you're ok? You seem a bit distracted," she said.
"It's the cold," I lied. She looked at me skeptically but didn't press farther. She knows I'm lying. I sighed and my breath turned into a little cloud then quickly disappeared. I would have to be the one to tell her or she would think I'm a liar.
"Rima, you should probably sit down," I said.
"Are you breaking up with me?" she asked not looking at me. Where did she get that idea? I just told her I loved her a minute ago.
"No, of course not," I said.
"Then what could be so bad?" she asked. Her and I sat on a bench nearby. I put both her hands in mine.
"Rima, I overheard my mom say that if we go back then we may not remember each other from this world," I said. Her eyes got big and all the happiness she had from earlier was gone. She was upset and I was the one that caused it.
"She said we may forget but that doesn't mean we will. Nagi, I don't want to lose you," she said as she wrapped her arms around my torso.
"I don't either but I'm just repeating what I heard," I said as I held her close to me.
"That explains why you seemed distracted and like there was no tomorrow. There might not be in this world. We don't know when Tsukasa will call us and we don't know what the outcome.
"We shouldn't be sad. We should make the best of it," Kusukusu said determined to cheer everyone up.
"Kusukusu is right. If you only have a little while to be together then make the best of it," Temari joined in.
"They're right," I said. She gave me a weak smile.
"Nagi, if you somehow remember and I don't then just remember that I really do love you and that I did in the other world it just took some noticing. If you remember then promise me that you'll get through my stubbornness," she said. I chuckled even thought she was being partially serious I still found it funny that she admitted that she was stubborn.
"I promise and will you do the same for me. It won't take much. All you have to do is convince me that you like me and then snap I'll remember my feelings, back when I first saw you," he said. I saw Rima's cheeks blush. I couldn't help but kiss her slightly warm cheek. She smiled at me.
"Can we go home now? I'm going to freeze," Kazumi said. She wouldn't face us.
"Sure," Rima said to distracted with my little speech to notice her younger chara was upset. We began to walk home.
"Rhythm, go talk to Kazumi," I whispered so quietly that no one heard but him.
"Why?" he asked then looked at her. I didn't need an explanation. He saw how upset she was.
"Alright, I'll talk to her," he said. He then floated over to Kazumi who was lagging behind.
*Rhythm's POV*
"Kazumi, are you ok?" I asked. That was a stupid question. Obviously she's upset about something. She looked up at me then opened her mouth to say something but them decided to stay quiet.
"Kazumi, the girls are going to catch on soon that you're upset. You know Kusukusu will do everything in her power to make you smile. It's what she does best," I said. Kazumi gave me a weak smile.
"You've got it bad," she said. I was a bit shocked. That wasn't the answer I was expecting.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You're trying to cheer me up but you talk a lot about Kusukusu. I know you like her but you're just to proud to admit it," she said.
"What!?" I said shocked.
"How about a deal? I tell you why I'm upset then you admit your feelings," she said. I really wanted to know what was wrong with her for Kusukusu's sake but I didn't want to admit I liked her. I knew I did but I never said anything since Nagi and Rima used to fight. If I say it now then maybe Kazumi won't remember when we go back to the real world.
"Alright," I said.
"I'm upset because if Rima goes back then I may not be born. If she forgets this world then she'll forget me and won't try to have me come back since she wouldn't know I was existed in the first place," Kazumi said.
"If I remember then I promise to tell Rima no matter how odd it will sound. You're the only other flirt I know and it would be a bit boring with out you sometimes. You're pretty cool," I said giving her a thumbs up. She smiled at me.
"Now you're part of the deal," she said with a smirk. For some reason I hoped she would forget. She looked away from me as if looking behind me but I blinked and she was looking right at me. It must've been my imagination
"Alright, I really do like Kusukusu, a lot," I said.
"REALLY!?" I heard behind me. My eyes went wide as I saw Kusukusu behind me. Her eyes had sparkles in them. If now was the time to tell her it would be now.
"Yeah," I managed to say. Usually I was super social and comfortable in any situation but right now I found the hardest time just saying one word. She floated over to me and tackled me in the air for a hug.
"I like you too Rhythm!" she squealed.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes," she said then gave me a peck.
"My work here is done," I heard Kazumi say as she floated to catch up with our bearers. Kusukusu kept kissing my face.
"Rhythm! Kusukusu! Don't get left behind," I heard Rima say. Kusukusu stopped kissing me and held my hand. She practically dragged me over to them since I was too stunned to move.
"I'm guessing Rhythm had a good time," Temari teased.
"Yeah," I said. Kusukusu giggled then kissed my cheek once more.
"Your welcome," Kazumi said.
"Thanks sis," Kusukusu said. Kazumi winked at her sister then began to talk to Temari about girl things in Nagi's hair. Now I hope we don't forget each other. Now that I now Kusukusu likes me I don't want to go back. I think Nagi is the same way. I guess we feel the same. How will all of this turn out.
*Utau's POV*
"Tsukasa? What are you doing here?" I asked as the man stopped by Sanjo Studios.
"I would like to talk to you. I'd prefer you do I few songs at the prom," he said.
"Alright but you know I'm attending the prom right?" I asked.
"Of course, I would just like a song our two to get everyone excited, but that's not the main reason I want you to perform. I need you to send a message," he said.
Wow another cliffhanger! Anyway, what do you think about the RhythmXKusukusu? Also what is this important message Utau is supposed to give and to who or whom (I don't know the correct word to put there).
Sorry for the long wait. My computer had a pretty bad virus and I had to send it away to get fixed but I have it and it is in my possession. Thank you for being patient with me.