“Ahhh...” Fuuko Kirisawa sighed, lying down comfortably on one of the beach chairs.  “Nothing could soothe you but the wonderful, soft breeze blowing on your face cooly.”
 “Hmm...” Recca Hanabishi agreed lying down on the beach chair beside Fuuko.  “I agree.  It does feel good.”
 “Yeah,” Tokiya Mikagami replied.  He was already there fifteen minutes ago before Recca and Fuuko followed.  “I’d have to agree with that.”
 The whole Hokage team went to the beach and so did Yanagi Sakoshita.  She had to come along with them.  Recca’s beloved Princess whom Fuuko’s so pissed at sometimes.  Recca promised that if ever Fuuko beats him at sparring, he would call her HIS Princess, and he would be her Ninja.  But she was upset that some weakling, pathetic nincompoop was being called Princess by Recca, because he wanted to, not because Yanagi beat him at sparring.  But why turn on the wrong side when the truth is right in front of her?
 “I wonder where Domon, Kaoru and the Princess are?” Recca asked.
 “Oh, don’t worry about them.  I’m sure their having fun somewhere out there.  I’m sure their safe.  Let’s just rest for awhile, OK?” Tokiya said.  “School starts tomorrow and I’m kind of tired.  So lets make good use of our time and just rest for awhile.”
 “I guess you’re right.” Recca sighed.  “Hmm... this seems pretty good.”  After a few seconds, Recca felt two hands over his eyes.  “I don’t know who you are.  Hey, that’s not fair! You did that while I wasn’t looking!” He said.
 The pair of hands fell, and Recca saw Yanagi, Domon, Kaoru, Ganko, and the annoying Condo standing at both of his sides.  Yanagi smiled.  “Hi Recca!” She greeted him.
 Recca smiled a wide smile.  “Princess!!” Yanagi giggled.
 Domon Ishijima, Fuuko’s best friend, looked at Fuuko.  She looked like she was going to punch either Recca or Yanagi.  She was staring at both of them, but neither of them noticed because they were too busy about each other.  Tokiya was oblivious of what was happening because he fell asleep a few minutes ago.  Kaoru was making his way to the beach with Ganko.
 Domon sat on the side of Fuuko’s beach chair and nudged her at the side.  “Hey, are you gonna be alright?”
 All of a sudden, Fuuko’s stare turned into glare.  This time, Yanagi noticed her.  “What’s wrong, Fuuko? Are you OK?” She asked.
 “Do I look like I’m OK!?” Fuuko said, her voice louder than usual.
 Recca noticed Fuuko’s sudden change of attitude, and became conscious of his close friend’s mood.  Domon is Fuuko’s best friend, and Recca and Fuuko are best friends as well.  “Hey!” Recca touched the side of Fuuko’s arm.  Fuuko jerked her arm away like as if there was a huge spider that just landed on top of it.  Fuuko’s face evolved into a scowl.  “What’s up?” Recca continued.
 “You guys get a room!!” Fuuko snapped.  She stood up and walked away grumpily.
 Recca exchanged looks with Yanagi and Domon.  “What’s up with her?” Recca asked Domon.
 “She feels like hell thanks to you!” Domon snapped.  “You’d feel like hell if you were in her place.”
 Recca was dumbfounded and he looked surprised.  “What did I do this time? All I did was just sit here.”
 Domon shook his head and sighed.  “Hanabishi, you just don’t get it, do you?”  Then he left catching up with Fuuko.

 “Hey Fuuko!” Domon shouted.  “Wait up!” Fuuko stopped in her tracks.  Domon put his arm around Fuuko’s waist.  “Hey, are you OK?”
 Both of them went inside the elevator, and Fuuko pressed the number 4 button so hard that the tip of her finger blanched.  Domon looked at Fuuko and grabbed her hand away from the button.
 “Hey, relax!” Domon said.
 “I’m not over him yet.”  Fuuko said angrily.  “I still like him.  And I cannot get over him... EVER!”
 “I know how you feel.” Domon said.  “It’s OK.  You’ll be OK.”
 “I hope so.  I just wanna rest for a while.  Is that OK?” Fuuko said after they reached the fourth floor and in her room whom she shared with Yanagi.  She got the key and stuck it in the door knob.  She opened the door and smiled tiredly at Domon.  “I’ll just see you later in lunch, OK?”
 Domon nodded.  “Sure.  See ya!”
 “Yeah.”

 “OK, so that wasn’t a very great weekend.”  Fuuko said when she met up with Domon, Recca, Tokiya, and Yanagi at the school grounds.
 “I wouldn’t agree with that.” Recca and Yanagi said together.
 Shut the hell up you stupid morons! Fuuko screamed inside her.  She gritted her teeth.  “Well that’s your opinion.” she replied.
 “I just don’t know why you got really mad that morning.”  Recca said.  Domon hit him on the back, but then it was too late.
 Fuuko just kept quiet and kept on walking.  Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks. Life sucks.  She repeated in her mind.  Recca and Yanagi sucks as well.  Urgh! Why can’t they just get out of my sight and leave me alone!
 “Hey Fuuko!” Natsumi Tomonaga, one of the most popular girls in school, and Fuuko’s friend ran to Fuuko, interrupting her thoughts.
 Fuuko looked up.  “Hmm?”
 “Have you met the new exchange student?”  Natsumi asked.  Fuuko shook her head as reply.  “Well,” Natsumi continued.  “Let me describe HIM for you.  He’s tall, cute, absolutely gorgeous, not to mention smart, talented, funny, to die for GORGEOUS!!! Hey! Did I mention gorgeous and cute already?”
 “Umm...” Fuuko said.  “Yeah... uhh.. you did.”
 “Well?” Natsumi said.  “You wouldn’t sound so disappointed when you here this.  Mr. Tanaka chose you as his guide around the school, and that would make you hang out a lot together.”
 “WHAT!?” Fuuko screamed, her sad face lightened up.  “Oh my gosh! Really, Natsumi!? WOW! Tell me I’m not dreaming! Are you sure he’s cute?”
 “Yeah.” Natsumi nodded.  “And you seem to be his type of girl.  So go for it if ever he asks you out.”
 “Whoa! This must be a dream!” Fuuko said.
 “No, it’s not.” Natsumi replied.  “C’mon! Let’s go meet him!”
 “OK.” Fuuko ran after Natsumi excitedly.  To the other friends, she waved at them and said, “I’ll catcha guys later!!”
 “Hmm... looks like Fuuko is finally going to be in love.” Yanagi said watching Fuuko disappear through the corner of the school with Natsumi.  “I’m actually happy for her.”
 “Yeah.” Recca said quietly and angrily.  “In love with the wrong kind of guy.”
 Everyone looked at him.  “What do you mean by that?” Tokiya asked.  “You guys are best friends.  The least you could actually do was be happy for her or something, like how the rest of us are.”
 “Well I’m not.” Recca replied.  “And no one can change my mind.”  He then walked seperately from the group and disappeared.
 “What’s up with him?” Tokiya asked.
 Domon shrugged.  “Jealous I guess.” He whispered in Tokiya’s ear and made sure Yanagi didn’t hear.
 “What!?” Tokiya exclaimed.  “Are you out of your mind Ishijima! No way!? Umm.. well... looks like it, though.  Oh what the heck.  It sounds like a girl thing and I prefer not talking about it.”
 “Why not?” Domon asked.  “People often mistake you for a girl.”
 “What did you say!!!!” Tokiya burst out angrily, he chased Domon around the school campus, which left Yanagi standing there alone.
 “Oh well,” Yanagi sighed.  “I sometimes wish they’d all stop acting so childish!”  Then she made her way inside the school.

 Fuuko stood in front of the office of Principal Tanaka, patiently waiting for the Principal to motion her inside.  She saw the new exchange student sitting down, his back on her.  His back kind of looked familiar.
 “Ah! Fuuko Kirisawa!” Mr. Tanaka said.  “Come in!”
 The exchange student turned his head and smiled at her.  Fuuko’s normal face became a surprised one.  But she kept control of herself, and bowed.  “Good morning, sir.”
 “Have a seat, Fuuko.” Mr. Tanaka said, motioning for Fuuko to sit beside the new exchange student.  Fuuko sat down.  “Well, Fuuko, this is our new exchange student, Raiha.  I’m assigning you to take care of him for three whole months of him being here.  You will be his guide in other words.  Both of you have the same schedule, so that wouldn’t be a problem.”
 “Yes, I know who he is, sir.” Fuuko replied staring at Raiha.  She was horrified to see him again, after all those months, she was kind of surprised to see one of Kurei’s team members who moved away actually go to school and become an exchange student.  But she never forgot her manners.  She stood up and bowed at Raiha.  “Welcome.  I hope you enjoy your stay.”
 “I think I will.” Raiha replied.  “Fuuko.”
 “Oh, then that’s good.  Good old friends meet together again.”  Mr. Tanaka said.  “Well, I guess that’s about it.”
 Raiha and Fuuko stood up and bowed to Mr. Tanaka, then left the office.
 “What are you doing here!?” Fuuko said.  “I can’t believe you actually had the nerve to come here.”
 “Well, it’s not like it’s my fault, Fuuko.” Raiha replied.  “Just try and forget everything that happened before during the death matches, OK.  Pretend we just knew each other or something.”
 “Well, if you put it that way.” Fuuko said.  “I mean, you weren’t really that bad.  You were kind of one of the good people around.  Thanks for saving Domon and me before when we were drowning.”
 “Oh! That! Yeah.  Sure no sweat.  I mean, it really was nothing.”  Raiha replied, flattered that Fuuko still remembered.  Hmm... didn’t really notice she was this beautiful.  Is it possible that I might actually have a chance with her, or does she already have a boyfriend? I mean, she seemed to be always close with Recca, what if they’re together? What if Recca has finally noticed her? Well, anything’s worth a try.  I have to ask her out.  But just when Raiha was about to ask her, Yanagi appeared.
 “Hi Fuuko.” Yanagi said happily, but then her smile faded when she saw Raiha, and her eyes grew wide.  “You’re... You’re... Argh!”
 “Ssshhh!!!” Fuuko hushed Yanagi up.  “Quiet Yanagi! Everyone might think that there’s something seriously wrong with you.”
 “But... But...” Yanagi stammered.
 “It’s OK.” Fuuko replied.  “Raiha’s a good guy now.  He always was.”
 “Are you sure?” Yanagi asked.  Fuuko nodded assuringly.  “Well, OK.  Is my secret still safe with you?” She asked, referring to her healing powers.
 Raiha nodded.  “I never told a single soul about it.”
 Yanagi exhaled.  “Thank you.” She whispered.  “So what’s a guy like you doing in school? You never really seemed like the school kind of guy... if you know what I mean.”
 “Yeah, I do.” Raiha replied.  “I just decided to go to school.  I mean, nothing else better to do, I guess.”
 “Yeah.” Yanagi and Fuuko agreed.
 “Well, I have to get going.” Yanagi said.  “I’ll see you guys around.”
 Fuuko and Raiha waved, and made their way to their classroom.

 “Hey Fuuko!” Recca greeted her during recess.  “Hi... whoa!!!!!!”
 Fuuko and Raiha looked at each other.  “The expected comment!” They said in unison, and looked at Recca.
 “Hi.” Raiha said, extending his hand.  “Still remember me?”
 “Umm.. uhh.. y-y-yeah... actually.” Recca smiled, and looked at Fuuko.
 “Raiha’s the exchange student, Recca.” Fuuko said.  “And he’s changed, so you don’t really have to panic or pick a fight with him or anything.”
 “Are you sure?” Recca asked.  Fuuko nodded, and glanced at her side.  Tokiya and Domon were on their way to where they were all standing.
 “Hey there, you guys!” Domon greeted them.  “Hey Fuuko, what’s up Recca? Hey, Yanagi! H-- yaaaa!!!!” he screamed when he saw Raiha.
 “He-- Domon! It’s OK!” Fuuko said, calming her best friend down.  “Really, it’s fine.  He’s a changed person, now.”
 “Are you sure?” Domon asked.
 “Uh-huh.” Fuuko said.  “It’s fine.” Everyone looked at Tokiya, who was the only person who didn’t really have an expression on his face like what the other people had.  He was just... calm.
 “Hey there, Raiha.” Tokiya said.
 “Hello.”
 “Well, we better be going.  We don’t wanna be late for our next class, right, Raiha?” Fuuko asked grabbing Raiha by the arm.
 “Nope.  We don’t wanna be late.” Raiha replied.  “See you guys.”
 Domon and Recca waved back, still stunned, but Tokiya and Yanagi just stood there.

 “Hey, Fuuko!” Recca shouted at her three days later during lunch time.  “Come and eat lunch with us!”
 Fuuko looked at him.  “That’s OK.  There wouldn’t be any space for Raiha and I have to stick with him, remember? I’ll just do so some other time soon.” Fuuko shouted back.  “I’ll see you, OK?”
 Recca sighed. “OK, OK, whatever.” He mumbled to himself.
 “Recca, what’s wrong?” Yanagi asked.  “You seem so down lately.”
 “Huh?” Recca asked.  “What?”
 “Nothing.” Yanagi said.
 “OK.” Recca sighed.

 “Hey, Fuuko! Let’s go!” Recca said two weeks later.  “It’s getting late!”
 “Why don’t you guys just go ahead?” Fuuko said.  “It’s not like I’m important to you or anything, right?”
 “Of course you are!” Recca said.  “What do you mean by you’re not important to me.  You are important to me.  You’re my best friend, jeez!”
 Huh? Recca actually said that? He cares about me? I care about him, too.  “Jus-Just go ahead.  Raiha could bring me home.  I’ll just call you or something.”
 “OK... but then it would be really fun if we went home together as usual.” Recca said.
 “No, Recca, really.” Fuuko said.  “I’ll be fine.”
 “OK.” Recca shrugged and smiled sadly.  “I’ll just see you in school tomorrow.”
 Fuuko nodded and waved goodbye.  See ya, Recca.

 “I miss being with my friends, to tell you the truth, Raiha.” Fuuko said just a couple of meters to her house.  “I’ve never been apart from them, ever.  And now, I always am.  I miss them.  Except for probably Yanagi... I mean, I’m not sure.  I just have to face the fact the Recca likes her.”
 “Well, Fuuko, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you for a pretty long time now.” Raiha said.
 “Really?” Fuuko said.  “What is it?”
 “Umm...” Raiha started.  “Would you mind going out with me sometime?”
 “Uhh.. well..” Fuuko started.  Uh-oh! This is hard.  OK, if I say no, he’d be really offended.  Maybe if Recca found out we were together, he’d freak and get really jealous or something.  “Uhh.. sure.  I’d like to.”
 “Really?” Raiha said.
 “Umm.. yeah.” Fuuko said quickly.  “Well, I’m home.  So.. bye.”
 “Bye.” Raiha said.  “Umm.. Fuuko? Would this Saturday be OK?”
 Fuuko nodded.  “I guess so.  I don’t think I have any plans.”
 “OK.  Bye.”

 “Hello?” Fuuko said.  The phone just rang a few seconds ago.
 “Hey Fuuko!” Recca’s familiar voice appeared.  “What’s up.”
 “Something.  For once, something.” Fuuko answered.  “And I’m sure you wanna know, so I’ll tell you.  Raiha asked me out.”
 “What?” Recca asked surprised.
 Fuuko noticed the surprised tone in his voice. “Yeah, and I said yes.  I mean, I couldn’t say no to an offer, and I guess, he is kinda cute.”
 “Well, yeah, OK, that’s... cool.” Recca replied.
 “Are you OK?” Fuuko asked.  “You don’t sound so good.”
 “Yeah, I’m fine.  I’m kind of tired.” Recca said.  “I’ll just see you tomorrow, OK?”
 “Of course.  Bye.” Fuuko said then hang up.

 “So would Saturday be OK?” Raiha asked Fuuko for confirmation.  The both of them were outside the school discussing their “date”.
 “I guess so.  Like about what time?” Fuuko asked.
 “Would four be OK with you? Or do you need to prepare or something.”
 “Four would be fine.” Fuuko replied.
 “Hey there, you two!” Recca greeted them, putting his arms around Fuuko and Raiha.
 “Hey...” Fuuko said.  She was surprised that Recca wasn’t really acting like himself lately.
 “What are you guys talking about?” Recca asked Raiha.
 “Well, um.. we were just.. uh.. discussing about.. our.. umm.. date... this uhh... Saturday.” Raiha replied.
 “Really!?” Recca said.  “Where are you guys going?”
 “Umm.. I was planning on going to the carnival.  I mean, that seems to be cool, I guess.  Roller coasters, and all those other rides.”
 “Ooooh! The amusement park!” Recca said.  Now he acted and sounded like a little kid.  “Can I go! Can I go!”
 “Recca,” Fuuko snapped.  “This is a date! Between me and Raiha.  And only me and Raiha.”
 “So?” Recca said.  “Doesn’t mean I can’t go.  I’ll be a good boy!”
 Fuuko and Raiha looked at each other.  “Well, fine.. I guess.” Raiha answered.  Fuuko gave Raiha a surprised look, and gave Recca a stern one.
 “Yehay!!! I’m going!” Recca said excitedly.  “Bye Bye!”
 “Why did you say yes?” Fuuko asked Raiha.  “Do you have any idea how annoying he might be?”
 Raiha shrugged.  “It seemed like the right thing to do, I guess.  I mean, I’m just an exchange student here.  I don’t really belong here, and I have to be nice to everyone even if they could be pretty annoying.”
 Fuuko put her right hand behind her head and sighed.  “Oh well.”

***** ON SATURDAY *****

 Raiha knocked on Fuuko’s door.  And she appeared after a few seconds later.  “Hello!” Fuuko greeted him.  “Ready to go?” Please don’t make Recca come.  Please don’t make Recca come.  Fuuko prayed inside her.
 “Umm.. yeah.  Sure, why not?” Raiha answered.
 “HELLO!!!!” Recca came running to them.  “Wait for me you guys! Don’t forget me!!”
 Fuuko slapped her palm on her forehead.  Oh no! He’s here! Darn it!
 Fuuko closed the door behind her and disapointedly looked at Recca.  She shook her head sadly, but there wasn’t anything she could do, was there? See, none.  She just has to learn to have fun with someone with Recca around.
 “Hey Fuuko!” Recca said.  “You’re unusually quiet today.”
 “Thanks to you!” Fuuko mumbled.  “Why can’t you go out with your stupid Princess! Stop following me, Recca! I’m a big girl! I can take care of myself, obviously, and Raiha could always be there to protect me just in case I couldn’t take care of myself like your stupid pathetic Princess Yanagi.  So here’s an advice: GET LOST!”
 OK, usually when someone insults Yanagi, Recca gets hit as well.  But today, nothing happened.  It’s like he didn’t really care.. he didn’t mind.. which was strangely unusual.
 “Hey relax, Fuuko.” Raiha said rubbing her back.  “It’s OK.”
 “No it’s not.” Fuuko replied.  “Hey.” She said to Recca.  “What, aren’t you gonna punch me or something?”
 “Uhh... no.” Recca said.  “For what?”
 “Insulting Yanagi.”
 “You did?”
 “There’s something really wrong with you today, Recca.”
 “There’s nothing wrong with finally losing interest in a person you’ve been crazy about for four whole years.  I’m just sick of her.”
 “What!?” Fuuko was surprised.  Sick of her.  Did he just say he was sick of her? OK.  How can that happen.  That was so weird.  He said it as if it was a thing he got sick of so he just decided to pass it on to someone else.  He sounded like he never even cared for Yanagi.  He sounded like as if nothing ever happened.  Strange.

 They reached the amusement park and Raiha stopped by the ticket booth to buy some tickets.  Fuuko and Recca just stood there waiting for him, not speaking to each other.  Recca wanted to talk to Fuuko, but she looked like she was in no mood of talking, so they just had to wait for Raiha to come back with the tickets.
 “OK,” Raiha said running towards them, waving the tickets in the air.  “I got them!”
 “Let’s go.” Fuuko muttered.
 “So what ride should we take first?” Raiha asked.  “Wanna go to the ferris wheel first?”
 “Umm... OK.” Fuuko said.
 Raiha and Fuuko took a seat in the ride, and Fuuko stuck to Raiha so Recca wouldn’t get to interfear, but... he was able to... unfortunately.
 “Excuse me.” Recca said squeezing in between Raiha and Fuuko.  “I hope you don’t mind me sitting in between you.”
 “Yes we do!” Fuuko quietly and sternly, but Recca pretended not to hear her, and ended up sitting between Raiha and Fuuko.  “Great!” Fuuko mumbled.  “This is like the best date I’ve ever had in years!”
 “OK! That was fun, don’t you think, Fuuko?” Recca said after the ride was over.  “Let’s ride something else.”
 “I’ll say it was fun!” Fuuko murmured sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
 “How about the roller coaster?” Recca suggested.
 Raiha gave a shrug in reply, and Fuuko just sighed and nodded.  “OK, then!” Recca said.  “Let’s go!”
 Recca took a seat in the front of the ride.  Fuuko was stepping into the seat behind him, so she could sit beside Raiha.  “Hey!” Recca whined.  “Fuuko! Aren’t you gonna sit beside me?”
 Fuuko looked at him weirdly and scowled.  “Ever since when were you scared of roller coaster rides.  After all those battles in the past, those fights, those arguements!? Who the heck would believe the biggest jerk in the whole of Japan is a wussy?”  Fuuko said as fast as she could angrily.  Then she ragingly stepped and sat down beside Recca.  She turned to Raiha and said in a normal voice, “I hope you don’t mind.  Some jerk wants me to sit beside him for some particular reason.”
 “It’s OK.” Raiha said.  “I understand.” Then he smiled sadly.
 After the roller coaster, Recca... as if it’s his date and his plan, decided to play “HIT THE BOTTLES FOR 10 YEN ONLY”.  “You know, I’m really good at this hit the bottle thing.  I could win lotsa prices, you know.” Recca boasted.
 Fuuko hit Recca on the head.  “Stop bragging about how good you are, you stupid moron! No one’s interested.”
 “Ouch! That hurt you know.” Recca said.
 “I don’t care!” Fuuko snapped.  “Who would wanna care for some stupid idiot who seems to be a wuss instead of being some super ninja whom he actually vowed of being to his so-called Princess.. I mean--” Fuuko cleared her throat.  “Pathetic Princess who just cries--” Fuuko immitated how Yanagi cries.  “Oh Recca!!.  Not to mention he seems to be a great disgrace to the Japanese race, and a Hokage, which is even worse!  He’s nothing but--but--but some boastful, arrogant man who always thinks that being the best is the greatest! Or--or, he always has to protect his freaking Princess, cuz if he doesn’t he’d die or something whatsoever! Why can’t you just be your normal self, Recca? I mean, someone out there must actually like you for being you, not for some loser that you are! Stop being such a try hard.”
 Ouch! That whole thing that Fuuko said hit Recca hard.  How could she have said those things? I thought Fuuko was my... umm... my...friend...who all of a sudden turned out to be someone I was in love with... I have to admit that.  It can’t stay in here forever.  Recca looked at Fuuko in the eye, and Fuuko’s facial expression softened, and she felt guilty for saying those words to him.  Recca turned his back slumping his shoulders.
 “Oh no! Did I just say that?” Fuuko asked herself.  Then she called to Recca.  “Recca wait! I’m sorry! Recca, I didn’t mean it that way it’s just that---”
 “Don’t say anything.” Recca cut her off.  “I deserved everything you said.  I’ll probably see you around school.  Maybe you were right.  See ya, Fuuko.”
 “Recca!” Fuuko tried to shout, but it ended up in a whisper.  She sighed and looked down.  “I’ll see you around.”

 Raiha dropped Fuuko at her house.  “Well,” Raiha began.  “I have something to tell you, Fuuko.  I don’t think this relationship would work out very well.  Especially with Mr. Annoyance following us around in everywhere we go.”
 “Me neither, Raiha.  Well, it’s been nice going out with you.” Fuuko replied.
 “By the looks and actions of Recca, I think he likes you.” Raiha said.
 Fuuko laughed.  “Him?! He’s too in love with... you know who to probably notice little old me.”
 “No.” Raiha said seriously.  “Seriously.  I think he does... I hate to admit.  Darn! Why does that punk get the good ones.  Oh well, there are more girls than guys.  I just gotta look for one.”
 “Yup.” Fuuko said.  “Well, I better be going.  I’ll see you around school.  I’m still your guide and you can’t escape from me! See ya!” Fuuko hugged him.
 Raiha chuckled and hugged her back.  “See ya! I just hope we could be really good friends and hang out more.”
 Fuuko grinned.  “Friends? Hang out? You can count on it!”

 Fuuko looked at her alarm clock, which lay on her left side table, beside her bed.  It was 9:23 PM.  Not that late to visit Recca and apologize for what she had said.  She quickly dressed and left her room.
 “Hey! Where do you think you’re going, young lady?” Mr. Kirisawa asked Fuuko who tried to sneak up.
 “Umm... I was on my way to Recca’s house, Papa.  I... umm... I mean... we have to do this project together.” Fuuko lied.
 “Next time try doing your homework before hanging out with friends, OK? Go on.” Mr. Kirisawa replied.  “Be back as early as you can.  I’ll be waiting.”
 Fuuko gave her dad a peck on the cheek and left.

 Recca lay down in his bed, twisting and turning.  He tried to sleep, but it seemed way to early to do so, so he just lay in bed thinking about the harsh things Fuuko said right in front of his face.  Did I really deserve that? I mean, maybe I was annoying her.  But then I just did it because I liked her, and I just found out.  It’s not my fault that I just get the feeling that I’m in love with a person whom I have known my whole life.  A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.  “Come on in.” Recca mumbled.  “The door’s open.”
 “Fuuko!?” Recca said surprisingly standing up from his bed.  “What are you doing here?”
 Fuuko’s head popped out of the door, and she stepped inside Recca’s room slowly.  “Hi, Recca.  I umm.. just stopped.. well, sorry for umm.. disturbing you.” She said slowly.  “I just wanted to apologize for... the words I said to you a while ago.  I was just really angry and annoyed about what you were doing.  I mean, what were you trying to prove?”
 Recca looked at Fuuko who was standing there.  Well, you stupid idiot! Are you just going to let her stand there or are you gonna let her sit? Recca scolded himself.  “Umm... have a seat.” He said patting the space beside him.  She made her way to Recca’s bed and sat next to him.  “Well, first of all, it’s not your fault you said those things.  I deserved it, and I’m the one who should say sorry.” Recca looked at her hand.  It was resting on her lap.  He grabbed it and held it in his, and he looked at her.. umm... her pink face, which is getting redder and redder by the second.  “But then,” Recca continued.  “There was a reason behind me acting that way.  I was jealous... crazy jealous.  I... Well, I just realized, when you started hanging out with Raiha and not with us anymore, I felt bored.  I mean, I felt like I lost one of the most important persons in my life.  My life wasn’t in order without you, Fuuko.  So, I must sound like a total jerk.  I don’t really care.  I missed you.  And it was kind of weird, but by then I found out that I... well, I liked you.  I was in love with you.  I mean---I am in love with you.  I didn’t want to admit it at first, because of the... I mean, Yanagi and all that, but then there was no use denying it.  I liked, loved, and cared about you.  Truly, madly, deeply in love with you.” Recca swallowed hard.  This was weird.  Goodness! Weird?! More like corny!  But he didn’t care.  He had to tell her how he felt, or it’s going to be stuck in there forever.  He gripped her hand tighter, and he could feel his palm moisting with sweat.  “I love you, Fuuko.  And... oh God, here’s the hard part; I want you to be... you know...”
 Fuuko looked at him.  “Honestly, I don’t know what to say.” She said.  “I mean, I was really hurt before.  All you ever spoke about was Yanagi.  Yanagi this, Yanagi that, Yanagi everywhere. Yanagi, Yanagi, Yanagi, Yanagi! I’m so sick of her name already for crying out loud!”
 “I know.  I know I hurt you, and I’m sorry.” Recca looked at her with sympathetic eyes.  “Please.  Just give me a chance?”
 Fuuko looked at him.  “Please don’t look at me like that.” she mumbled.  “Recca, please don’t look at me like that! I hate it when you look at me like that!”
 Recca grinned evily.  “Does that mean a yes?” Fuuko replied a smile.  “Hmm?” Recca asked.  “Does that mean a yes?”  Fuuko sighed and nodded.
 “I guess so.” She answered.  “You don’t leave me much of a choice.  Look at you! You’re like, everything I’ve been begging for for five whole years!”
 “Yes!” Recca said.  “I have never been so happy in a million years.”  He jumped up and down on his bed, and after a few seconds stopped.
 Fuuko extended her arm.  “C’mere.” She told Recca.  They hugged each other, and she gave him a slow, lingering kiss on the lips.
 Recca pulled away so he can look at her beautiful, charming face.  “Do you think we’re moving too fast?” he asked her.
 “How could we?” Fuuko said.  “We’ve known each other practically forever.”

THE END
cheesy story, eh?

© 2002 ReccaLovesFuukoFanfics
by Fuuko Hanabishi.  All rights reserved