Dance with the Clown

Chapter 5
Easter's New Pawn

I watched Rima walk away, as she always does. I wanted nothing more than to walk away, too…but, there’s no way Amu would let me.

“Nagihiko! How did that happen?” Amu asked, tugging at the sleeve of my uniform as I tried to make my escape.

I sighed and explained. “Rima and I had left the mall, because we got our school supplies. I told her that I wanted to stop in the bookstore downtown quickly. She told me that she’d wait outside. I was such an idiot… I was in the bookstore for less than five minutes, and when I went outside, I heard a familiar voice screaming. Rima screamed at the top of her lungs. It was pure terror.... like she was being tortured. I reacted harshly. I tackled the kidnapper---“

I scowled at the thought of him.

“—and he fell to the ground, which allowed Rima to get out of the bag. Long story short: I character-transformed and tried to attack him, until he grabbed Rima’s arm and held a knife up. He threatened to hurt her if I came closer. Rima bit the kidnapper’s wrist and he dropped the knife. Then he started tugging at her shirt… and I lunged at him, and the kidnapper and I attacked each other until he became unconscious.” I stopped talking. I was choking up.

“Nagi, it’s not your fault. At least you stopped the kidnapper before… Rima could get hurt.” Amu replied.

“I’m so angry at myself. I’m not even mad at the man: perverts will be perverts. But, none of it would have happened if I wasn’t such a fool.”

“That’s not true! The same thing would have happened even if you weren’t involved at all and Rima just decided to walk downtown for any random reason. She should consider herself lucky that you were around to stop the man.”

Leave it to Amu to try and make me feel better. I know the truth, though. It is my fault.

Amu walked away, she figured her work was done.

A brown-haired, hazel-eyed girl walked up to me. Was she there before?

“Hello, Fujisaki-kun. I’m—“ She started to say.

“Tara.” I finished.

She smiled. I was correct.

“Tell me, what do you see in that tiny, blonde baby doll?” She asked with acidity in her voice.

“How did you know about that?” I asked.

“Well, I know she likes you… and she’s cute, I guess, so I figured you probably returned the feelings.” Tara said.

“She doesn’t like me, so that kinda blows your theory.” I said.

“Haha. Naïve boy.” She replied. “Well, it’s true that you like her, though, isn’t it?”

“That’s none of your business.” I said, looking at the ground.

“Yes it is. I like you, and I wanted to find out if she was my competition.” Tara said nonchalantly.

“Fine. I like Rima. It’s no competition. I’m sorry, Tara, but I’m not interested. ” I replied calmly.

Something about the tone Tara was using just… it just bothered me. I could tell she tried her hardest to be polite, but she absolutely radiated the complete hatred she has for Rima. Or, as Tara called her, “that tiny, blonde baby doll.”

Rima came back to the schoolyard, claiming that she’d dropped her bookbag before she left.

I looked at Tara, who had Rima’s bookbag in her hand. She had a mischievous look in her eyes.

“Why do you have---“

Before I could finish my sentence, Tara kissed me.

I tried to pull away but she wouldn’t let me.

I could knock a man twice my size unconscious, but I couldn’t pull away from this girl?

I realized that Tara had planned this. I looked away and saw Rima staring at us in disgust. Rima ran away crying, muttering things that I was glad I couldn’t hear.

Tara let me pull away and smirked. “Hmm. Too bad. I was hoping she’d want to fight.”

I stared at her with as much fury as I could muster.

“If you’re gonna go away, why don’t you take Rima’s bookbag with you? I’m sure she’d like it to be returned.” Tara cackled.

I grabbed the bookbag angrily as I walked away from Tara and into the school.

I walked past Rima’s locker (not even bothering to look and see if she was there) and dropped the bookbag in front of it.

Rima’s POV

I had decided to get a pair of sunglasses and a newsboy hat out of my locker.

I needed a disguise so I could ditch school.

Just as I was about to slam my locker shut, Na---I mean, the violet-haired crossdresser--- dropped my bookbag next to my locker and roamed the halls.

Screw my bookbag. I don’t need it today. And what makes him think I wanted him to return it?

I shoved my bookbag in my locker. I took a hairband off my wrist and put my hair in a ponytail. Then I put on my newsboy cap and my sunglasses.

I simply walked away from the school…

Seiyo Academy really needs a guard gate.

I sat at the curb, and felt lonely.

What had just happened? Why should I care if Tara and the stupid crossdresser kissed?

…Or who kissed whom.

It’s not like he and I are together.

He can kiss whoever he wants.

I don’t have the right to care.

I began to sing my song, not caring if anybody was around to hear.

Once again, this is an English translation of Rima’s character song Itsuka wa Romansu. I don’t own.

Chatting before school, a casual greeting.
A boy happened by, with a rather nonchalant appearance.
He was hoping for something.
A white blouse. A useless bag.
A cool breeze. Your scorching look.

A romantic love; I’m not interested in foolish things like that.

Truthfully speaking, we don't see eye to eye.
If he were to honestly say something like, "I like you,"
I would laugh to my heart's content.

There was a strange feeling, the first time we met.
He, I, everyone; am I the Dramatic Heroine?
I lock away my heart, just like in my secret diary

It’s not worth waiting for: my future romance.

At the highest point, an amusement park Ferris Wheel,
I find myself afraid. And in a quiet whispered voice, I say
That the quaint street, with it's houses and stores,
Looks like a cluttered toy box.
Do you even like me?

A romantic love; I’m not interested in foolish things like that.
Truthfully speaking, we don't see eye to eye.
If he were to honestly say something like, "I like you,"
I would laugh to my heart's content.

I heard a strange voice behind me.

“You, miss, may I speak to you?”

I turned to see the speaker, and it was Kazuomi Hoshina. The Director of Easter.

He obviously didn’t recognize me. With my hair in a ponytail, wearing a newsboy hat, and sunglasses… Normally he would recognize me, somewhat, but, to him, my already unfamiliar face was unrecognizable. But, he didn’t see that I was wearing my school uniform?

“Yes.” I finally answered.

“I heard your singing and it’s quite lovely.” He said.

“Thank you.”

“How would you like to work for Easter? You could be our next big idol.”

I gasped.

This would be… a perfect opportunity. I loved singing, and if I decided to quit the Guardians…

I’d have something to do.

“Sure.” I replied, smiling.

“You know, I just recently hired an American singer, but I’m sure she’d be more than happy to sing your song with you.” He said.

“Oh, an American singer? That’s cool.” I smiled. I was holding back hysterics at the thought of Tara singing my song with me.

“So it’s a deal?”

“Of course.”

“Then sign here, my dear.”

I looked at the freshly printed contract that he held in front of my face. H-how did he get a contract so fast?

The bottom line asked for my signature.

I couldn’t use my real name.. he’d recognize me as a Guardian.

I grabbed a pen from Kazuomi’s hand and signed my signature.

Keiko Nakamura.

I was officially Easter’s newest young artist.

Kazuomi Hoshina smirked at me. He laughed and I felt like I was missing some kind of inside joke.

“I’m so glad you’ve agreed to this…” He said. “Keiko.”

He walked away, holding the contract with my phony signature.

Why did I do that? What was I thinking?! Was I really that upset that I’d gone mad?!

I liked it better when I was emotionless.

I’m constantly flushed with different feelings now. Anger, sorrow, joy, love, frustration….

It makes me so angry.

There I go “feeling” again. Pshh…emotions. Who needs them?

Now I’ve gone insane due to the unnecessary pests.

If I hadn’t ever put my guard down, I wouldn’t have realized I care for Na---Dang it! I keep nearly saying his name.

Let me correct myself:

I wouldn’t have realized I care for the violet-haired crossdresser.

I wouldn’t feel this pain and frustration. I feel like I’m losing all of my sanity.

I now officially work for Easter. I’m a new pawn in their plot to find the Embryo.

Is it really worth it? Maybe. Am I being completely irrational about what happened? Of course. Do I care about my insanity? Somewhat. Not necessarily.

With nowhere to go, I sat still on the curb and stared at the scenery. For hours. A boring and pointless feat.

Nagihiko’s POV

I danced (nice analogy, right?) through the rest of the school day, and I was surprised when Rima wasn’t in Advanced Math. She wouldn’t have ditched, would she?

Apparently she would.

I heard the oh-so-holy chime of the last school bell and took my daily leave. The end of possibly the worst week ever. Going home on a Friday has never felt so sweet.

As I exited the school, I walked on the sidewalk and noticed a familiar blonde girl.

Rima sat on the curb, singing multiple songs. Many of them I’d never heard.

As creepy as it sounds, I stood there and listened to her without her knowing I was there.

Her singing was so beautiful. Her voice was sweet and pure.

After I chuckled to myself, she noticed me.

She turned to me. She was wearing a newsboy hat, sunglasses, and had her hair in a ponytail.

Was she trying to disguise herself?

“My first day as a singer and I already have a stalker?” She asked rhetorically.

She attempted to disguise her voice poorly. Her usual high-pitched voice was now forced lower.

“Rima, I just wanted to talk----“ I tried to say but she cut me off.

“I’m not Rima. My name is Keiko Nakamura.”

What was she trying to do?

“You’re wearing the Seiyo Academy uniform.” I said matter-of-factly.

“…No I’m not.”

“Yes you are.”

“Nuh-uh.”

“Yeah-huh. Why are you trying to disguise yourself and give yourself a fake name, anyways?”

She looked at me and she was furious.

“You’re allowed to have an alter-ego and I’m not?” She asked, using her normal voice now.

“I had a reason for an alter ego. Why do you need one?”

“Just because.”

“Stop being so ridiculous. You’re so stubborn and random.” I replied.

“That’s big talk from someone who sucked face with the enemy.” She said, scowling at me.

“Tara kissed me. I don’t even like her and----wait, are you jealous?” I asked. No way, right?

“Of that stupid brunette? Never! It’s just that….” She said.

“What?” I replied.

“Nothing.” She changed her mind.

I sat next to her and said nothing. We both figured that talking wasn’t getting us anywhere.

If there was one thing that Rima and I had in common, it’s that we both felt more comfortable when we weren’t saying things. Especially when we’d been arguing.

Rima’s chara, Kusukusu, broke the silence and surprised Rima and I with her loud voice.

“I’m sick and tired of you two acting like this! Just be honest with each other.” Kusukusu said.

I looked at Kusukusu in confusion. I turned to Rima, and by the look on her face--- she understood something that I didn’t. She stared at her chara, as if telepathically pleading for her not to say anything else.

Kusukusu stared at me for a moment before finishing. “Nagihiko, Rima likes you.”