Dance with the Clown

Chapter 2
Adding Up!

I didn’t look back; I just kept on walking…. For about 5 seconds.

Nagihiko’s POV

I went after Rima and grabbed her wrist before she was even 10 feet away from the school.

“…..I was sort of trying to create a dramatic exit….” She muttered.

“…Rima.. I don’t even know what to say to you…” I bumbled like an idiot.

“Then don’t.” Rima said, elbowing me in the gut.

“OUCH!” I yelled unwillingly.

Why did she do that?! I wish I knew what happened yesterday and why she’s so angry at me. I should’ve known as soon as I saw her with the rose that there was trouble.

Rhythm+ the rose + Rima = some kind of confession.

Rima walked off and I didn’t go after her this time (for fear that I’d be brutally killed).

“Tell me what happened yesterday.” I said coldly to Rhythm.

“Well, uh.. I’m sorry I can’t.” Rhythm said, trying to float away quickly.

I grabbed him.

“Rhythm, tell me now.” I said.

“I won’t. If I tell you, I’ll be in trouble.”

“If you don’t tell me, you’ll be in trouble.”

“I’ll risk it.” He said.

I released him and said “You’re staying in that dollhouse in the Royal Garden tonight.”

“C’mon, Nagi. Don’t be so uncool.” He replied.

I walked away.

Rima’s POV

I walked home (my parents didn’t even remember to pick me up).

“Rima-chan! I think you were a little mean to Nagihiko back there.” Kusukusu said.

“I don’t care.” I replied. I honestly didn’t give it a second thought.

“Well, it seemed to me like he was confused.” She said.

“What else is new?” I replied.

Kusukusu sighed.

I opened up my backpack to check my homework.

I found a note from my Advanced Math teacher that was given to everyone in class. I didn’t read it earlier, so I figured I would now.

Students,

Expect another student in class tomorrow. His name is Nagihiko Fujisaki and he has been promoted to our class from Basic Math.

Nagi has been promoted to my math class?!

Screw that boy and his good grades…

It’s, what, only the first week of school and he’s already been promoted up a level in math?

What makes matters worse is that the students have assigned seats in Advanced Math, and the only empty seat is beside mine.

I muttered curses under my breath.

“Just--my--freaking--luck.”

My cell phone rang. It was a call from Tadase.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Hey, Rima. Do you happen to know where Nagihiko is? He was supposed to meet me downtown but he’s nowhere to be found.” Tadase answered.

I had to bite my lip to stop myself from releasing a dark chuckle. “He suffered an injury. He won’t be able to make it.”

“That sucks. Tell him I hope he heals.”

“Oh, I’ll be sure to. Bye, Tadase.”

“Bye.”

I walked home to discover my parents fighting, once again.

“NO! IT’S YOUR FAULT! HOW COULD YOU FORGET TO PICK UP RIMA?!” My dad yelled.

“I TOLD YOU TO PICK HER UP TODAY BECAUSE MY BOSS SAID I COULDN’T LEAVE WORK! SHE’S YOUR DAUGHTER, TOO, Y’KNOW!” My mother yelled back.

“YOU STUPID WOMAN!” My father replied, infuriated.

Why does it always have to be like this? Why can’t my parents stop fighting? I’m home, safe and sound. There’s no reason to argue.

They’ve been fighting for years, since the time I was nearly kidnapped. I already have been traumatized by the kidnapping-- so why is it that, years after it, they seem to have gotten into the habit of fighting about everything? It just makes things worse.

I remember the kidnapping like it was yesterday.

On that day, I had been walking home from school. I was carrying a bunch of books when all of a sudden, a group of men started following me. I was getting scared, I realized they had been following me for several blocks.. I broke into a frantic run and they chased after me. One man pulled a lock of my hair, while two others grabbed my wrists and ankles. I was hoisted up into a black van that, now that I noticed it, had been driving alongside the men.

I cried out for my mom and dad. The same man that had pulled my hair replied to me, saying “You’re not gonna see them again. In fact, it’s your parents’ fault that you’re here.”

I hate reliving that memory, so I’m not going to think about the other horrible things. I’ll just skip to the memory of my rescue. I was locked up in this small, dark, concrete room until I was found by my parents and the police about 3 hours later.

I was only 9 or 10 when that happened. I never told anybody, but sometimes I still have nightmares about it.

When I returned home after my rescue, my parents had started their first argument. I tried to make them laugh, but I failed.

In my attempt to make them stop worrying and make them laugh, I lost faith in my comedic abilities; and I became desperate to make them laugh again. I went up to my room to cry, when some strange egg randomly popped out of my chest. I kept it with me for 3 days-- when some small fairy-like creature, dressed in a clown costume, was born. The first thing she said was ‘Rima-chan! I’m Kusukusu, your guardian chara! I was born from your desire to make people laugh.’

I’m really grateful for Kusukusu. I looked over at her. She has helped me through so much. Before I met the Guardians, I was so lonely; I never was one that had many friends. Sure, I had servants (a.k.a. creepy boys that were in love with me and willing to do my bidding) but-- never friends.

“Rima-chan?” Kusukusu said unsurely.

I wiped my eyes, which were tearing up. I smiled and said “Thank you for everything.”

Kusukusu grinned widely. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you’re welcome.”

I walked to my room and Kususkusu followed.

I plopped down on my bed and exhaled.

“Are you sure you’re not sick?” Kusukusu asked me.

“Huh? No. I’ve just been dealing with a lot since yesterday.” I replied.

My cell phone rang (it always does every time I try to relax).

I looked at the Caller I.D. Fujisaki, Nagihiko.

I gasped. “Why is Nagi calling me?”

I stared down at my phone again and added “I’m not answering…”

“Rima-chan! Just answer your phone.” Kusukusu said.

I nodded hesitantly. I clicked the talk button on my phone.“Hello?”

“…Hey, Rima.” Nagihiko replied.

“What do you want? Did you finally figure out what to say?”

“Not yet--- um.. the Advanced Math teacher told me to copy somebody’s notes so I’m not behind; and you’re the only person I know in that class.”

I knew it was a lie. “It’s only the first week of school, Nagi. You’re not behind at all.”

“You caught me.” He sighed. “I just wanted an excuse to talk to you.”

“Well, I’m listening to whatever you have to say.” I said. I decided not hang up on him, because the truth was—I wanted to talk to him, too.

“I don’t have anything to say. I told you that I’m way more honest when I’m character changed with Rhythm….” He started to say.

I cut him off. “Huh? You’re more honest?”

“Yeah. I just wish I remembered what happened. I must have said something that I shouldn’t have and it made you angry.” Nagihiko said emotionlessly.

“Not exactly. It was pretty unclear.

Also, when you were talking about how you couldn’t remember because of your character-change with Rhythm, I didn’t understand the honest part.”

“Well, then why were you mad?”

“I’m not mad anymore. And sorry about earlier.” I answered.

”It’s OK.”

I suddenly remembered: “Wait, you’re not hurt are you? If you’re not, Tadase told me that you were supposed to meet him downtown.”

“Actually, I’m downtown right now. I was late. I’m sitting on a bench waiting for Tadase to return. He went to find a water fountain. “

So he used that time to call me about something this important?

“Bye, Nagi.” I said, slightly annoyed; but not angry.

“Bye.”

I stared into space for a while, not exactly knowing how I should feel.

I noticed that things were silent. My parents must not be home.

I walked downstairs to the kitchen and checked on the refridgerator; where they usually put notes when they go somewhere.

As expected, there were two separate notes.

I’ve gone grocery shopping. I’ll be back in an hour.

-Mom

I went on to read the second note.

I’ve gone to the bank to cash checks. Expect me home soon.

-Dad

When they aren’t together, occasionally they’ll act like normal parents.

Hmm.. I wonder when they wrote the notes. I was pretty absent-minded for a while and time seems to pass quickly when I’m like that, so it was at least a half-hour ago. They’ll probably be home soon.

I sat down on the couch and started to watch TV. I was channel surfing, when I came across an anime where the main heroine was going through a transformation, and it kinda reminded me of the Guardians—so I watched it. I can’t quite remember the name of it, though. It was something like Sailor…Star? Sailor…Sun? Hmm—It was something like that.

It was pretty interesting. The main heroine, named Usagi, was really beautiful. Although, she didn’t seem too confident in herself at first. Even though she didn’t know quite what to do, she still prevailed. I’m not confident in myself, either. But, maybe someday I could prevail, too, like she did.

My parents walked through the door, not looking at each other.

I didn’t expect them to actually get home at the same time. Even more surprisingly, they were silent. They walked upstairs without saying a word to me, or to each other.

I watched the TV for a little while longer. The house was quiet, other than sound from the TV, and the couch was becoming more and more comfortable. I drifted off to sleep right there on the couch.

Nagihiko’s POV

After waiting for, like, 45 minutes; Tadase finally arrived.

“Sorry it took me so long to find a fountain, Fujisaki-kun. So, did you call Rima?” Tadase said, running over to me.

I smiled. “Yeah, I did.”

“She doesn’t plan on killing you, does she?”

“Not yet, no.” I laughed.

I felt ecstatic that Rima didn’t hate me.

I had a flashback of her song. There was one part that confused me. She sang a line that said:

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

I really didn’t understand that. Sheesh. And she says I’m unclear.

“Why don’t you just tell her that you like her?” Tadase asked me.

“Well, thanks to Rhythm, that’s already out there.” I said, glumly.

“I mean a real confession. For all you know, she could’ve not understood it. I don’t know much about girls, but I do know that they like people who are straight-forward and honest.” Tadase said.

“I’m pretty sure she understood it. I’m just glad I’m not at the bottom of some lake right now.”

“Why are you so afraid of Rima being homicidal? She honestly wouldn’t, and couldn’t, kill you. It’s worth a shot to just say it to her. ” Tadase said.

“If by some slim chance, she really doesn’t understand that I like her,

then I’m not gonna confirm it for her. I like things the way they are.

Me and Rima being..friends.”

“Who are you trying to convince?” Tadase asked.

“Mainly myself.” I admitted.

“You know, Fujisaki-kun --be strong, and tell Rima tomorrow. Have you been pretending to be a girl for so long that you’ve forgotten how to be a man?”

“Are you ever gonna let me live that down? I know how to be a man. Why are you saying things about my masculinity? Tadase—how long did it take you before you confessed to Amu? Think about how much of a hypocrite you are before you talk to me about being a man.”

“With Amu..there were different circumstances…”

“It would be equally hard for me to confess to Rima, and you know it.”

“Well, Amu said no anyways—so why would you bring that up?”

“Rima could easily say no to me.”

“At least I took the chance—and I didn’t have to character-change to do it.”

“I didn’t character-change by choice, you jerk!” I yelled.

“Oh, now what? Did you finally grow a backbone?” He yelled backed.

“Why don’t you just stop making fun of me?”

“When you stop giving me a reason to!”

I got an idea. “Whatever you say---prince.”

“NAGI!!!!! NO!!!!” Tadase screamed.

I pulled out a camera from jacket pocket and recorded.

“I am no prince, I am a king! How dare you address me so improperly, commoner! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Tadase shouted ‘royally’.

Tadase clenched his fists and was obviously trying to defy his character-change. After a few more seconds of rants, he stopped.

“………Don’t show anyone the video….” Tadase said.

“Have you learned a lesson about embarrassing character-changes?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Your Highness.” I teased.

“Promise not to show anybody that video? I really don’t want people to see that egotistical side of me.” Tadase asked.

“Hotori-kun, you know I wouldn’t do that to you. But, it does make for good blackmail.” I said.

He laughed. “You got the guts to purposely call me.. that word… but you can’t confess to Rima?”

“Sure. You can’t hurt me.”

“And Rima could?” He asked skeptically.

“Well, maybe not physically, but she has the potential to break my heart.”

I paused for a moment and added “I gotta go home now.”

Rima’s POV

When I woke up, it was 6:00 AM.

Crap! I only have an hour to get ready for school.

I took my usual shower, using extra shampoo for my long hair.

I walked out of the shower, wrapped a towel around myself.

I looked in the mirror, and to my dismay, it was one of those days where I just felt so gross.

I tried to wash my face in the sink, but I still felt icky.

I decided that maybe if I tried to look my best, I’d feel a little less gross.

I dried my hair and used a ribbon to tie a piece of the two side sections of my hair into a half-ponytail.

I used some of my mom’s powder to cover my oily face. As long as I was using makeup anyway, I decided to put on some mascara and eyeshadow. I put on some very shiny, glittery, baby pink lipgloss and blush.

I put on my deodorant and decided to use some floral perfume. I got the perfume as a Christmas present last year, and have yet to use it. Now is as good a time as ever.

I guess I looked decent enough to go to school now, but I needed something to balance out the ribbon in my hair.

I caught a glance of a bracelet I had made entirely out of lace. Perfect.

I looked into the mirror one more time and gave myself a good once-over.

I still look and feel horrendous, but it’ll have to do.

My mom drove me to school.

She only spoke to me once to ask “Hmph. Why are you wearing my makeup?”

She didn’t seem to make a big deal out of it, though.

I showed up in the school courtyard and, as usual, I was greeted by Amu.

“Wow, Rima. You look great!” Amu said.

“…Thanks. I don’t feel great, though. I thought this get-up would help me feel better, but it didn’t. Now I just look like some oversized doll.”

“What’s wrong with that? Most people, especially boys, would think a tiny girl like you, looking like a doll, would be adorable.”

“Nagihiko walked up to us. “Hey, Amu. Hey---“ He started to say, his jaw dropped after he saw me.

Amu started nudging me with her elbow, and winked. “See what I mean.”

“R-Rima.. uh, you look really nice.” Nagi said, seemingly changing how he was going to describe me.

We both started blushing. “Uh, thank you?” I said uncertainly.

“You’re welcome.” He said, embarrassed.

Nagi started sniffing the air. “Are there flowers growing around here? Whatever that smell is, it smells really good.”

Nagi scanned the area to see if there were nearby flowers causing the aroma.

I blushed harshly. I didn’t dare mention that it was my perfume.

Yaya started running towards me. “Rima-chi! Guess what?!”

“What?” I asked. I giggled under my breath at how hyper she was. She was bouncing up and down.

“My mom is having a bakesale. She told me that whatever she doesn’t sell, I get to EAT!” Yaya said.

Uh-oh. Yaya and sweets? That is a dangerous combination.

I looked at my watch. Five more mintutes until first-period.

“We have to hurry to first-period.” I said to Amu.

“See you at the Guardian meeting after school!” I added to Yaya, waving goodbye.

“Aren’t I a Guardian, too?” I vaguely heard Nagihiko say as I walked into the school.

Dang it! I hope Nagi doesn’t take it personally. I’m just really embarrassed right now.

Amu and I found our way to first-period.

I didn’t even pay attention to what the teacher was saying. Who ever really listened, anyway?

“Only a boy would mistake perfume for real flowers.” Amu said.

“You knew it was perfume?” I asked. That made me feel better.

“Yeah. It smells really good.” She answered.

Amu and I didn’t quite know what to say to each other, so I just glanced over to the clock.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

It was taunting me.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock.

Every second that passed felt like a minute, and every minute that passed felt like an hour.

Kusukusu floated beside my head and whispered to me.

“Rima-chan, you’re completely out of it.”

I looked away from the clock and turned to Kusukusu.

“Sorry. I’m just so bored.” I said.

Kusukusu giggled and made a funny face.

I couldn’t help but crack a smile.

“You bored now?” Kusukusu asked.

“I really just want class to end.

Especially because next period is Advanced Math.” I said, blushing.

Kusukusu had a sly smile. “Oh, so you’re excited to sit next to Nagi.”

“Sorta. I’m nervous.” I blushed harder.

After what seemed like forever in class, the bell finally rang.

I stood up from my seat and gathered my books.

After making my way to the hallway, I looked down to my books.

I was sort of dreading sitting next to Nagi, while I part of me longed to be with him.

It’s official. I’m as coo-coo as the Cocoa Puffs bird. I thought.

In my distracted state, I ended up tripping over somebody’s feet.

My books scattered to the floor and I landed on my stomach.

“Rima! I’m so sorry!” A familiar voice said.

I looked up to discover that Nagi was helping me pick up my books.

“Are you OK?” He asked.

I smiled. “Yeah, Nagihiko. I’m fine.”

Nagi offered to carry my books for me, but I declined.

“Are you sure? It’s the least I can do.” He said, sympathetic.

I rolled my eyes. “Nagi, c’mon. We’re gonna be late to class.”

I grabbed his hand and smiled at him.

He smiled back and his faced turned a pale shade of red.

We walked side-by-side to Advanced Math.