Chapter 9

"...Uso."

"Y-Yuki-chan!" Moriko exclaimed, shooting up to a standing position immediately, breathing quickly.

Yuki stood in disbelief at the door. She looked from Ryo to Moriko, and back to Ryo again. "Ne-chan, you promised..." Yuki said, almost in tears. Moriko looked guiltily at Yuki.

"...gomen." Moriko said silently, bending her back and bowing face-down to her imouto. She was guilt-stricken, for hurting her imouto like that. She liked Yuki very much, and if they were going to be in conflict for this, Moriko would never be happy.

When she heard Yuki running down the corridor, Moriko gave chase, while Ryo shouted her name after her to no avail.

"What happened?" Uchi asked, coming into the room. "Yuki called just now, to say that she wanted to talk to me. But I didn't know why. She didn't mention anything, and I don't think we've known each other very long yet. Then after she spoke to me, she asked to see you."

"...I don't know. Moriko said Yuki had a secret."

--

"Yuki-chan!" Moriko called out after her imouto, but she had lost track of where Yuki had run to. Moriko went in the direction of home, but when she asked if Yuki was home, one-chan had said 'no', and Moriko had run off again, worried, while her one-chan was left standing in the doorway, confused.

It began to rain after a while, and Moriko had left her bag in Ryo's hotel room. There was no umbrella. The light drizzle of raindrops fell against the running figure of Moriko, and Moriko considered where Yuki could be. She ended up sitting on the steps of an overhead bridge, resting her chin on her arms, feeling the light rain trickling down her skin. "Yuki-chan..."

But not long after, Moriko caught the figure of Yuki in a fruits store, eating strawberries that she had just bought. The three siblings had a similar craving for ichigo... She got up immediately, giving chase to Yuki. "Yuki-chan!" Moriko shouted, catching Yuki's hand before she could run.

Yuki glared at her sister, obviously still angry that she had broken that promise, that Moriko had so obviously hurt her feelings. "Let go!" Yuki broke the grip, pushing her elder sister away.

"Yuki-chan, gomen." Moriko apologised again, but Yuki wasn't going to listen. "Okay, then at the very least, come home!"

"You lied."

"...I am sorry. But what can you expect me to do?" Moriko asked, exasperated.

"..."

"I'm sorry Yuki-chan. I am not going to back off like I usually do. Suki dakara. (Because I love him.)" Moriko said, then turned back home.

--

"Are?!" Kusano exclaimed in shock. "Moriko, what happened?! You only went to buy strawberries and you're all drenched! Don't you usually bring an umbrella? Where is the box of strawberries and your bag now? Daijoubu? What is wrong??" Kusano was full of concern. "Sou desu where is Yuki-chan?!"

"Nii-chan, urusai." Moriko said in a dull voice, heading for her room. "Yappari, something bad happened." She sighed to herself. Without changing, she sat at the table, resting her head in her palm. The old, abandoned magazine caught her eye, and she shifted it towards her. The big scrawling of "war declaration" was still on its cover. Should they have stayed the way they were? Something told Moriko that this was not the end of the line of problems. She sneezed.

Kusano cautiously entered the room, looking at the drenched Moriko. He sat on the edge of her bed, serious now. "Ri-chan. What happened between you and Yuki-chan? Ne-san was saying you left in a hurry when you knew Yuki-chan wasn't home."

"Oni-chan, please stop asking."

"You used to want to tell me everything, but what is it now that you can't tell me?"

Moriko sneezed again. "Huh? Nothing."

"Then I shall ask Yuki-"

"Don't!"

They stared at each other for very long, until Moriko sneezed a third time, and Kusano smiled suddenly. "How can you not immediately shower and change into fresh clothes after coming in from the rain?! You'll catch a cold like this. Go shower this instance!" Kusano pushed his imouto out the door.

"Nii-chan! I haven't even taken out my clothes from the closet!" Moriko laughed, stopping Kusano.

"Ah sou desu!!"

--

"Ri-chan?? Ri-chan?? Wake up, it's morning..."

Kusano had gotten out of bed earlier than Moriko that day. But when he went for breakfast, he realised that Moriko was still in bed, and found it queer, since she usually was up already at this time. He shook Moriko's shoulder, only to receive a moan from her lips. He put a hand on her forehead, only to find it burning. "Uwa! Ri-chan, you're sick!!" Kusano exclaimed. "Kyaaa, that's not a right day today. I'm having a photoshoot and then I have to be at the Jimusho later! I'm only back at four~" Kusano knew his imouto had relied on him a lot when she was young, and was used to Kusano taking care of her when she was sick. "Ne, ne, Ri-chan getup first. I know you'd want to be in your oversized pyjamas ne! Get up for a minute and change yourself first... you'll feel cooler and much more comfortable." Kusano pulled Moriko up, but she simply slouched and fell into her brother's arms. "Ri-chan!" Kusano scolded, and Moriko got up again, grumbling and dragging her feet to the closet.

Meanwhile, Kusano closed the door behind him and went back into the dining room to get his and Moriko's breakfast into the room. "Ri-chan?? Ri-chan, are you done?" Kusano knocked his butt against the door since both his hands were full. "Ah itai!" he complained, then waited for a response.

"Hai~" a dull voice came from within the room. Moriko now lay with her back facing the ceiling on Kusano's bed.

Kusano put down the trays on the table, complaining, "Dame yo! Don't stick to my lovely bed too much!!"

"Demo your bed smells of you, oni-chan~" Moriko mumbled, not wanting to get up. She turned herself, now her face facing up, her hands and arms spread out, her being in a set of sky blue pyjamas now, looking contented.

Kusano bent over Moriko, asking, "Hee hee you like the smell of me? I should bring my smell when I come back from the Jimusho."

"Yadda!" Moriko pushed Kusano lightly, and Kusano pretended to fall backwards. He got the tray of breakfast, and asked Moriko to sit up to have her breakfast. Moriko sat up but stared at the tray on her lap.

Kusano sighed. "You don't expect me to have to feed you, do you?"

Moriko looked back at her brother with expectant eyes. Kusano gave an even louder sigh, jumping onto the bed, almost causing the tray to topple. He held it in place just in time. "Yuki made breakfast for you ne. But she didn't want you to know that." Kusano informed, pointing the tip of the spoon towards Moriko.

--

"Kyaaaaah~ I'm late, I'm late!" Kusano shouted, rushing round the room, everything half-done. He threw his items into his bag, then rushed to the bathroom to change. Moriko got up quietly, slowly creeping to his bag, arranging it neatly for him, and placing in any forgotten items. By the time Kusano was finally done with changing and styling his hair, Moriko was back in bed. "Are? Arigatou, Ri-chan!" Kusano grinned as he looked into his bag, flashing Moriko a thumbs up.

--

"Kyaa~" Kusano shouted as he ran towards the other members of NEWS.

"You're late." Ryo pointed out.

"Gomen!"

Ryo sighed. "You're almost always late! If you could just hurry up a but and stop lazing in bed you could save us some time and let us pack up earlier!" he scolded.

"Ahh~ I didn't men to be late, Nishikido-kun~ I woke up on time you know~ But Ri-chan was suddenly sick this morning, and when she isn't well, she just WHINES to have me here!" Kusano explained between pants, then placed his bag in the locker. He went to change.

Ryo grew worried even though he did not show it on his face. It had been raining last night. Had she been chasing after Yuki? He mentally scolded himself for not chasing after her. Yet, he had to let her settle what she wanted to settle with Yuki. It was their secret. He had promised not to probe further.

"I think I'll visit her after we're done at the Jimusho." Koyama said in a worried tone.

"...I'll go too."

Everyone stopped to look at Ryo in bewilderment, except for Uchi and Koyama, who knew the reason why.

"She left her bag with me," Ryo hurriedly explained, "so I should return it to her."

"Are? Why was her bag with you?" Kusano questioned.

"I was nearby, and Moriko just left her bag there when she gave chase to Yuki." Ryo lied.

"Boys, it's time for the photo shoot!"

--

Kusano crept quietly into Moriko's room, holding a pink piggy soft toy, Ryo, Uchi and Koyama filing in behind. Kusano saw Moriko sleeping soundly in his bed, the covers kicked off, and her hands fisted against the pillow. He gently placed the soft toy beide her, smiling at the innocent figure of his imouto. Moriko awoke immediately, rubbing her eyes, then spotting the soft toy beside her. She gave it a hug, then said in a weak voice, "Hiro nii-chan, okairinasai~"

"You have guests ne~" Kusano said, pointing to Ryo, Uchi and Koyama.

"Ah!" Moriko exclaimed in shock, getting up immediately. She was starting to feel better already. She looked even tinier in the set of oversized pyjamas, and Ryo secretly laughed at her while he was behind Uchi. Moriko caught it though, and threw a pillow at him, but it hit Koyama instead.

"Hey!" Koyama protested, giving her an it-wasn't-me look.

Kusano left to get his dose of strawberries, closing the door of the room behind him. The three guests sat onto Moriko's bed. Ryo lifted a hand, pushing away the fringe sticking onto Moriko's forehead from the profuse sweating.

"I think you don't need Kusano and me looking after you already." Koyama teased.

"Hey, you must let Ryo off to go shopping with me okay!" Uchi laughed.

"Urusai yo!" Ryo and Moriko said at once.

"Ja~ I see you're much better now. We'd let you two talk inside." Koyama said, pulling Uchi out of the room with him.

"Hey don't forget shopping-"

"Hai hai, I know!" Moriko grinned at Uchi, before the door was shut. "Ahh, yappari, he's just too adorable!" Moriko exclaimed, looking at the door.

Ryo shifted her chin to lay her gaze on himself. "No watching other boys." Ryo scolded.

"So possessive?" Moriko teased, sliding a single finger down Ryo's chest.

"You're so genki already. Ahh if I knew I could've just brought those magazines here to read..." Ryo commented on purpose.

Moriko pushed Ryo over. "No watching other girls." she warned.

"Oh? What makes you so sure I was talking about that?" he asked, smirking.

"Because you're such a sukebe!"

--

Kusano popped another strawberry into his mouth, folding his legs on the chair, humming a tune to himself while listening to the radio. He was now in a yellow singlet, very much his character -- warm, energetic, sunshine-bringing. But when a storm grew too big, things can change.

"Oni-chan!" Yuki called out, running to Kusano.

"Ah, Yuki-chan, strawberries?" Kusano held out a strawberry to Yuki.

"No, not strawberries." Yuki said. "Ano... nii-chan, I-"

"You're not allowed to go out tonight." Kusano cut in abruptly, staring sternly at his sister.

"But oni-chan, I promise-"

"I said no. Otou-san and oka-san have been worried about you. You're always returning home late." Kusano scolded.

Yuki was furious. Her brother had been strict on her. "Why is it that when it comes to Moriko ne-chan, you never have any objections?!"

"I do! Don't assume when you've not seen it!"

"Then why didn't you scold her for being with Nishikido-kun?!"

"!"

Chapter 8

Ryo quickly hushed Uchi before any other member, especially Kusano, came out to see what was happening. They were just around the bend in that room, and no matter how noisy it would be with their number, Uchi's laughter could very possibly be heard when they stopped to choose another song. Uchi nodded, trying to suppress his laughter, but started again when he went into the washroom.

Moriko stared afer Uchi, grinning at the way he reacted. He was cute, too, though when she had first seen Cherish's music video on television, she had thought Uchi was a very quiet and gloomy person. It turned out to be totally the OPPOSITE. "Kawaii na~" Moriko softly commented. Ryo squeezed Moriko's hand on purpose to remind her playfully that she should not look at other guys. Moriko looked back at Ryo, giving him a smirk, which Ryo glared at her for, and Moriko ended up laughing.

As they made their way back to the room, Moriko froze. "Wait, it's best if we walk in at different times... You know, they know us to be at 'war', so we should avoid suspicion. You don't want to have Hiro nii-chan on our backs." Moriko said, pushing Ryo forward a little so that he would walk in first.

"Alright, alright..." Ryo walked in, though he could not entirely hide his smile from the others.

Outside, Moriko could hear Kusano asking, "Are? Weren't you so quiet and unhappy just now? What happened? You look happy all of a sudden." Kusano then grinned. "Met your girlfriend outside?" Kusano teased.

"Kusano, urusai yo! Really, how much do you sleep a day? Your mouth doesn't feel tired at all!" Ryo shot back, although he was still smiling. Kusano laughed. He knew he must've hit the spot. But the only thing he didn't know was that Moriko was that 'girlfriend' he himself had mentioned.

A little while later, Moriko walked in, trying to avoid Ryo's gaze in case she blushed and told everything away. Tegoshi, Koyama, Kusano and Shige were now singing 'I.ZA.NA.I.ZU.KI.' and as Moriko walked in, Kusano did his silly joke again and sang 'be silent' extraordinarily loudly. Moriko shook her head and walked in.

Kusano, being the talkative and energetic one again, asked, "Ri-chan? Why are you hiding a smile?"

"Huh? I'm not. You squinted your eyes when you sang 'be silent' just now, how would you know I smiled?" Moriko asked, laughing nervously.

"If you met your boyfriend just like Ryo met his girlfriend outside, that boy is going to feel sorry!" Kusano joked, although he did not know how true that was.

Moriko did not answer. She was now seated beside Koyama, who gave her a thumbs up and mouthed, "Yokatta ne!"

While Koyama, Yamapi and Shige were singing 'Sore Ja Mata' by SMAP, Tegoshi was arguing that he wanted the microphone, but Koyama just refused to pass it to him, claiming that he had sung too much. Moriko was too busy "occasionally" catching glimpses at Ryo that she didn't sing anymore, until Tegoshi pulled her out to sing 'Zutto' with him since Massu wasn't there.

There was no way Yuki could take a seat beside Ryo without obviously showing that she had feelings for him. She did notice, however, that Ryo was singing 'Zutto' on his own while he folded his arms and slouched back in his seat. When Moriko finally retreated back to her seat, Yuki was pulled out by Tegoshi this time, and Kusano complained, "Tegoshi-kun! You've hung on to the mike for too long! Let someone else sing! Ah, like Ryo, who has been so silent the whole time ne! Even your best buddy Uchi has sung quite a few songs!"

Tegoshi finally relented, and Ryo went up to sing. At this, while the pair were singing, a sudden thought hit Moriko. Yuki...

"Whatever happens, don't fight with me over Ryo-chan, ne?"

But even though Moriko loved her imouto, this time... she didn't want to give up Ryo. This time she wanted to be selfish. "Gomen, Yuki." Moriko thought.

--

When it was time to leave, Koyama and Moriko dropped a little behind the others so that they were out of listening range. "Your expression seemed to have changed when you saw Yuki and Ryo together." Koyama commented, hinting for her to tell him if she wanted to.

"Yuki likes Ryo." Moriko said simply.

"And you want to give him up because of that?" Koyama asked.

"No... it's the opposite. I want to be selfish this time. But I'll feel bad because I had promised Yuki that I'll not fight with her over Ryo. I'm scared of her finding out because... We're quite close, and I don't want the relationship to spoil just because of Ryo." Moriko explained, keeping an eye that Yuki, Ryo and Kusano were out of hearing distance.

"From what I've heard, you've always been a very nice one-san, always giving in to your imouto." Koyama commented.

"Huh? How'd you know?"

"Kusano talks a lot ne? Occasionally some little stories spill out, and it's easy to tell you've been giving in a lot." Koyama laughed a little, giving Moriko a pat on the head.

"I wish I could tell this to Hiro nii-chan." Moriko sighed.

"...I am your second nii-chan, right?" Koyama asked, stopping in his tracks.

"Hai! Keii nii-chan!" Moriko nodded, and Koyama grinned, opening his arms.

"Ja, then we shall make this hug our mark ne!" he said in a sing-song voice, jumping a little as though acting childish.

"Hey, you're not supposed to imitate me!" Moriko complained, but she hugged back too.

"Oi! Don't forget your real nii-chan is here!" Kusano complained, when he turned back to look at the pair. Moriko laughed as she remembered when Kusano did the same as Koyama when he had upset Moriko when she was only five years old. He had said, "Gomene, Ri-chan, from now on, I shall be a good brother ne!" And he had opened his arms in excitement. Moriko had hugged him back, although compared to Koyama's gentle hug, Kusano's had been tight as though he did not want to let go of Moriko. This reminded Moriko of his protectiveness towards her.

"Hai!" Moriko said. The two caught up with the rest. At the entrance of the Karaoke lounge, Moriko suddenly recalled that she hadn't stocked up on those strawberries yet. She had too much a craving for strawberries recently. Kusano would shout down her ear if he found out how much of 'his' strawberries she had consumed when he hadn't noticed.

"Chotto, nii-chan, I need to get something from the supermart, so... I'll go home later."

Kusano turned round, and then said, "It's strawberries AGAIN right? You've been stocking up the strawberries these few days. Ne, Ri-chan, you shouldn't eat that many strawberries you know!" Moriko blushed and nodded her head. Kusano actually knew, ne? "As long as you better keep some for me okay!!"

"Hai!!"

Moriko walked away, but as the others left, she felt someone rush to her side. "Nishikido-kun?!"

"You're still calling me that?! Hey, don't be so formal!" Ryo complained.

"...Ryo-chan then." Moriko said.

"Huh?" Ryo asked, pretending he couldn't hear it.

"Hey!" Moriko gave an annoyed face, slapping lightly on Ryo's arm.

"If I'm going to be with you, I think I'm going to suffer so many bruises!" Ryo complained, laughing.

"Ja, then we shouldn't be together!" Moriko shouted in embarrassment, walking faster.

"Hai, hai, it was a joke..." Ryo said after he stopped laughing, gently grabbing Moriko's arm.

"Ah sou desu, why are you following me anyway? I'm going out to buy strawberries." Moriko asked, suddenly realising she didn't know why Ryo was with her.

"...I'm not welcomed?" Ryo asked. "If I'm not welcomed I'll just leave..." he threatened in a playful way.

"Of course I want you here!" Moriko quickly said, then her hand automatically linked with Ryo's. Ryo secretly smiled at her little action, and her sudden nervousness.

While Moriko was at the fruits department, she put her hand on the boxes of strawberries for a long time, staring at them. Ryo noticed that, and asked if she was alright. Moriko suddenly shook herself from the daze and chose a box of strawberries.

Outside, Ryo suddenly asked, "...why don't you come over for a while?"

"Hm?" Moriko looked at Ryo is surprise. Over...where?

--

"Just leave that in the fridge first." Ryo sad, opening the mini-fridge for Moriko, and she bent down, slowly placing the box of strawberries in carefully, her mind still away. Ryo lay on his stomach on the bed, his elbows supporting him. Moriko sat in front of him, resting her chin on the edge of the bed. "Why the sudden silence? You are usually noisy."

"Am I?" Moriko asked, but she didn't even hear what Ryo had just said, not even arguing with him that he was wrong.

"Kusano!" Ryo suddenly exclaimed, his head turning towards the door. Moriko abruptly stood up in shock, but realised Ryo had tricked her. She pouted, walking towards Ryo, and Ryo dodged before the pillow hit him. Moriko fell on the bed instead, and watched calmly as Ryo's figure towered over her. He brushed a single finger across her tender cheek.

"The last time you did that you were so drunk, you scared me to death! I thought you were going to...to..." Moriko said, but stopped before she continued.

"What were you thinking of? You were in a daze, ever since you laid your hand on those boxes of strawberries." Ryo asked.

"Nothing."

"Ri-chan." Ryo demanded seriously. He did not want Moriko to hide anything from him.

"Ryo-chan, please." Moriko pleaded for Ryo to let her go this once when she was still feeling too troubled to tell him. She lifted herself off the bed, but Ryo pushed her back down with his firm arms instead. She felt his lips brushed past hers, and for a moment, she was alarmed and thought he was going to do more to her, but he showed no sign of it, and Moriko relaxed. He simply continued the action, until Moriko finally confessed, "It's Yuki. But you don't need to know beyond that."

"What about her?"

"She has her own rights to her own secrets. I won't say it out."

Ryo nodded, not asking further, not suspecting that this was connected to their relationship. But he respected Moriko's decision for not telling. They had been silent after that again, each one resting their arms on each side of the bed.

"Ne, Ryo-chan, you've lived inside this room for very long?" Moriko asked.

"Yea, since I needed somewhere to stay for work."

"Don't you feel lonely? Like you're coming home to a room that doesn't feel personal?"

"I only come home to sleep, after all." Ryo answered, then asked, "Why do you ask that?"

"Ie, that day, I offered to help you home, and you said you didn't want to come home to this empty room." Moriko explained.

"You know, you are welcomed in here anytime."

"But you only come back to sleep at night anyway. You're so busy, running not only for NEWS, but Kanjani 8 too! I don't understand how you and Uchi survive. That has got to be a lot of pressure. It's a wonder your hair is still so black." Moriko answered, reaching a hand out to touch Ryo's hair.

Ryo caught her hand just as it landed on his hair, saying, "I do come back only to sleep, but if you want, we can also do something more than that." he teased playfully, grinning.

Moriko got his meaning, then scolded, "Sukebe!" before releasing hr hand from Ryo's grip.

"Hai, hai, that was a joke. I wouldn't rush these things, if I'm serious. But dont' assume me to be working the whole time I'm awake! I just stay outside with Uchi sometimes, that's all. If not I go over to his hotel room. Uchi is just next door, actually."

At that, Uchi's voice suddenly sounded beyond the door. "Ryo-chan?? Ryo-chan? You have a visitor."

Ryo looked at the door, puzzled. Visitor? If it were one of K8 or NEWS, Uchi would never list them as visitors. Who else was possible to visit if they didn't know their room numbers? And if it were a fan, they would never be informed or allowed to approach. Ryo rose from his position, walking towards the door, while Moriko pushed herself up at the same time, seating herself on the edge of the bed.

As the door opened...

.
.
.

"...Uso."

Chapter 7

Once Moriko got home, she made sure everyone else, especially Kusano and Yuki, were asleep, then crept quietly into the kitchen, taking out the box of strawberries. She dipped a strawberry into the cream, then lifted it to her lips. But when the softness of the cream grazed her lips, she paused. He had kissed her there, right where the soft cream now touched. His kiss had been both passionate yet gentle, and Moriko was afraid to think of it. Especially when she realised that she was responding to his feelings. But...was he just uttering nonsense? Did she want to think about it? Yappari, she hated this silence. Finally consuming the strawberry, she kept the rest back into the refridgerator, going back into the room.

Kusano was sleeping very peacefully, his hands spreaded out with his legs. Moriko sighed at the sight. She wanted to tell Kusano, to cry in front of him, but this issue had to be kept from him. On normal circumstances, she could turn to Yuki, but... the topic was Nishikido Ryo. It was entirely out of the safe zone with Yuki having a crush on him. Moriko fell down onto her own bed, and the previous incident replayed in her mind. She sat up immediately. Initially, Moriko had been horrified by Ryo's actions, afraid that he would do more than kiss her, but thanks to the alcohol... But were it not for the alcohol, she wouldn't have to be this confused now!

Out of exhaustion, Moriko fell asleep, without her realising it.

--

"Ri-chan, Ri-chan!!!" Kusano called out, running down the corridor. "We're going for Karaoke this weekend again. I'm sure you'll want to come along ne? You missed it the last time!"

Moriko agreed before she thought about it, but later stopped to ponder on it. "We" ad "again"? That meant Mishikido-kun was going to be there. Even if he might not know what he had said and done that particular night, Ri-chan remembered very clearly, and se didn't want that tension between them when they met. She would rather they argue as usual. Mr. Big Nose and Miss Angry Forest, not Moriko and Nishikido-kun.

"Oni-chan, I'm off to school!" Moriko announced, securing her shoelaces. Kusano was the last to get out of the house as usual, and because he was a little later today, Moriko decided to leave for school without waiting for him.

"Oi, Ri-chan, wait a while!" Kusano shouted, hurriedly pulling his school uniform over himself ad bursting out the room, only to have forgotten his schoolbag.

"Nii-chan, if I wait any longer, I'm going to be late for school too!" Moriko complained, then ran out of the house. It was a chaotic day for the two noisy siblings.

--

Koyama appeared at the schoolgates again, even though the group of boys by now had left Moriko alone. While in the car, Koyama suddenly exclaimed, "Ahh!! Ri-chan, haven't you slept last night?! Your eyes look awfully tired!"

Moriko did sleep, although it was an uneasy rest. She craned her neck to look at the rearview mirror, getting a shock herself.

"Nevermind, you look like you have something to tell me. Maybe you'd like to go somewhere to talk?" Koyama offered to lend a listening ear. Moriko nodded. Finally, someone she would feel totally at ease talking to.

Koyama parked the car, giving the steering wheel a little pat, before both of them emerged from the large family car. He brought Moriko onto a bridge which overlooked the river, then held out the plastic bag in his hands. Moriko gave a questioning look, then put her hand into the bag, pulling out one of the two boxes. She laughed. "Takoyaki?!"

"I am still hungry~" Koyama said, taking out his share. "Itawakimasu~"

"But you're not going to get full with just this?" Moriko questioned.

"Sou desu ne, but I had the urge to eat this suddenly, so I just got it." Koyama answered. "Hmm, what do you want to tell me?"

Moriko frowned, leaning against the fencing, wondering how she should start. "I've got something to say about Nishikido-kun getting drunk." She suddenly said, deciding she might as well come to the point. She narrated the previous day's event, up to the point of her putting him down on the bed, her cheeks flushing to red very soon. She turned her face away from Koyama, embarrassed. Koyama stopped eating.

"Ryo-chan?!" he suddenly exclaimed. Moriko didn't move at all. Koyama sighed. "He is always like that ne. Keeping everything inside. And then he goes drinking to drown himself in even more sorrow."

Moriko hesitated, then continued, "Actually he kissed me. He said...He said he was attracted to me."

"HUH!" Koyama exclaimed even louder this time, and Moriko grew even more embarrassed.

Moriko's vision was already blurred, tears threatening to fall. She didn't like to cry in front of people, to show that she was this weak, but she was afraid. She finally burst into sobs, and Koyama put down his food, walking towards Moriko. He turned her figure then placed her in his arms, silently patting Moriko's head.

"Please don't tell anyone about this."

"Even Ryo-chan?" Koyama asked.

"Yes, even him."

Koyama looked at Moriko in his arms, crying. She was different from the noisy, talkative, energetic girl he usually knew her to be. She would've made a big fuss out of it and get angry instead of sad if...if she didn't have feelings for Ryo.

--

That Saturday came very soon. On Friday, Koyama had brought Moriko out to buy a new pair of earrings in advance, although she still had to wait a month before she could remove the old pair of earrings. Kusano had complained how jealous he was that Moriko seemed to have stuck so much to Koyama rather than himself, and would playfully pitch "fights" with Koyama during their time together at the Jimusho. Ryo still kept silent aside with Uchi. He had no idea how he reached home that night when he was drunk. Everything was like a dream that night.

Moriko set off with Yuki and Kusano to meet the rest of NEWS in the Karaoke room. Massu wasn't present, since he said he wasn't free that evening. This made Kusano diappointed yet gleeful at the same time. That meant he had a higher chance of holding the microphone.

While inside, Kusano suddenly spotted Moriko's ear studs, and exclaimed, "Are? Moriko, when did you pierce your ears??" He walked over to Moriko's seat, trying to get a closer look at her newly-pierced ears.

"Nii-chan, you are so unobservant! I had them pierced on Monday evening!" Moriko said.

"Ahh~ Really?"

"Ne, Kusano, I took her out to pierce her ears, didn't she tell you?" Koyama laughed. Ryo suddenly looked at Moriko's ear studs. Didn't they look familiar to him?! Something he had seen, in his hotel room... Perhaps that was just a dream.

"Ehh?! Hey Moriko who are you looking to for a brother now?!" Kusano protested, obviously jealous.

"It's not like that! I'm going to be her boyfriend ne!" Koyama joked, although he knew he should not say it in front of Ryo, but it was better to act as per normal. "Ne, Ri-chan?"

"You kissed?" Kusano demanded, playing along, but Ryo seemed to be taking in everything seriously, which only Uchi noticed. Uchi kept silent though, he did not want to bring up this issue here. Kusano grabbed hold of the mike, shouting, "Koyama Keiichiro! Did you touch my sister?!" Everyone covered their ears.

"Hiro nii-chan, you don't have to shout! Your usual voice is loud enough!" Moriko shouted.

Koyama ended up laughing. "Yes, we KISSED!" He said between laughs, looking at Moriko. Moriko, too, ended up laughing. She knew Koyama meant that little peck on the cheek, and that little kiss on the forehead. But it had been someone else who stole her first kiss...

Kusano pouted, swinging his arms around, complaining, "Ri-chan, you never kissed me before~" Moriko sighed at the childish sight of Kusano, then stood up and gave a little peck on his cheek, and Kusano looked triumphantly at Koyama.

The whole time, Moriko avoided looking into Ryo's eyes, while the singing session was still going on. She excused herself later on, heading for the washroom. When she emerged, as she was about to turn round the corner back to the room, she heard Uchi and Ryo speaking, so she stoped in her tracks.

"...what? I wasn't jealous! Really, why would I even like a spoilt child like her?" Ryo denied, although he knew he had almost never lied to Uchi before. But if he had confessed, it would only deepen and make firm the feelings for Moriko in him.

"I brought it up here outside so that you could be frank, since I know you wouldn't want the others to know about this. If you like her, then just come to terms with it!" Uchi said, noticing how Ryo didn't want to try to win Moriko's heart.

Moriko decided she would not want to walk in at this awkward moment, and silently retreated back into the empty washroom. She looked at herself in the mirror, her fingers resting themselves on the edge of the sink. She saw Koyama enter the next door men's toilet through the wide-open door. Spoilt child? What had he just said? Did he just lie? WHEN did he lie? That night or tonight?! Moriko was sobbing again, not even bothering to hide in a cubicle since the entire washroom was empty except for her. "Baka!" she scolded herself, for crying out. But she didn't want to return back there and control her tears instead.

Ryo finally got Uchi exasperated, and while Uchi went back into the room, he decided to head for the washroom instead. He paused in his steps, catching the sight of Moriko crying in the Ladies'. The fist instinct to him was that Koyama had hurt her when they were both out of the room. He rushed into the other washroom, where Koyama was washing his hands under the tap. Koyama felt himself being pinned onto the wall by Ryo, who started shouting at him. "What did you do to Moriko?! Why is she crying? Did you not treat her well enough?"

"Huh?" Koyama asked. "She's crying? Ryo-chan, I don't have that kind of feeling towards her. It's not what you think!"

"Well, then were you playing with her!?" Ryo demanded, furious now. He sent a blow onto Koyama's right cheek, and Koyama grew really mad now. He fought back, shoving Ryo onto the floor outside the washroom, then firmly holding him down.

"Baka!" he scolded. "Ryo-chan, you're a total baka!" Ryo was still furious, but he had not seen Koyama so angry before. "I only see Ri-chan as an imouto! She's crying because of YOU! Not me! Wake up and think back on what you've done to her!"

Ryo didn't say anything at first, thinking back. Those ear studs were familiar, weren't they? Koyama loosened his grip on Ryo, and Ryo lay there, thinking, Oh God, I did something to her. I told her!

He turned to see a stunned Moriko standing in the doorway of the Ladies', staring at Ryo. Both of them did not know when, but Koyama had suddenly disappeared. Ryo stood up, staring at his feet. "Gomen." he said simply.

"It's not sorry that I want to hear." Moriko said, walking away. But she gasped as a strong, almost hurting grip landed on her wrist, and she wa pulled back. Her second kiss went to him too, and Moriko struggled at first, but later relaxed under his firm grip, and responded to his kiss.

"Who said I was apologising for that night?!" Ryo said, after he pulled away.

"B-But why did you do that then?!" Moriko asked, her feet seemed to not feel the ground from the sudden dizziness.

"Did what? I said sorry since I hit your second brother by mistake!"

"Baka! I meant why you did THAT!" Moriko scolded, pushing Ryo, who nearly fell backward from the sudden push, grabbing Moriko along with him. Moriko's back was now against the wall, and she blushed, looking away.

"Did what? This?" Ryo asked, leaning in and lifting her chin so as to kiss her again. Moriko actually giggled, and Ryo gave her an annoyed look. "What?" he demanded.

But before Moriko replied, Uchi was heading this way, and catching the sight, Uchi laughed. "Ryo-chan, you're pretty fast!" he commented, laughing harder.

"Why did you giggle just now?" Ryo asked kater, his unending curiosity had him insisting Moriko tell him.

"Because you refuse to say 'love'." Moriko answered. Ryo's way of telling her he loved her, was by those passionate kises he had sent.

But that evening they did not consider what they were going to face...

Chapter 6

Ryo froze, staring at the scene. And for some reason, he was clenching his fists in jealousy. Were they an item? When had Koyama started liking Moriko? He noticed them holding hands, Koyama leading Moriko towards the big Wheel, and he was overcomed with anger.

"...Ryo, what is it?" Uchi asked, putting a hand on Ryo's shoulder.

"Nothing." Ryo anwered very coldly, almost hissing. Dame yo, she's too young! Ryo scolded himself, now realising he had eyed too much on Moriko. She was only sixteen, an inappropriate age for him at this particular time. He walked away.

--

"Thanks for today!" Moriko said at the entrance of her house. "Although... The piercings still hurt!" She complained again.

Koyama laughed at her, gently touching the tip of her nose. "You really love complaining, Ri-chan."

Moriko stuck out her tongue like a little child, and said, "I feel happy today."

"Yokatta ne." Koyama said, and returned that little kiss on the Ferris Wheel, but he planted it on Moriko's forehead instead. "Ja, ganbare yo, Ri-chan!"

"Hai, Keii nii-chan!"

--

When Moriko opened the door, she nearly jumped to see Kusano folding his arms, sitting on the sofa. "Ri-chan, come over." Kusano ordered, and Moriko was shocked at the serious tone in Kusano's voice. What was it? Moriko sat down opposite Kusano slowly, looking warily at him. "What was it that you were scared of?"

"Huh?" Moriko went at first, then realised it was anout the phone call. "Ahh, were you angry nii-chan? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to throw my temper like that."

"I'm not talking about that, forget about it, I mena, I do the same to you sometimes, but anyway, what were you scared of? What has happened in school?" Kusano demanded, and at times like these, Moriko wouldn't feel at ease with her brother.

"It was nothing, I was just being paranoid. I just... heard some ghost stories from my classmates and got scared, that's all! That's why I didn't want to be alone!" Moriko answered very quickly, not daring to look straight into Kusano's eyes at all.

Kusano gave an exasperated sigh. "That was a very lousy excuse. You didn't flinch at all once when I scared you in the middle of the night with a ghost story!"

"Nii-chan, stop asking. If you want to know, the ghost stories were just too horrifying." Moriko shouted, storming through the house, slamming the room door behind her. She went under the covers, beating her pillow. Sometimes Kusano could question too much...

--

The next day, at the Jimusho, Ryo frowned the whole time while dancing to a genki song. NEWS finally had a little rest, and the gathered at a corner in the dance room, Kusano laying down and yawning.

"For goodness sake, Kusano, it's already afternoon, and you're still yawning?" Koyama reprimanded. "Did you sleep enough last night?"

"...actually no. Moriko is starting to get worrying." Kusano answered.

"Ri-chan?"

"She came home a little later than usual yesterday, and when I asked her why she sounded scared over the phone, she wouldn't tell me the truth."

"Ah, about her coming home late, I was out with her last night." Koyama answered. Kusano sat up immediately.

"On a date?!" Kusano exclaimed.

"Hai, a date. I wanted to cheer her up, since she looked so gloomy. I offered to fetch her home whenever I can..." Koyama continued. At that moment, his ketai rang, and he went aside to answer it. Ryo was secretly eavesdropping. "Ah, Ri-chan, hai~ Don't worry about it, I promised you to fetch you home. And if I weren't free I wouldn't do it." Koyama laughed. "I shall be your boyfriend escort again!" Ryo gritted his teeth a little at this. So they were a pair?

--

Moriko went out on her own to get milk from the supermarket, which was a bus stop away. She thought she saw a familiar figure as she got down from the bus. Ryo! Ryo was emerging from a nearby pub, drunk with red cheeks, his walking almost unstable. Out of instant concern, Moriko wentover to him, asking< "Daijoubu? Nishikido-kun?"

"What?" Ryo demanded, glaring at her. "Why do you call me Nishikido-kun now anyway? Don't you have a whole dictionary of awful nicknames for me?"

"You're drunk, Nishikido."

"I'm not." He stated, but like all drunks would reply, of ourse, they would say no.

"I think you really need to get home. I mean, back to the hotel. You still have work tomorrow." Moriko said nervously, watching Ryo walk past her.

"Urusai yo!" Ryo shouted.

Nevertheless, Moriko had to help him, to return the favour. He wouldn't want to be caught by the paparazzi outside, drunk and spouting nonsense on the streets. Moriko gently put his arm over her shoulder, but gasped as an odd sensation travelled through her as she felt her skin contact with Ryo. He smelt very strongly of alcohol, and staggered so much, Moriko felt his weight on her increasing everytime they took a few steps forward.

"Ah!" Moriko suddenly exclaimed, realising she didn't know which hotel Ryo lived in. "Ne, Nishikido-kun, are you awake enough to tell me where you live?" She asked worriedly, afraid that she would have to leave him stranded on the streets. But Ryo seemed to be mumbling to himself instead. Moriko put her hand into his pocket, then found his wallet. "Chotto matte yo, Nishikido, you're very heavy. I need to find out where you live first!"

"Don't... I don't want to go back to that room where I'd have to be alone..." Ryo mumbled.

Moriko sighed, flipping through his wallet. "Ah, found it."

--

Moriko felt her shoulders were going to break. He was not a plump person, but... On a five year younger girl, he felt really heavy. She dumped him on his bed, heaving a sigh of relief, sitting down on the edge of the bed herself, resting for a moment, crossing her legs to massage them. "You're awfully heavy!" she complained.

But she did not see Ryo sitting up, his eyes staring at her back in passion. She gave a scream as Ryo pulled onto her shoulders, her head hitting the bed. When Moriko reopened her eyes, Ryo was already on top of her, straddling her figure, his arms trapping her sides.

"Why... What is so attractive about you, Moriko... What is it that I like in such a young woman? You're so hard to get. You're just so young..." Ryo brushed his fingers across Moriko's cheek, but Moriko laid there, stunned. Ryo took away Moriko's first kiss. But as he pulled back to continue, Moriko saw his eyes close suddenly, and he simply fell asleep over her body.

Moriko lay there for very long, afraid to move. She could feel the heat from the contacting of their bodies, and she breathed irregularly from the shock. Finally, when she calmed down, she pushed Ryo's body away with shaking hands, heading for home.

Chapter 5

Moriko was nervous while in school, always looking behind her shoulder in fear. Whenever someone laid a hand on her, she would jump in shock, then end up calming herself down. Finally, feeling too paranoid that they might jump out anytime, Moriko fumbled with her phone, dialling Kusano's number.

"H-Hello? Hiro nii-chan? Can you pick me up after school?" Moriko asked.

"Eh? I'm at work, Ri-chan, I don't know if I'm free at that time." Kusano answered, looking at his reflection in the mirror. They had photoshoots and interviews for a magazine that day. Since Kusano did not drive, and naturally did not own a car, it would take too much time to take the bus or train home and back, and walk his imouto home. But Moriko sounded scared... "I do have a break, but it isn't long enough to see you home. Why, Ri-chan, I didn't know the fierce you could sound so scared suddenly!" Kusano teased.

"Oni-chan, it's not funny!" Moriko scolded, staying in the canteen to hide in the crowd.

Kusano sighed. "Ah, I need to go back to work already. If you're scared of being alone, take a cab home?"

"Forget it." Moriko answered in frustration, ending the phone call.

"Are?" Kusano stared at his ketai, then quickly jogged towards the rest of NEWS.

"What is it? You were so genki just now, and now you look so glum." Shige commented.

"Ri-chan hung up on me. She requested me to fetch her home, but I told her I couldn't since I am at work, but she just hung up in frsutration! Ne, that's no way to bully her oni-chan, I do care, but it's true I'm not able to fetch her home. She should be more sensible." Kusano complained, continuing to sulk. "Demo ne, she sounded so worried over the phone."

Ryo had already guessed why Moriko had wanted someone to escort her home. She was afraid of having to confront her attackers again. But Ryo had no means to help her. He wanted to tell Kusano this issue but it had been Moriko's wish to keep it from others.

"Hmm, I can go fetch Moriko home if you like. I drive anyway. It's quite convenient for me." Koyama offered.

"But you'll miss lunch like that!" Kusano argued.

"Daijoubu yo, I can eat during the drive. Don't I always do that?" Koyama laughed.

Kusano heaved a sigh of relief. "Ah, sou ka, arigatou ne, Koyama-kun!" He thanked Koyama, glad that Moriko could be relieved of her fear, althoguh he did not know what her loud sister would be afraid of. He could question her when he was home.

"Boys, it's time for work!"

"Hai!!!"

--

It was finally tine to go home, but before Moriko made a step out from the classroom, her ketai vibrated, and she read the message on the screen.

"Hey, Moriko-chan, I'll fetch you home during my break! See you at the school gate.
- ♥ Koyama.

Moriko nearly jumped for joy. She was rather guilty for hanging up on Kusano like that. He had thought about her after all. She made her way to the school gate, hoping Koyama would arrive before the crowd of students disappeared. A grey family car pulled up in front of the school gates, and Koyama emerged, jogging towards Moriko.

"Ehh.. Koyama-kun desu ne!"

Moriko immediately felt uncomfortable hearing all the whispering about seeing an idol. Koyama was still in his photoshoot clothes, A white T-shirt inside with navy blue pants and coat. "Ja, ikou!" Koyama said in a genki voice, leading Moriko over to his car. "Yosha..." Koyama got into the driver's seat, picking up his lunch to continue eating.

"Ah! Sumimasen! I had to make you have lunch in the car." Moriko apologised, now feeling guilty for having thrown her temper around with her brother.

"Daijoubu yo! I can be your boyfriend today and fetch you home!" Koyama joked, and Moriko laughed.

"What is it that you're worried about? Kusano mentioned that you sounded scared over the phone."

"Ahh... I did?" Moriko lied nervously. She was playing with her fingers, hesitating in answering.

"...but if you don't want to tell me, it's okay." Koyama assured.

"Thank you for fetching me home."

"Hai! You look so down today, I think I should take you out tonight to cheer you up!" Koyama suggested, fixing his excited eyes onto Moriko. "Unless... you have a lot of homework from school today?"

"Ie, none at all." Moriko shook her head.

"I'll take that as a yes!" Koyama gleefully replied, still munching on his lunch. The car stopped in front of the apartment, and Moriko thanked Koyama again. The same talkative manner, but he was like an oni-chan who wouldn't pick an argument with one, and...

--

Moriko waited near the bus stop outside her home for Koyama, who shortly arrived in his family car again. "Moriko-chan, I shall be your one-day boyfriend today, and take you out to play!" Koyama announced, and Moriko blushed, protesting with, "Koyama nii-chan!" "Hai, hai, wakatta..." Koyama said, opening the car door for Moriko.

"Hai, first stop, we shall do something that you haven't dared to do but have wanted to do all along! What is it?" Koyama asked, strapping on his seat belt.

"Ne, you sound like you're bringing me on a tour date! Ah, but there are so many things I want to do... But I still don't have the courage to do it now." Moriko answered, considering which to do. Which of the following would both she and Koyama enjoy?

Koyama suddenly said, "Ne, it doesn't have to be me who has to enjoy it. The main purpose today is a cheering-up session for you!"

"That's scary, Koyama nii-chan, you can read my mind! Ja..." Moriko started, preparing to announce. She whispered the answer into Koyama's ear, and Koyama nodded, driving off.

"Chotto kowaii..." Moriko said, the thought of leaving already settling into her mind.

"Yadda yo! You're here already. Don't worry, it's not going to hurt..." Koyama assured, showing his own mark of pain on his flesh. "Moriko, ganbare!"

"Hai..." Moriko answered nervously as she first looked into the mirror to determine the marker's accuracy of balance. "Keii nii-chan, are you sure it doesn't hurt?! I'm still scared of pain!" Moriko suddenly asked again, just to reassure herself.

"Hai, hai, daijoubu desu. I am here, remember? Here, I'll hold your hand. Don't move." Koyama stretched out his hand and firmly held Moriko's hand.

It plunged through, and after once, Moriko nearly dug her nails into Koyama's hand. Koyama winced.

"If Hiro nii-chan saw me here, I don't think he'll ever stop teasing me for his entire life! Itai yo!" Moriko complained. "Ne, Keii nii-chan, I don't believe you said it wasn't painful at all!!"

"Ri-chan, it's not only you who's hurting! Your fingernails are frightening! They are driving into my flesh!" Koyama complained as well.

"Gomen demo..."

"Just one more, Ri-chan, just bear with it. It's going to be okay." Koyama coaxed, stroking the back of her hand.

Later on, when they were outside, Koyama stretched out his hand, showing her the marks she left. "You're scary too ne! That was painful..."

"Ah, sumimasen..." Moriko laughed nervously. "That was my first time. I am not resistant to pain!"

"I can tell. It's ear-piercing, Moriko, but your reaction was so great." Koyama replied, rubbing his own hand.

"But that split-second pain was horrible..." Moriko said, then went over to Koyama, rubbing his hand to soothe the pain.

"Hai, next stop, next stop..." Koyama said later, and they went back into the car. "We should have a little early supper ne?" He suggested, and Moriko nodded.

"Itawakimasu~" Koyama said, then started eating. But Moriko only gave a very lazy "itawakimasu" before she picked up her food slowly. "Hmm? Ri-chan, are you okay?"

"It still hurts!" Moriko complained, pointing to her ear piercings.

Koyama laughed. "Maybe Ryo-chan is right ne, you and Kusano are really alike!"

Moriko stopped to think for a moment at the mention of Ryo's name, forgetting the pain for a while. "Sou desu ne!" Moriko suddenly responded, laughing. "But then I still find Kusano noisier than me." She protested. "It feels like it's burning..." Moriko continued complaining. Koyama shook his head.

--

"Next stop, next stop!" Koyama eagerly said.

"Hai, bus conductor!" Moriko laughed.

"Eh? How could you call your helpful boyfriend a bus conductor?" Koyama asked, pouting.

"Keii nii-chan, you are really like a tour guide!" Moriko insisted.

"Haiii. Ja, let's go!"

"Uwaa, this?" Moriko asked to confirm.

"Hai, hai, let's get on..." Koyama said, pulling Moriko's hand.

But both of them grew quite tense inside the compartment. And Moriko wondered why Koyama suddenly stopped his chattering as the Ferris Wheel started lifting their compartment higher and higher. Until when they were mid-high, Koyama's chattering started again. "Kirei desho?" He asked, pointing out the window, and looking out a little. Moriko laughed. "Ah, look, the lights on the bridge, and the buildings. Ahh, the night view is beautiful ne~"

"Keii nii-chan, are you afraid of heights?" Moriko asked.

"...hai!" Koyama finally confessed.

"Then why did you bring me here in the first place?" Moriko asked, laughing.

"Ahh, but the night view is beautiful, so I thought you might want to see it..." Koyama answered.

"Arigatou." Moriko replied. She leaned nearer to Koyama, then gave him a little peck on the cheek. "Keii nii-chan, ano ne, actually I wanted someone to fetch me home, because I was afraid of being attacked by a gang of students. Yappari, I need to learn how to defend myself better than I am doing now. I am getting very paranoid all of a sudden when someone approaches me in school."

"You've never told Kusano about this?" Koyama asked, forgetting about the height now.

"Ie, I don't want him to come back to school just to fight with them. It'll ruin his reputation ne. I know he cares a lot, so I should care for him too." Moriko answered. "Before he transferred to another school, he was being bullied by the same group of gangsters. Not long after he transferred, it was a coincidence that I was eyed on, and they got their chance when I had to go for one extra lesson..."

"Ri-chan, ganbare! If you ever need help, don't ever hesitate to call me! Or even Ryo-chan, in fact. I don't want to fight, but... there must be a way to settle this, ne?" Koyama said. "Sometimes, there are positive things to gain from a problem. Maybe you haven't found it out yet. So take your time to find that positive outcome, and work on it!"

Moriko nodded a head, saying a little "hai".

--

Ryo and Uchi had just finished their supper together at a Ramen store, and while walking back to the bus stop, Ryo froze in his steps. Wasn't that Moriko and Koyama?

Chapter 4

"Wake up, Mori-chan!" Kusano called.

Moriko opened her eyes slowly, adjusting her eyes to the brightness of the room. he rubbed her eyes slowly, getting up. Kusano lay on his stomach on the other bed, spreaded out in a light shade of blue, his hair puffing out messily.

"Ne, Mori-chan, you slept on my bed the whole of yesterday! You deprived me of my bed, ne!" Kusano complained.

"Tsk! You slept on my bed too, Nori nii-chan." Moriko retorted playfully, folding her arms. "If you love your bed so much, you could've woken me up or carried me over..."

"Ah, carrying you over is like carrying a full-grown elephant, and if I disturbed you, you would've reacted like an angry monster." Kusano teased, getting off the bed. The truth was, he wanted Moriko to have an undisturbed rest, yet even though Moriko knew his intentions, he purposely teased her.

"Nii-chan!" Moriko protested, her cheeks flushed.

After breakfast, Yuki pulld Moriko into her room, excitedly waiting for Moriko to lock the door behind her. Moriko turned round then exclaimed, "Ah, that Ryo poster, how come I've never seen it on your wall before?"

"Oh, that, I only put it up last night!" Yuki giggled. Moriko shot her a suspicious look. Nishikido Ryo on her wall? There must be something related to that poster...

Moriko sat down opposite Yuki, who could not stop grinning from ear to ear. "Hmm? What is it?" Moriko demanded.

"Yesterday, we went for Karaoke ne?" Yuki started, shifting in her seat in excitement. "An I found out that Nishikido-kun isn't that arrogant and stuck up after all! He actually knows how to have fun."

Inside, Moriko was reminded of Ryo bursting into the house, thinking that something had happened. Still... "Ah, you're mesmerized by him." Moriko spoke straight ot the point for Yuki. Yuki simply nodded. Moriko sighed. "No way, I'm not wanting HIM as my prospective brother-in-law! Ne, Yuki, don't judge by just that one meeting!"

"Aren't you doing the same?"

Moriko paused. She sighed. "In any case...I still don't hope he's coming into our family. Imagine arguing with Hiro nii-han, then arguing with Mr. Big Nose..."

"Mr. Big Nose?" Yuki inquired.

"Ahh, that's nothing." Moriko quickly brushed the issue off. "Want to go out together today? I feel better already."

"Hai!" Yuki agreed energetically. "Ano ne, nee-chan, promise me something."

"Hmm?"

"Whatever happens, don't fight with me over Ryo-chan, ne?"

"Ha!" Moriko replied. "Have you seen too many dramas recently? As if I'll ever fall for him! Ne, calling him 'Ryo-chan' so soon?"

A blush slowly crept over Yuki, and Moriko laughed. But Moriko grew to realise that over a span of only a few days, Ryo was getting too much of her attention...

--

Yuki was happily looking through the windows of the shops in the mall, but Moriko was oddly quiet that day. It wasn't about Ryo this time. It was about her schoolmates. There was schooling tomorrow, and she would definitely bump into them no matter what. She jolted as a firm grip was planted on her wrist, but relaxed as she saw the owner of that hand was Yuki. "Daijoubu yo." she told herself, trying to calm down. No matter how fierce Moriko was, there were times when she grew very afraid of something.

Moriko waited outside the dressing room for Yuki, who was suddenly very eager to buy new clothes. Yuki was usually not enthusiastic about changing her image, but it was probably her new-found crush that she was doing this.

"Don't forget you owe me it."

I don't... I don't owe him anything... Moriko grew afraid, and she could not bring out her dominant character suddenly. Something stopped her from feeling confident enough to fight them back. Maybe it was that nightmare she had last night... Or was it the aftermath of the fever that was making her frightened?

"Nee-chan? You are very quiet today. I don't think you spoke beyond 10 words while we were out. Are you alright? You are making me very worried? Ne, is the fever working again?" Yuki asked, raising a hand to feel the temperature on Moriko's forehead.

"Nothing, I'm okay, it's just that I'm worried about not studying for that test tomorrow since I was unwell yesterday." Moriko lied nervously. She looked around, then said, "Ne, Yuki-chan, we should just go in that shop!" She pointed straight ahead. "I would love to get a soft toy... I don't have many in my room yet." Moriko had half-heartedly looked around, but got nothing out in the end.

Yuki's ketai rang. "Hai, Yuki desu! Ah... that..." She turned to Moriko. "Ano, nee-chan, my classmates are inviting me to a karaoke outing to celebrate one of our classmates' birthday. Is it okay if you go home alone later?" Moriko nodded in agreement. Yuki smiled and then spoke into the phone again.

--

Moriko yawned, stretching her arms in front of her on the way home. It was another seemingly perfect evening again, a tinge of orange hanging about the town on the way home. Moriko stopped in her steps suddenly, recalling that she had forgotten to get supplies of strawberries. She turned round, making her way to the closest supermart, but suddenly froze in her steps again. She had bumped into them earlier than she had expected.

She was trembling, but still she put up a front, as though she were not afraid of them. She contemplated which way she should run if they were to advance, but she knew she would never outrun them, because they were notorious for chasing. She decided to give it a try after all. She sprinted off.

They caught up instead, pinning Moriko's figure to the wall. Moriko was afraid now. There was noone around here, noone around to call for help. "Onegai!" she cried out in defeat.

"What? You think we're like those soft guys in dramas? If I let you go, you'll just break free." He wouldn't let go, and Moriko was trembling too much to struggle.

"I'll promise you!" Moriko begged.

"You lie too much. Obviously you need some mark to make you remember your promise..."

Moriko started struggling as she felt his lips contac her neck, and she cried out in disgust. Seconds later, she was staring at the road across, gasping for breath. They were gone. There was Ryo, panting, looking at Moriko.

"I always have to bump into you." Ryo commented. Moriko did not even dare to look at him. He knew. He was the only one who knew... And he was not on good terms with her.

"Please don't tell my nii-chan." Moriko requested suddenly, looking at her feet.

"Moriko. I think you should rest first." Ryo said simply, and Moriko sat down on a nearby bench. She was still trembling all over. Ryo did not even dare to touch her, in fear that she would be frightened by the move.

"Arigatou, Nishikido-kun." Moriko first said. That was the first time she had not called him 'Mr. Big Nose' in his presence.

"What did they want from you?"

"... It's still none of your business." Moriko coldly replied.

"I don't think you feel good to keep it all inside."

"Then prove to me that I can trust you!"

"About that, it is only up to you to decide whether you want to trust me or not." Ryo leaned back on the bench, staring at the road. "I don't want to start an argument with you even when you are so down. I don't think you should just put up a strong, noisy front when you are suffering inside." But Ryo knew he was doing exactly the same thing that he had just said.

Moriko kept silent for a long while, before she timidly asked, "Ne, Ryo nii-chan... Can I borrow your hand for just a while?" She didn't care if she was losing the war NOW. There was another chance to get back at Mr.Big Nose. Ryo carefully put his hand on the bench, and Moriko held it. Her fingers were freezing from the shock. She had even called Ryo more intimately, out of finally deciding to trust him. "They are from a gang in the school." Moriko started uneasily. "They preyed on many girls, you know..." Moriko laughed nervously. "And then of course, at this stage, they still play childish games like getting girlfriends." Moriko stopped there, and Ryo understood what she meant. They loved girls who were more dominant, harder to reach.

He gave her tiny hand an extra squeeze as a sign of comfort.

Moriko sighed inside, realising how gentle Ryo was...

Chapter 3

"Ja, itekimasu!" Kusano said, waving to Moriko at the door.

Moriko gave an ultimate glum look, not bothering to wave back. Kusano and Yuki were going out together. Moriko, unfortunately, wasn't feeling well, and had to stay home instead. What a way to spend a Saturday! What's more, Yuki and Kusano were going to meet up with the other members of NEWS for a Karaoke session. Moriko closed the door behind her, dragging her feet to the kitchen to get herself water and medicine.

--

"Eh!!! It's MY turn to choose a song, it's not fair, that's bullying!" Kusano whined, shaking his shoulders. "Ahh, Massu, don't you think so too?!" Kusano looked to Massu for help, since he was the only one not ganging up with the others. But Massu just continued leaning against his seat and sipping on his own drink, smiling contentedly. He had just finished singing his selected song. "Ne, Ryo!!" He changed his target now, but Ryo just laughed at him.

"Ahh, I'll pick this song!"

"No, no, pick that one so that we can all sing!"

The argument continued, until Ryo shouted, "Urusai yo! Let Tego-chan decide himself!"

"Hai, hai!" Tegoshi gave a wide grin, then did a 'Tegoshi desu' action again.

"Ah, are? I forget to bring my ketai out..." Kusano suddenly put his hand in his pocket, but found it empty.

"Hmm, it's alright, you can use ours." Koyama offered.

"Ie, I'm just worried Ri-chan might call. Ah but Yuki brought her ketai out ne?" Kusano asked, turning to Yuki. Yuki wasn't paying attention, for some reason that Kusano did not know, but she immediately averted her gaze back to her nii-chan. She retrieved her ketai from her bag, but...

"Ah, battery flat." She frowned. "Ne, Moriko nee-chan should be alright... Oka-san will be home quite soon I suppose. She's not a kid anymore, Hiro nii-chan, daijoubu yo!"

"Hmm you're right. Maa, just hope that little girl will be sensible enough to look through the phone book!" Kusano answered.

--

"Ah-choo!" Moriko sniffed. She was running a fever and also a cold at the same time. It felt uncomfortable. "Ahh, no more strawberries in the fridge..." Moriko commented, frowning. She decided to call Kusano, since he was out, to get new supplies of strawberries so they could eat them for dessert the next day.

She sat on the sofa, waiting for Kusano to pick up his phone, but oddly, there was phoe ringing in the house. Moriko ran to their room, and now realised it was 'NEWS Nippon' playing on the ketai on the table. And that was Kusano's ketai. She groaned. "Ja, Yuki then..." she told herself. The oeprator message replied her attempt, and then Moriko sighed. What terrible luck today ne! What's more, Kusano's contacts in his ketai were locked by a password, and there was no way Moriko could find out any of NEWS members' ketai numbers to contact...

At the same time, Moriko felt her body feeling hotter and hotter, and she grew frustrated. She told herself she wouldn't lose to the fever. She went over to the phone book beside the home phone, and flipped through the phonebook. The first name that caught her eye was Koyama's name, and so she dialled his number, but...

--

Koyama clapped as it was his turn to sing. "Ahh which song shall I pick?" He asked himself. In the end, 'Cherish' caught his eye. And as the music played... His ketai, placed on the sofa, was forgotten.

--

Moriko was feeling very unlucky at that time. Everything she did was not going her way. Next number. Nishikido Ryo. But she didn't want to call him at all. Demo... She was feeling that she needed the bed now, and she did not have the energy to look further. Mr. Big Nose then.

--

Ryo spotted his ketai vibrating on the table, and saw it was Kusano's home number. Moriko? "Hai, Nishikido-kun desu." he said into the ketai.

The first thing he heard was a faint mumbling of "kimochi ga warui! (I feel sick!)" Then, he heard the caller say, "Ah, Mr. Big Nose, is Kusano there? He forgot to bring his ketai..."

"He's at the washroom now." Ryo replied simply.

"Ahh, if you are SO kind enough, please transfer this message to my nii-chan... Ask him to get supplies of strawberries. And also, you are free to scold him for not bringing his ketai..." Moriko said into the receiver.

"Hai, I will, you two are just too childish." Ryo muttered, and Moriko clenched her fist.

"THANK YOU." Moriko said very sarcastically. "Ahh atsui na.. Ja-- Ah!"

Ryo sat up at Moriko's sudden shout. He heard the breaking of glass and the phone being hung up. Kusano wasn't back from his toilet break yet... Neither was Yuki present. She had gone out to get drinks. He got up abruptly. No matter how much they were at "war", Ryo was worried about Kusano's imouto. That was scary. She was obviously alone at home, and what's more, she was sick.

"Ano, please tell Kusano to rush home after he comes back from the washroom! Tell him something has happened to Moriko!" Ryo instructed, grabbing Kusano's house keys from the table, then rushed out the room.

"Chotto-" But he was already out.

--

Moriko rested her head on the sofa, yawning, and constantly muttering complaints about her rising temperature. Some time later, when she fell asleep, she heard the bursting open of the house door, and, without lifting her head, Moriko said, "Nii-chan, you shouldn't just burst the door open like that.. We'll need a new door soon if you keep doing that. Okairi. Hey, you never even said 'tadaima'..." She opened her eyes. It wasn't her nii-chan.

"You gave me a scare!" Ryo said, leaning against the door. "I thought something happened to you!"

"Eh?" Moriko asked, then realise that he had heard the glass breaking. Ryo was also actually a caring person... "Ahh, that.. gomen!" Moriko said, swaying as she stood up slowly, apologising sincerely.

"Ne, Miss Angry Forest can also apologise?" Ryo asked, folding his arms. "That was such a scare! You knew I heard it in my phone! If you were alright at least tell me before you suddenly hang up the phone! Is this some kind of joke to get back at my comment the last time?!" he scolded.

"Hello! I apologised, can't you see I wasn't faking anything?! Don't be so petty!" Moriko argued back. "Why are you so anxious anyway?"

Kusano rushed in at that moment, caught in the middle of the quarrel. "Daijoubu, Ri-chan?!" he asked, running first to her.

Moriko looked at her brother, sighing. "Ne, oni-chan, even you-" But she hadn't finished her sentence, and dropped right into Kusano's arms, breating in deep breaths.

"Ri-chan! Hey, don't scare me!"

"Daijoubu yo.. I just need the bed, that's all..." Moriko said, and lifted herself up, carring herself to the bedroom. They heard a sigh of relief as Moriko dropped herself onto the bed. Demo... She had laid on Kusano's bed instead.

Chapter 2

Back in her room, Moriko nearly slammed the door behind her, but she didn't want to display her fury so openly. She locked the door, looking around the room, then spotting a magazine on the study table, Moriko swiftly picked up a marker, writing the words "War Declaration" on its cover.

By the time Kusano came back into the room to get something, Moriko was already sitting by the window, still thinking about Ryo. "Ne, Ri-chan, open the door!" Kusano knocked on the door in a rhythmatic motion.

Moriko opened the door, and Kusano opened his drawer, only to notice what Moriko had written on the cover of the magazine left on the table. "Eh? You're serious? Come on, Ri-chan, don't be so sensitive. You should know Ryo-kun is like that. He just has a sharp tongue, that's all."

"That does not mean I have to give in to him, even though he is older than me! I didn't even offend him! If I have to accept his sharp tongue, then he has to accept my sensitivity!" Moriko shouted, completely unaware that the guests were still in the house.

"...Ri-chan, I really don't understand you." Kusano sighed, exiting the room.

"Ne, Ryo-kun, you're in for it."

"Tsk, what can she do?"

"Uwaaa, Tegoshi, we have a show to watch from now on..." Kusano whispered to Tegoshi.

"Ne, what are you two talking about?" Ryo demanded.

"Nothing." Kusano claimed in a sing-song voice.


"War declaration with me? We'll see who wins the war..." Ryo muttered to himself on his way back to the hotel. To Ryo, Moriko seemed an overconfident person who was arrogant. He did not know Moriko thought exactly the same of him.

--

Ryo was on his way back to the hotel, taking a solitary walk. It was evening, and the orange rays of the sun spilled over the little quiet town. It was times like these that held his sharp tongue back.

"...I don't owe you a thing."

That was a familiar voice, even though Ryo had not heard it many times. Kusano's imouto. Ryo looked round the corner of a wall, only to find Moriko cornered by three male students. She pushed her way out roughly, only to be trapped again.

"Get out of the way."

"Oh yea? You think we will just let you off this easily?" A male student stepped up to Moriko, towering over her. "You costed us extra afternoon lessons and punishment. Don't be such a well-behaved person. Challenge us if you dare. And anyway, whatever you do won't make you a prefect."

"Who told you I wanted to be a prefect?! I'm sorry, but I haven't settled you for having wronged me the last time. You costed me my pride. You deserve more than this. What is extra lessons to you anyway? Don't you attend it every other week?" Moriko argued back. But it was more than just a childish argument about extra lessons...

"You owe me it."

Moriko pushed the student aside, attempting to escape, but unfortunately caught by the other two students. Moriko looked up, and spotted Ryo, but looked away. She had not wanted anyone she knew to see this.

"Don't you forget you OWE me that." The boy hissed into Moriko's ear, and then she was let go of, while they left the scene.

Moriko straightened her uniform, walking past Ryo without looking at him, but Ryo followed her instead. "Why..."

"It's none of your business, Mr. Big Nose." Moriko cut in, increasing her speed.

"Hey, I was just being concerned."

"Well, thank you then!" Moriko said in a sarcastic tone.

"Oi!" Ryo suddenly called out, grabbing Moriko's arm. "You can call me a busybody if you like, but you shouldn't just avoid the issue here! You don't have to act all strong in front of everyone!"

"There is no issue to avoid!" But Ryo's grip was too firm for her to break loose from. She gave up in struggling, and Ryo loosened his grip. "I'm going home." she announced, and walked away from Ryo, leaving him standing there, puzzling over what had taken place.

--

"Tadaima!" Moriko's declaration rang throughout the house, but noone greeted her back. Noone was home. "Ahh, that's not possible." But she knocked on every door, and no response came. "Uso..." She had a glum look on her face now. She hated being alone in the house. It gave her too much room to think. And once she started thinking too much, she would stay quiet and depressed the next few days. She hated that. The noise she and her oni-chan had instilled into the house made her uneasy when there was a quiet moment.

But at that moment, the next loud voice boomed through the house. "TADAIMA!"

"Okairi!" Moriko greeted back, relieved.

"Ahh, nobody else is at home!?" Kusano asked, pouting.

"Nope! I don't know where minna is..." Moriko replied.

"Ah, baka, you didn't notice the note beside the telephone." Kusano said, reaching for a slip of paper under the phone.

"Baka janai yo! I just came home too!" Moriko protested.

"Ah, oka-san and otou-san have gone out." Kusano explained.

"That's obvious, Hiro nii-chan."

"They'll be home only at night."

"Then what about the sisters?"

"... They didn't leave a note ne..." Kusano flipped the paper, only to find that only their parents had left a note behind.

Moriko groaned. "Then it means we are supposed to cook for ourselves..."

"Onaka ga suita! (I'm hungry!)" Kusano shouted, plopping down onto the sofa.

"Hey, don't put me in charge of cooking again!" Moriko complained, but Kusano pretended to be sleeping. "Oni-chan!" Still no response. Moriko sighed and went into the kitchen. "Ahh, only eggs left? Maybe Ne-san went to get groceries..." Moriko said to herself, lazily tying the apron around her.

Kusano, spotting that, reprimanded her for it. He went over to his sister, tying the apron ribbon firmly around her waist. "Dame yo! I don't want you to turn around and get the apron caught on fire ne!" he scolded.

"Hai, oni-chan! You are really fussy..."

"Ano, you really don't appreciate people's concern for you!" Kusano whined, dragging his feet back to the living room. That rang in Moriko's head for quite a while, and she flashbacked on what happened just an hour ago. But she just had the urge to argue with Ryo...

Fifteen minutes later, a "dekimashita!" came fromt he kitchen, and Kusano sprang up immediately, a joyful expression on his face. "What are we having??" he eagerly asked, jogging towards the dining area. "Eh?! This again?!"

"Because I just realised we've run out of groceries other than eggs and packet noodles..." Moriko explained. She placed the bowls down carefully. The two siblings had done this before. And as usual, Kusano would be in charge of dessert after dinner.

Kusano stared at his bowl first, then looked at Moriko. "I won't lose this time, MORI-chan!"

"Neither will I, NORI nii-chan!"

The two loved to engage in childish competitions. Moriko had not prepared full-boiled eggs, but about half-boiled, such that the egg yolk could spill if one was no careful with it. They both looked at the beautiful round egg yolk, carefully removing the egg white from it.

"Itawakimasu..."

"Ah sou desu, Ri-chan, why are you home so late?" Kusnao suddenly asked.

"Ah, that... Nothing, I just had something to attend to after school." Moriko answered. "Then you?"

"We had a photoshoot today. And then me and Kato-kun were late as usual, so we had to hear Ryo scolding us..." Kusano explained while eating.

"Ah, Nishikido-kun." Moriko frowned again. Mr. Big Nose, she thought internally.

"What? Still brooding over his words?"

"Ano ne, he is so NOT a gentle person! How can you even stand him and laugh even after his sharp words?!" Moriko complained, and was so agitated that her chopsticks struck right through the egg yolk.

Kusano laughed in joy, jumping from his seat. "Ahahaha!!! MORI-chan, I've won the competition!!!" he announced, clapping.

"Urusai! It's all your fault!" Moriko poked through Kusano's egg yolk as well, and Kusano groaned. "You've spilled the egg yolk all over my noodles!" Moriko stuck her tongue out at her nii-chan.

Chapter 1

"Tadaima!" That genki, loud voice greeted. Moriko felt her hair being tussled up, and she shot an annoyed look at Kusano Hironori, her oni-chan. Kusano continued his way to his own drawer, humming a tune to himself.

"Oni-chan!" Moriko shouted. "You desperately need to buck up. How am I going to see my sister-in-law if you continue like that?!" She pointed out.

"Daijoubu yo, I won't be as bad to my girlfriend!" Kusano answered, chucking his stuff inside the drawer.

"Hidoi yo!" Moriko answered in a frustrated tone, storming out of the room. Even though the two siblings argued almost every other day, Moriko still loved her brother very much. In the family, Moriko felt the closest with Kusano, and also Yuki*, one her her imouto. (*A/N: I don't know Kusano's sisters' names. Yuki is a made-up name.) The sibligns were split into rooms quite oddly. There were four rooms: one was reserved for oka-san and otou-san, the other for one-san, another for the two younger imouto, and the last for Kusano and Moriko. Otou-san had thought it inappropriate for Moriko to share a room with her oni-chan, but oka-san had managed to convince him that it was alright.

From this room always came the most noise whenever both occupiers were inside. Kusano talked non-stop, and Moriko complained non-stop. Occasionally, the dwellers in the next rooms would pop their head out and call for silence. But silence in the house never reigned longer than a minute, as long as there two siblings were home.

But Kusano had been a yasashii oni-chan. He often played with his sisters when they were young, and Moriko remembered till now, very clearly, what living in the same room with Kusano had brought her -- a wonderful time with him. Moriko hated storms, and when there was a storm at night, Moriko would be too afraid to sleep. When she was younger, she had crept over to oni-chan's bed, tugging at Kusano's sleeve. Kusano had woken, asking if she was scared. He had let her sleep beside him then. And it became a habit for Moriko, even though Kusano teased her about it.

Moriko walked right into someone once she stormed out. "Sumimasen! Ah, it's Tegoshi-kun." Moriko apologised, then realised it was one of Kusano's bandmates.

"You're speaking the obvious, ne, Mori-chan?" Kusano asked on purpose.

"It's Ri-chan, Nori nii-chan!"

"And it's Hiro nii-chan, Ri-chan!"

Tegoshi laughed at their argument. "Ne, you two never stop bickering. If you two can stop bickering for once, I think that would be a miracle." Tegoshi commented.

"He started it!" Moriko protested,

"Did not, you chose to react to it!" Kusano rebutted.

"Hey, don't expect me to be silent about it!" Moriko had said 'be silent' in English.

And on that note, Kusano deliberately sanf the first line of one of their songs, 'I.ZA.NA.I.ZU.KI.'. ('Get away, tsuki youni kakurete be silent...')

"It's not funny." Moriko pointed out. "I'm not going to continue this pointless argument anymore." She walked off.

"Ne, Kusano, you're always purposely pitching an argument against your imouto, and I'm referring specifically to Moriko-chan. Not afraid she'd be angry?" Tegoshi asked.

"Ah it's just for fun, and she won't really get angry. Plus, her reaction is cute. The only imouto who will rebutt me like this is Ri-chan." Kusano answered, plopping down on his bed.

Moriko was still pouting as she made her way to the living room, but froze in shock at the six rowdy people in the living room. This was the first time Kusano had invited the whole group home, and there were many faces Moriko had not seen in person before. She quickly retreated, shyness creeping over her due to the unprepared-for arrival of so many guests.

"Ah, Moriko-chan?"

Moriko stopped in her steps unwillingly. It had been Koyama who had called her. Deciding it was rude to ignore them, she swiftly turned round, introducing quickly, "Hai, Moriko desu, sixteen this year, a year younger than Hiro nii-chan, and I have something to attend to now. Thank you for coming today!" Right after that, before anyone could say anything, she sped down the corridor, only to collide into Kusano. What detestable timing. She was caught in between.

Kusano, noticing that she had wanted to escape, now pushed her towards the group, grinning. "This is my little imouto! Kawaii na~"

"Demo she is just as noisy as you ne, Kusano. We heard you two from upstairs. Like brother, like sister." Ryo commented, and Moriko instantly felt annoyed. She was sensitive, and easily hot-tempered, and if it weren't for being nice to the guests, she would have shot back at Ryo immediately. She glared at Ryo, although the other members did not notice, but Ryo could sense it as though Moriko was announcing a war with him. He wasn't going to just give in to a lady, especially one as seemingly fierce as Moriko.

"I'm going back into my room." Moriko announced later, and broke her gaze from Ryo, storming down the corridor deliberately to prove his point of her being loud.

"That's not very nice, to say something like that to her on first meeting!" Uchi commented. "Your sharp tongue as usual." He sighed.

"I'm sorry but I really can't help it. Demo ne, you two were really loud." Ryo replied, leaning back on the sofa, and Kusano laughed and agreed.

"Ah but her temper makes her cute too!" Koyama commented. "I don't mind her being my imouto."

"That's because you two would talk a lot, and she wouldn't quarrel with you like when she does when she is with Kusano." Ryo reasoned.

"I think Ri-chan is not going to take this lying down... Believe me." Kusano whispered to Tegoshi.

"Ano, I don't have to believe you. Because... I already believe it myself. Her war declaration on Nishikido-kun." Tegoshi answered back. Kusano snorted.