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?