108 [RaiKo] 12FoC #7 Pet Me

[macymacymacy]

Title: Pet Me
Author: Macy ( macymacymacy )
Pairing: Nakajima Raiya x Yoshida Riko
Genre: Friendship, Fluff, Romance
Rating: PG?
Summary: Comparative psychology of man and man's best friend... don't mind me, I'm just drowning from my comparative anatomy subject
AN:
-high school RaiKo.
-UNBETA-ed
-Riko's birthday is the 28th of October.
-this fic is my favorite among the 12.. don't really know why. xD
-I made this before Raiya entered the entertainment industry. -macy 2012






Riko's sensei has been droning for half an hour now about History. None of the class was listening though.

Riko looked around. Everyone was either scribbling something Riko was sure had nothing to do with History, while others are just daydreaming. Fukuda Sosuke, who was seating just beside Nakajima Raiya, was actually sleeping.

Nakajima Raiya though, was looking at their sensei. Riko wasn't sure if he was really listening or just looking.

Nakajima Raiya, the little brother of Nakajima Yuto, is really mysterious. Contrary to his brother who is very cheerful in television, Riko had never seen Raiya smile.

Like his brother, he was popular among the girls but no one really approach him. The girls seem to be scared of him but this didn't stop them from liking him.

He looked a lot like his brother. He's tall, too. And he's great in playing the piano, in sports and in academics.

It seems he's perfect but there are rumors about him, too. Some say he's part of a gang and is always having fights.

Riko thinks this is rubbish.

Raiya glanced at her direction. Riko blinked. She hadn't realized she was staring at him. She abruptly looked away, embarrassed.

But she couldn't forget his eyes.

They looked so sad.

-

The first time Riko did saw Raiya smile, it was by accident.

Riko was having a special exam then. She had missed one because of work.

Raiya were called by their sensei.

Riko saw him when he entered the faculty room. She couldn't help but stare because he was sporting a big bruise on his left cheek.

Their sensei talked to him. It seems she was worried about his injury.

But Raiya shrugged it off saying, "It's nothing ma'am. It's silly, really. I tripped over our pet dog earlier. My brother laughed so hard."

He said this smiling sheepishly while scratching his head, and even chuckling a little.

Their sensei smiled at him and told him to be careful next time.

But when he was gone, their teacher frowned. It seems she didn't believe him.

Riko didn't either.

He might have been smiling, but it didn't reach his eyes.

---

Riko put her comb down after brushing her hair. She stood up from her stool and went towards her bed.

Before climbing her bed, she took her pet poodle, Yuki and brought her on the bed. They always sleep together. Well, since Yuki came a week ago. Yuki was a birthday gift from Riko's best friend.

Yuki automatically went to her side of the bed and made her usual round, preparing to sleep.

"Goodnight, Yuki." Riko said as she closed her night light.

As Riko closed her eyes she murmured, "Yuki, why do you think he's so sad?"

---

This question was answered the next day.

It was their lunch time when she arrived at school. She had work in the morning but she didn't want to miss out too much so she still went to school.

She was walking through the gates when she saw it. It was Raiya, and two other male students. It was their seniors.

At first she thought they were just talking. The older students were laughing but then Riko noticed Raiya's face. They held no emotions. And then the taller of their senpais suddenly kicked Raiya in the stomach.

Riko stopped in her tracks, staring, shocked-still.

Raiya didn't do anything. He started standing up again but the other one stomp on him.

Raiya's face still held no emotion.

Riko moved closer. She didn't know what she was doing herself but she knew she must do something.

As she got closer she heard the two older boys talking.

"Pathetic." says one.

"Don't think too high of yourself!" the other one exclaimed. "Just cause your brother's an idol doesn't mean you can walk around like a king!"

Raiya wasn't saying anything. Nor was he giving any kind of respond.

The taller of the two suddenly picked up a piece of wood and was about to beat Raiya with it but Riko said in a loud voice,

"I saw Nakajima-san there, sensei."

The two boys scrambled away and when they were away, Riko approached Raiya.

"Are you okay?" She said helping Raiya up.

His face was still expressionless but he nodded. He arranged himself and then started walking.

"We should get you to the infirmary!" Riko said she tried walking beside him. He was taller and made bigger steps so it was a feat.

"No need." he said.

"But-" Riko tried to say but Raiya was already gone.

---

Raiya went back to class as if nothing happened. Their other classmates were murmuring about him, no doubt another rumor will be spreading by the end of the day.

Riko kept looking back at Raiya. She was worried about him. But Raiya never stopped looking out the window.

Riko couldn't understand his attitude.

'Why doesn't he report them? Why doesn't he fight back? Why is he so indifferent? Why doesn't he transfer school or something?'

Riko went back home with these thoughts. She really couldn't understand. She couldn't understand why their senpai did that. What were they after? Raiya didn't seem to have done anything to them. He didn't even defend himself. Is this always happening? It must be since Raiya always have injuries...

Riko opened their front door calling out. "I'm home."

"Okaeri, Riko-chan." Her mom said coming out from the kitchen. She was holding her dog, Yuki.

"What happened?" Riko exclaimed, looking at her shaking dog.

"They fought. Suzi and Juri suddenly flack at Yuki." Suzi and Juri were Riko's other dogs.

"Why?" Riko asked, taking Yuki and cradling her into her arms.

"They must be jealous. You've stop playing with them since Yuki arrived. Riko-chan, wouldn't it be better if you just return Yuki to Yakumo-chan? Or else she'd always be bullied here." Her mom said sympathetically.

Riko looked at her mom. She didn't want to return Yuki. She didn't respond to her mom's suggestion and instead said, "Mom, can you keep Suzi and Juri with you for a while?"

Her mom sighed, "Sure."

---

"Can I sit here?"

Raiya looked up to see Riko holding a bento box. It was their lunch break and they were inside their classroom.

Riko didn't know why she was doing this herself, but she wanted to be his friend.

After thinking about what happened to Yuki, it struck her that Yuki was just like Raiya and now she didn't want him to transfer schools. It was illogical but she wanted to help him, to be his friend.

Raiya, for a second, looked very much surprised but it was immediately shadowed by indifference once more. It's not that he didn't want to show his emotions, it's just, he quite forgot how.

Raiya neither said 'yes' nor 'no.' Riko figured she was allowed since he wasn't really shoving her away so she took her seat.

"My mom made me a big bento. Would you like some?" she asked but still Raiya didn't respond.

Riko was unperturbed however and kept talking with Raiya.

"Ittadakimasu!" Riko said as she opened her bento. Raiya followed suit and opened a pack of bread.

Raiya was quietly looking at Riko chattering away while they ate. He really didn't know why Yoshida-san was suddenly talking to him. He knew she was a nice girl, she's friendly to everyone and everyone likes her. She was very popular. She was the complete opposite of him.

But he didn't mind that she was there. It was actually quite nice.

Finally, Raiya finished his bread and stood up. Riko glanced up at him.

He made a little bow and then proceeded to go outside to throw his trash.

Riko smiled when he left. "Gochisosama."

---

Raiya started.

He was in the school's green house, taking a nap when as he usually does while waiting for classes to start.

He always comes to school early out of habit.

Before he would just stay inside their classroom but then some of his senpais started 'bothering' him so now he stays here.

Usually, he would be able to sleep for about an hour and wake up almost late for class.

Today though, he hasn't slept for even just five minutes but he was already woken by something.

He looked up. By someone, it seems.

He stared.

"What are you doing here? Are you lost?" Raiya said.

---

Riko looked at the back of the room once more.

Raiya is absent.

He was usually late, but he was always present.

It was a bit worrying... what happened to him?

The classes went on and every time someone would enter their room, Riko would look up expecting to see Raiya.

But their last period ended and Raiya never came.

Everyone was already gone but still, Raiya didn't come.

Finally, Riko gave up and stood to go. She wore her jacket and scarf. It was so cold today. Winter was definitely here.

She was walking through the covered walk when she saw someone.

Her eyes widen, surprised.

"Yuki!" she called as she went and approach her dog.

But Yuki wasn't alone.

"Nakajima-kun?"

Raiya looked at Riko and then looked down at Yuki.

Yuki was wagging her tail at Riko.

"Yours?" Raiya asked.

Riko nodded, going to her dog. "She must have followed me earlier."

Riko then saw that Yuki was wearing a scarf... a scarf of handkerchief it seems.

"Ah."

"Were you here the whole time?" Riko asked Raiya.

He nodded. He then crouched down and patted Yuki on her head.

Riko smiled then she carried Yuki.

Raiya stood up and made a little bow to Riko. He then turned his back and started towards the gate.

"Thanks for taking care of her!" Riko called.

Raiya stopped for a while and then continued walking.

---

Riko pulled a chair towards Raiya's table.

"Ne, Nakajima-kun..." Riko called, distractedly. Her eyes weren’t leaving her notebook.

Raiya looked at her, surprised.

"Do you know how to solve this problem?" she asked pointing at a math problem in her notebook.

Raiya was very bewildered. Riko and he had talked but as much as he could remember, only few words were exchanged.

"Nakajima-kun?" she finally looked up at him.

"A-where?" Raiya asked.

"This problem. Polynomials." she said, pointing at the word problem.

"Uhm, can I see?"

Riko passed him her notebook and Raiya started reading the problem.

Raiya didn't know how it turned that way but after that, the two of them started studying together.

---

Riko closed the door to her room keeping Juri and Suzi out.

She still hadn't put them together, since she thinks they'll still fight.

At first Riko was resentful with her two other dogs but then she'd watched '10 Promises to my Dog' and felt guilty. So earlier, she played with them for a while.

Yuki smelled her when she sat down. Yuki knew she had played with Juri and Suzi.

Riko pet her, "Don't start getting jealous, too. You know you're getting more of my attention than them."

---

Riko thought it was a good decision that she went out earlier today. As she walked, she saw Raiya walking towards the school, too.

"Raiya-kun!" she called.

Raiya looked towards her and his eyes brighten in recognition.

"Raiya-kun, wait up!" she called as Raiya continued walking.

Riko caught up to him.

"Mou, you're strides are so long... You're so tall." Riko complained.

Raiya didn't respond but Riko was used to this. Raiya was simply quiet like that. But it doesn't mean that he's not listening. Actually, he's a very good listener and observer.

"It's getting colder and colder every day." Riko babbles on, smiling all the while.

Something changed in Raiya just today. Whenever Riko would call him, he wouldn't stop walking; it was the same today but today, Raiya walked a bit more slowly so Riko could catch up at once.

It was silly, but Riko was very happy about that.

---

Their exams were nearing. It would be before their Christmas break. And everyday Riko was becoming more and more paranoid.

"Don't worry. You've been studying so much. You'll do great." Raiya said to Riko.

"But I don't understand some of them!!" Riko said, panicky.

"We still have time to study." Raiya pointed out.

"But we have to review so many things!! And then I still have work! Ugh, I really hate exams." Riko moaned, grabbing a handful of her hair.

Raiya stared at her.

"What?" Riko asked face scrunched up in frustration, hands in her hair.

And then Raiya burst out laughing.

Riko inwardly smiled but outside, she complained. "Mou! You're laughing at me!"

It took some time before Raiya stopped.

He tried to straighten up his face and said, "Sorry..."

Riko pouted at him but this cause another wave of laughter from Raiya.

Riko smiled. "Raiya-kun...”

Raiya tried to compose himself, "Yes?"

"I just realized... you don't look that much like your brother. You have a different laugh."

Raiya looked at her, surprised. "Really? Everyone's always saying I looked like him."

"You do... but you have a different laugh."

"So I don't look like him when I'm laughing?"

"Yeah..."

Raiya smiled. 'Or maybe it's just you.'

---

"Raiya! Wait up!" Riko called but Raiya didn't stop.

"Raiya!"

Riko ran and finally catch up to him.

"Raiya..." she panted.

"Riko, I told you we can't go home together." Raiya said, walking faster.

"Why?" Riko asked. "It's just walking. And my house is only around the corner."

"You should go home then." he said, but not harshly.

"Why? What is it with walking together?" she asked once more.

Raiya opened his mouth to speak but then someone else did.

"Well, well, well. The two stars are together."

Riko looked at the source and realized it was one of their senpais. The one who attacked Raiya before. He was with two others.

Raiya and Riko stayed silent.

"So the rumors are true?" the one with a small scar on his face sneered. "Nakajima Yuto's little brother, Nakajima Raiya is going out with actress Yoshida Riko."

"So you think you're a big man now, huh." The first one said.

The three of them then rounded Riko.

"Ms. Popular... of course. Nakajima wouldn't take anyone else." The one wearing a red jacket said then he placed an arm around Riko.

"But Riko-chan, why choose this wimp?" Scar-face said.

"Raiya-kun..." Riko whispered, scared.

The three older boys laughed mockingly.

"Riko-chan, you expect 'Raiya-kun' to save you?" the first one said.

"Ne, Riko-chan, take me instead. You can call me 'Take-kun.'" the other one said.

"Yeah, this wimp is a good-for-nothing." scar-face said, putting an arm around Raiya as if they were good friends.

But then suddenly, Raiya speak.

"I don't care about her." He said indifferently. Then he shrugged, "If you like her, you can have her."

Then he removed their senpai's arm around him and started walking off.

Riko was shocked; she couldn't believe Raiya said that.

Their senpais growled and ran after him, leaving Riko in her shock.

She didn't notice, but tears started falling. She then started towards her house.

---

It's been a week since then and Riko never talked to Raiya again.

It was as if they were back to before they were friends.

It should be fine. Riko was fine before they became friends.

She many friends. Yakumo-chan, Hikari-chan, Kairi-chan...

She is fine.

It seems Raiya is fine, too. He just returned to being the same old quiet student sitting in a corner.

So everything is fine.

"Riko-chan? Are you okay? You've been staring at nothing for a long time now." Yakumo-chan said sounding worried.

Riko automatically smiled at her.

"I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired from work..." she said.

Yakumo looked at her in concern. "It must be tough." she said and Riko didn't know why but it seemed Yakumo was implying something other than her work.

Because really, nothing is fine.

She isn't fine.

She is hurt at what Raiya said that time.

She is confused why he said those things.

She misses Raiya.

And she's hurt that it seems Raiya is fine.

---

Riko went home that day miserable. All she could think about is Raiya.

She opened their door and entered their home.

"Tadaima!"

But then she heard barking, and her mom's panicked voice.

Riko ran towards their living room where the sound was coming from.

Juri and Suzi were fighting Yuki! Her mom was trying to get Yuki but she couldn't get near them.

Riko rushed to her dogs and made a grab for Yuki. She then ran to her room to keep Yuki away from the other dogs.

Riko placed Yuki on her bed. She was shaking and crying.

She tried to touch her but then she growled at Riko.

Riko withdrew her hand, surprised.

Yuki continued whimpering.

"Yuki..."

Riko tried again. She pet Yuki on her back.

Yuki bit her.

Riko didn't care.

She hugged Yuki gently, her hand still in her mouth.

After a while, Yuki started licking her hand as if saying sorry.

---

Raiya was surprised to see Riko making her way to him. She'd been avoiding her since that day.

She plopped down a chair she dragged to his left.

"Raiya, can you explain this again?" she asked pointing to her notes.

Raiya blinked. "You... you're talking to me?"

Riko looked at her seeming confused. "Why shouldn't I?" she asked.

She smiled at her.

He smiled back.

He understood. He was forgiven.

Riko didn't know why, but she saw Raiya in Yuki yesterday. She realized a similar thing happened to them.

Raiya 'bit' Riko. But Riko didn't want him away as she didn't want Yuki away. So she has to try and get to him.

Riko's musings was interrupted when Raiya suddenly took her hand.

"What happened?" he asked and Riko heard the concern in his voice even though his face didn't reveal any emotions.

"Yuki accidentally bit me... don't worry about it. It's just a scratch."

---

It was as if nothing happened between them. They were back to eating together, studying together, and hanging out in the green house together.

They were in the green house right now. Their classes ended but they decided to stay here for a while. Truthfully, Riko would always ask Raiya to hang out every time after classes ended whenever she hasn't got job so that their seniors wouldn't see him.

Raiya knew this and he just let Riko do whatever she wants.

They don't really talk much whenever they were here. They just relax. Sometimes Raiya would bring his guitar and he would play some music and Riko would just listen. Riko's favorite was Maroon 5's 'Sunday Morning.'

Sometimes, Riko would bring her script and Raiya would help her practice. Raiya was a great practice partner. He would even make suggestions on how she could express her scripts.

Sometimes they would study and make their homework together. Most of the time though, they just rest there.

Riko shivered. And Raiya automatically took off his jacket and gave it to her.

"What about you?" she asked.

"I'm not cold. And I still have my sweater." he shrugged.

"Thanks." Riko said, wearing his jacket on top of her.

"Wow..." Riko suddenly said and Raiya looked at her.

She pointed to the window. "It's snowing!"

She stood up and went to the window. Raiya followed her.

"It's so beautiful!" Riko said looking up the sky. Snowflakes were falling slowly.

Raiya smiled, looking at Riko.

He couldn't really believe she would talk to him again. He thought it was okay then, but now that he had Riko here with him again, he realized he was lying to himself.

"Riko..." he called.

Riko looked back to him, smiling. "Yes?"

"I'm sorry..." he said.

Riko looked confused. "About what?"

"About what I said that day. It wasn't true..." he said.

Riko realized what he was talking about. "It's okay. I've already forgiven you. You don't have to explain."

"But I want you to understand." Raiya said. "I only said that so they wouldn't bother you... I knew if they know I care about you they'll start targeting you, too. I didn't want that to happen..." he said.

He was looking down so he was surprised when he felt Riko hugged him.

"Thank you..."

---

Riko smiled at Yuki as she was biting her book. Well, she was cute.

Riko was in her room, on the floor studying for their exams tomorrow.

Riko giggled when Yuki started barking at her book because she couldn't lift it up.

She took Yuki and placed her on top of her bed.

Yuki stood up as if asking Riko to carry her again when she dropped her on her bed.

Riko giggled once more and oblige.

When she carried her, Yuki suddenly licked her on her lips.

Riko was surprised. Not because of what Yuki did but because after she did that, she suddenly thought of Raiya.

Riko blushed and she placed Yuki back on her bed.

"Yuki, I need to study." she said hastily and went back to her book.

---

"Sorry for making you wait." Riko said as she exits their room.

They were going home now.

After reconciling, Raiya insisted that they always go home together this time. This was because even if he denies that he cares for Riko, he knew no one would buy it. So instead, he'd make sure she goes home safely every day.

He didn't tell Riko this, but maybe she knew.

"It's okay." Raiya said to Riko.

They walked through the grounds. They were both silent. This was a norm for them. It was a comfortable silence as if they needn't words to talk.

The streets were now covered with snow.

They were about to turn a corner when Raiya suddenly gasped, crouching down.

"Raiya?" Riko called, worried.

Someone threw a snowball at him; there was a rock inside it.

Riko turned to see the same boys that attacked Raiya before. She glared at them.

"What's your problem?!" she said angrily.

They laughed at her.

"Hey wimp." one called Raiya, "Your girlfriend is feisty."

Raiya stood up, also glaring at them. He stood in front of Riko, covering her.

"Leave us alone." he said.

"Ooohh..." they mocked. "Wanna look cool, huh?"

"Riko, go home." Raiya said. Riko's house was near.

"No." Riko said.

"Go home!" Raiya said.

"I told you, no!" Riko said, stubbornly.

"This is getting annoying." One of the older boys said.

"Go now!" Raiya said yet again.

"Fine, then you are coming." Riko said as he grabbed his hand and started running away, pulling Raiya with her.

The older boys went after them but they were fast.

Riko's house was only just around the corner.

They were near enough.

They were almost there but then Raiya heard one of them gave a heave.

He looked back, suddenly nervous.

And then he saw one of them throw a rock at them and Riko was going to get hit.

Raiya lunged at Riko before she was hit.

Riko didn't know what happened. She opened her eyes and realized Raiya was on top of her. She didn't know why Raiya suddenly tackled her but thankfully, the snow somehow cushioned their fall.

"Raiya..."

He didn't respond. Riko was suddenly scared.

"Raiya?"

Still no respond. He wasn't even moving.

Riko cautiously pushed Raiya off her.

His eyes were closed. Was he unconscious?

Suddenly the white snow was Raiya's head were laying turned bright red.

Blood!

"Raiya! Raiya!" Riko called.

He wasn't moving.

Riko barely noticed their senpais running away.

"Raiya.. Wake up.. Please wake up..."

-----------------------

Riko opened the door to the green house.

As she expected, Raiya was there lying on the bench, his eyes closed.

He opened them when he heard the door close.

"Thought I'd find you here." Riko said. "Everyone was wondering where you were."

After that incident, their senpais bullying finally reached the ears of the school and they were suspended.

Luckily, Riko's house was near where Raiya blacked out and Riko was able to half-drag, half-carry Raiya. Riko's mom attended to Raiya's wound while her dad called Nakajima house. Raiya's mom and brother immediately went to Riko's house and Riko explained to them what happened.

They rushed Raiya to the hospital and then Raiya's mom immediately called the school.

His injury wasn't severe, fortunately. And after just two days, he was released.

Rumors spread around the school at once. Some told of the truth but mostly they portrayed Raiya negatively.

Their class though, knew the truth. Riko told Yakumo-chan everything and Yakumo passed it onto the others so they wouldn't judge Raiya.

After that, everyone started becoming friendlier to Raiya. And Raiya started having more friends.

"Everyone's having fun inside." Riko added. It was their Christmas party.

"I'm not much of a party people." Raiya said sitting up and making space for Riko.

Riko sat beside him.

"Before I forgot," Riko said, "here's my gift." she said handing him a small box.

"Thanks." he said, smiling.

He fished something from his pocket and handed it to Riko. "Here's my gift." he said.

"Thanks. Can I open it?" Riko asked.

"Sure." Raiya said.

Riko opened hers and gasped. It was a music box shaped like a miniature glass grand piano. It was beautiful. It was as if it was made of crystal instead of glass.

She opened it and it played Maroon 5's Sunday Morning. She giggled.

"Thank you so much, Raiya." she said.

Raiya smiled at her.

"Open yours, too." Riko urged. Raiya nodded and obliged.

He opened the little box and found a silver necklace. It has three pendants: a bulldog, a head set and a dog bone.

"Thanks." Raiya said, smiling at Riko and immediately wearing the necklace.

"When I saw that I thought of you..." she said. "You like music and... Well, you remind me of Yuki."

Raiya looked at her. "Yuki? Your poodle?"

Riko laughed. "Yeah, it's silly really, but you and Yuki are alike... at least for me." she said.

Raiya continued to look at her, asking her silently.

"Well, my two other dog, Juri and Suzi used to always gang up on Yuki. And Yuki never fights back. And then mom said I should give her back to Yakumo but I didn't want her away so I just made her avoid Juri and Suzi."

"And you made me avoid them." Raiya said softly.

Riko nodded. "And one time Yuki bit me after Juri and Suzi fought her. But I think she just wants me away like how you wanted me away when you said you didn't care about me-"

"I don't want to be your pet." Raiya said before Riko could go further.

"I don't think of you as my pet." Riko said, a bit surprised.

"You just told me you did." Raiya said.

"I said you remind me of my pet." Riko said, smiling.

"That's my point."

Riko giggled.

"No, I don't think of you as my pet. You're my friend." Riko said.

There w as a pause. And Riko thought Raiya would stop at that.

But he opened his mouth again, looking at her with piercing eyes.

"I don't want you to think of me as your friend either." he said softly.

And then he crouched down and kissed her.

"I love you, Riko."

Riko stood still, wide-eyed.

"I..." she tried to say.

"I love you so much." Raiya said.

"I..." Riko trailed off.

They were both silent. Raiya looking at Riko, waiting...

"Y-you don't need to force yourself. I wasn't really expecting you feel the same. It's alright." Raiya said hastily when Riko still didn't respond.

But Riko stayed silent.

"Riko, please say something..." Raiya pleaded.

Riko held up a hand and said, "You know that feeling when the one you love tells you he loves you too? I'm feeling that now so please let me compose myself first, ne?"

Raiya was so overwhelmed, he suddenly hugged Riko. He was so enthusiastic, he actually lifted her off the floor.

A person who truly LOVES you is someone who sees the pain in your eyes when everyone else still believes in the smile on your face.

END

AN: Raiya, she said she wanted to compose herself first. LOL.
-Uhmm, I wrote this but I think I just fell in love with Raiya. /whacked
-btw Riko's music box:


And Raiya’s necklace: