Back to The Background Story5

The Background Story6

"Oh, Nagi..." Kelly smiled when she glanced into Nami's room, "I had a feeling she'd want company tonight."

"Yup," Nami smiled at her mother.

"Well, money's on the stove," Kelly said before dismissing herself.

"Do you ever get the feeling that my parents think like yours but aren't as open about admitting it?" Nami asked sheepishly.

"Yes," Nagi laughed, "Unfortunately they give me that vibe."

"What do you want to get into tonight, anyhow?" Nami asked as she settled on the edge of her bed, glancing over her shoulder at Nagi.

"I don't know," he yawned, "Something that isn't school."

"Well, we can think of plenty of activities that aren't school," Nami said with a smirk.

Nagi blushed, "W-what do you have in mind?"

"So, so much," Nami replied innocently she said as she crawled toward him, easing herself onto him as she always did.

"Gonna torture me with you list?" he asked as he began running his fingers through her hair.

"Nah," Nami sighed as she nestled closer to Nagi, her fingers caressing his free hand.

"Told you," Nagi said quietly.

"Hmm?" she asked, glancing up at him.

"Your left hand," he replied, "You're subconsciously caressing my hand."

Nami's cheeks reddened, "Oh, sorry..." she said quickly withdrawing her hand.

"It's fine, Nami," Nagi assured her. "I subconsciously play with your hair."

"I know," she sighed dreamily. "Isn't it a bit weird that it's September and there are really cold winds from out of nowhere?"

"Yeah, but it's snowed in July before," Nagi replied. "And the winds are just chilly, they're not dangerously cold or strong."

"You don't think it's gonna last?" she asked.

"Probably not," Nagi said with a smile. "And if it does, you can just be adorable with your hot cocoa."

"Why do you not have a girlfriend?" Nami finally asked as she sat up.

"Because I don't want to deal with her getting mad when we do things like this," Nagi replied.

"What's the real reason?" Nami asked.

"There isn't really a reason," Nagi shrugged.

"You're hot, you keep a part time job and go to college, you're smart, you're sweet and thoughtful, you're not concentrated on sex, you're very well-rounded, you're hard to annoy..."

"You already have the list memorized?" Nagi asked.

"No, I'm just naming like a thousand reasons you should have a girlfriend," Nami replied.

"Well, if I did have a girlfriend, I'm sure my family would scare her off instantly," Nagi added.

"Unless she's like your family," Nami laughed.

"In which case she'd scare me off instantly," Nagi said as he sat up. "And with my parents insisting on our nonexistent sex life together, I'm sure that would cause more than enough problems," he sighed.

"For most girls," Nami stretched before she stood, slipping her feet into her slippers.

"Well, I'm sure you'd be able to deal with them, since...well, you already do," Nagi muttered.

"Can you say no to me yet?" Nami asked as she slipped her robe on over her shirt.

"That depends on if you're going far enough to make me say no," Nagi countered.

"Ask Lulu out," Nami said with a smile.

"Ew, no," Nagi made a face.

"What's so bad about Lulu?"

Nagi stood, taking Nami's other pair of slippers, "The second I asked she'd be stripping me and trying to have her way with me."

"What if I were to do that?"

"I think I could tolerate the sex you could think up," Nagi said dryly.

"Duly noted," Nami grinned.

"Wait, why is that noted?" Nagi asked as he started after Nami.

"Gotta order dinner," Nami said sheepishly as she dashed down the stairs.

"Nami, you're trying to outrun me, here," Nagi reminded her.

"I don't have to outrun you," she called as she slipped into the kitchen where her parents still were. She huffed and panted, grabbing the phone.

"I'm athletically superior, but you surpass me with intellect," he conceded.

"Duh," Nami stuck her tongue out, handing Nagi the phone.

"The usual?" he asked.

"Of course," she chirped, ruffling his hair.

"You're going to be alright?" Kelly asked.

"Yes, we're eighteen," Nami sighed.

"Are you sure?" Dan asked as he adjusted his tie.

"Nagi and I will be safe, entirely, and I'll leave you a note if Anka and or Lulu show up to stay," Nami assured them. "And if you even go there I'll keep txting you so you don't get a moment's peace," Nami said before her mother could speak.

"At seven the pizza's free," Nagi said as he hung up the phone, setting back on the base.

"Be good," Kelly whispered to Nami.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Nami demanded.

"Exactly what I said," Kelly winked. "And the bar is open if you need a night cap," she said before she and Dan headed out the door.

"What'd she say?" Nagi asked.

"To be good," Nami rolled her eyes. "And she thought she was being clever," Nami said as she held up a condom between her index finger and her middle finger.

"Open bar, though," Nagi grinned, dashing for the key to the liquor cabinet.

"Yes, yes, so long as we stay in the house and we don't attempt to drive," Nami reminded him as she chased after him.

"I'm not chancing anything happening to my car, no worries," Nagi said as he poured himself a glass that was half-filled with Vodka. "Got any orange juice?"

"Pour me one," Nami said as she retrieved the orange juice from the mini fridge and set in on the bar.

"Would your parents really care if we drank all of this?" he asked, shaking the bottle of vodka that was nearly empty.

"No," Nami shrugged. "The vodka is for us anyway," she said as she took her glass. She clanked her glass with Nagi's, "Would your parents keep you from staying if they found out about open bar on Friday and Saturday?"

"Probably," Nagi replied before taking a swig. "But, that's why we just let them think we're having sex so they don't question sleepovers."

"If it gives me somebody to drink with, I can deal with it," Nami sighed as she settled onto the bar, crossing her ankles.

Nagi blushed, "You're wearing a skirt, Nami."

"That's why I crossed my ankles, perv," she teased.

"If I were a pervert I wouldn't have said anything, and I would have just enjoyed the view," Nagi replied as he trailed his eyes up Nami's legs.

"You're acting like you're sexually frustrated," Nami declared.

"I'm an eighteen-year-old virgin," Nagi said before finishing his drink, "Of course I am."

"You really can't hold your liquor, can you?" Nami asked sheepishly as she watched Nagi pour another splash of vodka into his glass.

Nagi shrugged, "Probably not. I've never drank more than a few sips of whatever you were drinking," he blushed.

"At least you're the honest type," Nami shook her head adoringly.

"Onto the topic of me having a girlfriend," Nagi said quietly as he joined Nami on the bar, "Why don't you have a boyfriend?"

"Because men are disgusting perverts who don't appreciate a smart woman unless she's in a short skirt and touching herself on a desk," Nami replied bluntly.

"Well," Nagi blushed, "Smart girls like you are really hot, I'll give you that."

"And the touching myself being hot thing?" Nami tilted her head to the side curiously.

"Not as hot as me touching you," Nagi replied.

Nami blushed, "What?"

N-not need be y-you!" he stammered. "I just don't find the girl touching herself stuff arousing!" He glared down at the ground, "One drink and I can't even think straight..."

"You'd rather have sex than watch somebody else do it?" Nami offered.

"That's it!" Nagi proclaimed. "Hands on!" Nagi said before finishing his drink, "Excuse the pun."

Nami chuckled, "No more liquor for you," she said, kissing his cheek adoringly. "It makes you like the rest of your family."

"W-what?" Nagi blinked.

"We can still drink, but I'm switching to something a little softer," she said quietly as she bent down beneath the bar.

"Like what?" Nagi asked as he tilted his head to the side.

Nami reappeared with a bottle of wine and two balloon glasses, "Wine is better for relaxing and it doesn't have a bite to it."

"I don't believe I've ever stolen a taste of your wine," Nagi muttered. "And won't your parents get the wrong idea with wine?"

"Probably," Nami shrugged, "But I like it better."

"Okay," he muttered as he watched her pour a glass.

"See if you like it," she said, pushing the glass toward him. Nagi picked it up and took a sip, "Well?"

"It's sweet," he smiled.

"It's supposed to be," she replied, pouring a second glass.

"Sorry for being so blunt," Nagi muttered as he stared into the deep red liquid.

Nami chuckled, "It's alright," she kissed his cheek, "it's not like you tried to sleep with me or anything."

"True, I guess," Nagi replied with a shrug.

"If you feel that bad about it, make it up to me," Nami offered. "But mind you, you're like this every time we drink."

"I'll think of something," Nagi assured her as he rested his head on her shoulder.

"Alright," she said as she began stroking his hair. "Wanna take the wine to the couch and relax?" she offered.

"Can I still lay on you?" Nagi asked.

"More comfortably," Nami assured him.

"Okay," he said hopping to the ground.


"You smell so good," Nagi whispered as he nestled more into Nami.

"Your breath tickles," she laughed as she continued caressing his hand with her fingertips.

"Sorry," he muttered.

"It's okay," she sighed before kissing his forehead.

"I like your kisses," he admitted as he eased his eyes shut.

"I haven't kissed you that much," Nami said sheepishly.

"You don't have to do it a lot for me to like it," Nagi responded. "And only one of them was close to a real kiss..."

"A real kiss?" Nami asked gingerly.

"Yup," Nagi replied, "A mutually desired romantic action."

"You mean the time I kissed you on the lips," Nami remembered.

"Yup," he said with a nod.

"Mutual, huh?"

"I never said that I'm not incredibly attracted to you, did I?" Nagi asked.

"Not to my knowledge," Nami blinked in befuddlement.

"Good, then I haven't ever lied to you," Nagi said before kissing Nami's neck.

Nami moaned a little, "Why do kisses on the neck feel so good?" she asked as Nagi continued.

"Because of the main artery and vein," Nagi said before he continued kissing up Nami's neck.

"What do they have to do with anything?" Nami asked as she watched Nagi rise from kissing her neck.

"Something about arousal and the blood all flowing to one area," Nagi shrugged, "I'm a little out of it right now, so I'm not the best source of information..."

"That's quite fine," Nami muttered before Nagi kissed her lips once.

"Upstairs," Nami said quickly, Nagi quickly obliging.

Nagi jumped off of Nami at the sound of a knock. "Pizza..." he cursed as he stood.

"I actually forgot about it," Nami said sheepishly as she started down the stairs, slipping her shirt back on. She answered the door to find Lulu and Anka.

"I flashed a pizza boy that was in the drive way and he said to take the pizza," Lulu said as she walked in.

"Yeah, so keep the change," Anka grinned as she, too entered the house.

"What time is it?" Nami asked, rubbing her eye.

"6:45," Lulu said as she placed her coat on the coat rack. "Why?"

"Kind of passed out," Nagi said sheepishly as he joined them in the living room.

"Boozing without us?" Anka asked, offended.

"A combination of that and general exhaustion," Nagi yawned before slipping his shirt back on.

"Wine, eh?" Lulu grinned as she met Nami's eyes.

"You know how Nagi is on liquor," Nami blushed.

"Yes, well, we've been planning," Anka said, motioning toward her bag that was slung over her shoulder.

"Well, get a drink, come back and we'll eat pizza and collaborate," Nami said as she collapsed backward onto the couch.

Nagi waited until Anka and Lulu were out of earshot, "You're not going to tell them?"

"Are you?" Nami questioned.

"No," Nagi responded. "Not until I'm really drunk some years in the future, anyhow."

Nami laughed, "Lulu might apologize sincerely."

Nagi laughed, "And we could blame her for the very thing she teases me for."

"What's going on?" Anka asked, shaking the empty bottle of vodka. "Why is this empty?"

"My own personal use," Nami replied. "But there are wine coolers for back up," she said as she scribbled the note she had promised her parents, taking it to the kitchen and sticking it on the microwave's door.

"Add that we're out of vodka to that," Anka suggested as she cracked some ice from the tray in the freezer.

"Alright," Nami chuckled, adding a PS to the note.

"Can you crack a few of them into my glass?" Lulu asked as she poured coke over the whiskey in her high ball glass.

"Yup," Anka said with a grin, tossing a few ice cubes into Lulu's drink.

"Oh, Nami..." Nagi blushed, scratching his cheek in embarrassment, "Do I still have clothes here?"

"Yes, my top drawer, why?" she tilted her head to the side.

"I just realized that other than my dirty gym clothes I don't have any clothes here..." he said sheepishly.

"No, you have a few pairs of jeans, socks, shorts, shirts and boxers," Nami replied. "They're all washed and in my top drawer."

"Okay, good," Nagi sighed in relief. "Don't wanna have to go home first thing in the morning..."

"Getting a shower on us?" Lulu inquired.

"Yeah so I don't have to worry about it later," Nagi said as he dashed for the stairs.

"What did you do to him before we got here?" Anka asked.

"N-nothing!" Nami stammered.

"Oh, spill," Lulu rolled her eyes.

"Nothing," Nami insisted. "He was just being blunt on liquor beforehand and I'm hoping he doesn't remember the convo," Nami said quickly.

"Uh?" Lulu blinked in confusion.

"He told me that he has a thing for smart girls and being hands on sexually...excusing the pun," Nami laughed nervously.

"Wow, he's like his family when he's under the influence of liquor," Anka commented.

"Uh huh," Nami said, downing the rest of her glass of wine.

---

Nagi glared down at the draining water. "The one time they show up..." he shook his head, ignoring the stunning cold water. "I could kill them both..." he ran his fingers through his hair.

He exhaled sharply, "It couldn't hurt to actually take a shower either..." he sighed, staring down at his still shaky hands.

---

"Did you...and Nagi..do anything?" Anka asked.

"N-no!" Nami blushed.

"Then why are you blushing?" Lulu asked.

"You know I want to," Nami replied as she took a bite of pizza.

"Yeah, it's a burning desire," Anka teased.

"What were you two taking care of, anyhow?" Nami blushed, quibbling the topic.

"Oh," Lulu snapped her fingers and opened her over-sized bag. "We've been plotting against Claudia and Jade!"

"Oh!" Nami grinned. "Let me go get a couple of tablets and pens," Nami said as she darted up the stairs.

Nagi blushed when Nami entered the room, freezing instantly. "N-Nami..." his voice quivered.

"Huh?" Nami turned toward him and blushed, "S-sorry..." she said sheepishly, turning back away from him.

"I...it's okay..." Nagi said, quickly slipping his underwear on.

"At least I know what I've been missing...." she said dryly as she grabbed a few tablets from her dresser, procuring a couple of pens as well.

"Uh...I'll be downstairs soon," he said as he slipped into a pair of his pajama pants. "As soon as I stop feeling inept."

Nami smiled, "Don't feel so self-conscious," Nami muttered as her eyes trailed down his body, "You are hot," she said as she left Nagi alone.

"What took you?" Anka asked.

"Pens mysteriously crawl out of the cup they're supposed to be in," she said dryly as she settled onto the love seat.

"I'm sure..." Lulu rolled her eyes before taking a swig of her mixed drink.

"We all know that I would take more than two minutes if I were doing that with Nagi," Nami said as her cheeks reddened.

Anka shrugged, "I suppose."

"Anyhow.." Nami cleared her throat. "What have you guys got?"

"I've got nothing." Anka sighed, tapping the tip of her pen against her notepad and watching as Lulu scribbled on multiple sheets of paper, "Lulu?"

"Uhhh..." Lulu quickly crumpled the pages and tossed them over her shoulder before taking a sip of her drink.

Nami slipped out of her chair and uncrumpled the papers, looking through them with an awed look on her face before bursting into a fit of giggles, "You should be in the art club." She said.

"What is it?" Anka rose, a little unsteady on her feet, and peered over Nami's shoulder, "Oh, wow..." The images on the papers were grotesque though adorable as they depicted their two most hated enemies in death in multiple ways.

"Some of Lulu's artistic talent," Nami said as she stifled another giggle. "Done in pen..."

Lulu blushed, "Nah, they're just doodles," she insisted.

"Well, it's more illegal than we wanted to go, but I like it," Anka smiled at Lulu.

"I didn't have any ideas." Lulu pouted, "So I just doodled..."

"Haha, Nagi's gotta see these." Nami grinned, "He'll love them."

"See what?" Nagi appeared in the doorway, touseling his already messy hair.

Nami blushed and turned toward him, "Lulu's plotting," she said softly.

"If this involves me as a naked chibi..." Nagi started.

"Oh, calm down, hot-shot," Lulu rolled her eyes.

Nami handed them to Nagi who chuckled, "Wow, if I didn't know better, I'd swear you're a mind-reader."

"Yeah, that woman..." Lulu growled as she made a crushing motion with her hands, glaring down at them.

"I've tried to see the good in everybody," Nami shrugged, "And I can't do it with her."

"Me either," Anka agreed.

"You can't see the good in pure evil," Nagi offered, glaring down at the sadistic, yet somehow cute drawings.

"Well, something tells me that we could get others to help us on the trip to act out at least one of those," Lulu smirked.

"Well, maybe more ideas will come to us," Nami hoped as she poured herself a fresh glass of wine, reaching for another piece of pizza.

"Pour me a glass, too, please?" Nagi asked as he grabbed the remote, flipping on the television as he settled onto the love seat.

"You seem eager to unwind," Anka remarked before taking a swig of her wine cooler.

"Yeah, normally you just sip at whatever Nami's downing," Lulu said with her mouth full of pizza.

"I wanna get used to what I'm gonna be dealing with when we're on the trip," Nagi said nervously as Nami handed him his glass of wine. "Thanks..."

"You're welcome..." she said softly as she settled beside him. "I assume you're here for the night, then," Nami said pointedly to Anka and Lulu.

"Of course," Lulu chirped. "Unless you had other plans for your bed," she winked at Nami who took a large swig of her wine.

"Yes, we're having just as much sex tonight as we're having every other night," Nagi said dryly before taking a sip of the sweet wine.

Anka blinked as she stared at Nami and Nagi. She tilted her head to the side, exhuming the pair differently than she usually did. "You're on edge tonight, Nagi," she remarked before taking a gulp of her wine cooler.

"No more than usual," Nagi sighed before flipping the channel.

"Why do you get control of the tv?" Lulu demanded.

"Because I turned it on," Nagi said flatly as he leaned forward to grab another slice of pizza.

"I'll fight you for it," Lulu said as she finished her drink in a single gulp.

"Fine," Nagi set his slice of pizza on the box. Lulu ran at Nagi and Nagi grabbed her arm, pressing on the pressure point on her wrist. "I win!" he announced as he grabbed his slice of pizza again.

Lulu twitched a few times and Anka bent down to poke her. "I think she's dead..." she awed.

"Y-you hit a girl!" Lulu whimpered.

"I didn't hit you," Nagi argued before he took a swig of wine and a bite of pizza.

"It hurt..." Lulu muttered, stammering as she rubbed her wrist where Nagi had pressed.

"Well, it's not supposed to feel pleasant," Nagi replied.

"Ohh, a movie..." Nami awed as she grabbed the remote from Nagi, putting it on the pay-per-view channels.

"Y-you wanna watch a horror movie?" Anka asked.

"I wanna watch something," Nami replied as she flipped through the available movies.

"I'm gonna get a bath while you're deciding..." Anka stretched as she stood.

"Hurry it up," Lulu said as she pulled the Afghan from off the back of the couch, wrapping it around herself. "I wanna get some hot water too."

"Calm down, we're not retiring that early," Nami said with a smile as she glanced over at Nagi.

"Yeah, but we all know how she is with hot water..." Lulu said, playfully glaring at Anka as she ascended the steps.

"Yeah, but we'll all have time for breakfast and time to get dressed, go to the amusement park this weekend," Nami assured her.

"So, where are we sleeping?" Lulu asked.

"Probably the usual with Anka on the edge, me and Nagi in the middle and you on the other side of me," Nami shrugged.

"We didn't interrupt anything?" Lulu asked sheepishly.

"N-no!" Nagi stammered as his cheeks reddened. "You never have and you probably never will..." he said before finishing the rest of his wine.

"Jeez..." Lulu flinched from the harshness of Nagi's tone.

"Yeah, it is getting a bit old with you always assuming that we're doing something sexual when we're alone," Nami admitted.

"Well, I'd ask what got into you, but I already know what didn't," Lulu said before snickering.

"Okay, that one was kind of clever," Nagi conceded.

"Oh, that one has good ratings," Lulu said as she glanced up at the TV guide.

"Easily distracted..." Nagi shook his head with amusement.

"So we'll order this later one tonight," Nami smiled, "After we all get showered."

"Works for me," Lulu shrugged as she finished her drink.

---

"There!" Anka hissed as she came downstairs in a T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, "You have some hot water."

"Yay!" Lulu cheered as she rushed up the steps.

"Sooo..." Anka grinned widely as she sat beside Nami.

"Hmm?" they chorused.

"What did we interrupt?" Anka asked.

"Uh..." Nagi blushed and glanced away from Nami.

"You didn't interrupt anything," Nami assured her as her eyes adverted to the floor.

"By the looks on your faces, I'd say you were having sex when we walked up and knocked on the door," Anka said bluntly.

"W-we weren't though..." Nagi insisted.

"You got close, eh?" Anka teased.

"Yes, and we're mad that you interrupted us," Nami sighed, rolling her eyes.

"Well, in that case, we'll sleep in the guest room," Anka winked.

"Good, we can continue where we left off," Nagi laughed, shaking his head.

"And we're all happy," Anka said as she reached for her wine cooler. She finished it off and continued studying Nagi and Nami as they amused themselves with a movie they'd seen many times before.

---

"Sorry, Nami..." Lulu said as she stepped down the steps in her nightgown and robe. "But you'll have to wait a while."

"It's fine," Nami said quietly as she stood, collecting the empty pizza boxes and taking them to the garbage.

"You're hiding something..." Anka said pointedly into Nagi's ear.

"I made an idiot of myself earlier, of course I'm trying to hide it," Nagi grumbled.

"What'd you do?" Lulu asked.

"Let's save that for another time," Nagi asked as he sank down into his chair.

---

"Well, I'm getting my shower..." Nami declared as she glanced up at the clock.

"Uh...alright..." Nagi blushed as he watched her head up the stairs.

"So spill," Anka said as she pinned Nagi into the corner of the love seat.

"I may have told her about a fetish I have when I was babbling on..." Nagi said quickly covering his face with his hands.

"Which is?" Lulu tilted her head to the side curiously.

"I have a think for smart girls," Nagi sighed, "And I told her that, and now she knows that I'm highly attracted to her..." he slid his hands down his cheeks, "So I'm drinking that away..." he said as he filled his glass to the brim with wine.

"Nagi, slow down," Anka pleaded as she took the bottle of wine from him. "Jeez, I understand you're upset but you can at least apologize for acting like an idiot when it's something small!"

"Can't go back," Nagi shrugged before gulping down the most of the wine.

"No, but you can at least keep yourself from saying something you really regret!" Lulu snapped as she grabbed Nagi's glass from him. "Now, I'm dumping this down the sink and I'm getting you a cup of hot cocoa."

"Lulu?" Nagi blinked in confusion.

"You're my friend, Nagi," Lulu said as she started toward the kitchen, "And I'm not letting you make yourself miserable."

"W-what?" Nagi asked.

"She does care about you," Anka said soothingly. "She gives you a hard time because it's her sense of humor."

"It's surprising," Nagi said slowly.

"So sober up before you make us all want to hurt you," Anka said pointedly.

"I'm pretty sober," Nagi scratched his head in embarrassment, "I'm just regretting being an ass."

"Well, stop saying everything you think," Anka suggested. "Good boy toys speak when spoken to."

"Boy toy?" Nagi asked.

"That's our girl talk nickname for you," Anka laughed.

Nagi blushed, "Thanks."

"Here you are, lightweight," Lulu said as she handed Nagi a large mug of cocoa.

"Thanks, Lulu..." Nagi sighed before taking a sip.

"You're welcome," she sighed as she poured herself a glass of just coke. "Well, do you want us to sleep in the guest room so you can have some alone time with the princess?"

"N-no..." Nagi stammered, shaking his head.

"Alrighty," Lulu chuckled before downing the refreshing beverage.

"I'm retiring to bed," Nami announced as she peeked down the stairs.

"Uh..." Nagi stood, taking his glass to the sink, "We'll be up..." he called before he set his glass in the sink and running water in it.

"Yeah," Anka agreed as she collected the napkins and paper plates from the coffee table.

"Right up," Lulu nodded as she placed the coke back in the fridge. "How're you feeling, pretty boy?"

"Nervous, the usual..." Nagi responded.

"Calm down, you'll get your fair share of cuddling," Anka said as she ruffled Nagi's dark tresses.

---

Nagi let out a breath as he tossed his shirt to the ground, kicking off his pants before he crawled onto Nami's over-sized bed. He sighed as he settled into his usual spot, opening his arms for Nami and Anka.

Nami smiled as she nestled herself into Nagi's chest, wrapping her arms around him and letting him embrace her. Lulu hopped over the two of them and settled against the body pillow that boarded the bed and wall. Anka slipped beneath the comforter and used Nagi's arm as a pillow.

"Good night..." Nami sighed.

"Good night," Nagi whispered as he began mindlessly running his fingers through her hair.

"Do you ever wonder if other friends sleep like this?" Lulu asked as she rolled over to face the others.

"Nah," Anka replied, "Nobody's as cool as us."

"Very true..." Nagi laughed. "How many guys get to sleep with three girls in the same bed, same night every weekend?"

"You," Lulu laughed.

"Lucky you," Nami whispered.

"Yeah, if that were a fantasy of mine," Nagi responded.

"Well, tomorrow is a great bit of fun..." Anka said as she eased eyes shut.

"Yeah, can't wait..." Lulu yawned.

"Gonna conquer another roller coaster?" Nagi asked.

"I'm not so sure about that," Nami and Anka chorused.

"Why'd you do it in the first place since you're both afraid of heights?" Nagi questioned.

"The thrill," they responded.

"Ah, makes sense," Nagi agreed with a smile. "Well, I'm up for another coaster..."

"If I decide to go insane tomorrow, I'm dragging you with me," Nami said to Nagi.

"Lulu, you'll be attached to my side if I decide to take on one as well..." Anka assured her friend.

"I know, doll," Lulu said softly.

---

"Awe..." Kelly cooed as she poked her head into the room.

"Good morning, mom..." Anka rubbed her eye as she glanced up at Kelly.

"Good morning. You coming downstairs?" Kelly asked as she started toward the steps.

"Yeah..." Anka yawned as she slowly sat up. "Lulu!"

"I heard..." Lulu sighed as she slipped off the edge of the bed. "But first..." she slipped her feet into her slippers and skittered out of the room.

"Nami, Nagi..." Anka whispered.

"I've been up..." Nagi assured her.

"Then why not get up?" Anka asked.

"Nami's sleeping on me," he explained, motioning toward the gentle-looking Nami who was curled against him.

"You're so sweet..." Anka cooed as she opened a drawer and began pulling out clothing.

Nagi blushed, "Are you headed downstairs, now?"

"Yeah," Anka replied as she started toward the door. "After I get dressed."

"I'll see about waking Nami..." Nagi sighed as he glanced down at Nami.

"Yeah, right," Anka rolled her eyes as she left the room.

"Nami..." Nagi whispered as he lightly shook her.

"Huh?" she asked as she eased her eyes open. "Stupid sun..." Nami grumbled as she nestled closer into Nagi, shielding her eyes.

Nagi's cheeks were painted an even deeper shade of scarlet, "N-Nami..."

Lulu entered the room again. "Ah, she's refusing to wake up," Lulu laughed as she grabbed her clothing from her large bag. "She'll get up soon enough, as usual."

"Yeah..." Nagi sighed, curling her hair around his fingers. "Are you going to wake up?" Nagi asked.

"I might..." Nami conceded as she glanced up at Nagi, her cheeks lightly colored red.

"We'll get a good breakfast started," Anka assured them as she tossed her pajamas into Nami's bedroom.

"Yeah," Lulu agreed as she tossed her clothes from the night before into the room as well, shutting the door behind her.

Nagi blushed as he heard the click of Nami's bedroom door closing behind Anka and Lulu who were headed down to prepare breakfast. "Soo..."

"Yes?" Nami blushed as she glanced up at Nagi.

"So, I'm just good as a Goth guitarist?" Nagi asked.

"Huh?" Nami asked.

"Well, considering what we...almost did...last night..." Nagi scratched his cheek, glancing away from Nami.

"Goth guitarists?" Nami questioned.

"Well...I've seen the youtube videos you watch and oggle over..." Nagi replied.

Nami chuckled, "Yeah, I watch my favorite bands in concert."

"W-what?" Nagi stammered.

"I'm sure everybody else watches them in concert when they've never got to see them live," Nami said thoughtfully.

"Y-you don't like Goth guitarists?"

"Not really. I don't like men who wear more makeup than me," Nami said with a laugh. "Why?"

Nagi's face turned entirely red, "So...your type of guy is what then?"

"I don't have one," Nami replied. "Unlike my cheerleader obsessed friend here."

"Cheerleader obsessed?" Nagi squeaked.

"You're a jock, aren't you?"

"I can't stand those girls...they're all conceited and they only like me because they think I'm hot..." Nagi made a face.

"B-but you're usually surrounded by them..." Nami stuttered. "And they never leave you alone..."

"I'm too nice to tell them all to get lost," Nagi shrugged.

"I...I'm speechless..." Nami blushed as she glanced away from Nagi.

"Why? You of all people hate stereotypes," Nagi said softly as he began playing with her hair.

"B-but..." Nami's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red.

"Uh..." Nagi nodded once in realization, "So...there is something between us..." Nami sat up, sliding to the edge of her bed, not replying. "Nami..." Nagi whispered as he stumbled forward, landing beside her, "Nami...why didn't you say anything?"

"How could I?" she asked as she gripped at her comforter. "You're my friend, Nagi..."

"Yes, and we've apparently shared the same feelings for one another, so..." Nagi trailed off and glanced away from her.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Nami asked, managed to glance up at him before breaking her gaze.

"I didn't want to make things awkward between us since we already were pretty close," he admitted, "And I didn't think it was mutual."

"Well, now you know why your parents don't let anything go..." Nami sighed as she stood.

Nagi watched her for a moment before standing himself. "Nami, we can keep this just between us, but..."

Nami turned to face him, "But?"

"The official thing..." Nagi said nervously.

Nami smiled, "Between us for now," she agreed.

Nagi stepped forward, "One time, not for me being sweet and not because we're drunk enough to do it..."

"Huh?" Nami blushed when Nagi pulled her into a kiss. "N-Nagi..." she said quietly.

"Wow..." he blushed. "We're going to need to find some way to have alone time more often..."

"Nagi..." Nami sighed, shaking her head. "We will, don't worry."

"Hey, are you two coming? Your mom made French toast!" Lulu asked as she poked her head into the door.

"Yeah..." Nami said quickly.

"Don't worry, there's coffee too," Lulu assured her.

"Now that'll get me moving," Nami said as she slipped a pair of slippers on, starting out her bedroom door.

"Yummy..." Nagi licked his lips as he followed them down the steps and into the kitchen.

"Even on a fun day you still refuse to get up..." Kelly chuckled as she watched Nami and Nagi enter the kitchen.

"Yeah, the sun is evil," Nami muttered as she started preparing a cup of coffee.

"My poor vampire," Nagi teased as he settled at the table, reaching for the syrup.

"You're right," Nami grinned. "Poor me," she sighed as she grabbed a generous amount of orange juice to balance out her helping of coffee.

"You're still beautiful, vampire," Lulu assured her between bites.

"And the one with the most well-balanced diet," Anka added thoughtfully.

"I wouldn't picture vampires as not having taste buds, so they'd surely have to still appreciate taste, especially with heightened smell considering that your olfactory glands are what make you smell and taste..." Nami said before she took a sip of the steaming hot coffee.

"Say what?" Nagi asked, staring at Nami with his cheeks reddened.

"The olfactory glands are what allow you to smell," Nami said quietly as her cheeks reddened, "And without smell you can't taste. See, hold you nose when you take a bite."

Nagi did so, "Your right..." he blinked in disbelief.

"Yes, so since vampires are depicted with super sense of smell, I can't imagine their taste buds suffering," Nami smiled. "So I as a vampire would indulge in more tastes. I'd be guessing secret ingredients with how sensitive taste buds would be..."

"You've got too much time on your hands if you're thinking that up," Anka laughed.

"Uh...I know..." Nami sighed as she sank into her seat.

Nagi caressed her hand with his, "That's okay, though."

Nami blushed, "But that's why we're taking this little break from being serious...right?"

"Right," Lulu said as she choked down another mouthful of the delicious food.

---

"Wow...so many memories..." Nami awed.

"You're not kidding..." Anka agreed as she glanced around at the towering roller coasters, the lights and sounds of the games, the smells of the food courts and stands making their specialty food, the smell of the nearby river and the chatter of the others in the amusement park.

"This place is amazing..." Nagi smiled as he slipped his hand mindlessly into Nami's.

"Well, what first?" Nami asked as she blushed.

Anka stared down at Nagi and Nami's twined fingers, glancing away quickly. "Whatever you want. I'm not being picky today."

"I want to take on a few water rides before it gets too cold," Lulu said thoughtfully.

"We'll need to buy a locker then," Nagi commented.

"No problems," Lulu said as she adjusted her purse strap. "We'll do that and when we're tired of being soaked we'll just change back and get something to eat, and then hit the games and then some normal rides near the night."

"Sounds good," Anka smiled.

"Good, I wasn't leaving room for arguments," Lulu teased.

"Lulu..." Nagi sighed, shaking his head as he and Nami started after her with Anka beside them.

Nami flushed red as she watched Nagi undress...something she had rarely even paid attention to until the previous night. "Nami..." Anka snapped her fingers in front of Nami's eyes.

Nami shook her head, snapping back to reality. "Huh?"

"Your bikini is under your clothes," Anka said dryly as she folded her jeans.

"Yeah," Nami said quickly, throwing her shirt off and shoving it into their locker.

"No neatness?" Nagi asked as he took her shirt out and folded it, setting it back in.

"A bit out of it," Nami explained as she slipped her jeans off, handing them to Nagi while she slipped her shoes back on. She folded her jeans and placed them on the top of the pile. "Not enough caffeine."

"We can grab a cup of coffee," Lulu suggested as she slipped her purse into the locker.

"Yeah." Nami smiled, "Quick cup of coffee for a pick-me-up."

"Okay," Nagi pulled money out of his wallet before sliding it into the locker with the rest of their possessions.

"I think I'm gonna grab a bottle of water to carry around," Lulu said thoughtfully pulling her smaller purse from the larger one. "So we don't have to pace ourselves."

"Good thinking," Anka commented as she slipped the key to their locker onto Nagi's keyring.

"Why me?" Nagi asked as he accepted his keys again.

"Because you'll kill anybody who thinks of touching your keys," Anka grinned.

"Touch," Lulu said as she poked the keyring.

"Touch," Nami poked the keyring as well.

"If you're allowed in my car you're allowed to touch the keys," Nagi laughed. "I'm not that protective of them."

"Why are there four keys?" Anka asked.

"House key, car key, locker key..." Lulu counted, trying to name them.

"Spare car key," Nagi replied.

"You are that protective..." Lulu chuckled.

"I let others drive my car," Nagi declared proudly.

"Can I drive it?" Lulu asked quickly.

"Do you have a license?" Nagi asked, cupping his hand around the keys.

"Nami got to dive your car without even a permit!" Anka pointed an accusing finger.

Nami blushed, "Only once!"

"But I was teaching her how to drive," Nagi said proudly.

"Well, in that case, I need to learn too," Anka grinned.

"Alright, we'll play around on Sunday," Nagi said with a laugh.

"Me too?" Lulu pleaded.

"Yes, but let's focus on today's fun first," Nagi offered.

"Coffee..." Nami grumbled as she shoved her friends forward, not relenting until she had them at the food court.


Nami gulped down the liquid and tossed the cup into the trash. "Refreshing," she grinned.

"Is that...healthy?" Nagi asked, staring at Nami.

"Well three seconds is a record for finishing a large, hot coffee," Lulu nodded.

"Mmm," Anka murmured blissfully in agreement as she tossed her cup a mere second after Nami, "I agree, definite refreshment. Now how about those water rides?"

"Well, I don't want the horn ball with me, so..." Lulu grabbed Anka's arm and dragged her with her as she dashed for the water rides.

"Horn ball?" Nagi repeated slowly.

"I...thought she considered...herself the horn ball?" Nami tilted her head to the side.

"Come on you two, she's a force to be reckoned with, I'll be dragged if I slow down!" Anka called back with a laugh.

"What to ride first..." Lulu muttered to herself as she looked between the lines before dragging them to the exit of one of them.

"Lulu, sweetie, we have to stand in line." Anka muttered.

"Not when you're me!" Lulu said in a singsong voice, drawing a pass out of nowhere.

"Don't tell me she's gonna flash them..." Nagi covered his face with his hand.

"I don't know..." Nami admitted as she watched with curiosity.

"No silly." Lulu shook her head with a chuckle, "I just have to show this baby to the ride operator-" She held up the pass, "And we'll be able to get on. I hate waiting."

"Isn't that... a handicap pass?" Anka questioned incredulously.

"And?" Lulu shrugged.

"Uh...I think the moral lessons you were trying to instill failed..." Nagi sighed.

"Yeah, yeah they did..." Nami sighed.

"Hey, if you guys want to stand in line all day, be my guest." Lulu held her hands out, "But if you actually want to have fun, then let's go." She started up the ramp.

"What do you say?" Nami asked.

Nagi shrugged, "It's not the most immoral thing I've thought of today."

"And what is the most immoral thing you've thought of today?" Nami asked.

"Wait for me!" Nagi shouted as he dashed forward quickly.

"Hey!" Nami called as she grabbed Nagi's hand, getting pulled with him.

"Hey, we do a few immoral things." Anka said as she jogged to Lulu's side, "Should slow down to appear like you actually need that pass." She suggested.

"Ooooh, right." Lulu slowed to a walk to allow the others to catch up.

"So you have tourettes?" Nagi grinned.

"Fuck you." Lulu growled as Nami and Anka doubled over in a fit of giggles.

"Yeah, sorry..." Nagi said sympathetically to the worker who was standing there.

"Yeah, she can't help it..." Nami said between giggles.

"I'd never blame somebody for things they can't help," the man said quickly.

"Can we just get on the fucking ride?" Lulu muttered, glaring.

"Right this way." He led them over to the round car as it and the platform moved.

Anka slid in, wincing as the icy water on the seat chilled her, "Wow, this is gonna be a rush."

"Oh yeah..." Nami grinned as she yanked Nagi down with her.

"Cold, cold, cold..." Nagi squeaked.

"You're a bunch of, ah!" Lulu shivered as she sat down and buckled herself in.

"A bunch of what?" Anka grinned as they moved past the platform and into the rushing water.

"This kind of feels good..." Nami sighed happily as the water splashed over them.

Nagi turned red, "Uh...huh..."

Anka giggled, forgetting her questioning teasing of Lulu, "Just wait for the waterfall, it'll be a real splash." She chuckled as they whirled and dipped, water coming over the sides and running over their feet.

Nagi shivered a little, "We're soooo drying off before we hit any other rides..."

"Don't worry, handsome. We wouldn't do anything that would compromise your beauty," Lulu batted her eyes until a large splash of water crashed in her face.

"Karma," Nagi nodded.

"Oh, this feels so nice considering the sweltering heat..." Nami sighed as she matted her hair away from her eyes.

"Yeah..." Nagi blushed as he stared down at the bottom of their car.

"Here it comes!" Lulu squeaked happily as she readied herself for the inescapable cascade of water.

"Doesn't look like I'm gonna get much..." Anka pouted, she began to rock gently in her seat, attempting to turn the car.

As they neared the waterfall they began to spin almost rapidly, and when they went under each of them got a full, icy shower that soaked them completely. "You did that on purpose." Lulu whined, pushing her hair out of her face.

"I was just trying to get the waterfall. And besides, it was your idea to do water rides first." Anka pointed out.

Lulu perked up. "This just means that I'm wet and ready!" she exclaimed.

"This is why I'm still a virgin..." Nagi remarked dryly.

"Why?" Nami gave him an inquisitive look.

"Bad images that scare the virginity deeper into my shell," he replied dramatically.

"You won't stay a virgin forever." Lulu said coyly, "I'm thinking that within the next year you'll have joined the sexed up ranks."

"What makes you say that?" Anka blinked.

"Just a feeling." Lulu shrugged.

"Since when are you psychic?" Nami asked as she hopped out of the car.

"Since I can see that the college girls are drooling over our sweet little virgin," Lulu winked at Nagi.

"You wink like I care about that," Nagi replied sincerely.

"He'd rather be called adorable by us," Anka pinched Nagi's cheek.

"Yes, yes I would," Nagi agreed.

Nami blushed, "Didn't think you were so observant, Lulu."

"Is that a hint of jealousy?" Lulu grinned wickedly.

"N-No!" Nami muttered, "Let's go find a different ride!" She ran off ahead of them.

"I agree," Anka laughed as she ran off ahead with Nami.

"You'd better sleep with her before she really gets jealous." Lulu admonished, leaving Nagi to stare quizically after them.

"Jealous?" he repeated, finally shaking off his thoughtful gaze and dashing after them. He grabbed Lulu's arm, "What did you mean by that?" he blushed.

"What do you think?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

Nagi dragged her into a seat, "You're going to be vague?"

"I'm just saying something that should have been clear all along," Lulu said defensively.

"Clear all along?" he repeated slowly.

"Have you even seen your pros and cons list?" Lulu asked dryly. Nagi shrugged shaking his head. "I thought not."

"Wonder what they're talking about," Nami murmured, staring at her friends who were several rows of seats in front of them.

"You probably." Anka chuckled jokingly.

Nami frowned and peered at them, "I wish we could hear." She muttered, "Lulu better not be talking him into random sex." She blushed as she spoke.

"Oh we all know that's unlikely to happen." Anka shrugged.

"Hey, it's not like I don't want to," Nami insisted.

"Doesn't mean you will," Anka reminded her.

"I could have so many times," Nami said darkly.

"So rape him," Anka winked.

"Hey, you're starting to sound like Lulu," Nami blushed.

"Well, it's not like he isn't a total sweetheart, good looking with a good future, and a soothing voice and a damn hot body," Anka teased.

Nami smirked when Anka was splashed in her face by a wave of water, "I like water rides."

"So do I!" Anka laughed as their car was flooded by water, "No heights, soothing water in the blazing heat." Her gaze sobered as she turned to Nami, "Even so, you and Nagi really should get together, you'd be an even cuter couple than you are friends."

Nami blushed and glanced away from her, "Well you apparently have some attraction to him. Why don't you ask him out?"

"Me?" Anka blinked in stunned surprise before bursting into a fit of giggles, "No offense, really, but I love Nagi as a brother and nothing more! You on the other hand..."

"I wonder what they're talking about," Nagi remarked.

"The usual," Lulu assured him.

"The usual?"

"You, or drinking," Lulu replied as she tied her hair back in a ponytail.

"M-Me, why me?" Nagi blushed.

"It's pretty obvious." Lulu replied with a nonchallant shrug.

"You're not going to elaborate and embarrass me beyond all belief?" Nami asked as she managed eye contact with Anka.

"Nah, I wouldn't do that to you, sweetie." Anka grinned and ruffled her friend's soaked hair playfully, "Come on, we've got lots of rides still to check out."

"Nagi, you should never ask, 'why me?'," Lulu said with a laugh.

"But why me? Seriously?" he ran his fingers through his soaked black mane.

"Are you completely oblivious to everything in the world outside of your train of thought?" Lulu asked as she hopped out of the car. "That is a serious question, Nagi."

"No," he scratched his cheek as he stepped onto the solid ground again, "I'm an aesthetic."

"A what?" she blinked.

He grinned sheepishly, "An appreciator of beauty."

"Yeah, lots of men got distracted by Nami's perfect chest, dramatic curves, nicely shaped ass, long legs, unnerving eyes and silken voice," Lulu retorted.

"Lulu!" Nagi blushed and covered his face.

"Like you haven't noticed," Lulu rolled her eyes.

"You're too blunt with things." Nagi muttered.

"No, no..." Lulu shook her head. "I'm honest, just like you. My honesty is just a bit more sexy."

"What's sexy?" Nami inquired as she mindlessly twined fingers with Nagi.

"My honesty," Lulu puffed out her chest proudly.

"Well..." Anka considered it, "I guess you are honest in a borderline between perverse and icky-don't-talk-about-that...in that sort of way!"

"Indeed..." Nagi agreed, glancing away from Nami.

Lulu shrugged, "So long as I'm right."

"Come on! Lots more water rides!" Anka yanked Lulu toward another line.

"I guess we're just sitting with whoever we land beside?" Nami inquired.

"I guess so," Nagi said quietly.

Nami took a second to study Nagi's face before letting out a sigh. "What'd she say?"

"Her words, verbatim, not mine, 'lots of men got distracted by Nami's perfect chest, dramatic curves, nicely shaped ass, long legs, unnerving eyes and silken voice'."

Nami blushed, "W-why were you talking about me like that?"

Nagi stammered, "Sh-she was! Not m-me!"

"Yeah, like you don't look," Nami sighed, covering her cheeks with her free hand as she started to follow after Anka and Lulu.

"For your information I do not," Nagi declared proudly.

"Oh yeah?"

Nagi gave Nami a questioning look, "Yeah."

"Then why were you blushing about it?" Nami asked pointedly.

Nagi blinked, "Seriously? You're asking me that question?"

"Are you not going to answer it?"

"I thought it'd be obvious since everything about you makes me blush," he responded quietly.

"What did you do?" Anka crossed her arms, giving Lulu a sly look as they settled into their cart.

"Had a little talk with the prince," Lulu grinned.

"Why do you call them prince and princess?"

Lulu shrugged, "The princess thing was to mess with Nagi and prince just goes with princess. So actually part convenience."

"What am I going to do with you?" Anka asked, partly amused.

"I think they're fucking."

"You think everybody's fucking," Anka said dryly.

"Look at how awkward they are," Lulu pointed to the pair who were settling into a cart a little ahead of them.

"That point was so stupid I don't need to argue against it," Anka murmured.

"Okay, sure. They're normally awkward but I brought up some of Nami's better points to test the waters and Nagi is..." Lulu searched for the correct wording, "he is suspiciously jealous."

"Nagi? Jealous?" Anka asked, bemused. "Next you're going to call Yaryck a handsome prince in disguise and Akira good husband material."

"Yaryck is handsome," Lulu grinned. "And no, Nagi is the prince. And who is Akira?"

"Nagi's cousin you've been txting and trying to bang," Anka said flatly.

"So that's his name...."

"What did you have him saved under in your phone?" Anka wondered.

"Nagi's hot cousin," Lulu responded evenly.

Anka sighed, "You know...I simply can not believe you at times."

"Why not? That is something I would do."


"Yummy..." Nagi moaned happily before taking another bite.

"Chocolate covered cotton candy has to be a first," Anka laughed as she pulled off a piece of her funnel cake.

"It is..." Lulu whispered before she took a slurp of her slushie. "She told me so."

"What do you think Nami's getting?" Anka wondered before she took another bite of her treat.

"Condoms," Lulu teased, grinning at Nagi.

"Yes, they're sold at the food court," Nagi rolled his eyes.

"You know you want her!" Lulu declared.

"Not this again..." Nami pleaded as she settled between Lulu and Nagi, setting her giant pretzel in front of her.

"Nagi wants to have sex with you."

"Lulu," Nami sighed. "Knock it off and just have some fun," she pleaded before dipping her pretzel in cheese.

"Thanks..." Nagi murmured, staring down at his odd snack.

"Hey, I was being amused," Anka said as she tore off a piece of Nami's pretzel, dipping it in cheese.

"Yes, making jokes at Nagi's expense is amusing, but so is prodding Lulu about her interest in Akira," Nami said as she tore off a piece of Anka's funnel cake, taking a bite.

"Spill," Nagi said flatly as he turned toward Lulu.

"W-wha?" she asked in disbelief.

"You put me on the spot all of the time. Now it's my turn," Nagi grinned proudly, leaning toward Lulu.

Lulu's phone vibrated on the table, and she desperately reached for it. Anka grabbed it and grinned, opening the received message, "Wa-ha-ow!" Anka laughed.

"What is it?" Nami asked, peering down at the phone. "You and him role play?"

"Role play?" Nagi asked as he joined them.

Lulu covered her face with embarrassment, "Just give me the phone..."

"Not done yet," Anka said as she continued to flip through the messages.

"Lulu's the self-conscious one...this is a first..." Nami said thoughtfully.

"You're pretty good. Maybe you should co-write a smut novel?" Nagi suggested.

"You know I have things on you..." Lulu said threateningly.

"Spilling my secrets is never going to keep me from not spilling yours," Nagi shrugged.

"His fairy tale princess?" Nami stiffed a laugh. "I'm sorry but some of this is a bit cheesy."

"Seriously," Nagi agreed.

"You like him," Anka said slyly.

Lulu gritted her teeth, "Nagi meditates on having sex with you, Nami!"

"Hey, this is about you," Nami said calmly. "Don't drag Nagi into this."

"You don't even care?" Lulu asked.

"So, how much do you like him?" Nami asked.

Anka blinked, turning to study Nami's face. Okay, I know she's like in love with the guy, but shouldn't she be at least a little shocked or interested in a fun fact like that? Anka asked herself. "Nami?"

"Yeah?" Nami asked softly as she turned toward Anka.

"Excuse us," Anka said before dragging Nami out of earshot of the other two.

"What is it?" Nami asked.

"Nagi really does meditate about having sex with you," Anka said bluntly. "That is all he meditates on."

"And I fantasize about him," Nami shrugged. "Pretty much the same thing, right?"

Anka blinked, "You're not surprised?"

"Not really," Nami said slowly.

"She wants to date him!" Nagi shouted

"Shut up!" Lulu pouted.

"They're sending dirty messages like that and they haven't even started being official yet?" Nami shook her head.

"Well, would you wait until you were official for erotic role playing and text sex?" Anka asked with a smirk.

"Whose the guy?" Nami smirked back.

"Nagi, naturally," Anka winked at Nami.

"Then I wouldn't even wait that long for sex," Nami said frankly.

"Exactly," Anka said evenly.

"Yes, but let's make a big deal of this for some fun..." Nami grinned and Anka nodded in approval.

"So what made you want to date him?" Nami asked.

"His looks and sexual reputation, naturally," Lulu snorted as she took her phone back from Anka.

"Don't you normally just screw those guys?" Nagi asked, a bit confused.

"Well, back to your family meditating-including you-he's mastered his sexual energies and can last for hours, some girls said even days...but you know how tall tales go..." Lulu said dreamily.

"Again, don't you just screw those guys?" Nagi asked.

"Sexual talent like that should be solely mine," Lulu licked her lips.

"You really think he can do that?" Nami asked, trying to hide her curiosity and trying to sound wry.

"Tantric sex, look it up sometime, and let us know if Nagi here is that good," Lulu smirked.

"M-me?" Nagi blushed.

"And that's how you get back on top in conversation again," Lulu said triumphantly.

"Hmm...I do wonder if this stuff is real..." Anka stroked her chin. "You got anymore hot guy cousins?" she asked, turning to Nagi. "Considering you're like my brother and already claimed, Akira is a walking STD and I'm not tied down by anybody..."

"My older brother is single," Nagi shrugged.

"The one who looks just like you but blonde?" Lulu asked.

"Yes, that's Vick. why?" Nagi asked.

"He's hot..." Lulu drooled.

"Go back to his cousin," Anka said, placing the cell phone at Lulu's eye level. "My claim is on Nagi's cousin."

Nagi sighed, "And we'll all be related."

"My brother and Nagi's brother?" Nami asked wryly.

"If they're both good looking, I'm allowed to do my looking," Anka said lustily.

"Well, I have chocolate to finish..." Nagi said, stepping away from the group and settling to eat his chocolate covered cotton candy.

A short while later...
"Pfft, that game is impossible..." Lulu said, crossing her arms.

"Ten bucks says it's not," Nagi said with a smirk.

"I've got three hundred on me now, so I'll take the bet I'm sure to lose against the jock," Lulu shrugged, pulling out a ten dollar bill.

"Good," Nagi said as he pulled a wad of money from his pocket, sliding it across the counter, accepting the three balls, tossing each one of them to a different pyramid of bottles, knocking down each pyramid.

"Show-off..." Lulu growled as she handed Nagi the ten.

"You said yourself it's pointless," Nagi said before accepting the large plushie.

"And it appears that Nagi is in the modd to add to our stuffed animal collections," Nami remarked before slurping her drink.

"Oh, good," Anka smiled. "Do you think he's taking requests?"

"Uber cute ferret plushie?" Nami guessed.

"It's black and purple," Anka said sheepishly.

"But I think he's winning all of Lulu's money," Nami whispered, motioning toward the exchange of money.

"Double or nothing!" Lulu demanded as she threw another six ten dollar bills on the counter.

"This will be entertaining," Anka chuckled.

"Uh huh," Nami blushed as she started toward the other two with Anka at her side.

"How much are you up to?" Anka asked as she slipped between Lulu and Nagi.

"Like a hundred," Nagi responded before tossing another ball, knocking down the tower of bottles.

"Are you up for requests?" Anka asked, twirling a lock of her hair.

"Sure, what do you want?" Nagi asked as he turned toward Lulu, holding his hand out for another sixteen ten dollar bills.

"That ferret," Anka pointed toward the desired plushie.

"What do I gotta do for that one?" Nagi asked.

"You can pretty much just ask for it now if you trade in five of the little ones," the man replied.

"Here ya go," Nagi said, handing the man five teddy bears of different colors.

The man laughed, setting the teddy bears back in their places. He pulled down the large stuffed animal and handed it to Nagi. "there you go," he chuckled as he watched Lulu pull more money from her purse.

"Any more requests?" Nami asked, trying not to blush.

"Let me get three more little ones and I'll get you the big black cat," Nagi sighed.

Nami hugged Nagi, kissing his cheek. "You're the best!"

Nagi blushed, "I know," he whispered before turning back to the game.

"How'd you know what she wants?" the man asked.

"Nami's obsessed with Egyptian mythology and cats are the guardians of the underworld and the living world," Nagi said before tossing the three given balls, knocking over the bottles.

"Just hand me them," the man nodded to the remaining plushies as he untied the large black cat. Nagi pushed them across the counter and accepted the cat, handing it to Nami.

"I wanna save my money..." Lulu said, fastening her purse.

"Alright, we'll move on," Nagi shrugged, tossing Lulu the last small plushie, a pink and white poodle.

"I guess you are cute," Lulu half smiled as she stared down at the toy puppy with its black beaded eyes. "In the words of Nami and Anka...uber cute..."

"Are you coming?" Nami shouted back to Lulu.

"Yeah," she replied, slipping the plushie into her purse, chasing after her friends afterward.

"It's official. Physics and statistics can't stop Nagi," Anka announced.

"They never could," Nagi said confidently.

"Cocky?" Nami inquired.

"No, I just don't believe in physics because I don't understand them, and statistics are more trouble than they're worth," Nagi replied.

"Physics is easy," Anka remarked.

"Yeah, like...simple physics question..." Nami stroked her chin.

"Simple physics sounds like an oxymoron," Lulu frowned.

"Why are black holes black?" Nami asked.

"Because there's no light?" Nagi asked.

"Right," Anka announced.

"And how can we prove that black holes exist?" Nami asked.

"Well, when light gets pulled into them obviously they're lit up for that particular moment," Lulu responded.

"See? Simple physics," Anka said with a smile.

"And what does advanced physics include?" Nagi asked.

"Stuff you won't believe in because you don't understand it," Anka responded.

"Such as?" Lulu asked.

"Light gets pulled into black holes by gravity and is affected by gravity but it has no mass or weight," Nami replied.

"But how is that possible?" Lulu asked.

"Nobody knows," Anka said in an eerie tone. "Woooo..." she whispered.

"Gah.." Nagi ruffled his hair. "No, no, no..." he shook his head. "You're making my brain hurt."

"Let's find something to do," Anka suggested. "Unless we just want to hit the other..." she gulped, "rides."

"Are you talking about another roller coaster, even though we're both afraid of heights?" Nami gulped, watching a train of carts ride the tracks above them.

"I'll take Nami and you take Anka?" Nagi suggested.

"Sure, sounds good," Lulu said, grabbing Anka's hand and dragging her to a roller coaster with Nami and Nagi behind them.

"We can't do this!" Nami and Anka cried as they hugged their plushies.

"Sure you can," Lulu said encouragingly.

"What if we get stuck again?" Anka asked.

"Then we'll sing sing-along songs until we get down," Nagi replied.

"I'm not doing this..." Nami shook her head.

"You can cling to me the entire time," Nagi offered. Nami didn't hesitate. She wrapped her arms tightly around Nagi's waist with a dead grip. "I meant once on the ride, but this works too?"

"Thanks, fucker..." Lulu glared at Nagi, pointing to Anka who was likewise clinging to her waist.

"Come on, Nami," Nagi aid soothingly as he walked with her to the front of the line.

"If I die I'm haunting you..." Nami murmured as she settled with Nagi in their seat.

"Come on, the love birds are on..." Lulu sighed as she dragged Anka with her into the car in front of Nami and Nagi.

"But we can fall!" Anka whimpered.

"If we fall I'll pay your hospital bill," Lulu grinned.

"See? Not too bad, right?" Nagi asked.

"Says the person not scared of heights..." Nami grumbled as she squeezed him more tightly.

"How did you get on a roller coaster when we were twelve being this acrophobic...?" Nagi wondered.

"I don't know...it just sort of happened..." Nami shrugged.

"If something happens, I'll let you beat me up," Nagi offered.

"What will that do?" Nami questioned.

"Maybe make you feel better?" Nagi suggested.

Nami laughed, "Not hardly."

"How is Nami so calm?" Anka asked.

"If you were that close to the guy of your dreams, I'm sure you'd be calm too," Lulu replied.

"Sure I guess," Anka shrugged.

"Relax, it's almost over," Lulu said soothingly.

"Can we stick to letting Nagi win your money?" Anka pleaded.

"I suppose we can do something other than high rides..." Lulu shrugged. "Maybe go home and have a movie night?"

"By home you mean Nami's house?" Anka guessed as she squeezed her plushie.

"Where else would I mean? King Manor?" Lulu asked dryly.

"Good point..." Anka scrambled to her feet the second the ride came to a halt, jumping from the cart and turning to see Nami acting just as quickly. "So how was it?"

"Horrible..." Nami said as she hugged her plushie.

"Come on, prince. We're going to Nami's for a movie night," Lulu said as she started dragging Nagi with her.

"Where to next?" Nami asked slowly.

"Home I guess..." Nagi shrugged.

"Why are we going to my house?" Nami asked.

"Well, your parents have a flat screen TV," Anka grinned. "So we have that little perk and an open bar..."

"So we're calling it a night at 7 PM?" Nami asked.

"No, we're calling it a movie night at 7 PM," Lulu grinned. "Movies and snacks on me."

"Alright," Nagi pulled his keys from his pocket. "I'll get the rest of our bags and we can go hang out at home."

"I'll help," Nami said quickly, following Nagi.

"We'll be at the gate," Anka shook her head, amused.

"They're totally fucking..." Lulu declared.

"No," Anka sighed. "They actually realize that the attraction is mutual."

"Like they're dating under our noses?" Lulu asked, offended.

"It's possible, I guess," Anka shrugged.

"We must do research!" Lulu said with finality. "Now, ways to tell if two people are seeing one another...." She stroked her chin as they began walking again. "Sleep together..."

"They've done that since they were twelve," Anka interjected.

"Right...they drink after one another..."

"We all do that," Anka reminded her.

"They can't say no to the other," Lulu snapped her fingers, "Oh...never mind..."

"They sneak off to be alone?" Anka suggested.

"That is also possible. Do you think they're fooling around?" Lulu asked.

"Even with as strong an attraction between the two as they have, I don't see them just hopping into bed together," Anka replied.

"I guess there's really no way to tell with how close they were before this..." Lulu conceded.

"They hold hands now," Anka whispered. "They've never done that."

"Why are you so nosy? That's my job..."

Anka started whimpering, "I...I don't want Nami to leave me...just because...she and Nagi...started dating..."

Lulu joined her in the tears, "Nami can't leave us! No!"

"Here you go..." Nagi said, setting a key in Nami's palm.

"Nagi?" Nami started to question him.

"Yes it is what you think, and yes I know what I'm doing," Nagi said as he turned over their locker key.

Nami blushed as she closed her hand around the key. Why do stupid little gestures like this make me embarrassed to the point of blushing? "I..guess we'd better get going.." Nami whispered.

"What's wrong?" Nagi asked.

"I've just been thinking..." Nami admitted.

"You never stop thinking. But what thoughts have you this dismal?"

"We'll never have much alone time..." Nami said coyly.

"With there being new school uniforms Lulu has something to do and Anka doesn't like to impose," Nagi shrugged. "Otherwise we can make time...."

Nami slipped her hand in his, "How so?"

"I don't know, like dates?"

"You're pushing it considering that my dad didn't believe that I had a crush on you and my mom doesn't know we're dating," Nami replied.

"Our friends don't even know we're dating," Nagi reminded her.

"If we tell them, I'm sure Lulu would be more than happy to give us alone time," Nami said sarcastically.

"She'd provide the condoms," Nagi sighed.

"Why would we need condoms?" Nami asked, bemused.

"She'd probably think that we were only having sex," Nagi explained.

"That's not what I mean," Nami replied.

"Then what do you mean?"

"I'm on the shot," Nami whispered. "Since my mom figured out that I liked you she made me..."

"Come again?" Nagi asked, stopping.

"In flat out terms?"

"Please do," Nagi gulped.

"I can't get pregnant," Nami stated quietly.

Nagi blinked a few times, "Wow. And here I was glad we were interrupted because I didn't have a condom..."

"No need for them," Nami said self-consciously.

"Duly noted for my next drunken stupor," Nagi drooled.

"What?" Nami inquired.

"As you can imagine, descriptions of sex within my family are frequent, and apparently unprotected sex is the rarest of all treats..."

"I guess that goes hand-in-hand with my curiosity in your tantra..." Nami said thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I guess.." Nagi shrugged.

"Ready to go?" Lulu chirped.

"Ready," Nagi agreed as he started with them toward the car.

Nami glanced over her shoulder. "Are you two txting one another even though you're right next to each other?"

"Maybe.." Anka and Lulu said in unison.

"Why?" Nagi asked as he unlocked the car.

"We have free txting anyway..." Anka shrugged.

"So, yeah. Why not use it?" Lulu asked.

"Whatever makes you happy, I guess," Nami said as she opened her phone to read a txt message. How did Anka know we're dating? she thought as she read the questioning message from her best friend.

"Now you're dragging us into it?" Nagi asked as he opened his cell phone.

"I guess the little snowballs would be a good snack beside popcorn?" Nagi replied.

"No, no. You've gotta txt it!" Lulu scolded him.

"I'm going to be driving.." Nagi said slowly.

Nami took a deep breath before replying to the message with: How did you know?

Anka smirked as she read the message, typing back just as quickly: You just told me.

---

"Nami?" Nagi questioned as he slid into the seat across from her. "Can we talk?"

"No, since you've become my boyfriend I no longer listen to your or tell you when anything is wrong expecting you to deal with things on your own and to just know intuitively when something's bothering me," she said dryly as she slipped a bookmark into her book.

Nagi gave her a questioning look, "When did we get married?"

Nami laughed, blushing a little. "What is it, Nagi?"

"Okay, if you hadn't caught it yet I really really liked you before we started dating.." he started.

"That's mutual," Nami conceded.

Nagi blushed, "And now that we're official...it feels like we're missing something..."

Nami looked down at the ground, "I know what you mean, but..."

"But?"

Nami shrugged, "When you look at our friendship...you can't get much closer than we were and still are."

"You think that's it?" he asked, satisfied with her response.

"Well, we shared several friend kisses then, we weren't afraid to hug one another or hold one another, we slept in the same bed, we talked about anything and everything..." she started to blush, "so..yeah.."

"W-what is it?" Nagi wondered as he instinctively leaned toward Nami.

"Nothing...still haven't gotten over the...nervousness around you..." she whispered.

"I don't think we really will..." Nagi admitted, scratching his cheek. "Well, I've gotta go before I get in trouble for cutting class," he said quickly, kissing her lips gently once before leaving.

Nami slipped her cellphone from her bookbag and began messaging Anka. I just realized that for any teenage couple there are only two things that Nagi and I haven't ever done when we were just friends... she sighed as she sent the message.

"Are you alright, miss Jennings?" Mr. Royal asked.

"Yes..." Nami said quickly.

"Do you have your plans for the school newspaper planned out for next month?" Mr. Royal wondered.

"Yes, they're right here," Nami said quickly as she opened a folder, handing the papers to her English teacher.

"You never fail to please, Miss Jennings," he smiled warmly. "I'm looking forward to your presentation next period."

"Thanks," Nami smiled weakly.

"Praise well-deserved," he replied as he settled back in his chair.

Nami glanced down at her vibrating phone. Sure, it makes sense that wanting Nagi sexually and not getting to have him sexually is what's missing... she agreed with Anka's reply. Cool. We have a new student... she thought as she watched the hands on the clock slowly move. She finally sighed in relief as the bell rang, standing and setting her things on the desk beside the teacher's desk as she watched the other students scatter while others settled before her.

"You're gonna give us a harsh lecture, right?" a girl asked as she set her things on a desk.

"Aren't you perceptive?" Nami asked wryly.

"Why us?" the same girl sighed.

"Because you thought this class would be an easy A and you didn't opp out of it when I warned you otherwise," Nami replied evenly.

"But it's doing stupid stuff," the girl whined. "It should be easy..."

"Not everything in life is as easy as you. Remember that," Nami whispered.

"Excuse me..." a young girl said behind Nami. "It's my first day," she continued to speak softly as the teacher read the slip she handed him.

"Well, the project manager slash editor is giving the class a lecture today so you picked an interesting day to start," Mr. Royal replied. "Take a seat anywhere."

"And I now have another bit to assign..." Nami sighed in frustration as she watched the girl settle in the seat beside her. Nami glanced thoughtfully at the girl, "Aren't you in the archeology class at Dark Falls University?" Nami asked.

"Yes," she replied.

"You're a senior and you transferred in the middle of the year?" Nami questioned.

"Long story," the girl whispered.

"Do you actually write or no how to research anything?" Nami asked as she pulled a pen from her pocket.

"I write poetry," she shrugged.

"That's a first," Nami blinked in disbelief. "What's your name?"

The girl stared down at her things. "Jewel Bradley."

"I'd like to apologize on behalf of the entire school for the sucky uniforms that the sluts of the school inspired," Nami said as the bell rang.

"I bet Nami's chewing out her newspaper crew," Lulu said calmly.

"Probably," Anka agreed. She glanced over at Nagi, "Was she in a bad mood when you popped in to see her?"

"No, she was reading," Nagi replied.

"The answer is sex," Lulu said.

"That's your answer to everything," Nagi said dryly.

"Well, language and sex is why 'The Giver' is banned in most schools," Lulu said flatly. "And since language is given in the clue and the answer can only be a three letter word..."

"For once she's right..." Anka chuckled.

"I hate study halls," Nagi grumbled as he filled in the answer on the crossword puzzle.

"I wish Nami was here..." Lulu sighed.

"She will be when she's finished with bitching at the newspaper staff," Anka sighed.

"Why do you wish Nami was here?" Nagi wondered.

"Poker is more interesting with four people," Lulu replied.

"Think we'll see her in Spanish?" Anka asked.

"Why wouldn't we?" Lulu asked.

"Because we're all worried she'll leave us," Nagi responded softly as he scribbled in another answer.

"Yeah, what would we do without her?" Lulu asked.

"We'd have nowhere to go," Anka frowned.

"But she promised that she won't leave us," Nagi pointed out.

"Hello, hello," Nami said cheerfully as she settled beside Nagi. "Let me introduce you to the only other competent member of the school newspaper...Jewel."

"Welcome, dear," Lulu said happily.

"Nagi, Nami?" Mrs. Waters poked her head into the room.

"Yeah?" Nami asked.

"Mrs. Richards, I'm stealing these two," Mrs. Waters said quietly as Nami and Nagi stood and followed her.

"Well, you met Nami, I'm Lulu and this is Anka," Lulu said warmly.

Jewel blushed as she watched Nami and Nagi leave. "He is hot..." she said softly.

"Nagi is hot, but he's also Nami's," Lulu replied.

"Lucky..." Jewel said enviously.

"You're in our college classes. You've seen him a hundred times," Anka pointed out.

"Never up close," Jewel blushed.

"Too shy?" Anka asked.

"Not exactly a social butterfly," Jewel replied.

"Well, sit down and relax," Lulu said, patting the seat next to her.

"What'd you need us for?" Nami asked.

"Well, I need a few errands ran," Mrs. Waters said slowly.

"Like what? We're not student council..." Nagi replied.

"No, but you're leaving in two periods, so could you pick up a few things?" Mrs. Waters asked as she picked up a slip of paper, handing it to Nami.

"Sugar? Eggs?" Nami asked.

"Doing some baking..." Mrs. Waters replied. "Here's the money, just bring everything back to me here before you do your college class."

"Alright..." Nagi sighed. "Isn't there something against calling us out of class for things like this?"

"What class? It's study hall..." Mrs. Waters replied.

"Why'd you need both of us?" Nami wondered.

"You're just the cutest couple.." Mrs. Waters cooed.

"How does everybody know before we tell them?" Nagi asked.

"You can just tell..." Mrs. Waters shrugged. "Now get back to class..." she ushered them out of the room.

Nami sighed, "Well, I guess this just leaves our friends and parents who don't know?"

"Anka knows," Nagi pointed out.

"How do you know she knows?"

Nagi pulled out his cellphone, showing Nami a message: Sex with Nami is the answer!

"Lulu hijacking the phone?" Nami blushed.

"Well, no. Lulu doesn't use punctuation," Nagi replied.

"We've been dating for three days and they're trying to get us to have sex," Nami sighed.

"And we haven't told anybody..." Nagi added.

"About that..." Nami starated.

"Anka?" Nagi guessed.

"She guessed when we were txting each other after the amusement park..." Nami said apologetically. "I'm sorry..."

"Why?" Nagi inquired.

"I made a big deal about telling anybody and she guessed and..."

"It's okay," Nagi sighed. "People were bound to figure it out..."

"But..." Nami started, stopping as Nagi kissed her. Her cheeks reddened as they drew the kiss out. As it ended she eased her eyes open, finding her fingers twined in Nagi's now disheveled black hair. "Uh..."

"What?" Nagi asked softly as he studied Nami's countenance.

"N-nothing..." she stammered as she glanced away from him.

"Suuuurree..." Nagi rolled his eyes, amused. "You know you're really cute, right?"

"Well, you tell me I am," Nami shrugged.

"Because you are," Nagi kissed her forehead once. "Oh, before we leave and I forget and worry you I have to spar today at the dojo so I won't be over until later after dropping you off."

"I thought you were a black belt?" Nami responded.

"I am, but that's not the highest rank. I'm still far from perfect with my form, technique, strength..."

"You obviously haven't seen a mirror," Nami said as she started away from him.

Nagi smirked, starting after her. "Did you just inadvertently hit on me?" he asked as he caught up with her.

"It was intentional," Nami assured him.

"So you do find me attractive," Nagi said smugly.

"Yeah, so does every other girl who has ever seen you," Nami replied.

"I don't care about them," Nagi said dismissively. "What about me is attractive?" he wondered.

"I don't know...everything..."

"Really?" Nagi grinned.

"Well, yeah. I mean you're up for trying new things, you're smart, helpful, fun to be around, well-rounded, mysterious, gentle yet firm in all aspects..." Nami stared down at the floor as she continued walking.

"How did I know you finding me hot wouldn't be a physical thing?" Nagi asked.

"I didn't say that I'm not physically attracted to you," Nami interjected. "I mean, your voice, your eyes..." she stopped. "I'm stopping before I embarrass myself," she said before opening her locker.

"You tell me and I'll tell you," Nagi offered as he leaned against the locker beside Nami.

"Again, everything," Nami said softly as she stood with her Spanish book in hand.

Nagi blushed, "Not expecting that."

"Well, you, my friend are oblivious to everything outside of your own thought bubble," Nami replied.

"You're not the first person to tell me that," Nagi remarked as they reentered the classroom.

"Well, that should tell you something," Nami shrugged, flashing him a coy smile as she settled beside Anka.

"Maybe," Nagi shrugged. "I might be, but that doesn't mean anything..."

"What are you talking about?" Anka asked.

"Nagi being oblivious to anything outside of his own thoughts," Nami replied. "Deal me in."

"Me too," Nagi said as he turned toward the game.

"Alrighty," Lulu grinned. "Dealer names game. We've been teaching Jewel here how to play."

"I hope I'm catching on right," Jewel said sheepishly.

"Even if you're not, that just makes playing with you more interesting. I mean, like a sociopath who lies constantly....except you just don't know when to hold 'em or to fold 'em..." Anka tapered off as she cracker her knuckles.

"Huh?" Jewel asked.

"Don't ask. Just nod and laugh when they laugh," Lulu whispered.

"What were you wanted for, anyhow?" Anka asked.

"Errands," Nagi said, flashing the grocery list.

"Do you want to have a drunken poker game at Nami's tonight?" Lulu asked.

"Got Dojo things to do," Nagi replied.

"You all drink?" Jewel asked. "And dojo?"

"My parents let us drink if we stay in the house," Nami replied.

"And I'm a black belt in karate," Nagi added. "I have some assignment from my sensei but he hasn't told me what yet...."

"Don't worry. My parents want me to do something before the trip to Egypt but they're not telling me until tonight. So rain check on poker until Friday night," Nami replied.

Lulu finished her shuffling, "Okay, Follow the Queen is the game.." she pulled the deck apart and showed a six of spades, "So Queens and sixes are wild..." she said as she mixed up the cards a final time.

Nami collected her cards grumbling. "Gah...hit me.."

"It's not Black Jack..." Anka murmured.

"No, I mean I just figured out what my parents are putting me up to..." Nami growled as she looked down at the face up 8.

"What is it?" Lulu wondered.

Nami blushed and glanced away from Nagi, "N-nothing..." Well...I guess that means Nagi's the teacher of that stupid self-defense class... she sighed.

---

"You're a bastard..." Cal grumbled as he let Nagi help him to his feet.

"Which makes me awesome," Nagi said as he wiped his face with his shirt.

"How's your insane crush going?" Cal asked.

"We're dating," Nagi replied.

"And how's that going?"

"Perfectly," Nagi blushed a little.

Cal whistled. "We already have a hottie in the self-defense class that you're teaching..."

"Hmm?" Nagi asked as he turned around to find Nami entering the dojo. "Nami...?"

"That's the girl you were obsessed with?" Cal asked.

"Nagi..." Nami whispered as she approached him.

"What's up?" Nagi blushed as Nami embraced him.

"Apparently my parents don't think you're a good enough protector so they want me to take a self-defense class...as if three days is going to do anything..." she sighed, nestling against Nagi.

"They're just being cautious," Nagi whispered as he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.

"So, who's the instructor?" she wondered as she released him.

"Me," Nagi replied.

"Y-you?" Nami stammered as her cheeks reddened.

"Yeah, I'm the best at defense," Nagi admitted, a bit abashed.

"That's because your power kick is a bitch!" Cal shouted.

"Then learn to dodge," Nagi countered.

"When I do you're screwed!" Cal declared.

"That 'when' isn't a guarantee," Nagi teased.

"I knew there was a little jock in you," Nami murmured.

"Nah, I'm just in a belligerent mood," Nagi shrugged. "Want to start learning now? You're early and the only one here so far."

"N-no...I'd be no good, and you'd be covering up for me just like gym class...." Nami insisted.

"Okay, then watch me kick his ass," Nagi suggested.

"Oh...okay..." Nami smiled as she took the offered seat.

"I'll be nice and let you win one," Cal teased. "Just because your girl's hotter than any of us could have predicted."

Nagi laughed. "Yeah, if you were trying before there's no need to fake a match."

Cal growled, "You're too cocky for you own-" Nagi knocked him down and shrugged.

"Pride is a good thing," Nagi said smugly.

"Father said that you get to instruct the class, Nagi and Cal gets to be your rag doll," Peipei said calmly as she settled beside Nami.

"Rag doll?" Cal shouted from the ground.

Peipei giggled, "Considering that you are a rag doll no matter how hard you try against the prince he sees it best."

"Prince?" Nami tilted her head to the side as she eyed Nagi.

"I call Nagi there prince since he's been chasing the same girl for six years straight with no interest in anybody else, and he's friends with the girl so it isn't one of those physical attractions that wear off. His dedication is that of a prince's," she explained, shaking her head after she finished.

"Thanks for the intro, Geisha, but Nami there would be said girl, and said Prince's girlfriend..." Nagi said slowly.

"Wow, Nagi..." Peipei whistled. "How many gay men do you think rethought their orientation after looking at her?"

"I don't know. What do you think Cal?" Nagi grinned, blocking Cal's angry punch.

"Geisha?" Nami asked Peipei as she hid her blush.

"Because I'm Asian, pretty and more into the arts than the martial arts," Peipei sighed.

"We've come to watch the prince sweat with you, Nami!" Lulu shouted as she and Anka entered the dojo with Jewel right behind them.

"How'd you know I was here?" Nami blinked in confusion.

"Why does she call you prince?" Peipei asked Nagi.

"I hate to interrupt you both but I'm more concerned with why Lulu wants to watch me sweat," Nagi said dryly.

"She's sexually frustrated," Anka replied.

Nagi blinked in confusion, "Why me?"

"Because you're the only ripped eighteen-year-old I know with a nice ass and many activities that make you sweaty and seem less like a virgin," Lulu responded evenly.

"I'll be in the back..." Cal said as he stepped away from Nagi.

"You have repulsed me and forced me further back into my virgin shell than I knew existed," Nagi shuddered.

Jewel tapped Anka on the shoulder, "I thought they were friends..."

"They are when she's not hitting on him," Anka replied.

"You really just can't take a compliment, can you?" Lulu asked as she pulled a tub of popcorn from her purse.

"Anybody concerned about the depth of her bag?" Nami asked.

"It's a black hole," Lulu reasoned.

"When are you starting?" Nami asked Nagi.

"When the most of the expected class arrives," Nagi muttered before walking into the back of the dojo and disappearing behind a door.

"Why is he a prince to everybody?" Peipei asked.

"Oh, his crush on Nami," Anka replied.

"And how did you know I was here?" Nami asked.

"Mom is making us attend this too, but I don't think she knows that Nagi teaches the class here or how close the two of you are..." Anka whispered, winking at Nami.

Nami blushed, sighing. "We're no different than before."

"What girl talk am I being excluded from?" Lulu demanded.

"Nothing," Nami said quickly.

"I bet after seeing him how you like seeing him you won't be the same," Anka assured her.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Nami asked.

"I've seen how you oggle over him when he's shirtless, sweating and showing off for you..." Anka teased.

Nami blushed, "Hey..." Nagi reemerged from the room with his shirt on, a towel flung over his shoulder and a bottle of water in hand. "Thanks Lulu..." Nami said spitefully.

"What'd she do now?" Nagi asked as he settled beside Nami.

"N-nothing..." Nami stammered.

Nagi's loud, obnoxious rock song for a ringtone started booming from his pocket. "Hmm?" he asked as he slipped his phone from his pocket to read the message from Anka. He smirked, glancing over at Nami. You're not lying? he messaged back to Anka.

Anka giggled as her phone simply vibrated. She shook her head and motioned toward Nami who was daydreaming. She typed out another message to him before closing her phone.

Nagi's ringtone went off again.Take your shirt off he read to himself. He gave Anka a questioning glance before shrugging, standing up again in front of Nami and taking off his shirt tossing it into Nami's lap.

Nami blushed as she broke away from her daydreaming to stare at Nagi. Nami took her cellphone from her pocket and sent Anka a message as she kept glancing back up at Nagi who was settling beside her again.

"Then kill me," Anka said aloud.

"Lulu's been awfully quiet..." Nagi said innocently.

"No, I'm just filming you shirtless," Lulu said from behind them.

"Why?" Peipei asked as she glanced over her shoulder.

"Sexual repression makes you do lots of things you wouldn't normally consider," Lulu said calmly.

"Can I get that forwarded to me?" Jewel asked Lulu.

"Yup," Lulu said calmly.

Nagi sighed, "Why does everybody think I'm sexy?"

"Don't get cocky," Anka said dryly.

"Everybody who isn't related to me in one way or another," Nagi said more clearly.

"That's better," Anka smiled.

"Ahem..." Peipei cleared her throat.

"And who have arranged marriages," Nagi conceded.

"Okay," Peipei chirped.

"Well, probably because you are," Nami said softly. She blushed after saying so, dropping her gaze to the ground.

Nagi blushed, "Thanks..."

"Especially completely naked after doing some physically strenuous activity and on top of Nami," Anka added.

"Is that a hint?" Nagi asked.

"Nothing to hint at!" Nami replied quickly.

---

"So how was that for a porno?" Anka asked slyly.

"So much better than porn," Nami sighed as she watched Nagi gather his possessions.

"And I've got it on film," Lulu grinned.

"For learning, right?" Jewel smiled.

"You're catching on quickly," Lulu said proudly.

"Film it all and give it to me," Nami pleaded.

"Merry Christmas then," Lulu grinned.

"You'll never have to do anything for me again..." Nami said dreamily.

"So where are we headed?" Nagi asked calmly as he joined them.

"Food?" Anka asked.

"Anybody for all you can eat?" Nami inquired. "I'll pay and we get lots and lots of...well everything..."

"Sounds good," the others chorused.


Nami sat with her chopsticks poised over the food. "What to eat first?"

"Crab rangoon," Nagi suggested between bites.

"Wontons," Lulu offered instead.

"You weren't hungry were you?" Nami asked dryly.

"Sorry, but I haven't eaten since breakfast and I've been tossing Cal around the dojo for the past five hours," Nagi said before taking another stab at the large portions of food on his plate.

"How do you stay so fit when you eat like a pig?" Lulu made a face as she continued taking modest bites of the wontons.

"Because I exercise enough that my body's metabolism is past 3000 calories," Nagi said calmly.

"What's wrong, Jewel?" Nami asked softly.

"I don't eat meat..." she replied.

"All of the sushi here is veggie sushi," Lulu offered. "And they have lots of sweets, rice and lo mein that was fried in vegetables instead of meat."

"Listen to the calorie counter," Nagi remarked.

"I see you have managed to keep one male trait even after being friends with only girls for the past six years," Nami sighed as she started picking the chicken from the rice.

"What's that?" Nagi blinked in confusion.

"The appetite," Nami said dryly.

"Let them have their lovers' spat. I'll show you where the good stuff is," Lulu said as she led Jewel to the far end of the restaraunt.

"I can't help it," he responded. "How do you do that?" he asked thoughtfully.

"Do what?" Nami questioned.

"Hold chopsticks and eat with them," Nagi clarified.

"You're named after a Japanese god and you don't even know that?" Nami sighed, unwrapping his chopsticks from the paper.

"I lack hand-eye-coordination," Nagi smirked.

"Says the jock," Nami cut in. "Now watch me," she said as she picked up a wonton with the chopsticks.

Nagi imitated her, successfully picking up a wonton as well. "Easier than I thought," he shrugged before continuing.

"Even with chopsticks you eat so ravenously," Nami sighed.

"What's wrong?" Anka asked as she returned with an entire serving tray of Chinese food.

"Nagi eats like a pig even with chopsticks," Nami replied. "Where'd you get that?"

"Requested it."

"Nice," Nami nodded.

Jewel scooted in the booth before Lulu, picking up her chopsticks like second nature and picking at the vegetable sushi. "This is so good..." she purred.

"Yes, yes it is..." Lulu grinned.

"Another vegetarian?" Anka questioned.

"Don't like the taste of meat," Jewel shrugged.

"That's okay. Nagi doesn't even taste food," Nami said, patting Nagi's shoulder.

Lulu dropped her chopsticks, staring at Nagi. "Nagi. Dude. How the hell do you eat like a pig while using chopsticks?"

"Another mystery of the modern world..." Anka said, staring at Nagi with disbelief.

"He's not even unnerved or bothered that we're all staring at him while he's eating..." Jewel remarked in awe.

Nagi swallowed and glared around at them. "You'll ruin my appetite if you came comparing me to a pig."

"That's possible?" Nami asked.

"We might want to so we don't get kicked out of an all-you-can-eat-buffet..." Lulu said slowly.

"Did you know that the slower you eat, the faster you become full?" Anka offered.

"Did you know the Chinee food is too good to want to be full?" Nagi retorted.

"I don't think we can find out since you've eaten all of the food in the restaurant," Anka said flatly.

"You know you love me, sis," Nagi said as he wrapped his arm around Anka.

"You two are related?" Jewel asked.

"Only by emotions," Anka replied.

"Huh?" Jewel asked.

"I love Anka like a sister, and she loves me like a brother," Nagi replied.

"No attraction whatsoever," Anka clarified.

"And you two hate each other half of the time?" Jewel pointed between Lulu and Nagi.

"Only when I'n hitting on him," Lulu replied.

"But other than that you're friends?" Jewel quirked an eyebrow.

"Yish," Nagi nodded before taking a swig of his drink.

"Lulu," Jewel whispered into Lulu's ear, "Do Nami and Nagi know they like each other?"

"No," Lulu replied. "But you can work in some teases if you'd like."

"No," Jewel shook her head, "I was just wondering how they don't know they like one another...since Nami's been picking on Nagi and Nagi is a show-off in front of Nami..."

"Dearie, they're both too smart to understand body language and things that are spelled out," Lulu said softly.

"Ever get the feeling you're being talked about?" Nami whispered to Nagi.

Nagi shrugged, "Ever get the feeling that Lulu's videotaping you in the shower?"

Nami made a face and glanced over at Nagi. "No..." she said slowly.

"Well we don't have all creepy feelings in common then," Nagi offered.

"Nagi, you've been on x-tube since you turned eighteen," Anka informed him.

"You watched that?" Lulu asked happily.

"Whoa, watched what?" Nagi asked.

"There's a video of you naked on a porn site," Nami whispered to him.

"Why wasn't I informed of this?" Nagi asked.

"It doesn't show your face so no need," Lulu said flatly.

Nagi drew in a deep breath. "You're screwing with me. Right?"

Nami blushed and shook her head. "No, I've seen it."

"You've never seen me naked to know it's me naked if my face isn't in it," Nagi said logically.

"Heart necklace..." Nami coughed.

"What?" Nagi asked.

"The heart necklace Nami gave you and you have yet to take off...that's how we know it's you," Anka explained.

"You're all lying," Nagi said dryly.

"Whatever," Lulu rolled her eyes.

"Alright. What is the only tattoo on my body and where is it?" Nagi asked. "Nami, you have seen it, so you're not allowed to answer."

"Why would she have seen it and not those two?" Jewel asked.

"It's somewhere that his underwear covers," Lulu hissed.

"You've seen him naked outside of that video?" Jewel gasped.

"Not naked," Nami blushed.

"You know where the tattoo is, don't you?" Jewel asked.

"Yes," Nami nodded once.

"Okay, there's no video, but where's the tattoo?" Lulu said quickly.

Nami blushed, "Lower abdomen."

Lulu purred, "And what's it of?"

"Japanese kanji," Nami squeaked.

"Really?" Jewel asked.

"When did you get a tattoo?" Anka asked.

"My brother took me when I was sixteen," Nagi muttered.

"How far down is it?" Anka asked.

"Pretty far..." Nami whispered.

"Creepy I don't want to see that much of my brother far down or is it still the okay to see my brother in his underwear far down?" Anka asked.

"Let me out," Nagi offered.

Anka scooted out and watched Nagi lift his shirt and slip his shorts and underwear down a good bit to reveal his tattoo. "Wow, Nagi..." she whistled.

"How bad did it hurt?" Lulu asked.

"Pretty bad," Nagi said as he settled in the booth again.

"And why did Nami see it?" Lulu asked.

"I've walked in on him a few times when he was only in a towel..." Nami said quietly.

---

"No company tonight?" Nagi asked as he wiped his face with a towel.

"No, they said that they're just gonna say they went," Nami muttered.

"But it was the final night," Nagi blinked.

"Sentimentality yet again escapes Lu," Nami shrugged.

"Something wrong?" he asked as he slipped his shirt on.

"N-no..." Nami stammered. "I...was wondering if we could stay at your house tonight."

"Okay, hun," Nagi shrugged as he slipped his coat on, grabbing his back pack. "Anything else?" he asked as he slipped his hand into Nami's.

"Turn off our cell phones?" Nami pleaded, blushing.

Nagi blushed, "Okay."

"I mean, we hardly get alone time..." Nami sighed as she slipped into the car, smiling as Nagi closed her door for her.

"Well, we have extra-curricular activities and friends who don't leave us alone," Nagi smiled as he started his car.

"Your parents aren't home," Nami remarked.

"No, they won't be back until tomorrow," Nagi replied.

"Good," Nami smiled, twirling her hair around her finger.

---

"Are you sure?" Nagi asked as he turned on the shower water. He stood back up and met Nami's confident gaze, but reddened cheeks.

"I'm sure," Nami smiled coyly.

Nagi slipped his T-shirt off and welcomed Nami's kisses. After a few moments he slipped Nami's shirt off of her and drew in a deep breath as his eyes fell to her body. "Nagi?" Nami asked softly.

"Yeah?" he asked quietly as his eyes returned to hers.

"Why do you look so stunned?" Nami asked as she glanced away from him.

"Haven't exactly seen this much of you," Nagi replied before kissing her again.

"Are you not embarrassed?" Nami asked.

"I always am," he muttered as he slipped his beater off, tossing it to the ground.

"Me too," she blushed as Nagi slowly ran his hands down his body, undoing his jeans and slipping them off. "Nagi..." she murmured as she slipped her own jeans off.

"Yeah?" he muttered as he caressed her cheek.

"I want to do this, but I'm really self-conscious..." Nami admitted.

"Why?"

"What you'll think of me..." Nami whispered.

"I couldn't ever think anything bad of you," Nagi promised her. "And you can stop whenever you want to. You know that, right?"

"I know," Nami muttered as she wrapped her arms around Nagi's neck.

"Just tell me when," Nagi whispered as he unclasped her bra.

"Okay," Nami breathed, before she kissed Nagi's neck. She backed up to let her bra fall, forcing her arms to her side as Nagi ran his fingers down her bare chest.

"You are gorgeous," Nagi awed as he met Nami's gaze again.

"Th-thank you..." Nami watched eagerly as Nagi finished undressing himself. She quickly dropped her panties to the ground, blushing.

"Absolutely beautiful..." Nagi awed as he leaned in and kissed Nami once.

"The shower's gonna get cold..." Nami cleared her throat.

"Do you really wanna shower?" Nagi asked as he slipped into the cascade of water.

"I...I don't know..." Nami said nervously as she stepped in too.

"I can stand here kissing you," Nagi muttered as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"That's a good start," Nami whispered as she leaned into a kiss. She smiled, continuing to kiss Nagi as he traced the outline of her tattoo with his fingers. "I wanna do this..."

"Oh, so do I..." Nagi moaned as Nami dropped her hand and caressed his tattoo. "Wow..." he moaned, smiling as she caressed him.

"What?" Nami breathed as she eased her eyes open.

Nagi slowly opened his eyes, "Glad I got that tattoo."

"Why?" Nami asked.

"You like caressing it..." Nagi shrugged before pressing her against the wall. "Now, is there anything you want?"

"You," Nami moaned before she wrapped her legs around him.
~Four Hours Later~
"Cold..." Nami complained as she shivered, wrapping the towel around herself.

"I got the most of it," Nagi reminded her, not bothering to dress after drying himself off.

"I mean me..." Nami sighed as she settled onto Nagi's bed.

"Not a problem," Nagi whispered as he crawled beside her, pulling her against him.

Nami closed her eyes, "Wow..."

"What?"

"Amazing..." she blushed as she curled against him.

"Yes, it is..." Nagi sighed, blushing as well.

"So it's ten..." Nami remarked.

"Yeah," Nagi agreed, clearly seeing the displayed time on the alarm clock.

"We went in at quarter til six," Nami murmured as she ran her fingers through Nagi's hair.

Nagi blinked, "Are you...sure?"

"Yeah," Nami whispered.

"Meditation...works?" Nagi questioned.

"Considering that male virgins usually last for like three seconds I'd say so," Nami rolled her eyes.

"What's that?" Nagi asked as he sat up.

"What?"

Nagi crawled to the edge of the bed, fishing Nami's cell phone out of her coat. "You're vibrating," he muttered before tossing the phone to her.

Nami opened it and sighed. "My mother wants me home now."

"What time was that sent?" Nagi asked as he stood, fishing clean clothes from his dresser.

"Just now," Nami muttered as she opened her phone.

"With Nagi?" Kelly asked.

"Yes," Nami sighed.

"Is he giving you a ride?" Kelly asked.

"Yes," Nagi said loud enough for Kelly to hear.

"Why weren't you straight home?" Kelly inquired.

"Nagi's parents aren't here," Nami said flatly.

Nagi turned around and gave Nami a questioning glance. He mouthed: what are you doing?

"So I was gonna keep him company..." Nami said sheepishly. She mouthed back: Don't worry about it.

"You can keep him company here," Kelly said firmly.

"Okay, we'll be there soon," Nami said softly. "Bye, mom. Love you."

"Ah, I see," Nagi laughed.

"You're the youngest. You do it, too," Nami said softly before she left the room.

"No," Nagi said as he followed her out. "My parents don't have anything I want for me to pull guilt trips."

"Cute..." Nami rolled her eyes as she started to dress again.

"Does your mom know about...us?" Nagi asked.

"Yeah, she figured it out," Nami replied.

"Does she know about..tonight?" Nagi asked as Nami wrapped her arms around him.

"Not yet," Nami muttered. "But if we don't get over there she will..."

"Okay, let's get your things," Nagi responded.

"About time," Kelly placed a firm hand on her hip as she watched Nami and Nagi walk in the front door.

"Sorry..." Nami blushed. "But..."

"But you were gonna ask to stay the night at Nagi's house sometime after eleven?" Kelly guessed.

"Yes..." Nami said quietly.

"Well, too bad for you, your father and I have plans," Kelly said firmly.

"Uh?" Nami and Nagi chorused.

"So we'll be out late," Kelly said before she dashed up the stairs.

"Wow," Nagi ruffled his still damp hair.

"Wanna...get ready for bed...?" Nami asked.

"Yeah..." Nagi nodded, following her up the stairs.

---

"Well they've left and they won't be back for a while apparently," Nami sighed.

"Yeah," Nagi agreed.

"Wanna...?" Nami blushed.

"Yeah," Nagi said quickly as he kicked off his boxers and crawled on top of Nami, kissing her the entire time he held her.
~Four hours later~
"Are you okay?" Nagi asked.

"Yes, why?"

"You've been quiet since...we stopped," Nagi blushed as Nami nestled more closely against him.

"I'm in awe," Nami replied thoughtfully.

"Why?"

"Lulu's right," Nami whispered. "The best feeling there is..."

Nagi smiled, "Yeah, it is." Nagi kissed Nami's forehead, "What brought this extreme arousal on?"

"Watching you for the past three days..." Nami sighed. "What brought on yours?"

"You in school uniform," Nagi admitted.

"Wow..." Nami blushed.

"Yes, you in miniskirts drives me insanely horny," Nagi breathed.

"Noted," Nami smiled as she eased her eyes shut.

"Encouraged," Nagi said before dozing off into a slumber.

---

"Wake up," Kelly said happily to the couple.

"What's up, Kelly?" Nagi asked.

"Well, it's nine o'clock," Kelly shrugged. "I thought you'd like to get up."

"Yeah, thanks," Nagi kissed Nami's forehead.

Kelly glanced down at the ground before glancing back over at Nagi. "Good morning, son-in-law."

"New nickname?" Nagi asked.

Kelly smiled, "New title."

"Thanks, mother-in-law," Nagi smiled.

Kelly turned around and closed the door behind herself.

"Hey, hun..." Nagi whispered.

"Hmm?" Nami grumbled.

"Wake up..." Nagi whispered softly.

"I'm up..." Nami responded just as softly.

"Okay, hun..." Nagi kissed her lips once. "We can get dressed whenever you want."

Nami sat up quickly, "My mom and dad!"

"Calm down," Nagi muttered. "Your mom was already in here."

"She what?" Nami blinked.

"Just get dressed into your pajamas, and I'll put on a pair of jeans and she'll never know," Nagi said quietly.

"Good idea..." Nami smiled as she quickly dressed into a tank top and a pair of shorts.

"I know," Nagi said softly as he pulled his jeans up and buttoned them.

"What are you two in the mood for?" Kelly asked.

"Coffee," Nami answered immediately.

"Anything, really," Nagi muttered.

"Lulu said she's been calling you both for a while now," Kelly frowned.

"Damn," Nami and Nagi chorused.

"What?" Kelly asked.

"In our coats," Nami sighed.

"I'll go get them," Nagi kissed Nami's cheek before darting upstairs.

Kelly smiled as her eyes fell to her daughter. "How was he?"

"What?" Nami blushed.

"The sex," Kelly said flatly.

"Mom!" Nami gasped, covering her face. "How'd you know?"

"Well, your cellphone went unanswered for hours last night, and this morning your sleeping together naked with your clothes flung everywhere?" Kelly shook her head.

"No chance of me getting pregnant, so we don't need to talk about it," Nami said before clearing her throat.

"Was the pain worth it?" Kelly asked.

"What pain?" Nami asked softly.

"For a virgin it hurts the first time..." Kelly raised an eyebrow at her daughter.

"Well, it didn't," Nami said flatly. "Exact opposite..." she tapered off.

"We have like a hundred messages each," Nagi sighed as he held out Nami's phone.

Nami accepted the phone, "Thanks, honey." Wonder what they wanted."

"I don't know. All of the messages are 'hey' or 'answer me damn you' so they're not very...explanatory," Nagi said dryly.

"Mine are all 'sis you promised' or something along those lines," Nami blinked.

"Have fun with whatever you promised them you'd do?" Kelly asked.

"Erm...sure..." Nagi shrugged, settling at the table with Nami. "Did we promise them something?" he asked, racking his brain.

"Too full with info...try back later..." Nami muttered as she rested her head on the table.

"You need more caffeine..." Nagi said as he poked her curiously.

---

Nami smiled at Nagi, “Where are you going?”

“A walk,” he replied. “You wanna come?”

“Yes,” Nami hopped up from the kitchen table, slipping on a pair of shoes and taking Nagi’s hand.

“Don’t forget a coat,” Kelly said with concern.

“I’ll steal his,” Nami said as she opened the door, dragging Nagi with her.

“It’s not really stealing when I give it to you,” he reminded her.

“True, but why’d you wanna go on this walk?” she asked eagerly.

“To talk about something,” Nagi blushed as his eyes fell to Nami.

“What would that be?” she returned a shy smile.

“Well, the girls are going to want an explanation for us not answering their messages and missed calls,” Nagi said sheepishly. “And poker night at Lu’s…” he added as an afterthought.

“That’s what we forgot…” Nami sighed. “All of those messages for poker…”

“And Lulu asking what we’re doing with a winking smiley face,” Nagi said as he gripped his cellphone in his free hand from his pocket.

“If she didn’t do that every time we were alone I’d think she might be psychic,” Nami blushed profusely as she lowered her gaze to the ground.

“Here,” Nagi released Nami’s hand to remove his coat, handing it to Nami. “Your hands are cold and they are always the first to go.” She didn’t question him as she slipped his coat on, zipping it up and sliding her hands into the pockets. He grumbled when his cellphone rang as they joined hands again. He glanced down at the number, “The one person who didn’t call me last night,” he sighed as he opened the phone. “Yeah?”

Nami shook her head, “That’d be his mom…” she noted as she continued watching him, more out of curiosity than anything else. “Huh?” she questioned something in his pocket brushing across her hand. She slipped it out, exhuming it closely. It has my name on it… she thought as she stared down at it. She glanced back up at Nagi whose back was turned to her. I can’t… she shook her head slipping the piece of paper back into the pocket where she found it. “What’d your mom want?”

“The usual,” he sighed, “And me to come home for something.”

“Did she say what?” Nami wondered.

“No, but she actually sounded serious,” he noted.

“Leaving me?” Nami whimpered.

“Since she’s not home I’ll just be gone for a minute,” he promised.

“Alright,” Nami smiled as they rejoined hands, turning around to walk back toward her house. “What are we gonna tell the girls?” she wandered as she gripped onto the note she found in Nagi’s pocket.

“Whatever you want,” Nagi shrugged.

“You’re leaving it up to me on whether or not to tell them that we’ve had sex?”

“Well, for me, them knowing means that Lulu can’t make anymore virgin jokes. Pretty shallow reason to tell her something so personal,” he shrugged. “For you it would mean them knowing something personal on the highest level.”

“Because you don’t care as much as me?” she guessed.

“I care, but I don’t get bothered by things as much as you, sweetheart,” he said as he ruffled her hair affectionately.

Nami blushed, “But, we don’t have to tell them.”

“Dead batteries with MIA chargers,” Nagi whispered before kissing her cheek.

“Alright…I’ll call Anka when I get to my room,” she said as they stopped walking. She wrapped her arms tightly around Nagi kissing him several times.

“And I’ll be back as soon as I do what my mother wants,” he promised as he returned the affection.

“Nami?” Anka asked in disbelief.

“Got a minute?” Nami asked softly.

“Well…yeah,” Anka rubbed her eyes with her free hand, sitting up.

“I have a dilemma. I found a note in Nagi’s coat pocket addressed to me, but he never gave it to me…” Nami said quickly, running her fingers over the note as she spoke.

“Open it and read it,” Anka shrugged. “He was probably going to give it to you anyhow,” she reasoned. “And if you feel guilty, fold it back up and act like it never happened.”

“It’s the Lulu fold…” Nami whimpered. “And I can’t refold that.”

“Are you home?” Anka asked.

“Yes…” Nami nodded.

“I’ll fold it up for you,” she promised. “But you have to read it before I get there….”

“WE!” Lulu exclaimed as she took the phone from Anka. “And we are playing poker tonight!” she added as Anka managed to get the phone back from her.

“I guess we’ll see you soon,” Anka laughed, “Bye.”

“They were totally doing it,” Lulu said confidently.

“You say that every time they’re together,” Anka replied.

“Gotta be right some time,” Lulu shrugged.

Nami sighed as she slowly unfolded the note, shrinking away as she did so. Nami, I wanted you to read this because I can’t seem to say how I feel. Every time I try it comes out as a stutter, with me forgetting my train of thought, or somebody interrupting us. I love you… Nami nearly dropped the note as she reread the three words again and again. After a few moments of shock, she managed to continue. I know it seems soon and all, us dating for but a few days, but we were friends for years and I’ve felt the same way the entire time. I tried to show you at first with little gestures and it got to the point where I couldn’t say no to you, not that I wanted to, but somehow I just couldn’t say it. I’m sure you remember a few times when I was trying to show you or tell you how I feel and you’ll make sense of everything because you’re you. That’s why I am the way that I am, and that’s how I knew you’d find this note, call Anka for advice, read it and feel guilty. And no, my mom didn’t really call. Come on Nami, when is my phone ever on vibrate? Love, Nagi. P.S. Yes, I know my calligraphy is girly and prettier than yours, and sorry for being a ravenous eater and the jealous type. Nami glanced over at her doorway, blushing even more profusely.

“Don’t make fun of the girly note fold,” Nagi crossed his arms over his chest.

"You...knew I'd find it..." she managed.

"Yeah," Nagi said with a smile, his cheeks reddened.

"And you...planned...this?" she asked, her cheeks still red.

"Yeah," Nagi replied.

"How do you feel...?" she asked softly as she watched Nagi approach her.

"A combination of embarassed and nervous since you haven't said anything," he whispered, clearing his throat.

"I...don't really...know what to say..." she whispered.

"You don't have to...you know..."

"Feel the same?" Nami guessed.

"Yeah, I just...had to get it off my chest..." he shrugged.

Nami glanced over at Nagi. "Who all knows...how you feel?"

"Well, there's a list...Anka, Lulu, Akira, my parents, your mother, your siblings, my siblings, everybody from the dojo, fencing team and track team... and Maria..." Nagi looked thoughtful, "And now you."

"They all knew before me?" she asked, amazed.

"Well, to be fair they figured it out on their own," Nagi said sheepishly.

"Say it," Nami muttered as she eased her eyes shut.

"Say what?" he asked confused.

"How you feel," Nami clarified.

"Uh..." he forced his eyes shut and clenched his fists. "I...I never could before..." he stammered.

Nami leaned over and gently kissed him. "How about now?"

"Mmmmmhmmm..." he flushed even deeper as he eased his eyes open. He pulled Nami onto him, kissing her, "I love you," he managed between kisses.

She stopped him for a moment, "Now how do you feel?"

"Still nervous because you haven't said anything about it," he admitted.

She stroked his cheek affectionately as she stared into his eyes. "I...I love you, too..." she whispered before kissing him once more. "And don't apologize for being cute," she chided.

"Huh?"

"Eating how you do...being jealous...being bad with words..." she tapered off smiling warmly.

"Oh, well...um...okay..."

"I can't believe you forgot about us!" Lulu whined as she forced Nami's bedroom door open. She paused, taking in the scene for a moment. "Oh, you did it to have sex. All is forgiven," she said with a smile.

"Uhh..." Nagi and Nami exchanged glances.

"Where's the rage?" Anka huffed as she joined Lulu in the doorway with Jewel.

"We're interrupting something great, let's move along now..." Lulu said chidingly to Anka and Jewel.

"You're not interrupting anything!" Nami said quickly.

"Yeah, even we'd lock the door," Nagi added.

"He's got a point," Lulu stroked her chin. "Well then..." Lulu took in a breath, "It was inexcusable!"

"Movies on me right now?" Nami pleaded.

"Forgiven!" Anka said quickly as she ran over to Nami, glomping her.

"That was easy," Jewel whispered.

"Damn...this means she's going to take us to see a sci-fi movie..." Lulu grumbled.

"What did you want to see?" Jewel asked.

"Love's Endless Bounds is playing!" Lulu said dreamily.

"We are not seeing a chick-flick!" Nagi objected.

"You're in the dog house! You get no say!" Lulu growled.

"Well, let's get ready!" Anka clapped her hands together excitedly.

---

Nagi froze when Nami caressed his hand with hers. They feel like they're healed... "Anka? I need a moment with you!" he said quickly, grabbing her and dragging her a fair distance away from the others.

"Oh, no, I can't walk on my own," she said sacrastically.

"I think they're healed..." he muttered as he stared down at his hands, looking for any remnants of the burns that once scarred them.

"What? Your hands?" Anka asked.

"Yes, the burns that were there...I hate to bring it up...but from when I burned the ropes from my hands," he said with awe. "I didn't think that freak healing ability worked on scars..." he met her gaze. "Any thoughts on why it took them four years to heal but deep gashes needed only a few seconds?"

"I'm not an expert on freaky physics," Anka shrugged. "But, be happy that it works again. It seemed to slow down a bit..." she noted.

"You're right..." Nagi conceded. "Well, back to the others," he declared, starting back toward the girls.

"He's acting more self-conscious than ever," Anka muttered as she ambled behind him.

---

After the movie, the group sat in the food court of the mall, crowded around one of the small round tables. "Do you forgive us, yet?" Nami asked, looking around at her friends.

"What were you doing last night that you missed out on poker?" Lulu asked casually before slurping on her milkshake.

"Well, I attended the class my mom said we had to take," Nami said smugly, "And Nagi taught it."

"Yeah, and then?" Lulu asked.

"And then what?" Nagi inquired.

"Your class lets out at eight. That was plenty of time to swing by and catch a hand or two," Lulu declared.

"We had dinner and went to my house," Nami shrugged.

"You blew us off to be a couple?" Lulu asked, offended.

"We forgot..." Nagi insisted. "We didn't blow you off!"

"Were you fucking?" Lulu asked bluntly.

"Yeah, you caught us," Nami said dryly.

"Wow, you put out before I do," Lulu sounded surprised.

"Lu, she was joking," Anka clarified.

"Oh...damn..." Lulu hung her head.

"Hmm...well...I forgive you," Jewel said softly.

"Thank you," Nagi replied.

The Background Story7