Boundless Kakera

...

STORY ORIGINALLY POSTED ON AUGUST 21, 2019 (Rika's birthday! Happy Birthday, Rika Furude! Nipah~!)

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Summary: Takes place at the beginning of Rika's timeloop. Rika loves Keiichi dearly. He's a well-appreciated addition to her circle of friends and knows how to entertain everyone around him with his flamboyant personality. Rika admires him a lot, and she wishes for him to stay by her side forever. Though it tends to be annoying for her when people start getting a little too close to Keiichi. Oh, well. Not a problem. That just means she has to get even closer.

Pairing(s): KeiRika (F/M)

Rated: K+

[-x-]

6. Possessive

...

"Nuuuuoooohhhh! Curse all you conniving women and your shameless tactics! I am thoroughly pissed. What did I do to deserve this," a disgruntled Keiichi shot up from his seat and threw his cards up in the air as he scowled disapprovingly at the girls sitting by him.

Mion shrugged her shoulders impassively. "Honestly, nothing. All of us play like this all the time, and Rena-chan usually ended up as the loser. Then at some point we got tired of picking on her, and when you came along, well," she chuckled lightly, "-the stars lined up."

"Haaauuu, thank the heavens for that miracle," sighed Rena in relief.

"Oh-ho-ho, poor Keiichi-san can't handle our club games," Satoko chimed in with that annoyingly condescending attitude few people could stand. "Rule two of our group, do whatever it takes to win, be it like memorizing distinct marks on the cards to know all the diamonds, hearts, and numbers, ex cetera. And if you can't play in that warfare, than wave up the white flag and go home."

"No way! I'll never surrender. This classroom reeks of injustice right alongside you dishonorable weasels, and it's my sole duty to cleanse it. Mark my words of magic. I, Keiichi Maebara, will triumph over you all without underhanded tactical superiority, and I'll make each and every one of you suffer brutal punishment games and then some," Keiichi declared dramatically, wearing a confident look. He stood up proudly with his fists to his hips, his stature and posture as high and mighty as a king.

Giggling in amusement, Shion applauded, "Bravo, bravo. An awe-inspiring spiel spoken by the man who lives up to his epithet, Magician of Words," a devilish smirk then crossed over her soft features. "...but such words won't save you. Right now, you have a penalty games to serve, and as today's winner, young Rika-chan is going to deliver."

Keiichi's shoulders slumped, his face now sweating nervously as it blanched and softened from its indignant expression.

"Miii~!" hearing her name called out, the smiling indigo-haired girl mewed while waving a friendly hand, "Hee-hee! Don't fret, little kitty-kitty sir, I think you've been bullied enough this week. So I'll try and be lenient with your punishment today."

"Phew," Keiichi wiped the beads of sweat off his face and sent a gracious look towards Rika, thanking her silently.

"Ehhh?!" Satoko whipped her head around to face Rika, violently swinging the short locks and dangling bangs of her honey-colored hair. With one brow arched, she complained, "Why must you be nice to the peasant? This club's about kill or be killed. Keiichi-san is aware of that, so therefore he should pay the consequences. No mercy allowed."

Rena spoke up in a chiding tone, "Now, now, Satoko-chan, let's be respectful of Rika-chan and what decision she makes. She's the one who came up top in the club games today, so it's her call."

The blonde blushed in chagrin. She averted her reddish-lilac eyes off to the side opposite from Rena and folded her arms, sulking.

"Alrighty then," whistled Mion as she looked at Rika. "Feel free to do as you please with Kei-chan. If you need anything from my locker, just say the word."

Rika responded back to Mion with a comprehensive nod before she steered her attention over towards Keiichi. Her periwinkle orbs frothed in misty bubbles, indicating the radiant shine of life flickering across her pupils and irises. The bluenette fixed a curious expression at Keiichi, examining his slender yet robust appearance carefully.

A flourishing sensation of happiness forced Rika's lips to widen, transforming into a broad grin as it squished her chubby cheeks above uncomfortably. What an intriguing guy Keiichi was. Rika didn't think she could feel so cheery for one person, yet here she was, utterly mesmerized by the presence of this one boy.

She remembered the day when he first set foot in the classroom, introducing himself to her and her peers as a transfer student who was going to attending class with them. Naturally, being the social butterfly who wanted to expand her circle of friends, Rika was more than pleased to meet Keiichi. Coming across new people was always a pleasant experience, and getting acquanted well with them was twice the fun. Judging from his good-natured behavior, Rika had a feeling she was going to hit it off with him.

Keiichi didn't disappoint. He was every bit the guy Rika imagined him to be - no, even better; he managed to blow her expectations out of the water. The guy was a flamboyant individual who truly lived up to his word in his sought for companions. He knew how to make people laugh, how to brighten a person's day whenever they were down in the dumps, and just knew how to make an interesting time for everyone. All around, he was an amazing guy.

The brown-haired boy also had a way with words, and from that aptitude, he could leave quite an influence on some people. His fluency in his speech was alluring, hauling in her attention as if by magic. And the delivery of his words which spoke integrity, ardor, and ambition of whatever topic was in discussion had left Rika, as well as many others, impressed (sometimes even inspired to follow) in his philosophies.

Rika really admired Keiichi. She couldn't believe that there was someone just like her who wanted to socialize with others and be so frolicsome for themself and others. And she thought she was the only one who could ever be that happy. Not that the child was complaining. It was a good thing, really. Two peas in a pod, as they say.

Even her bestest, best ghostly friend, Hanyuu, was happy to have Keiichi around in the village. A real shame she was invisible to everyone minus her and herself. Would have been nice for Keiichi to acquaint with Hanyuu too.

Oh, Keiichi, he was so fun and entertaining to be around! Not to mention kind and helpful. Rika could recall that particular day - the time where only she and him had conversed together.

[-x-]

"Keiichi~!" Rika glomped the standing sixteen-year-old boy in a barrelling tackle as he prepared to make his way into the school building. Class had yet to start, and Rika purposely waited at the campus grounds for Keiichi to show up, all so she could greet him. Once she got hold of him in her arms, she tightened her hug, not wanting to let go.

"Heh-heh, oi, Rika-chan," chuckled Keiichi, glancing down at the ten-year-old who enveloped his waist and nestled her face against his lower right rib. He managed to slip free his right hand from the embrace, and used it to pat her back lightly. "Aren't you in high spirits today? What's gotten you beaming brightly, little sunshine?"

Rika pulled her face off Keiichi's side and lifted her head to look at him, not losing the big grin masked over her youthful features. "I'm extremely happy to see you, sir. When you were gone to that trip in Tokyo, it was boring. School wasn't the same without you. But now that you're back, things can be fun again!"

The male teenager made a sound of dawned realization. "Ah, that's what this is," he smiled warmly. "Well, I'm glad to hear you say that. To be frank, I was starting to miss you too, Rika-chan. I know it's been a few days since we last saw each other, but it felt like an eternity. It's good to make my return. I'm looking forward to playing against you and the other girls in club games today!"

A dark blush made its way past Rika's cheerful expression. "That means a lot for you to say, sir. Thanks!" she giggled to herself adorably before adding, "Oh, almost forget to say. While you were gone, I learned something new yesterday. I thought it would have nice for you to know too, so I waited 'til I could tell."

"Oh? Alright then, shoot, what did you learn yesterday?" Keiichi asked in a courteous and curious tone.

"Well, when lunch rolled around, Satoko came over to me and said she learned a new word she liked most from the vocabulary sheet Chie-sensei gave her exclusively in class. The word was "Gay", which means to be happy. I thought it was a pleasant word to know, so I just wanna tell you I'm feeling as gay as Rena-chan usually is today, and for you too," smiled Rika.

"Psssshhhh..." Keiichi stifled a snicker, his lips curled a broad grin uncontrollably. A glint of amusement flickered through his eyes as naughty thoughts of Rena and Rika being "gay" rushed to his head like a surging tidal wave. It proved harder for him to not burst into laughter when he started imagining the two girls being "gay" for each other. "Hii-hii-hii-hii... Rika-chan..."

"Yes, sir?" Rika quirked her head to the side innocently.

"Maybe- uh- maybe it's probably best if you stick to using the term, "happy" instead," Keiichi scratched his cheek, feeling his heart placate and thump less rapidly. He still simpered, letting out compressed air of giggles, "Yeah, yeah, let's not go around saying we're gay or anything like that, ha-ha-ha! And for extra insurance, don't listen to Satoko. She likes to stir up trouble, and whatever she tells you can get ya in trouble too."

Rika began to snigger too, succumbing down to Keiichi's infectous laughs. "Why? Is "gay" a bad word?"

"Well, no, not at all. 's just, that word isn't so much used to describe yourself or anyone else as happy. Really, it defines an entirely different meaning, one that you will learn someday when you get older," Keiichi upraised his right hand to stroke Rika's navy blue hair tenderly, earning himself a contented coo from the child. "Oh, also, don't tell anyone else about this. Neither of us want to get Mion - or especially Rena - all embarrassed, now do we?"

"Nope, not at all, kitty-kitty!" Rika chirped before going back to mewing affectionately, "Miiii..."

Keiichi hoisted the bag held by his left hand over his shoulder as he advised, "All right then. I was actually a bit later than usual since I overslept, so we should probably start going to class now, lest both of us be tardy," he added heartily, "C'mon, Rika-chan, we'll walk in together."

"Sure," as soon as she broke her embracing hold, Rika instantly seized his right hand using the left counterpart of her own and began dragging him over through the entrance. Her cheeks flared in scorching scarlet as she hopped with a beaming look. "Let's!"

"Woah, woah, woah! No need of you to yank me so roughly, Rika-chan. I can walk myself just fine," Keiichi grinned as he let himself be escorted by a humming Rika.

[-x-]

That guy, Keiichi, always a delightful and humorous person to spend time with. Rika hadn't yet lost interest in him, and she doubted she could or would anytime soon. He was that great of a guy - a well-appreciated addition Rika didn't regret inviting in her life.

"I hate old maid," Keiichi spoke up, grumbling with averted eyes coupled with balled-up fists on his hips.

"Old maid hates you," Mion delivered a rejoinder, smirking.

All the other girls sans Rika snickered amongst themselves not so subtly as Keiichi groaned loudly in fuming. He adopted Satoko's sulking posture from earlier, crossing his arms tightly over his chest and sinking his head below his shoulders. Rika observed the boy's actions and giggled quietly. Even when pouty, he presented him with such panache that amused her thoroughly.

Now moving on to the question at hand, just what punishment game should she make Keiichi partake in?

There were a good amount of options available, but not ones Rika could think of right off the bat. Around the time Keiichi had lost the club activites a second time - which wasn't long after he had moved in Hinamizawa, Mion, as the winner, suggested he wear something called a "birthday suit". Really, she was only kidding and wanted him to wear a frilly maid outfit instead, though that crude joke earned her a nice punch to the gut from Rena.

Because of that, Satoko was insistent on asking what kind of suits were worn on birthdays, leaving Keiichi, Rena, Mion, and even the routinely naughty Shion all blushing furiously, as if they were embarrassed of something. Rika recalled the mortified look on her teacher's face when Satoko boldly asked her what a birthday suit was and if it was possible for her to wear one on her own birthday. Poor kid learned never to ask that question the hard way when she got herself a week's worth of detention.

Rika herself had also been curious about birthday suits. She was really tempted to pin that penalty on Keiichi right now, just to find out what it was. But ultimately she decided against it. The grown-ups seemed very sensitive about that topic; Satoko getting detention because of it served as proof of that. Asking Hanyuu was out of the question too since the self-conscious horned girl always flew off and disappeared, whimpering, every time she asked about it. People were weird sometimes...

Hmm, what punishment was good, Rika wondered. Any kind of maid outfits were a no-go since Keiichi was constantly wearing those whenever he lost, and that was starting to get repetitive. Those swan swim-trunks Mion kept in her lockers were a good idea, but then again, she had promised Keiichi to be light on his penalty so that wasn't up to execute.

Having him as a slave for the remainder of the week? That seemed a bit contrary to her word too, though it wasn't a bad idea. More time to spend with Keiichi that way. She might have to tweek it a little. Maybe force him to walk her home until next week rolled around? Yeah, that sounded good, though maybe she could also add another thing, perhaps something to do with kitties- that's it!

"I decided! I know what punishment Keiichi can do," Rika cheered proudly, causing all eyes from her friends to peer at her with interest. She approached Mion's locker and turned to look at its owner. "Can you open your locker, Mii?"

"Ah, uh, yeah, sure," complied Mion as she walked over to Rika and began twisting the knob of her locker. A few clicks later, the green-ponytailed teenager unlocked and pried open her school compartment for Rika to use. "All yours to gander. Be my guest."

Rika popped her face in the large assortment of games, costumes and accessories as her small hands rummaged through the crammed pile.

Mion had so much junk in her locker! Enough to cause a rock slide onto the classroom floors if let out improperly. The locker was like a pocket dimension from within, being able to contain such an enormous mass. How Mion managed to keep it all organized was a curious mystery, and the teenager wasn't willing to explain how exactly. Each time she asked, all that Rika could squeeze out of Mion was a vague answer about "possessing the magic touch only she had".

It took some time for Rika to find the stuff she was looking for through the behemoth of clutter. But eventually, Rika was able to get her hands on the desired accessories. She twirled around and whipped out the two items for her friends to see.

The first article, held by her right fingers, was a headband that came with a pair of pointy kitty ears, black on the outer skin of them and purple on the ear flaps. The other object that her left hand clutched was a long and thin, black feline tail with a belt matching in color attached by the end of it. A notable purple bow was tied around the tail accessory.

"Your penalty game is simple, sir," Rika shuffled her feet to the direction where Keiichi stood. She approached Keiichi and stood on her toes as she stretched out her right hand holding the kitty headband, reaching to set them on Keiichi. She grunted, "Wear... these kitty ears on your head."

Pitying the struggling blue-haired girl, Keiichi shook his head with a smile. He kindly took the headband off Rika's hands and placed them over his bundle of burnt-umber hair. Rika silently thanked Keiichi by nodding approvingly as she revolved ninety degrees around him, carefully fingering the leather material of the belt. She then wrapped the belt around his waist from behind, slipping the end tip in the buckle and slotting the prong of it in one of the punch holes, grinning all the while.

"Now, you wear this precious kitty tail around your waist to sell the look, and..." Rika inserted the end tip in the belt loop and pulled it out from the other end, fastening it comfortably to fit Keiichi. She stepped back and admired her handy work. "...that is that. You get to dress up and be my kitty for today. Oh, there's more."

Widening her grin, Rika clasped her hands together and tittered happily, "For the remaining of this week, you'll have to walk me home every day until next week rolls around. While you serve your punishment, you must be equipped in those kitty accessories, lest you wish to walk around in the pink bunny costume that Mii bought recently instead."

"Ugh! You mean to tell me Mion actually- errghh," scrunching his nose in disgust, Keiichi sent a squinting glare towards Mion, who leered back wickedly. He glowered down at his feet as he grumbled sharply, "What perverts all you are, stooping so low to prepare a provocative and most-likely gaudy outfit for me."

"So what do you think, Keiichi?" Rika ignored the exasperation exuding from the boy. She gave him a slight tilt of her head in cute fashion. "Sound like a fair penalty game for you? I can make changes if you don't."

Keiichi looked up. His frowning lips quivered before blowing out a sigh of defeat. The expression he wore changed to a more softer and friendly look. He shot his violet eyes down at Rika to answer in a kind tone, "No, don't change anything. I'm content with what you proposed. 's not bad, truthfully. In fact, I like it, really like it. Sounds good. Could be worse anyway."

Hearing that made Rika ecstatic. Keiichi sounded like he was very pleased over the idea. Terrific! At least now she didn't have to worry about any disapproval from him. Things were taking a smooth direction. Rika beamed cheerfully, "I'm happy you say that, sir."

"Ho? But you two live in houses that are opposite from each other in direction, meaning Kei-chan will have-ta walk you over to your house first, and then turn around south to make a long stroll to his home afterwards," Mion mused thoughtfully before her eyes lit up. "Oh! I see now! Rika-chan's making the beta of our group take extra steps back home, probably to whip him into better shape for our club. Yeah, I get it. A painful but productive and beneficial penalty game. Very smart, Rika-chan. Good call!"

"Making the bet-a-" Keiichi reiterated dumbfoundedly and trailed off. Realization had hit him hard. Momentarily, his eyes widened before narrowing in slits and gliding over to Mion's. He scoffed, "Oh, shut up, Mion. I'm not a beta."

"Keep tellin' yourself that, Kei-chan," Mion stuck her tongue at him. "That massive losing streak of yours begs to differ. Nobody else but you has it."

Keiichi folded him arms, looking away from the sneering Mion. He muttered sourly, "Forget it. I give up. Go ahead and say what you want. Whatever makes you happy. But just you know, someday, I'll be the one holding all the cards - pun intended, and you will be eating off the short end of the stick, and that goes for you too, Satoko. You two devils will get what's due eventually."

Mion and Satoko snorted.

"For what it's worth, Kei-chan, you have it pretty easy," Shion piped helpfully with an amiable smile. "Instead of cross-dressing or carrying our heavy schoolbags or doing our chores, you get to just walk little Rika-chan home. The inconvenience of having to walk through the long distance between your houses is a fairly decent trade-off for the usual punishments."

"I still say Rika's being too nice," threw in Satoko flatly. The blonde fixed a stern gaze at Keiichi. She wagged her index finger like a scolding mother. "You better show plentiful gratitude for her generosity, mister, 'cause next time you lose, I guarantee I will win and you'll find that I won't be so forgiving."

"Keep your trap shut, child. Your arrogance deafens my ears," the brown-haired boy rolled his eyes. He folded his ear-flaps in and pressed his index and middle fingers against them, in effort to block out the shrill, distasteful voice of the eleven-year-old child.

Rena had been awfully silent throughout the conversation between her fellow club associates. She simply stared at everyone around, primarily Keiichi and Rika with a funny look. Eventually, all the members of the group took notice of Rena's eerie state and grew concerned. The auburn-haired girl was usually a chipper chatter box.

"Hey, Rena, sir?" Rika brought her squeaky voice up, asking Rena curiously, "Is there something wrong? You seem tongue-tied."

The feminine teenager in question continued to remain quiet, but her facial features began to contort gradually. No more did the strange expression of Rena's exist, but rather a new disposition took shape. Her lips stretched outward and curved upward, forming what appeared to be a broad smile. Her aqua eyes began to enlarge and shimmer in a lively manner. And her gracile figure trembled greatly.

Everyone took a collective step back, most nervous and a few of them fearful even. All of them were familiar with the change of countenance that affected Rena's face, and they had all prepared themselves for what was to happen next.

"Haaaauuuuu~!" Rena cried jovially, tossing her head around side-by-side with paired fists pressing against her chest. She flashed her sparkling, starry eyes. "Keiichi-kun gets to be Rika-chan's kitty for all this week. Haauu, that kitty tail and pair of kitty ears. Kawaii~! Oooh, I'm wanna take him home with meeee...!"

Rena readily stomped her feet continually as her excited whimpers grew louder. Poor Keiichi paled visibly and cowered in fear. He lifted his hands up in a surrender gesture as he pled for Rena's mercy, fumbling his words frantically. Rika, surprisingly, didn't exhibit fright like the boy. Au contraire, she had seemed rather annoyed, if the frown and twitching of one eye directed right at Rena was anything to go by.

"No! No, no, no," denied Rika vehemently. Her feet stormed close to Keiichi as she seized Keiichi's stomach in her arms, clinging tightly onto him desperately. She glared daggers at Rena harshly and proclaimed, "You're forbiddened to take Keiichi home. I'm the only one who has that privilege. Only I'm allowed take him home."

The club members were struck dumb completely. Rena stopped dead in her tracks, recoiling over the sharp, almost-murderous death stare thrown her way. In disbelief, Keiichi cast his eyes below where an exasperated Rika continued to clutch his waist and keep her eyes of ire locked onto Rena.

Rika forewarned Rena, "Try it and I'll take you home. You don't get to steal Keiichi from me, not today."

Her cutting words were ear-snaring, but by no means was her tone in voice threatening. Rika was acting hilariously puerile, like a stubborn child refusing to part with their toy. To most, it was an adorable spectacle.

However, Rena actually did seem scared, granted only mildly. She shrunk beneath her shoulders and commented in a low and fearful voice, "Haauuu... I didn't know you could get so... possessive, Rika-chan. Hau..."

"Eeh? Since when did the club's Raccoon Rika ever start wanting Keiichi-san for herself?" Satoko arched an eyebrow, confused over what transpired and unsure what to think of her friend. "I don't get it, what's the big deal?"

"..." Shion merely fixed a dubious gaze at Rika, blinking blankly every now and then.

Mion appeared to be in a stupor, but it hadn't been long before she returned to her senses. The club leader straightened herself and laughed heartily, "Nyaha-ha-ha-ha, now I've seen everything. Satoko-chan's hit it right in the bull's eye. Rika-chan's being awfully worried over losing Kei-chan off her hands. Can't say I blame her, I wouldn't want him snaking his way out of punishment either. Sorry, Rena-chan, you can't intervene when it comes to obligated penalties, ku-ku-ku!"

She strode over to a dumbfounded Keiichi and laid a hand over his shoulder, catching his attention. "Well, well, Kei-chan, consider yourself a lucky boy. No girl in my club has ever acted this way to a boy before, and who would've thunk she'd behave this way for you. That's an honor, wouldn't ya say?"

Something about Mion touching Keiichi's shoulder nonchalantly had irked Rika, for reasons inexplicable. The only thing Rika could understand out of her instilling rage was that Mion was getting a bit too close for comfort with Keiichi, and frankly, she didn't like it.

Rika released Keiichi and turned to Mion furiously before pushing her back. The club president yelped as she felt the hands on her stomach forcing her backwards, causing her feet to stumble south instinctively. Fortunately, Rika was only making Mion step back, so Mion didn't fall down or feel any pain around her stomach. No damage was done.

"Stay away, Mii. Don't get too close," Rika pulled a face as she blocked the distance between the two teenagers. "I'm the winner to Keiichi's loser. He's mine to deal with today."

Baring no ill-feelings towards the ten-year-old, Mion let out a boisterous laugh. She wore a sheepish smile. "Alright, alright, I'll back down, honey. No need to get any more jealous than you need to."

Keiichi rubbed the back of his head self-consciously, observing the overprotective and belligerent comportment from the normally laidback and affable Rika. He found this whole situation to be the pique of his interest. It didn't take the boy being a genius to figure out that Rika was very fond over him, but he didn't think she liked him to this extent.

"Ah, Rika-chan," Keiichi knelt down on one knee and gazed above Rika with a friendly smile. As the blue-haired child twirled to face him, he gave her a few pats to her head. "You have nothing to fear. I will keep up my end of the punishment and walk you home. Just don't go fending other people off, okay?"

"Meewww... okay, I'll try!" Rika purred like a kitten, accepting the rough but affectionate strokes wholeheartedly.

"Great. Whaddaya say we head to your home now? I think it's about time we start. I'll be generous enough to carry you on my back if you want," Keiichi offered as his thumb gestured to his back.

Rika loved the idea. She immediately rushed over to his back and hopped on, wrapping her arms and legs around him. "Mii~! What a great idea, sir. I'll take you up on that. Let's leave."

The brown-haired boy hoisted himself up on his feet. He inclined his body downward marginally, taking away any potential risks of Rika falling off. As he began to stride towards the door, Keiichi glanced over to his other associates and threw in, "Well, see ya ladies around, I guess. All of you have a good one."

A couple veins throbbed near Satoko's forehead region. The blonde stared back at Keiichi in misgiving and trailed behind him as she snarled, "Not so fast, Keiichi-san. I am not gonna leave you and Rika alone, pervert! Heaven forbid what could happen. I'm going with you."

And gone the three were.

Rena remarked, "Wow, Rika-chan's a lucky girl. She gets to take home someone who I can't take home today. It sure does make me envious. Curiouser and curiouser, I wonder what's getting her so close to Keiichi-kun," she then trailed off absentmindedly in her words, "I wonder, I... wonder..."

"Mmm..." on Shion's face pasted a vacant expression, one that was aimed at the open slided door Keiichi and the two girls had went out through. She was mumbling something to herself lowly, words that went along the lines of, "...Just like Satoshi-kun..."

"Shion, Rena-chan, are you both doing okay?" Mion expressed her concerns. "You two appear to be scratching your necks," proving her point, she had one finger directed at the forming rash marks around their jugulars, to which the two girls were indeed clawing off with their nails.

Both teenage girls paused to glance down at their actions. Upon realizing that Mion had been right, both of them pulled their scoring fingers away from their necks.

"Oh, uhm, yes, I'm fine. My neck is just a little itchy for some reason," Rena answered politely, waving a hand reassuringly.

Shion merely grunted and avoided her sister's worried gaze. Her thickening frown and sharp eyes drilled through the metal-reeking steel of the school lockers. The younger twin seemed aggravated.

Mion's worries hadn't dissipated. If anything, they had worsened ten-fold. And she couldn't be faulted for that. It was the calm before the storm, and Shion and Rena were to be huge factors in contributing the storm.

[-x-]

"Miii..." Rika cooed and buried her face in the back of Keiichi's head, her nostrils smothered by the raspberry aroma surrounding the boy's chocolate-colored hair in an unseen mist. Keiichi used good shampoo - probably because of his mother's grocery shopping no doubt. The bluenette recalled running into Keiichi's mom that one time at the store in Okinomiya. She was a nice person, kind enough to shop with her together and even offered to pay for some of her stuff.

"You doing good, Rika-chan?" asked Keiichi as he kept shuffling his feet. "I know you must be getting worn out, but don't loosen your grip on me. Satoko won't shed an tear of forgiveness on me if anything bad happened to ya."

Satoko remained vigilant, not letting her glued narrowed eyes off Keiichi or Rika. She said brusquely, "You're right about that."

The indigo-haired girl lifted her face off Keiichi and grinned radiantly, "No need to worry, kitty-kitty, sir. I would never let you go that easily. Just keep on walking."

"Ha-ha-ha, alright," Keiichi chuckled, picking up the pace in his footsteps with Satoko doing the same. He perceived the hairs of his head's backside frizzle from the soothing nestles of Rika's silky face. And he shifted his moving figure upon the delicate bare limbs from Rika brushing lightly against his covered chest and sides. He clasped onto Rika's legs tenderly, not daring to let go lest his passenger wound up on the floor in an unpleasant fall.

'...Mii... so cozy... to be held onto Keiichi...' Rika hummed quietly to herself as she drowsed blissfully in the embrace from her to him. Letting her eyelids droop, the bluenette listened to the cicada's rhythmic drones and the snapping leaves and thin branches beneath Keiichi and Satoko's stepping feet that drummed alongside the thrumming insects.

The trio were treading upward in the woods, following through the extensive dirt trail gliding ahead to where Rika and Satoko's house was located from afar. Despite the generous amount of shade provided by the myriad of ancient trees complemented with their many limbs and rustling leaves, Rika could feel generated heat cluster all over her flushed face; her burning face continued to rise in temperature the longer she held on to Keiichi.

Rika tightened her grasp on the boy with one arm, using the other to drag her hand around his head before pinching the tip of his kitty ear accessory. She tugged it playfully, heavily amused from stretching the flexible, furry ear. Delighted chortles erupted out of her sealed, grinning lips.

Having Keiichi wear a pair of cat ears and tail for a punishment game was the best idea she thought of so far. And to boot, she had him all to herself, walking her home every afternoon until the next week. In light of that, Rika never felt so gladdened in her life. Mion's club games definitely have their up-sides. If this kept on, her and Keiichi could be-

"We're here," Keiichi announced happily whilst keeping his eyes fixed at the two-story mahogany building, presumably Satoko and Rika's house. A bemused expression attached to his face. "Or I think we're here, anyway. Are we?"

"Yeah, we are," answered Satoko. She stuck a daring finger atop his chest as she ordered, "Now you put Rika down. It's no longer necessary for you to carry her like that. And don't try anything perverted. I got my eyes on you."

Keiichi huffed in annoyance but nonetheless obeyed. He crouched down, his hands freeing Rika's dainty lower limbs from their hold as they carefully moved away. Rika untied her loop of arms around the teenage male and slid down past his back, landing on her feet softly.

"It's alright, Satoko. Keiichi won't hurt me, I know he won't. Go inside now," Rika coaxed gently as she gazed at her golden-haired friend warmly.

Initially, Satoko seemed hesitant to listen, but after what felt like a minute, she heaved a defeated sigh. Puffing her cheeks to the size of balloons, the blonde pointed a finger V-sign at her eyes before directing them over to Keiichi's, gesturing a "I got my eye on you" sign. She then spun on her heel and begrudgingly stormed off towards the entrace of the house.

"What's her deal, I swear. Rigging the games to make me lose is one thing, but this whole distrust thing is ridiculous," Keiichi commented, watching Satoko pull out a small key from her pocket to unlock the door, before entering and sliding it shut roughly.

A blithely smiling Rika cloaked her skinny arms behind her back and reasoned, "Well, both of us don't have any parental figures, so we stick together and look out for each other's safety. That's the reason why we live under the same roof," she shook her head lightly. "Anyway, thanks so much for escorting me home. It means a lot."

"No need to thank me. I just did what you wanted me to do. This is supposed to be my punishment game, after all, ha ha!" Keiichi replied, flashing a bashful, wide grin as he scratched his head's backside. "Well, I'll be candid about this, but I had fun walking you and Satoko home. I'm glad you suggested this penalty game for me."

"...!" Rika was dumbstruck. The only response she could give was a short, terse gasp. It took her seconds to regain her composure, but soon she managed to muster, "O-Oh really now? I know you said you were willing to oblige, but I didn't realized you fonded over the idea."

Keiichi placed his fists over his hips and laughed heartily, "But of course. I would never tire of spending time with my friends. I am more than happy to spend time with you and Satoko - well, you yourself specifically."

"Eh? Why me?" the blue-haired girl couldn't help wonder.

"The question you should be asking is "Why not me?". You're the one I enjoy being around the most. I get good word from all the villagers on how kind and social you are amongst them, and they don't lie. I noticed all your actions from school, and I admire your positivity and benign manners. Truthfully, I always wanted to share my time with you, but never gotten the chance to do so without being awkward. That is, until now," Keiichi confessed.

His hand reached out to ruffle Rika's soft, indigo tufts, and in reaction, Rika caterwauled in affection from being nursed by his palm. "With how relatable our distinctive personalities are, the two of us are birds of a feather. Believe me when I say I enjoyed every minute of our walk together, and I look forward for more."

Rika's mouth hung marginally agape. She stared wide-eyed at the brown-haired boy with rosy cheeks sizzling in heat equivalent to that of the radiant sun and contrasting her cool blue hair. Who'd thunk Keiichi would hold bonafide interest in spending more time with her? It was a massive bombshell, for sure, though definitely flattering meanwhile. She felt... truly touched.

"Mii... mii~" Rika's hands grabbed Keiichi by his collar as their owner leaned in close to his face, at the same time arisen on her tippy toes. Before the boy had any say in the sudden action, she proceeded to plant a kiss on the tip of his nose.

The daring move remotely hadn't lasted a second. Notwithstanding that however, the short string of time did nothing to deter the importance of affection between Keiichi and Rika. Quickly pulling away, Rika took a few steps back and giggled, "Consider that, and what I'm about to do next, a token of my appreciation."

"...Nipaahhhh~!" cheering, the indigo-haired child squeezed her eyes shut, quirked her head to her right, and cast her broadest grin to Keiichi. Her hands clasped together and swung over to the same direction her head was slanting.

Afterwards, Rika leveled her head back to its normal angle while dropping her arms down to her sides. Opening her sewn eyes, she showed Keiichi her bubbly periwrinkle orbs, which sparkled lively in anticipation. She beamed, "Don't forget it, Keiichi. That word is what's gonna keep us connected. Expect to hear more of it from me."

Rika whirled on her feet and began to hop merrily to the door of her home, waving about her descending, fluorescent blue current of shoulder-length hair in a swaying motion with the breeze. She added cheerfully, "See you tomorrow! Hope you don't forget your punishment game."

For Keiichi, his eyes blinked in incomprehension, his mind trying to stomach the swift development earlier. His digits stroked the area of his nose that came in physical contact with Rika's lips, making note of how soft and light her mouth was.

When he had finally registered it all, Keiichi surrendered to the big, giddy smile that had the audacity to latch on his face. The chocolate-haired boy muttered quietly to himself, "I won't, Rika-chan. I won't," he paused in his words for a moment before adding amusedly, "...Nipah, huh?"

Rika kicked off her red Mary Jane footwear clumsily to the house floors as she closed the door behind her, tittering childishly and skipping past through a bemused Satoko looking her way. Today certainly was fun, to say the least. She had quite the story to tell Hanyuu, that was once the lavender-haired ghostly girl made her return from exploring the village.

She couldn't stop recalling the nice peck her lips delivered to Keiichi's nose. It lasted about the same time as catching a mere glimpse of a passing car, and yet it had her heart fluttering in a rapid rate. Then there was the things he had said to her when they finally reached the house. How sweet! Keiichi was hard to get through thanks to his blissful ignorance, but he had his moments of gallantry withal.

Sadly, though, Rika wasn't the only one who bore similar feelings to the male teenager. Mion and Rena - those two women seemed far too coveting of him too. Rika wasn't stupid; she saw the way they were trying to reach out to Keiichi shamelessly today, especially that Rena. Ooh, that "take-all-cute-things-home" girl was naughty for sure. Naughty kitties, both her and Mion.

Well, no problem. If they want to play the jealous card and steal Keiichi (fail trying, that is), so be it. Playing fire with fire was something Rika could manage. It was indecent of her, but with her beloved man at stake, there was no other options. Rika had to get her hands dirty. She had to get closer, had to fight harder to really reel in Keiichi's attention. Only then would he truly be hers.

As many had said and some would say, the end justified the means. Rika needed Keiichi all for herself, and she needed to make sure no one else would even dream of snatching him away.

[-x-]

Author's Note: So, for the cause of the first world's demise, I thought maybe Shion and Rena succumbing to the syndrome together could've been perfect contributors to that - with Shion's reason being that the bond between Keiichi and Rika reminded her greatly of her desires for the missing Satoshi, and Rena being that she was jealous of Rika and had a thing for Keiichi too. I wanted to make the problem slightly unique since this is meant to be set in the beginning of Rika's loop.

Sorry for the rushed ending. I tried to work more uncomfortably just to finish this A.S.A.P, 'cause, y'know, Rika's birthday. I wanted it posted on her birthday; I mean, August 24th - a Rika-centric chapter focused on her earlier years before the Endless June.

Oh, and I realized I love making puns. Keiichi to Satoko, "Keep your trap shut!" - says this to a child who loves making traps. Ha ha!

One last thing, I'm planning on starting a chapter story very soon (yes, a chapter story, not a cluster of one-shots together), so the updates on this anthology fanfic will go slower from here on out.

That's it. See y'all next time~!