A Lovely, Complex Life
by Kay S.
Disclaimer: I do not own Lovely Complex, never have, never will. This Fanfiction is for entertainment purposes only.
Author's note: Welcome to my humble fanfiction! It's been years since I've written anything so please bare with me for this story! To start off, this fanfiction is just for fun, it's not going to be completely accurate with Japanese culture and lifestyle...but I'm going to try my best. Criticism isn't needed, as I just want to have fun with this story and simply get it out of my head since it's been nagging me for a few weeks now! Read it with a light heart, as I hope you will enjoy it as I will enjoy writing it.
I've taken three years of Japanese language and culture so there will be references...most of which is just an emphasis of what was in the Anime. I'm not fluent or know all the facts since I have never been there, nor am I Japanese. No need to get your shorts in a bunch if I make some mistakes. :) I also have not yet been able to read the Manga, much to my dismay. I have read one chapter though...once you read you'll be able to guess which one! ;D
Also, the characters are not going to be on par with how they were in the Anime. I really was inspired at how much they changed once graduation approached as they all developed into adults. Here they start at 18, and thus in my perception they will grow out of personality traits that happened in the beginning of the series...since well, going to different schools they definitely don't have to worry about being "All Hanshin Kyojin" anymore. ;)
With that aside, do enjoy and I LOVE encouraging reviews! Fire those away any and all the time. ;)
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Koizumi Risa sighed thoughtfully as she stared out the window of her classroom since she had a bit of spare time on her hands during a catch up period. Finding her natural gift of being a stylist and co-ordinating quite stunning outfits made her assignments quick and easy to finish while getting stellar grades in the process. While the rest of her classmates continued to work on their models and sketches, her own had already been graded and sent to change back to her normal clothes.
Had it really been close to a year since graduation?
"It really has..." Risa smiled softly while propping her head on her hand as she gazed to the busy streets of Osaka below.
Nobu had gone to live with her grandma and attend university, from frequent emails between the two best friends she'd been doing great with her nutritionist degree...often returning on weekends to visit her high school sweetheart Nakao. It was just last weekend that the four of them had a picnic in the park, a double date since Nakao supplied the meal from his family's shop. It was great to see them again and Risa couldn't have been happier that their long distance relationship continued to work out...they were indeed perfect for one another. On the other hand she hadn't seen much of Chiharu and Suzuki since New Years, Chiharu very busy with her homework and Suzuki trying so hard to study and stay healthy for the upcoming entrance exam so the pair could once again be together.
Speaking of homework...Risa's thoughts drifted back to a certain midget that had stolen her heart so long ago who probably was busy hitting the books in class. Otani had really changed since heading to University, while still goofy and himself, he had gained a new sense of responsibility and work ethic. His grades were among the highest in his class, and she knew he would reach his goal thanks to his determined personality...although she still giggled when she thought of him as 'Otani-sensei'.
Never the less, Risa couldn't have been happier with how her life was going at the moment, so close to finishing school and starting her apprenticeship...which she still had a secure, the love of her life Otani and her health...things couldn't have been better.
Or could they?
The bell chimed as the students put away their supplies, excusing themselves from class as the filed out of the high rise building and heading towards the train station. Looking back at the Osaka Bunka Fashion College, it was also hard to believe in two months she would be leaving to pursue a year of apprenticeship before heading out to a real job! It was scary to think about leaving her schooling years behind for a career, but she was ready for the challenge, besides...Otani supported her decision whole heartedly. How could she fail?
"Riiiisssaaa!!!" Called Tamiko, waving her arms frantically after her friend as she neared the train station platform.
"Tamiko!" Risa smiled, stopping as she waited till the small girl caught up and quickly regained her breath. "Is Taisho not driving you home today?"
"Oh, he is...I was just wondering if you and Otani would like to come with us to the new Italian restaurant opening down in Namba Parks? Does tomorrow work for you?"
Tamiko smiled sweetly, straightening her hair from the mad dash she'd just sprinted. She was like any normal girl, around 5'6, petite and cute with her dyed blonde hair which looked like it always was professionally curled. She was getting her degree in makeup and hair design, in the next classroom over and much to Risa's dismay already had her apprenticeship all organized since her aunt worked in the modeling business.
"I work till seven, and I'm not sure about Otani but I could always give you a call once I know!" Sporting a thumbs up and a laugh, the pair burst into a set of giggles and smiles.
"You better; Risa...with Otani studying like he is a break should be needed every now and then! I don't know how you can stand having a relationship on the back burner!"
"University is hard, remember, we're in a technical college! Besides Taisho is already a post graduate and working while you go to school...It would have been a lot different if you had dated when he was still in University."
Risa wagged her finger at Tamiko with a coy look on her face, chuckling a 'fu fu fu' before being swatted by Tamiko.
"Hush you! Besides...isn't that your train?"
Smirking like an imp, Tamiko pointed to the train which had just pulled in and opened its doors to the wave of people getting on.
Going pale with a gasp, Risa let out a panicked scream before uttering a quick goodbye to her friend; making a mad dash to the train as the buzzer rang loudly to signal the shutting doors. Thanking the lord for her long legs for once, she hurdled over the bench and made a lunge for the door...only to catch her foot on the uneven pavement and tumbled into the train as she hit the opposite door with a loud SMACK!
The fifteen minute ride home to the Naniwa ward was painfully long with the snickers and laughter of her fellow passengers.
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The day had been long for Otani too as he stepped off the train at his station, stretching his arms out with a yawn before heading down the steps towards the flat he called home.
It was pretty common that since his university was so far from his parent's house that he would think about getting his own flat, but money for a university student was next to none. His degree in Elementary Education meant he had no time to get a part time job between his homework and sleep...but someone had been looking out for him up there.
After a bit of a walk in the late spring evening he rounded the corner and took out the key to the apartment/condo high rise, opening the outside door before heading in and to the elevator. It had belonged to Risa's grandmother, yet now that she wasn't able to live on her own the family had thought that it would be a good idea that her grandma come live with her daughter and the family, Risa could occupy the two bedroom flat. It was a godsend to Risa as well, since it was so close to her college...and the fact that she didn't have to pay for rent and just the utilities which her part time job more than covered. It was even luckier for Otani since there was an extra bedroom that her parents had given their consent to let the couple live together since it was also on the same train line to his university.
The thought still made Otani nervous that he and Risa were living together, but it wasn't like anything had ever happened!
Fidgeting with his books as his heart rate rose just thinking about it, he was reminded of the time they went on their first vacation as a couple to Maity's wedding and the catastrophe that was their shared room. Although things had turned out alright in the end...he was by no means ready to take a step like that. It was obvious that Risa felt the same.
Deeply inhaling to calm his nerves as a few sweat drops hung on his forehead, he wiped them off and with the key opened the door to the condo and stepped in. It was quite modest of a place, a bit outdated since it belonged to her grandparents for many years. In the Kitchen/dining room/living room was a loveseat, a few chairs and table...shelves for the many Umiboozu CD's and paraphernalia they'd gathered over the years together.
"Koizumi! I'm home!"
Otani called as he took off his shoes and put on his slippers, setting his books on the table.
...yet there was no answer.
"Koizumi?"
He called once more, before spotting a pair of legs hanging off the couch.
Peering over the back, a smile cracked on Otani's face as she was fast asleep with what looked like their supper ready on the low table. Had she tried to wait for him? Shaking his head, Otani headed to the closet and grabbed a blanket to drape over her sleeping form with a gentle whisper.
"Idiot..."
Never the less he sat down and ate the cold stir fry quietly, returning the dishes to the kitchen and washed his while wrapping her plate and putting it in the fridge. It was there that he saw her note on her bunny calendar for tomorrow.
"Dinner with Tamiko and Taisho...."
He muttered, taking a long glance back to the couch.
Midterms were coming up and he knew he should study as much as he could...but it had been a while since he and Risa had done anything asides from the spring Umiboozu concert they'd gone to. As much as the two obsessed like crazy over the god which was Umiboozu...Risa had also seemed to take interest to those romantic and couple-y places around Naniwa that made Otani want to shudder and groan.
The crazy things men did for women was sometimes incomprehensible to Otani...but Risa always went to anywhere he wanted to go on dates and never complained once. Perhaps it was time to do something for her since she did seem to go out of the way to do things for him since he was often so busy with school work.
Grabbing the red pen he scribbled down 'It's a date' on the calendar, shutting off the lights as he looked around out of habit to make sure Nobu or Nakao was watching (yes, even in a locked condo) and placed a light kiss on her forehead.
"Goodnight....Risa."
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A/N: Yes, the first chapter is a bit bland and short, but its to gage intrest. Later chapters will be much longer. ;D