Chapter 1

The snow swirled outside as I lay awake in bed playing my otome game under my blankets. The grandfather clock struck twelve downstairs. With its chime echoing throughout the house. I can hear my little sister snoring from across the hall. I pull back my light pink comforter with strawberries and bunnies on it and turn off my phone. Leaning over I set it on my nightstand thinking about romance how magical it seemed. Wishing I could have a sweet boyfriend like how my game was, but yet again it wasn't even possible. Sighing I pull my blankets up again and turn over on my side daydreaming about love. I quickly fell asleep thinking about Shiro, my otome boyfriend from my game wishing that one day I could have a boyfriend just like him.

My hello kitty alarm clock was ringing madly. Startled I jumped out of bed and lunged for it, turning it off quickly. Looking at the time it was six am in the morning and I had to get ready for school. Taking off my pink nightgown I found a cute simple light blue dress with a cute collar with little kittens stitched into the collar. Doing my long ash brown hair in a down style with pink ribbons in it that had little hearts on it. Looking around my pink room for my shoes. I see them right next to my manga bookshelf, with all my action figures and romance mangas. I grab them and put them in my school bag, which was a pink crossbody bag with a ton of anime keychains dangling from it. Shoving my shoes into my bag I see my favorite manga book lying on the floor next to my nightstand, so I decided to put it in my bag too. So I had something to do on my lunch break. I grabbed a pair of leggings with little paw prints on them and I headed downstairs. Making my way to the kitchen I see my little sister Emily sitting at the counter eating a bowl of froot loops. She turns and looks me up and down. "What are you wearing Reina because you look like a dork?" Emily says meanly finishing her bowl of froot loops. "Well actually I'm a weeaboo and it seems like you are what you eat" I say back grabbing a pop tart and putting it in the toaster. Emily looks down at her empty bowl of froot loops and stalks off fuming. I hear mom and dad out in the living room watching the morning news. My dad was in his work uniform and my mom was sitting in her nightgown and robe on the couch.

"Good Morning" I say walking over to the door and grabbing my lavender colored coat and grey lace up snow boots.

"Goodmorning sweetheart" Mom replies back looking up at me.

"Goodmorning" Dad replies too. I give them both a kiss on the cheek.

" I'm going to school early today okey" I told my mom. Putting on my coat and snow boots.

"Okay, but be careful Reina, also your lunch is in the fridge you accidentally left it on the counter last night so I put it in the fridge for you" Mom says.

" Oh thank you" I say relieved that it wasn't left out all night on accident. I grabbed my lunch from the fridge and my warm blueberry pop tart from the toaster. Outside was cold with a light snow with only little peaks of morning light filtering through the dark lake effect clouds. I pull my scarf closer to my face to keep me warm. Thankful for my warm pop tart keeping my hands warm. I nibble away at my pop tart as I walk down are garden path towards the sidewalk. I lived in an old small town house in town so the walk to school was short. The light wind blew at my hair chilling my face and fingers cold. Putting my hands in my pocket I keep walking looking up so often at the christmas lights and decorations. It was a few weeks till christmas and I was pretty happy because this weekend my highschool was hosting a winter dance. I was a senior in school so we were the one's in charge of decorating the school this year and I was really excited about doing that too. I finally looked up and saw that I was already at my high school's door. I opened the door and walked in. The halls were all decorated with christmas and winter decorations. Making my way to my locker I see Stacy the most popular girl in school hanging up decorations with her boyfriend. Stacy was the head cheerleader and her boyfriend was part of the football team so in her mind she thought she runs the place and whoever didn't bow down to her she bullied them until they transferred to another school basically. Somehow in my freshman year she thought it was funny to dump my lunch on the floor so I punched her in the face, and from then on we were enemies. Since then I also haven't had any friends because everyone is too scared to get on her bad side. Sneaking passed her trying to make sure she doesn't see me but my phone suddenly starts ringing. Grabbing it out of my pocket I tried to turn it off, but it was too late Stacy saw me and a wide evil smile spread across her ugly face.

"Well look who's here" Stacy sneered "I just needed someone to take care of the trash". I look at her feeling my face turn red with embarrassment. "Hey Reina since the dance is this weekend I wonder who your bringing, come on Reina you can tell me" Stacy says mockly. Getting mad at her mocking me I say the first thing I could think of.

"Well I'm taking Shiru to the dance. He's a transfer student from japan" I say thinking of my otome game. Stacy's face looked appalled I even said something, then a sly smile came upon her face.

"Oh really that seems nice well then I'll see you at the dance with Shiru" She says walking away with an ugly smile across her face. She knew I was lying and know I had to find a way out of this. Sighing I walk to my locker knowing I'm screwed. The next few hours till lunch break was a nightmare. Stacy's group of friends kept spreading to the whole school about my new boyfriend just to make me feel even worse knowing that it wasn't true. At lunch when the bell went off I hurried to my locker ignoring Stacy's mocking remarks and cruel laughter. I grabbed my lunch and snuck into the library with my lunch to the far back so no one could find me. I got out my hello kitty bento box, but I wasn't hungry. I wanted to cry because I felt so alone with no friends or even anyone to talk to. A tear slipped down my cheek and I gave in. I started crying, putting my legs up to my chest. I sobbed into my knees until I felt someone touch my head. Looking up I saw a boy around my age who looked like a human version of Shiru. He was tall with messy golden brown hair and a sweet smile. He was wearing a plain sweater and jeans, but he looked like a j-pop idol. I stared in awe.

"Why are you sad Reina, did you think I wouldn't make it in time for the dance and Christmas?" The boy says, giving me a sweet smile.

"Shiru" I stutter. Looking at him. I wiped my eye's .

"Yes silly" Shiru says sitting down next to me with a bento box. He gives me a hug and then starts to eat. I do the same. Looking at him I pinch myself thinking I was going delusional, but he was real. "So why were you crying?" Shiru asked caringly, looking up at me and whipping a tear off my cheek with his sweater sleeve. Not knowing what else to say I just told the truth.

"Well the mean girls were making fun of me that I had no friends and that I didn't have a date to the dance" I say blushing at his cute face.

"Well don't worry I'm a student here so you don't have to worry about those mean girls I'll protect you from them now on" Shiru says looking at me "You know you are so beautiful"he adds. My heart starts beating faster as my face blushes. "Well anyways I got a surprise for you, but I left it in my locker" Shiru says getting up. He reaches out a hand for me. I grab my bento box and take his hand, he lifts me up with his strong grasp. Smiling we made our way to his locker and ironically it was right next to mine. Reaching into his locker he pulls out a little jewelry box. "Here I found this for you in Japan and thought you might like it," Shiru says, handing me the little box.

"Oh thank you Shiru," I say, Opening the box. I gasped at what I saw. It was a necklace with a ginkgo leaf on a little locket. Opening the locket I see it empty. "It's beautiful Shiru," I say, giving him a hug.

"And don't worry, I left it empty so we can both be in the picture together," Shiru says hugging me back. It was like a dream come true. Those thirty minutes we talked like old friends and Shiru said that we met online and have been talking for about half a year to each other now. So Shiru decided to become a transfer student here so we could be together. He was so sweet to me I had to keep pinching myself to remind me that it wasn't a dream.

"Well since I'm staying with my uncle I live nearby and do you have a dress yet for the dance '' Shiru asks me nicely.

"No, I haven't got one yet," I reply. Thinking I didn't have a date to the dance I didn't bother to find a dress yet.

"Oh that's okay I'll take you to find a dress after school, I'm going to the downtown area anyways to pick up my tuxedo for the dance and I was planning on doing a little christmas shopping anyways" Shiru says grabbing my heavy book bag.

"Thank you, that would be fun. We could do some shopping together" I say smiling at him and thanking him for carrying my bag, but before we could say another word the bell rang and we had to get to class. "Oh looks like we have to get to class" I say looking at my schedule. "Looks like I got math next".

"That's funny, I got math next to, so we can sit by each other," Shiru says happily. I was happy too that for the first time it felt like I wasn't all alone anymore. Math class was nice, Shiru even helped me. Instead of me usually struggling with my homework. Shiru helped me with my math, and it was like a dream the rest of the school day. I didn't even see Stacy for the rest of the day. Grabbing my coat and bag out of my locker I reach up to grab my winter boots, my new locket dangling from my neck. Before I can reach it Shiru grabs them for me.

"Here you go Reina," Shiru says, giving me a cute smile, and handing me my boots politely. I blush from how close he was to me and stutter "Thank you" back.

"Do you mind if I have to call my mom and tell her I'm going shopping downtown?" I say , pulling out my light pink flip phone.

"Yeah that's fine," Shiru says, grabbing my heavy school bag from my arms. "Thanks," I reply, walking over to the window to call my mom.

"Hey mom do you mind if I'm home late, I need to find a dress for the dance" I say looking at the snow falling gently outside.

"Oh sweetheart are you going to the dance, did you get asked out" Mom says excitedly "Maybe you can bring him home for dinner".

"Yes mom I did get a date for the dance and don't worry about dinner we'll probably just get some fast food" I say checking the time on the clock in the hallway.

" Okay, but this sunday me and your father where planning on going skiing as a family and since I let Emily take a friend you can bring your boyfriend" Mom says happily " So make sure to tell him, well goodbye make sure to be home before eleven" Mom adds before I could even say another word she hung up on me. Sighing I hang up to. As you can see my mom liked anything to do with romance and since I really never even had a boyfriend she thought I was never going to get married that's probably why she seemed so happy. Making my way over to Shiru he was all ready to go.

"What'd your mom say?" Shiru asks.

"Oh she said I could go, but I have to be back before eleven" I replied, putting my phone into my bag. "And she said I can bring a friend skiing this weekend so would you like to come".

"Yes I would love to," Shiru says a smile spreading across his perfect face, making my face go red. Outside was cold as ever, there was a light snow with the sun out. It was truly beautiful outside like a winter wonderland. We made it to downtown in no time.

"So which place do you want to visit first?" I asked shiru, who was standing right beside me.

"How about we get you a dress first?" Shiru says, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the dress shop only a few yards aways. Pushing open the door together a ring of a bell echoes throughout the small dress shop. Looking over at the one rack I instantly see a beautiful light blue dress with a long sparkly skirt and a silky spaghetti strap top with icy flowers and blue ribbons. I quickly take it off the rack.

"Oh look at this one, do you mind if I try it on?" I asked Shiru who was looking at me.

"Sure" Shiru replies " I'll hold your coat for you too". Grabbing my coat I try on the dress in the fitting rooms. It was gorgeous and it shimmered like icy snow. "Wow you look beautiful Reina" Shiru compliments. I twirl around making the dress sparkle even more.

"Thanks do you think I should get this one?" I ask Shiru, smiling happily.

"Yeah that one looks beautiful on you" shiru says, giving me a look of longing. I blush at his compliments.

"Thanks, so I should get this one then" I say, giving a shy smile. Outside again we visited the dry cleaners and picked up Shiru's tuxedo. After that we decided to do a bit of christmas shopping together. Walking into this one little christmas store, I found a perfect christmas ornament with a little deer on it with a bell for Shiru. Since earlier Shiru mentioned he loved deer since he lived in Nara Japan I bought it for him as a christmas present. Both carrying shopping bags together walking down town, I could feel my cold hands like ice. They were starting to become numb from the cold icy wind. Shivering a little I feel Shiru's warm hand grasp mine. His hands were warm at the touch. I smile. Not saying much I feel Shiru pull on my hand, I follow him into a warm diner.

"Are you hungry?" Shiru asks sweetly. My stomach growls. I totally forgot that I hardly even had lunch.

"Oh yes I'm starving" I say, as he let's go of my hand and takes my bags I was caring so I could unbutton my snow covered coat. He smiled at me with puppy eyes. It was too cute. I smiled back. After sitting down we ordered dinner. We both decided to get pancakes.

"So what time on Sunday should I come over for skiing?" Shiru asked, looking at me.

"Oh let's see" I say thinking "Probably around early noon I would say".

"Ok that sounds good to me" Shiru says.

"Oh and here's my address" I say grabbing a pen out of my bag and scribbling down my address onto a napkin and handing it to him. Shiru looks at it then smile's.

"That's funny you only live a block away from me" he says smiling. I smile too.

" Really where's your house?" I ask, Shiru takes out a pen and writes it on a napkin too and slides it to me. Looking at the address I realized that he was right , in fact I passed Shiru's uncle's house this morning on my way to school. "Wow you do live nearby, in fact I passed your house on the way to school today" I say, sticking the napkin into my coat pocket for safe keeping.

"So I can pick you up tomorrow, so we can walk to school together," Shiru says giving me a sweet smile.

"Yeah that sounds actually pretty nice" I say.

" Okay, so I'll pick you up at seven- thirty" Shiru asks.

"Yup I 'll be waiting outside for yah" I say. giving him a sweet smile. After a while of chatting we finally received our warm pancakes for dinner. Finishing dinner we decided since it was getting late to head home. It was getting dark outside and the snow was coming down thickly. The sidewalk was also very icy.

"Ahhh" I say, slipping on the ice, but before I hit the hard ice I closed my eyes waiting for the cold pain to come, but it never came. Opening my eyes slowly I feel myself in Shiru's warm arms. Shiru looks down at me. Concern in his eyes.

"Are you alright Reina?" Shiru says, worry in his voice.

"Yeah I'm am now, Thank you" I stutter, a bit shaky. Feeling Shiru's strong arms holding me made my heart skip a beat. I sat there blushing uncontrollably. Instead of putting me down Shiru held me as we walked. I protested, but he said it was fine. Setting me down at my doorstep, I checked the time it was around ten thirty.

"Thank you Shiru, I had a great time," I say, smiling my face red from the cold. As the snow gently fell.

"You're welcome , I had a great time tonight too," Shiru says, bending down and giving me a warm kiss on the cheek. I blush and smile shyly. He turns and walks down the narrow path to the side walk and yells. "Remember seven- thirty tomorrow".

"Okay I'll be there" I yell back heading inside. Inside was warm as I stood in the dark backroom. I could hear my mom and dad in the living room watching tv. " Mom dad I'm home" I yell.

"Hey sweetie how'd it go" My mom says looking up at me from her chair.

"Good" I say walking past her. "He also agreed to come skiing with us this weekend".

"Oh that's great Reina'' mom says authuisticly. As I go out into the kitchen, putting my lunch dishes in the sink.

"Well I'm going to go do my homework, love you" I say heading up stairs and into the dark hallway. I peer into Emily's room and see her lying on the floor playing dolls with her friend who must be staying the night. Turning on the lights of my room I drop my bag on the floor and close the door. Jumping on my bed I squeal into my pillow. I couldn't believe I was going to the dance with Shiru and that I was literally dating a real live otome character. Getting up I dance around my room happily. Catching my eye I saw a golden envelope was lying on my desk. Curious I grab it and open it. It only had a note in it.

Your wish will only last till new years eve unless true loves kiss

I read it out loud but sadly the rest was blacked out and too smudged to read. My heart sank. Did this mean that Shiru would disappear after new years, but before I could think much about it Emily burst into the room. Thinking fast I shoved it into my desk.

"Riena can I borrow your pink nail polish" Emily wines.

"No" I say, looking up at her.

"Why not," Emily sneers.

"Because I said so, now get out" I yell at her.

"No I won't get out until you give it to me" Emily screams like a little brat.

"Fine" I say, getting up and pushing her out. Locking the door behind me. Totally forgetting about the letter I sat back down at my desk opening my diary and started writing about my day. Making sure to set my alarm clock early, I fell asleep in my clothes, laying on my bed with my diary still in my hands.