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The moon had long since risen above the tree line, shining brightly on the dark streets. Rikka stifled a yawn. That study session had run longer than planned, but it was good to get some extra studying in.
Ever since her friends found out about Rikka struggling with her grades and the constant lack of sleep she was suffering because of it, they’ve decided to start doing group study sessions.
It was going better than Rikka’s original method had: staying awake all night. It gave her time with her friends and a way to improve her grades.
Mana insisted it was perfect, although Rikka suspected that was because ever since the situation became known to the others, Mana’s become especially clingy of Rikka.
Everyone was putting in so much effort to help and Rikka was endlessly grateful for her friends.
Though there was one loose thread, one that took the form of the mysterious green Precure: Cure Jack.
Ever since that day, he hasn’t appeared once.
Rikka wondered if it was because of the injuries he sustained while in that labyrinth. If that was the case, Rikka hoped he was just resting up and wasn’t in danger.
Although, knowing that guy, …he could very well be disregarding his injuries to go on patrol or heavens forbid if he was looking for another flower to give her.
The thought of that brought a strange feeling to Rikka’s chest. Cure Jack…such a confusing guy.
A few months of knowing him and they still had no idea what his motive was, or why he insisted on being so secretive. And most importantly…why Rikka specifically?!
Before Rikka could fall back into a confusing spiral of what exactly Cure Jack wanted from her, she heard a rustle.
Her eyes were immediately drawn to a bush on the side of the walkway. Rikka narrowed her eyes and looked around.
Suddenly, something jumped out of the bush. Rikka saw familiar bright yellow eyes blinking up at her. “Oh, hello Shadow.” She stepped forward and crouched down, petting the cat.
”Hey! Where’d you go? Sha-“ Rikka’s attention was drawn to another voice. She lifted her head to see Cure Jack emerge from the trees. “Diamond….”
”Cure Jack.” Rikka stood up. “Hi.”
”Hi….” He rubbed the back of his neck. “What are you doing out so late?” Cure Jack’s eyes immediately widened. “Wait, you’re not-“
”No, I’m not pulling another all nighter, don’t worry. I’m just coming back from a study session with my friends. Although, it’s not even that late out.”
”I suppose not…,” Cure Jack agreed.
”What are you doing out here, though?” Rikka asked. “On patrol?”
”Mhm.” He scooped up Shadow. “These are my informants.”
Rikka blinked a few times, letting out a small, amused sigh.
”I’m sure there’s someone who won’t be happy to know you’re using ‘his’ cats as informants.”
Cure Jack hummed in acknowledgment and played with the rim of his hat. “These are strays, if this person has an issue with it, they can talk to me themselves. It’s cowardly to hide behind you to deliver this message.”
“Well…,” Rikka scratched her cheek, “I’m sure you’ll have chances in the future.”
”I’m sure I will, although, speaking of chance: what’s the chance we meet tonight?”
”I feel like a lot of our meetings are left up to chance,” Rikka observed. Cure Jack’s eyes took on a wistful look.
”It seems they are….” He stepped forward. “Are you busy?”
”Uh…why?” Rikka looked him up and down.
”No need to be so on guard,” Cure Jack chuckled. “I’d like to think you and I are friends now…right?” Rikka noticed the edge of uncertainty in his voice.
“Well…it’s hard to be friends with someone I don’t know the real identity of,” Rikka admitted. Cure Jack’s eyes dimmed.
”Ah…I suppose that makes sense,” he agreed. Suddenly, he clapped his hands together. “Well…that doesn’t mean we have to avoid each other. The thing is…I’m a bit…unfamiliar with this place.
The reason I go on patrols is because I need to watch out for disdains and to get a better feel of the city.”
”Are you new to Oogai?”
”Mostly. I’ve only been here a few months and I don’t go out much. I wanted to take a look around but it’s hard to do without getting lost. I was wondering…if you could help me?”
Rikka pulled out her phone and looked at the time. It was only 6:30, and her mom wasn’t going to come home till much later.
”Alright, sure.”
Cure Jack smiled. “Thank you.”
“So…what exactly do you want to see?” Rikka asked as they left the park.
”I don’t really know. I kinda just wanted to…look around.” Cure Jack didn’t spare a glance at their surroundings, keeping his eyes focused on Rikka. “Where do you normally go?”
”Me? Well…I normally go to the bookstore. Do you like to read?”
”Normally just manga,” Cure Jack admitted. “But I’m curious, what do you read?”
”I read all sorts of things.” Rikka’s eyes shined as she recalled what she’s read in the past months. “I’ve been trying out some more classic literature as of lately. I’ve just finished Crime and Punishment. Although it’s not something I’d really recommend for a casual reader…it’s a bit…heavy and…dark.”
“Sounds like something I could handle.”
”So sure,” Rikka chuckled at his confidence. “If you want to, go ahead. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Cure Jack merely hummed in acknowledgment. “Anywhere else you like to go?”
“I normally go to cafes with my friends…, or the grocery store. …I don’t leave the house much,” Rikka found herself admitting.
”Heh, shut in?” Rikka’s face heated up in embarrassment.
”I’m not a shut in! I’ll have you know, I actually do go out! Just not too many new places….”
”I believe you.”
”I don’t think you do.”
”Agree to disagree.”
As they walked through the market, people casting confused glances at Cure Jack’s strange attire, a sales person in front of a cosmetic store stopped them.
”Good evening, I must say sir, I adore your cosplay.” Cure Jack looked down at his ‘cosplay’.
“Ah…thanks?”
The sales lady quickly drew her attention to Rikka. “And you, such a fine young lady. Surely you would like something to bring out your youthful beauty.”
”Eh…I’m sorry, I don’t really use makeup.”
”Don’t worry dear, I’m sure you’ll be using this, romance is highest at your age.” The saleslady picked up the light lipstick from the tray and handed it to Rikka before disappearing to hound another person.
The two looked at each other dumbly before sharing a brief laugh.
“Well, I wouldn’t be one to deny free stuff,” Jack said. “That stuff is like gold where I’m from.”
”I suppose. And it’s from a brand I recognize. It wouldn’t hurt.”
The two continued along the market when Cure Jack paused at a bowling alley.
”Do you like bowling?” Rikka asked.
”Yeah. It’s just something I do in my free time. I’m pretty good, not to brag. Maybe you and I could play sometime.”
Rikka paused. Was he asking to hangout again? Rikka averted her eyes. “It…it sounds fun. Oh hey- have you ever tried crepes?”
Cure Jack looked at the vendor Rikka hastily pointed at. “No, I don’t think I have. They don’t have them where I’m from.”
Where he’s from…so that means he’s from somewhere far away. Perhaps another country?
”Here, I’ll get some.”
”But I don’t have money….”
”It’s fine, I’ll cover it. Think of it as a thank you for helping us,” Rikka insisted.
”Ah- but…” Cure Jack tried to argue but Rikka walked over to the vendor and bought two crepes.
”There’s two different kinds: savory and sweet. You can pick.”
Cure Jack looked at them. “Which one do you like?”
”I normally go for the sweet.”
Cure Jack took the savory from Rikka. “You can have that one then.” Before Cure Jack could take a bite, someone bumped into him and nearly made him drop the crepe. “Maybe we should go somewhere else,” he offered.
”Good idea,” Rikka agreed.
The two had somehow ended up in the fairly quiet area near the square. Dimly lit only by the stars and the moon above.
Cure Jack finished the crepe in his hands. “It does taste good.” He tossed the wrappings into the trashcan nearby while Rikka fixated on the lipstick in her hands.
“Do you use makeup?” Cure Jack asked.
”Not much,” Rikka said. “Only when I go to events or dinners. But it’s very pretty.”
“…you know, I kinda thought makeup was stupid. Though the only person I know who uses makeup isn’t the best reference. I thought, originally, she just used it ans a kind of…mask. Something to distract herself from her worries.
I couldn’t really blame her for that though….” Cure Jack brushed his thumb along his black mask. “Are you…going to use it? I’m sure…it’d look nice.”
Rikka ran her thumb over it and pocketed it. “Not now. It’s nice. I’ll save it for special occasions.”
Cure Jack shrugged and looked out at the moon. “It’s a nice night, huh? Pretty good luck that we went for a walk tonight.”
”I suppose it is,” Rikka agreed.
”You and I…always seem to meet at the most convenient times.” His eyes shined. “I wonder…if luck is shining down on me.”
Rikka met his gaze; his amber eyes, widened when they met and he averted them slightly.
”You know…you look…- I don’t know how but…I feel like I know you.”
”Well…we have known each other for a few months now,” Cure Jack spoke hurriedly.
”No, I mean…I feel like I’ve met you before,…before Cure Jack.” Rikka’s hands tightened around her skirt. “Please, be honest with this one thing. Have you and I met before?”
Cure Jack lifted his gaze to meet hers, eyes softening and voice as low as a whisper. “Perhaps…we have. I think so…; in a beautiful dream.”
Extending his hand, a blue Ranunculus appeared cupped in his hand. “Thank you, for spending the night with me…. They get awfully lonely.”
Rikka stared at the flower, unsure if she should take it, knowing that likely meant their night was over. She slowly reached out and placed her hand over the flower, brushing against his gloved hand.
Slowly, Rikka took the flower from his hands and Cure Jack stood up, tipping his hat.
”Do you know what those ones mean? I just found out today.
They mean radiance. I knew it was perfect for you: Radiant Diamond. Good night.”