Chapter Text
Upon a mountain not all that far from the city of Sendai, the wind blew fast and the snow dropped hard. If one were to get closer to the summit, these conditions would only worsen as they got closer. These conditions would make it a near impossibility for anyone to climb it. Yet, two men were still approaching the top, getting closer and closer with each step. They had begun their journey to reach the mountain’s summit long before the conditions had gotten this worsened to this point, and so they were too deep in to stop now. “Come on! We’re almost there!” One yelled out as they trudged through the snow. “Getting…cold….” The other muttered, the first squinting through the snow for any sign of anything, their eyes widening as they took notice of the silhouette of something through the ever falling snow.
“Hey! That looks like a shelter!” He called out, pointing towards the silhouette in view. The other squinted and took notice as well right after the call out. “You’re right! We can rest there and wait for the snow to get lighter!” With both nodding towards the other, they start to trudge through again, branch through the cold to reach warmth.
There sat a lone girl near the fireplace, wrapped up in a blanket from not only the cold, but fright from what had just transpired. Anytime she closed her eyes, images of what had happened appeared. The voice of that…man….constantly ringing in her head without a hint of pause. “YOU PIECE OF SHIT!” “YOU DO AS I SAY!” “WE’RE NOT FINISHED YET!” “YOU GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW” Her hands snapped to the sides of her head as the voice of that man refused to leave and only grew louder. As his voice started to overpower even her own thoughts, she began to quietly beg. “P-Please…Stop….Leave me alone…” The voice only got louder as she started to curl up, her eyes remaining on the fire. As she stared at the flames, they seemed to start growing…and growing….and growing….and…
The shelter’s door slammed open, causing the girl to jump away from the fire, her back finding its way up against the wall as she looked towards the now opened door. There, she saw two men in the doorway, who both looked at her with expressions of confusion, surprise, and worry. “W-What…?” One of the men muttered as the other stepped forward. “Why….Why is there a little girl here!?” She didn’t say a word, only stared with a hint of fear in her eyes as one got close up to her. “What are you doing here?” She didn’t answer the question, instead trying to get further away but being unable to because of the wall. “Are you alright?” That one got a response out of her as she shook her head, still refusing to open her mouth. “Do you have a name?” That question was what finally got her to say something. “R-Rika….”
The man that was asking her these questions nodded before further questioning her. “Are you with anyone?” Rika took a second to think about how to respond, but in the end chose to shake her head. The man further from her finally spoke up. “We should call someone! We can’t just leave this girl here!” The man closer to her nodded. “You’re right…” Before turning back towards her and asking her one final question. “Do you want to get off this mountain?” That’s what Rika wanted to hear the most at this point. “Y-Yes…Yes please!” Ever since she got onto the mountain, all she’s wanted was to just get off and go anywhere else. And finally, her wish was going to be granted, and she’d be taken away from here.
“It's best she stays here for a couple of days, but she should make a steady full recovery.” The nurse that had looked over Rika’s recovery explained to her grandmother, Takako Orimoto. Not a word came out of her mouth. She simply looked over towards Rika before looking back at the nurse and nodding. No sounds escaped her lips as she left the room, leaving only Rika and her nurse who turned over to the little girl to try and help her emotional state. “Stay strong, little Rika. Soon, you’ll be able to head back home!” With that, the nurse also left the room, leaving Rika all alone there as she looked out the window with only one phrase going through her head. “....What home…?” Looking out towards the sky, Rika thought back to everything that has happened to her up until this point. What was there for her to return to? After what he did to her? After what had happened on that mountain? What was there left for her….?
She continued to stare at the window as these questions and all sorts of events ran through her mind. She looked up at the beautiful blue sky as her mind pondered just what was next for her. As she continued to stare at it, the rest window and the hospital almost seemed to disappear in her view. A tranquil feeling took over her body as the clouds passed by…At least, that was what happened before she heard a light cough, causing her to turn around towards where it had come from.
It was a small boy. Frail as a twig. A bad case of pneumonia. He held onto his IV stand like his mother’s hand. He turned and noticed her as well after he had coughed. Unsure of what was to happen next.
The girl forced a friendly smile onto her face. It seemed completely natural at a first glance, and most would think it is. But in reality, that expression of hers was anything but. “Hi…” She called out to the boy, curious about why he was there looking at her.
The boy was taken aback for a minute. No one had ever really paid attention to him at the hospital besides the ones who needed to. And yet this girl did in their first minute of knowing each other’s existence.
“H-hi… my name is Yuta…” He said while struggling to retain eye contact with the girl.
“I’m Rika…” She on the other hand managed to keep perfect eye contact with the boy, her all too real smile still on her face. “It’s nice to meet you!” She tilted her head as she said that, her voice matching the facade expression.
“Heh, i-it’s nice to meet you too… you’re very pretty.” The boy said those last three words under his breath and turned his head away from the girl. He needed to get it off his chest yet he hoped she hadn’t heard them.
Unfortunately for the boy, due to the lack of any other sounds nearby, Rika managed to hear the last part. And when she did, her body shook as her smile vanished as if it was never there at all. Her entire demeanor appeared to have changed in an instant as she asked a brand new question. “...Is there anything you want from me…?”
The boy slowly turned his back to the girl. “Huh? Oh, I don’t know… I never thought I ever deserved anything…” He slumped his head down, staring at the plain white floor, clean enough to see himself in it.
She paused for a bit, hearing that about Yuta made her feel bad for him, but her focus was still on getting a proper answer out of him for the question she had asked. “Are you sure you don’t want anything? You did just call me pretty, and…that makes me think you do…..”
“Ah… I don’t know, I just thought it was obvious…” The boy rubbed his forearm, careful not to touch where the IV met his vein. He never complimented anyone like that before. Yet he just blurted out. Why did he do that? Even he wasn’t sure. Yet neither did he mind not knowing.
Every last motion from Rika stopped as she heard that. When had said that about her, he had truly in his heart actually meant it…He wasn’t seeking anything from her, that’s just what he thought. There wasn’t a single string attached. It was solely his genuine thoughts. With this revelation hitting her, her expression altered into a smile yet again. Unlike the previous one though, this one was truly, absolutely, genuine. For the first time in what felt like years, a genuine smile was on Rika’s face. “Thank you Yuta…”
The boy was stunned. He never saw anyone smile that bright than before. She shined like a star.
“Rika, I-“
“Sorry son, but we have to go back for your next treatment.”
The boy felt a hand on his shoulder, turned back to notice one of his doctors had come to carry him off. The boy felt his glee drop as he slowly recognized who the man was.
“oh… ok. Bye Rika,” the boy said as he weakly waved at the girl.
“Bye…” Even as he was forced to separate from her, Rika kept her happy expression and the smile that came with it. Up until the very moment he was out of view, Rika kept looking at Yuta with the happiness he gave her. Once he was gone, she went back to looking at the window, that boy refusing to leave her mind. Such a soft voice, such a nice look, and such a kind heart. Even as the next day arrived, Rika couldn’t stop thinking about Yuta. That boy remained in her mind until the very end of her hospital stay, as did the kindness he gave her.
“Here’s your lunch money Rika…” Takako dropped some yen down into the hands of her granddaughter, who promptly put it into her backpack. “Thanks Grandma.” After she was discharged by the hospital, Rika was taken in by her grandmother as she was the only living relative she had that was close to where she had lived beforehand. Now that she was finally back to a normal life, she finally had the chance to go to elementary school! Her grandmother was helping her prepare for her first day in ways like providing her this lunch money and giving her the backpack earlier. However, Rika couldn't help but notice that throughout not just this process, but the entire since ever since she moved in, Takako seemed…distant.
She rarely ever talked to her, any conversations they did have were short and brief even when Rika tried to push for otherwise, and she always seemed to try and keep a physical distance away from her too. Rika also noticed that even when she was helping her, like today for example, Takako only seemed to do it out of obligation. Despite that though, Rika was still fairly eager to finally start attending elementary school as she swung her backpack over her shoulders and onto her back, having already packed everything she would need beforehand. “Bye Grandma!” She didn’t respond, at least not in a way that Rika could hear. She could have sworn she heard Takako mutter something as she opened the door, but she wasn’t able to make out what it was and just left.
There was a bit of distance between her grandmother’s house and her new elementary school, so Rika didn’t really talk to anyone on the way there as she hopped and skipped towards it, trying to make sure she arrived on time for her first day. Thanks to that, she managed to get there relatively quickly! Rika looked up at the building in wonder before looking around at her fellow students. All sorts of new faces surrounded her, although none really interested Rika. At least that was until she noticed a familiar face amongst the crowd.
Yuta sat alone all by himself. Of course he did. No one would ever bother to even say his name.
“Yuuutaaaa!” She started to spring towards the boy, waving at him as she did. She managed to recognize him in an instant despite never having seen him since her first day there. After all, she could never forget the face or name of that boy
The boy jumped off the bench, feeling the hairs on his neck stand up.
“Rika! You remember my name?!”
Rika came to a halt as she got close to him. “Of course I do Yuta! After all, you made me smile…” The same true and genuine smile she wore at the hospital returned as she momentarily closed her eyes and tilted her head. “How could I forget you after that?” Her expression beamed towards him like a light.
“…oh.” The boy said, his mouth slightly agape.
Rika’s head turned as she looked at the building, then back at Yuta. An idea came to her head as she stretched her hand out towards him. “You want to walk inside with me?”
The boy hesitated for a sec. But as much as he questioned if he should, what was louder was the voice that said “why not?” He looked at her hand before taking it.
“Yeah, I do.”
With their hands now intertwined, the two began to walk to the building and their brand new school life together, Rika looking right at him with that smile that only he was capable of giving her.
And, for what felt like the first time ever, the boy smiled. A real genuine smile.
Throughout the following days the two kids became very fast friends. It came to the point that teachers and other kids took notice that if one was around, it was very likely the other was nearby as well. Even once school wrapped up, they continued to stick to each other like glue. They constantly hung out together, most of the time at the playground, but today was an expectation. This time, the two sat on a bench near the street, licking on ice cream that Yuta had bought for the two of them with money from his parents.
Rika was enjoying her ice cream to bits, a big grin on her face that remained and only got bigger with every lick she tasted of it. “It’s so good…First time having ice cream and it’s sooo gooood!”
Yuta froze mid-lick. He turned to look at her, his eyes a little wider than before.
“Woah, really? Wait, what else have you missed out on?”
Rika stopped and pondered for a bit, thinking about everything she hasn’t done yet that most kids her age have done many times before. Eventually she just shrugged and looked over at Yuta. “I dunno…I’m pretty sure you’re the first friend I’ve ever had…”
The boy nearly dropped his ice cream.
“Woah… I hope I’ve been a good friend then…”
He wanted to look at the ground. He never realized how important this friendship really was for Rika. Maybe more than it was for him. …even if Rika was also the first real friend he had.
Rika used her free hand to reach over and pat his back, assuring him that he absolutely was through both her actions and following words. “You’ve been a great friend Yuta! I couldn’t ask for anyone better…” After encouraging him, she leaned downwards and took a bite out of her ice cream. One that she soon found out was a bit too big as all her movements suddenly came to a complete stop.
Brain freeze….
The boy’s heart dropped to the ground.
“Oh my god! Are you okay?!” Yuta put his hands on both of Rika’s shoulders, his eyes darting all over Rika.
It took her a minute to recover, but Rika laughed it off all the same. “I’m fine Yuta! No need to worry!” She giggled after she recovered, finding it nice how worried Yuta had gotten for her
“Oh…” The boy let go of her shoulders. “...sorry.” The boy felt embarrassed for a moment. Thought just for a moment. Then he began to laugh a little at himself. He really did care about her. Maybe that would be enough for being a good friend.
Yet another day, yet another time the two went to that same playground together. It was easily their favorite spot to spend time together. Despite how they’ve visited more times than either one could count, they still had just as much fun as any other visit just so long as they were together. Today, Rika had brought with her a sand castle bucket which she had by now filled up entirely with sand. Taking a quick moment and a deep breath to prepare herself, she turned it around as fast as she could to avoid any falling out, before raising it up as it revealed her little creation. “Look Yuta! I did it!” She cried out to her best friend upon its completion.
“Woah! You sure did!” The boy was amazed at Rika’s craftsmanship when it came to sand and buckets. But then a slight shiver went down his spine. He looked around. The light peaking out of the trees in the forest that surrounded them and onto them.
“It’s such a nice day… I’m a little worried.”
Rika’s head tilted as her expression showed just a hint of confusion, similarly as to how it spilled out of her lips. “Worried? Why would you be worried, Yuta?”
“Well.. it just usually around this time, my sister tries to pull a pra-”
Before either one knew it, a water balloon slammed into the back of Rika’s head. It soaked both her hair and her dress in water, the former of which covered up her eyes as her head pointed outwards, hiding the rest of her face.
“Hey there, Rika! I don’t think we've ever met! I’m Mizuki, Yuta’s cute lil sis. Wanna come join me in a water balloon fight? Got plenty more where that came from!” Indeed the girl held several more balloons in her hands, so many of them were starting to nearly drop, forcing her to sway a little.
Rika remained silent as she slowly turned around towards Mizuki, a look that would terrify even adults splayed across her face as she stared into the eyes of the young girl. For a couple of seconds, the look persisted as she stared right past the body and into the soul of Mizuki. But then just as quickly as it had appeared, the scary side of Rika disappeared as she broke into laughter. “Alright! Bring it!” She stood right up but looked over towards the boy beside her before doing anything else. “You want to join in as well, Yuta?”
Yuta was stunned. Genuinely stunned for a minute. He thought Rika was gonna cry. He thought he might demand his sister to apologize to Rika. He thought he was going to be mad. Instead, he felt… happy. Happy to see Rika get on so well with his sister.
“Uuuh, sure! I’m gonna get revenge for you attacking my best friend, sis!”
“Uh oh!” The girl started to run away from her brother intentionally dropping balloons for her brother to pick up, which he did. Though the young girl had gained enough distance that he just kept missing her.
Rika also picked up one as she ran towards Mizuki. She reeled back her arm, using every ounce of strength in it before tossing the balloon towards the little girl. And somehow, despite the distance, it ended up being a perfect shot as it slammed into the back of her best friend’s little sister, soaking her just like Mizuki had done to her. “Gotcha!” She giggled out.
Yuta’s eyes widened and his jaw went slack.
“Wha-?! How did you do that, Rika?!”
Rika took a pause to think about it, trying to find a reason as to why before she shrugged. “I dunno…I’m not really all that strong, but I still did it….Eh.” With a chuckle to swipe it under the rug, she went back to chasing Mizuki, deciding it wasn't really worth too much thought.
“Haha!” The sister laughed as she turned around. “You sure know how to pick ‘em, ey big bro!” She then began shaking the water off her like a dog.
“Huh?! What is that supposed to mean?!” The boy asked as he tried to hide his bright red face.
Rika was unable to hold back her chuckle as she picked up another water balloon and this time threw it at Yuta. She got one to the face from him in return for it, leading to an all out free for all of water balloon nonsense between Rika, Yuta, and Mizuki. The three played for hours with all the water balloons Mizuki had brought, enjoying every last second of it in their soak filled laughter.
By now, Yuta and Rika have been the best of friends for a good little while. So Yuta decided that today was finally going to be the day that he’d introduce her to the rest of his family. She had already met his sister and they all played together a couple of times, but now it was finally time for her to meet his parents. Hand in hand together, the two slowly made their way over to Yuta’s house.
“My parents are really kind people, so you don’t have to worry.” The boy led Rika to his house. Each step felt a little heavier than the last as he looked back at Rika’s nervous face. He turned and held her hand up to just below both of their faces. “Trust me.”
Despite the encouraging words of her best friend, inside Rika still felt decently nervous. While she didn’t let it show in either her face or her mannerisms, the nervousness was still there none the less. Even with it bubbling inside her though, she still smiled as to not worry Yuta. “Okay!” The two soon got to the door and stopped right in front of it.
Yuta walked forward and opened the door. He moved aside to let Rika in. As he closed the door behind him, his dad peaked from the hallway and entered.
“Ah! You must be Yuta’s new friend!” The man walked forward, raising his hand towards the young girl. The man wore a plain white buttoned up shirt and black pants. Somewhere in between a casual friend and a business man. “Pleasure to meet you, my name’s Kyoen and I’m Yuta’s dad. Glad we could finally meet.”
In one, singular moment, Rika’s demeanor completely changed. Her smile vanished from sight as she shuddered and began to shake from Kyoen getting closer to her. It was almost as if something had flipped a switch inside of Rika that caused any and all masks she wore to fall off, her true nervous feelings now showing on full display and amplified. Not a single word came out of her mouth, instead, she got closer to Yuta, almost hiding behind him out of instinct.
“Hey, it’s alright.” Yuta held Rika close to him, gently rubbing her back. “I told you already. My parents are nice people. They’ll never harm you.”
“Mmmmm….” Even with Yuta’s words making it to her ears, Rika still appeared to be uncomfortable. She remained close to him, even holding onto him so she could have that extra sense of safety from him. Which left only one big question…Why was she having this sort of reaction?
“We’ve heard nothing but great things about you from Yuta. I just want to say, thank you for keeping our son company. He’s clearly in good hands.” Kyoen put his own back in his pockets. “You are always welcomed in our home. This is our thanks for all you’ve done.”
Rika only nodded in response to Kyoen’s words, remaining by Yuta the entire time as the two entered his home, her switch in her attitude never flipping back even after he had left the two’s sight.
Yuta’s father and mother, who had just exited the kitchen, looked at each other. Neither entirely sure what exactly this could possibly be about.
“Hey.” Yuta held Rika’s shoulders to turn her and looked her directly in the eyes. “This is going to be a great night. Because now, you’re here.” He gave her that same bright smile he gave her when they first became friends.
Even with this sudden shift in her behavior, one thing that remained the same was that Yuta still was able to get Rika to smile without fail. A small giggle came out of her mouth as her mood improved just from that alone. After her lips closed back up, that same smile that she only ever showed to Yuta and Yuta alone came back, something she couldn’t be happier about.
“Yeah, I agree!” Yuta’s younger sister barged into the room and slid between both her parents. “I really liked playing with her! She’s a lot of fun!”
Suddenly, a ding came from the kitchen.
“Ooo!” Yuta’s mom rushed back to the kitchen. “That means dinner’s ready!” Her voice echoed from within the kitchen. “Everyone should head to the dining room, including our guest! And Oh!” The woman headed back to the hallway. “That reminds me. I haven’t even introduced myself. My name’s Kazue, and I’m Yuta’s mom.” The woman giggled a little while holding it in with the tip of her fingers.
“Nice to meet you…” From the way she said it, it was clear Rika’s regular attitude still hadn’t quite returned yet, but she was getting better as she gave a pilot smile to Kazue and a little nod to go along with it. She still remained close to Yuta, but was no longer holding onto him now.
“Hehe, I’m so proud of you my little man, bringing a girl into the family house at such a young age.” The mother commented while her hands were on her hips.
Yuta was aghast. “Agh! Mom!”
Rika decided to join in on the teasing of Yuta his family had begun, grabbing a hold of his arm and holding it tightly with a little smirk on her face. “Gotcha!” She added to emphasize it.
“Aah!” Yuta groaned like he was shot and covered his face. It could’ve been replaced with a tomato and it wouldn’t be any more red. The rest of the Okkutsu family started to laugh and it quickly filled the room. And yet despite that, or maybe because of that, the actual dinner went well. Yuta’s mom wasn’t the greatest cook in the world but she didn’t need nor wanted to be. Her cooking was enough for her family. Homely and rustic. Her father tried to make small talk with Rika and it kind of succeeded. Mizuki whispered non-secrets that were very much secrets to a child her age into Rika’s ear and she quietly nodded along. Kazue gave small bits of advice to Rika and told stories about Yuta before he met her. Kyoen once again thanked her for being such a good friend to Yuta. A warmth grew and stayed in that room that night. Yuta’s family had many a dinner night. But none ever felt as fulfilling as that.
The sound of the rain surrounded Rika. It was the singular sound she could hear as she sat down on the sidewalk all alone as it poured onto her. A couple of sniffles was the only sound she produced at that time, her mind going to its worst places. Back when still lived with her parents. What had happened to her there. The way her grandmother always stayed away from her at all costs. Extra droplets from her eyes started to join in on with the rain as she choked up. She was cold…Cold and alone…Just like on the mountain…Just like all those nights in her home…Her heart started to beat ever faster to where its sound began to overpower even the sound of the rain. Her breathing became heavier as the sounds of the rain disappeared from her mind, being replaced by her breathing and her heartbeat, more water falling out of her eyes, dropping onto the same ground the rain was falling onto. Maybe she should just….
But then an umbrella was raised above her head, finally protecting her from the pouring rain. And it was held by a small boy. His name was Yuta, and he shared in the shade of his umbrella.
The sounds of her surroundings slowly returned to her as the pressure and cold disappeared. She looked up towards the boy, her breathing finally slowing down because of the sight of his face, the same went for her heartbeat. Her tears still fell down, but now they were the only water hitting the sidewalk that she sat on. ”Yuta…” She muttered out, only just barely audible between her quiet voice and the rain falling around them.
“I…I was gonna give you a surprise visit, but then I found you out here. Rika, what happened? Why are you standing here in the rain?” He looked around before taking a seat right next to the girl, never letting go of the umbrella as the rhythm of the rain against it constantly shifted. Not caring about the damp pavement as it pressed against his jacket. He wouldn’t let a single drop hit her head again.
Rika remained silent for around a minute. She contemplated on if she should even say anything or not. Whether Yuta would dislike her or not for what she was about to tell him. In the end though, her heart decided that it would be worth it to tell Yuta what had happened and why she was here. “...Grandma…She…rarely talks to me ever…Usually she stays away from me and…tries to avoid talking to me…Today though…She…She did talk to me…She told me to “Not come inside. Stay out.” and…didn’t let me in…She forced me to stay out in this rain…This cold…cold rain….” Her tears only worsened as she spoke, having to take multiple breaks as she told Yuta this so that she could wipe her tears. She couldn’t even bear herself to look up at him anymore once she was done…
Yuta gripped his umbrella tightly. The sound of the rain crashing into the fabric of the umbrella never felt so loud before this moment. He couldn’t believe her grandmother could do such a thing. Rika was the most important person to him. How could anyone not see how much she matters? How could she be treated like this? He should be angry, but instead that mortified him. “Are… are you really all alone out here?”
Another minute of silence passed by for Rika. Her mind taking its time to comb through her every thought and memory, thinking about every last person she’s interacted with before deciding on her answer. “...Yes….” That was her answer. She really was….alone…..She had no one….
Now it was Yuta’s turn to have a minute of silence. The full weight of her words is more heavy than the world ever could be to him. “But… that means that I’m…”
Her tears continued to fall as if her eyes were clouds producing rain like the ones above them, sobs escaping her mouth that made it ever harder for her to get words out between them. “You’re all I have in this world Yuta…The only…single…thing…..” Her heart rate skyrocketed for the second time, her hands gripping tightly gripping the top of her head as every sound besides her breathing and heartbeat slowly vanished from her mind. “Besides you…I’m…alone….” She was getting closer to a full breakdown with each word that escaped her lips…
Yuta barely thought for a split second before he shifted his body to be as close to Rika as possible. He ignored the sound of the rain and focused entirely on her. She was all that mattered. Because at that moment, she was hurt. That feeling he had when his sister hit Rika with a balloon came back and this time, it was real. And he had to do something about it. I had to tell her the truth. “Then you’re not alone. I am going to make sure that you will never be alone.”
This time, there was only one second of silence before Rika made a sound. The sound in question? A full on cry. One that came hurling out of Rika’s mouth as she tightly clung to Yuta with every ounce of strength she had, her tears now landing on his little shoulder as she used every last fiber of willpower to refuse to let go of him. “Please Yuta…Don’t leave me…I…I can’t imagine what I’d be without you…Stay here with me….Please……” Each and every word came out of her mouth between the sobs and her tears, leaving not even the slightest bit of distance between her and Yuta.
Yuta was frozen in place. It took his full strength to snap out of it and hug Rika back, holding her close to him. “I promise, I’ll never leave you. I care so much about you. I’ll stay with you. No matter how long the rain lasts, I’ll still be here with my umbrella.” His breathing was a little unsteady. Like he wanted to cry as well but refused to. Not in front of Rika.
After continuing to cry into his shoulder for a while longer, Rika slowly removed her face from it and looked right into Yuta’s. And at that moment, something unexpected happened. She could feel her heart skip a beat as she looked into the eyes of her best friend. Her surroundings were freezing cold, and yet she felt warm looking at him…It felt nice…She felt something in her chest as she saw just how truly cute he was…Was this…the feeling they call love? That’s what it had to be, right? It was the only thing that made sense. No one else truly mattered to her. Yuta was all that did. She loved him…She…loved Yuta…
Her tears finally began to slow down as this realization dawned upon her. Even with some still remaining in her eyes, her smile finally returned to her as she realized truly how special this boy truly was to her. While he was already special to her as best and only friend, she only now realized just how special he was to her. She didn’t care about what her life had in store for her from here, she didn’t care how much of it she had ahead of her, all she knew now was that she wanted to spend it all with Yuta, and didn’t care what anyone would have to say about it.
And she really wasn’t alone. Yuta looked into her eyes and her smile. The same things that brought him joy even back at the hospital. When he was sick and his body felt like it was failing him. She made his day bright all on her own. And then they met at school. Finally, he had a friend. He had someone he could talk to. Someone who could appreciate him as much as he appreciated them. And he realizes why he’s sitting here in the rain. He’s here because he doesn’t want to protect that smile. He wants to see it smile for the rest of his life. No. He wanted to see her smile for the rest of his life. He wanted to see Rika smile. Because he loved it when she smiled. He loved… her.
As the two stared at each other with their feelings finally realized, the rain started to clear up. The sound of the constant pouring scene as the sky brightened up, matching their current emotions. Rika could only say just two words as she looked right into the eyes of her now beloved. “...Thank you Yuta….”
All the boy could really do was smile back at the girl he loved. “...It’s nothing really. You feeling better?”
The girl nodded, emphasizing her response with her words. “Yeah…All because of you Yuta…” She leaned her head back onto his shoulder, just to rest it there now out of happiness then let her tears fall onto it out of sadness.
The boy nuzzled himself on the top of Rika’s head, enjoying the comfort of being so close to her. “You know… maybe I feel the same way.
Rika continued to sit with Yuta there for a long while. This little spot was where she was at her happiest, just her and Yuta together. Even in the aftermath of a cold rainstorm, she felt more warmth here with him then she ever did in any house she’s ever lived in.
Yuta looked on the left and right side of the pavement. “You know… we don’t need to stay here.” The boy got off the sidewalk and stood up. “We could leave and go somewhere else… if you want to.” The boy reached out to Rika with an open hand.
All Rika’s smile could do was widen as she took Yuta’s hand without a sliver of hesitation, not having to say a word to communicate her agreement. With yuta’s hand now in hers, she stood up and went off with him. It wouldn't matter where they went, she’d be happy just so long as she and him were together.
Valentines day. A day of couples for teens and adults, and a day of hearts and chocolates for kids. However, that’s not the case for every child. The prime example of this would be Rika, as with free time between classes, she skipped through the hallways with a letter in her hands. Her grin wide as she approached Yuta’s little locker and opened it up, slipping her handwritten letter into her backpack before closing it up and acting as if nothing had happened as she left. The only sign that she had done anything was a small giggle that came out of her lips.
At the end of the school day, Yuta walked toward the entrance, Rika already there waiting for him. A cute little smile on her face and her hands behind her back.
“Oh, hi Rika! How are you doing?”
Rika had to suppress the urge to turn red as she noticed him wearing the very backpack she had snuck her letter into. After the brief moment in which she was forced to do so, she waved towards Yuta and walked over towards him.“Yuutaaa! I’m doing good now that you’re here!” She enthusiastically said.
“Oh, wow! Me too. In fact, I was gonna go home and I was thinking that you could-”
She couldn’t anymore. “Hey Yuta?” She was intending on keeping her mouth zipped up about what she had done and what was in his backpack, but merely seeing his face and smile again took away every ounce of willpower she had to remain silent about it. “Could you check your backpack?” She pointed towards it as she said that, using what little willpower she had left to hold the expression of pure excitement back.
“Huh… my backpack?” The boy was confused but he assumed his friend knew what he was doing so he just shrugged off any possible question he could have and opened up his backpack, where he immediately saw the letter. He looked up at Rika.
“Rika… what is this?”
With her foot starting to tap in a mix of both impatience and excitement, Rika told Yuta a simple command. “Just read it…”
“…ok.”
He picked up the letter and started to read it:
Dear Yuta.
I luv you so, so much! Your so kind and cute!
I want you to not just be my valntine, but my forever!
Love, Rika.
Yuta feels like an icicle the way he freezes still. He raises his head back up at Rika.
“Rika… are you serious?”
Rika nodded before she showed her heart to him. “Yes…I…I am Yuta. That day in the rain, when you helped me when I needed it most…I realized that I loved you so much! I want you to be my valentine Yuta. More than that! I…I want you to stay with me forever…” Each word Rika spoke in her small speech came with a weight of nervousness, worried that at any point Yuta would speak up and reject her. It didn’t go away once she finished either, if anything it was amplified by 10 as she waited for his answer.
Yuta stared at the letter and as he did, he noticed it became stained. Stained with tears. His tears. He was crying, and he didn’t know why. It’s not like he felt sad. But then he looked at Rika. His Rika. And the answer became clear. They were tears of joy.
“Oh, Rika… I think I love you too!”
Rika started to jitter from the excitement of hearing those words come out of Yuta’s mouth, her smile appearing and growing with every moment that passed. Barely able to contain herself, she only had the strength to ask one simple question before she released it all “R-Really….?”
Yuta started to notice the other kids staring at them.
“Y-yeah. I mean.” He cleared his voice. “Yes. Yes I do,” he said with all the confidence he could muster.
With that last confirmation, Rika was finally released it all. “YUUUTAAAAAA!” She threw himself towards her now boyfriend, hugging him with all her might. “I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOOVEE YOOUU!” She was too absorbed to even notice the kids surrounding them. To her, they didn’t even exist. All that was in that area besides herself was Yuta. the only one she truly cared about, anod now the only one she’ll ever love.
That’s when it finally hit the boy, his cheeks a light pink.
“Wait… does that mean we’re boyfriend and girlfriend.”
Rika didn’t even hesitate to answer. It came to her mind, and out of her mouth the instant those words met her ears. “Of course it does Yuta! It means we’ll be together forever after all!” She looked right into the eyes of her new boyfriend as she said that, the smile he’s seen so many times by now still on her face, only bigger than ever now.
All the boy could do was give a soft smile. “I think I like the idea of that,” He said.
Rika’s smile spoke a million words. Each and every last one was about how she felt towards this boy. They may have just been only kids, but the love they held for each other was one that couldn’t be denied by anyone. To them, it was just as ‘real’ as any proper relationship between teens or adults. They loved one another more than anything else, and that’s what mattered most. A couple in everything but name, the two walked together out of the school, hand in hand and eyes lost in the other’s pair. They remained close that entire day, never wanting to separate from the other.
It’s been a week since the day that Yuta and Rika had finally become ‘boyfriend and girlfriend’. Every day since then they have spent as much time together as they possibly could. Despite that though, it never truly felt like enough. Neither one could get enough of the other and how happy they felt around them. Today was no different as the two swung together on two swings next to each other, laughing all the while.
But then all of a sudden… Yuta became quiet. He took a deep breath, something he rarely found the need to, leaned enough to slightly lift himself off his seat, and kiss his girlfriend right on the cheek.
Once again, Rika completely froze up. She could feel the sensation of it long after his lips and left her cheek, her mind being forced to play catch up as she processed what had just happened. She slowly looked over towards Yuta as it processed the information bit by bit.
The boy nearly jumped out of his seat as he met eye to eye with the love of his life. And the thought that he did something wrong struck him like a knife to the gut.
“Ah! I’m sorry. I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry!”
His assumption was proven wrong in a one single moment as Rika jumped off the swing and hugged him, giving Yuta his own kiss on the cheek from her in that same motion.
“D-did I do good?” Yuta meant it to sound sarcastic, but it came out as completely sincere the way he stuttered it out.
“Yes! Yes of course you did Yuta! Yes! Yes!” Rika cried out multiple times as she nuzzled into him, her urges winning over as she decided to give him a second kiss before continuing to nuzzle him, bringing herself that little bit closer to him as she did.
Yuta’s not sure what to do but nuzzle back, happy knowing that he was apparently doing good as a boyfriend.
“I couldn’t ask for anyone better than you, Yuta…” She stopped nuzzling him so that she could look up at him as she said that, her smile that was reserved for her boyfriend showing as she did. “I love you…I love you so much…” She muttered as she went back to nuzzling him, refusing to let him move an inch away from her as she continued to prove her words true.
“I never realized I could ask for anything. I’m so lucky to be with you Rika. I love you too…” He went back to nuzzling Rika as well, enjoying the warmth and weight of her body against his. Neither really went back to swinging, the weight of their bodies and the wind merely gently rocking them back and forth as they enjoyed the company of each other.
Today was a very special day. It was Yuta’s birthday today, and Rika had very big plans! And it all starts with her scavenging through her grandmother’s dresser, shuffling through everything in it, bit by bit, until she found exactly what she was looking for. “Aha!” A small black box. Just looking at it made her eager for when she would get to give it to Yuta later today! With it stuffed into her pocket, she made her way out to go through her school day as normal, having to hide her eagerness for it to be done.
Later that same day, she and Yuta were playing in the sandbox together at their favorite playground. As Yuta was playing with some of the sand, Rika reached into her pocket and pulled out the small black box she had been waiting all day to give to him. “Happy birthday Yuta!” She said as she handed it to him with her eagerness spread across her entire face.
Yuta had the biggest smile on his face. “A gift? Oh wow, Rika! I never thought I would ever get a…” The boy opened the box only to find a ring inside.
Rika washed away his confusion as she explained to him what it was. “It’s an engagement ring, Yuta. It’s a promise. That when we we grow up, we’ll get married!” The mere thought of that gave Rika so much elation.
The boy thought for a second, which for a boy was an eternity. Yet his answer came so fast.
“Ok! We’ll be together forever and ever!”
Rika softly giggled as she heard him say that, taking a hold of his pinky and looking right into his eyes. “It’s a promise…” She got lost in them so quickly, that all other surroundings besides him disappeared.
The boy smiled back. “I can’t wait for us to grow up!” Yuta had never been so excited for anything in his life before. He was so excited for their future. Their future together was destined to be so promising. So wonderful. So much.
High speeds. A reckless driver. Metal to skin. Blood splattered across asphalt. And a mutilated little girl. Tragedy had struck that day. While she was crossing the road with Yuta, Rika was hit head on by a car, splattering her blood all across the road. She was the only one injured, but her injuries were grave. Panic spread around the area as people realized what had just happened, a passerby grabbing their phone and calling an ambulance to save the little girl.
Yuta was stuck in place. He could feel his heart bounding out of his chest so fast. He was lost in his own thoughts. A phrase repeated over and over again in his head.
Don’t die, Rika. Please stay alive. Don’t die, Rika. Please stay alive. Don’t die, Rika. Please stay alive. Don’t die, Rika. Please stay alive. Don’t die, Rika. Please stay alive. Don’t die, Rika. Please stay alive.
She should be dead. Logic, sense, and even fate all dictated that Rika Orimoto should have died there and then in an instant because of that car crash. But somehow…Call it luck, a miracle or fate changing its plans. Whatever it was, it somehow took effect as Rika was still alive. She was barely clinging onto life, but her soul was there and her heart was still beating. She managed to cling onto life just long enough to where an ambulance managed to arrive and picked her up, loading her into a stretcher and into the back to bring her to a hospital so they could save her from passing into the next life.
Yuta immediately ran into the ambulance with her. He held her hand. He could barely feel her pulse but he held onto that just as tightly. The staff considered asking him to leave. But they saw the tears on his face and decided against it. It’s not like he was going to make things any worse.
It wasn’t long before they made it to the hospital, as the driver made sure to book it because of the critical condition of the girl. She could die any minute, yet she somehow clung to life. Once they made it, the back doors opened again as Rika got taken out on that stretcher into the hospital so she could be saved.
Yuta tried to chase after her. Tried to make sure he was there for her. But the doctors and nurses blocking his way had other plans.
“No! You can’t! Please! Let me see her! I need to see her! Rika! Rika!” He said as he began to sob uncontrollably, his mucus clogging up his throat as tears flowed on his cheeks like rushing rivers.
He wasn’t alone for all that long, as soon both his family and Rika’s grandmother arrived on the scene, both families having been called about the sudden accident, the former also being informed about Yuta jumping into the ambulance with her.
“Yuta!” His father came rushing to his side, hugging him. So did his mother and sister.
“Are you okay?!” His mother asked.
“What happened?!” His sister added.
“W-we were crossing the ssstreets an- and then Rika… Is she gonna make it?” Yuta’s parents looked at each other, a look shared between them that neither ever wanted to see from them, before looking back at their son.
“We can only hope for the best.” His father answered.
Compared to all the verbal worry his family was giving for her, Takako remained silent. She didn’t seem nearly as worried for her granddaughter as Yuta or his family was. Her expression did show worry, but just like with Rika back at the hospital, it was nothing but a cover up. If one were to see past her expression, they would notice that it almost appeared as if she didn’t even care about what had happened to Rika.
Yuta noticed this. And he didn’t like what he saw. Not one bit.
The next day, the phone rang at the Okkutsu house. Yuta’s mom ran out of the kitchen and picked it up, the rest of the family quickly surrounded her, including Yuta.
“Rika’s condition has stabilized… somewhat. She’s in a coma… and there’s no sign she’s waking up soon.” She dropped the phone as both her hands covered her mouth as she began to cry. Her husband gently rubbed her back. “I’m so sorry, Yuta.”
Yuta stared at the ground. Saw as his tears hit the carpet. “Then I’m gonna wait for her to wake up, I don’t care how long it’ll take!” The boy barely made an effort to wipe his face.
Over at the hospital, Rika Orimoto lies unconscious without a single clue as to when she’ll wake up. Stitches were visible across her head from the doctors barely managing to keep it in one piece, underneath her hospital gown her body was covered in bandages, her entire body was stretched out across the bed with the sounds of her heart rate monitor being the only thing that could be heard in her room. While things could go south at any time, she was still stable enough for people to visit her.
Yuta visited her every day. Every single day. Waiting for her to awaken. He often kept snacks and water in his backpack. He would’ve packed dinner for himself if he could. It got to the point that he would end up falling asleep and a nurse would wake him up and tell him it was past visitor hours. Every minute spent in school and at home felt like torture. He should be at Rika’s side. He would be if it was his decision. His parents would’ve told him to stop, except they feared that would just make things worse.
Each day, he would tell Rika about his day.
“I almost flunked my math test today. I might have slept in class for a little bit. But I knew you’d be sad if I failed. So I pushed myself and I did good. I think. Hehe. I just realized you’ve missed a lot of homework. You must have a pile by now. Don’t worry, when you wake up I’ll help you finish it all! You just have to wake up…” Yuta reached out and held her hand. Her ring was still on, and so was his. “Please wake up, Rika.”
This particular day though, there was something different. Rika’s heart monitor wasn’t the only sound Yuta could hear besides his voice. Just outside the door, he could hear his parents talking to someone. The someone in question he managed to recognize as Rika’s grandmother
“And furthermore, where are Rika’s parents?” Yuta’s dad asked.
“Yeah, shouldn’t her mother or father be here too? Which side are you on anyway, her paternal or her maternal?” Yuta noticed how his mother held her hand with itself. To him, it almost looked like she was holding herself back.
Takako slowly began to answer each one of the questions that Kyoen and Kazue had asked her. “...Rika’s father was my son. And the reason they haven't visited? They’re both gone…First, her mother died under unknown circumstances in their home. Years later, my son took Rika out mountain climbing…They still haven’t found his body, but there’s no way he’s still alive…” She looked towards the door of the room Rika was in, taking a deep breath in before voicing her quiet suspicions out loud for the first time. “She’s the only common denominator. It’s the only explanation…That child….She killed both her mother and her father. She took my boy and sent him to the other side…I just know it. She’s who killed both of them!”
“...Wow, I’m so sorry about that,” said Yuta’s dad.
“That’s horrible. We’ll leave you be. You’ve clearly gone through a lot,” Yuta’s mom concurred. Yuta’s parents walked near the door, Yuta peaked through, though neither noticed him.
“I don’t buy it for a second. We already know how she actually treats the poor girl. Rika told us about the rain incident,” Yuta’s dad whispered.
“I agree. When Rika wakes up, we need to call CPS. We can’t let her stay with that woman” Yuta’s mom whispered.
After a sigh escaped her lips, something came out of Takako’s mouth that was only just loud enough for Kyoen and Kazue to hear, but not loud enough for Yuta to hear. “She should have died in that crash…I’d no longer have to fear her, and it’d be retribution for taking my son away…Why did she live that crash…?”
Yuta went back to Rika’s side. He held her hand and gently brushed it with his other. “I’m sorry about your grandma. I know how bad she treats you. I promise, I’m never gonna let her hurt you when you wake up…”
Months passed and Rika had yet to wake up. Yuta gave up a school field trip, a festival, and eventually his own sleep so he could stay by her side. One night he held her hand as fireworks went off in the distance, a weak smile on his face, hoping one day, he and Rika could see them up close on a hill somewhere. He even began writing letters telling her how much she loved him. Some were already stained.
And then one day, he held her hand… and he swore he could not feel her heart beat.
“Rika? …Rika, please no. Please don’t go. No, please. We promised we’d stay together. Please… I love you so much. And I never got to show you how much when you were awake. Please… don’t go. Please…”
The airport. A place where people await to depart. Most are temporary, some are permanent. The one Rika Orimoto was presently in, waiting for her flight, was a case of the latter. She kicked her feet around as she sat on a seat in the waiting area, other people of various genders, ages, and even ethnicities, surrounded her also awaiting for their departure. “Mhmmm…Hmmm…” She hummed to herself as she swayed around. She hasn’t really talked to or interacted with any of the people around her, mostly because she didn’t have any interest in the idea of doing so. And she wouldn't need to, as an announcement was soon heard across the entire airport. Another departure was to take place today, and it was finally her turn. “....” A sigh came out of her as she stood up, still keeping a facade smile on her face as she stood up and got ready to leave.
“Rika? …Rika, please no. Please don’t go. No, please. We promised we’d stay together.”
Every motion from her body came to a complete halt as a voice rang through her head. She recognized it instantly. How couldn’t she after all? It was Yuta! And he sounded….so….sad….She could hear just how sad he was just from those few words….It caused her to hesitate. She knew it was time for her to depart, but yet she just couldn't take another step towards that plane no matter how hard she tried. “What…am I….” She couldn’t even finish her sentence. Her breathing became heavy as she looked towards the plane with Yuta’s voice still ringing in her head.
“You’ve had a hard life, haven’t you?” She heard someone speak to her. Turning around towards whoever it was, she realized it was one of the two men that had found and saved her on that mountain. “Y-You’re here…?” The man, a sigh and a hint of a chuckle coming out of him. “Terminal illness. My friend and I were having one last adventure on that mountain together. It just so happened we did something even better while there…” He crouched down towards Rika’s level to talk to her on a similar field. “Your life hasn’t been the best, has it Rika?” After a moment, she shook her head, but not without asking him a question. “How did you…?” To which he answered. “This place has a lot more than you’d think. Including files about the soon to be passengers…”
After explaining that, he continued to talk. “But, even despite how hard your life was, you still had something, didn’t you?” Almost as if to reinforce the man’s point, the voice rang through Rika’s head again. “....Yuta….” The man nodded again. “He’s there, waiting for you. You can tell just how sad he’ll be if you depart now, can’t you?” As tears started to flow through her eyes and onto the ground, she nodded. “...You can always catch a later flight, you know. Today doesn't have to be the day you depart. You can still spend more time with him before you depart to what’s next. At the end of the day, it’s your choice whether you want to stay with him or depart with the rest of us…”
Rika stood there. Contemplating her decision. When something she herself said came to her mind.
“It’s a promise. That when we we grow up, we’ll get married!”
That was the final push she needed as she, with her energy revitalized, full blown sprinted towards the exit of the airport. The man stood back up, waving goodbye to her as she rushed out of the waiting area. “Live your life, Rika Orimoto!”
Her tears flew behind her as she ran through the airport, making her way past each room to get closer and closer to the exit, only ever stopping to turn or look where she had to go next to reach it. As she went by each room, memories of the times she’s spent with Yuta flashed through her mind one by one. The first time having ice cream with him. The moment she realized she loved him. The day she confessed to him with that letter. In every memory, she saw the face and smile of the boy she held so dearly to her heart. The one that gave her this chance to live her life that she never would have gotten otherwise. With just a bit more energy and running, she finally made it to the exit. She reached out into the bright light, reaching out towards the boy that saved her life.
For the first time in months, Rika Orimoto finally opened her eyes. As she adjusted to the sudden bright lights, the very first thing she saw was the face of her beloved Yuta Okkutsu. “Yuuutaaa…?” She weakly muttered, soft and quiet enough to where most wouldn’t even be able to hear it without listening extra carefully.
Yuta blinked. He jumped out of his seat and into Rika’s arms, hugging her with all his love and strength.
“You’re alive! You’re awake! I love you I missed you I love you I missed you I love you I missed you I love you I missed you I love you I missed you I love you I missed you I love you I missed you!”
Rika winced from the pain, as she wasn’t even close to being fully healed yet. She didn’t care though. To her, the pain as well may not even exist. The only thing that did to her was the pure love and elation she felt at feeling Yuta’s arms around her. “I love you too Yuta…” She managed to mutter out, still weak but slightly louder this time.
“I love you so much Rika. It’s been so long I-” Yuta’s eyes suddenly were wide open. “Oh my god, that’s right! You’ve been asleep for so long.” He picked up Rika’s hands and held them. “I have so much I need to show you!”
A soft chuckle came out of Rika’s lips as she reassured him. “Don’t worry Yuta…I’ll be here to see it all, after all…”
“We’ll be together forever….”