Disclaimer;

This story has no rights to any other person, company, or business but the writer Faith Callaway and that's me! :D

Dedication: my little darling sister Annie: D

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Ruri's POV

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My name is Ikeda Ruriko; Ruri for short, and for as long as I can remember it had always been my Okaa-san and I. My Otou-san passed away when I was three years old.

I was too young to have much memory with father but I can remember when he would take Okaa-san and I on picnics in the park when it's spring.

Some time passed for awhile when it's just my mother and I living alone in our traditional Japanese house, until I turned fourteen years old and Okaa-san one day brought home a little baby.

My mother never told me of how she came upon the little baby. The only thing she told me was that, the little baby girl was abandon and that she couldn't bear to leave it so that's why she brought her home.

Not that I care about who or where she came from because when I first took a glance at the small adorable baby; she captured my heart.

As so my mother raised me and my little sister; Noriko, on her own while working two jobs to make ends meet. She works as a hotel receptionist and at night she works the night shift at a hospital as a nurse.

Two different jobs that don't correlate but before my parents married, Okaa-san went to college to study in the medical field.

She was about to finish her studies and become a doctor but Otou-san became ill that one year and she had to use most of the money that went into her studies to pay for his medical bills.

When it was just Okaa-san and I, expenses and bills weren't as difficult. It was hard at times when it was just us two but with a new baby, it became even more difficult.

Babies need diapers, bottles, formula, clothes, pediatrician, and various other materials so money is always mostly spent on those items and for bills.

The only thing my Okaa-san doesn't pay for is any form of daycare because whenever she isn't home; I'm the one that babysits her.

Since she was one month old all the way until now when she is four years old, I have always looked after her. I'm sixteen years old and know everything there is to taking care of a baby which I am grateful for. Some day when I am of age, I will have a child and I will know how to take care of it.

This year has been easier because my sweetheart baby sister has started school. My only job is to pick her up after school and take care of her at home which I am never late for. . .

UNTIL FOR TODAY!

I usually walk Nori to Kindergarten every morning and then I am on my way to high school but this morning we both woke late which meant it took me a longer time to get to school because I still had to get my little sister to school.

Sensei made me stay after school and clap erasers clean despite my numerous pleas to let me off the hook because my sister would be waiting for me to pick her up after school but… I have been late a lot lately and Sensei has been liberal at those times too in letting me escape punishment.

I'm only thirty minutes late, I hope Nori is still waiting for me…

As fast as I can sprint, I get to the school for little children but there weren't any kids or adults either. My heart starts to jump and beat heavily. Am I that late…

Immediately, I run to Noriko's classroom. The door was open and her sensei was still there at her desk looking at her small children's doodles and art work.

I enter rapidly and bowed before her. "Tadashi-sensei, I'm sorry but is my little sister Nori still here?" I didn't realize that I was gasping for breaths until I heard my panting voice.

Tadashi-Sensei looked at me strangely and worriedly, "No one is here but us faculty Ruri. Nori left a long time ago."

"What?" I gasped frighteningly.

Jerking around abruptly, I ran out of the classroom and out of the school. My eyes searched for my Noriko as I passed each person on the streets.

My feet were moving quickly like it was following the fast beat of my heart. I know I have to calm down but my sister is missing!

Finally, I felt nauseous and dizzy from not breathing correctly. I stopped for a moment to breathe and let people pass me.

Where could my sister be…?

I glanced to see where I was. I was in the middle of side walk with people passing around me but when I look to my right, I see trees belonging to a park.

I… I always take Nori to the park…

Maybe…

I quickly crossed the street and went searching in the park. "Nori! Nori where are you? It's me Ruri-neechan! Nori, sweetheart where are you?"

The things I saw were the trees and birds. The only people I saw were mothers and fathers playing with their children. Not one face belonged to my baby sister.

"Nori! Nori, are you here?" I called again as I ran half way to the park and quickly lost my breath once more.

Again, I paused to take in a breath and take a glimpse at my surroundings. I turned to each different direction frantically until I saw an adorable well-known face.

The small child with two short pigtails in her school uniforms was chasing the birds while clutching on a string that was tied to a red balloon. She looked safe and happy, not a bit scared that she is alone.

But… It doesn't appear that she is just by herself.

A guy was standing near behind her, like he's watching over her just in case she fell or came into any danger.

He looks young; around my age. Actually, he looks to be about two or three years older. He was tall and dressed in somewhat tight dark looking jeans with a white button down shirt and a subtle black leather jacket over it. Not in any school uniform.

His dark hair matched his charming pale facial features. It was slightly long because it came passed his ears a little but it was flipped and styled out coolly.

I snapped out of wondering who the guy was and focused my attention on my baby sister. "Nori!" I exclaimed happily because of having finally found her.

Her cute round eyes shot at my direction from hearing my voice. She recognized my face and grinned excitedly, "Ruri-neechan!" She dashed towards me with open arms. I knelt to the ground when she came to hug me tightly. "Ruri-neechan, where have you been? I have been waiting for you forever and ever!"

"I'm sorry sweetheart, the sensei had me stay late today, I'm so sorry!" I continue to hug her until I realize something. I let go of her and held her shoulders to look her straight in the eye, "Next time if I am late for any reason, just stay at the school Nori. Where have you been with this whole time?"

"When you didn't come pick me up, I went look for you Ruri-neechan. But…then I got lost…" The little child frowned at herself but then her face lit up rapidly, "But luckily Reita-niisan saw me crying and bought me a balloon. He also said he would wait with me until someone comes for me!"

"Reita-niisan?"

Noriko nodded and turned around to point at where the guy stood, "See, he's right there." But no one was there anymore. "Hey… Where did he go?"

I stood on my feet and looked around to search for this Reita-niisan but he just wasn't there anymore.

XXX

"I'm home!" Okaa-san shouted cheerfully when she entered our home. It was the middle of the night but I'm usually still up waiting for her

She walked by the living room and spotted me in her sight, "Honey, you're still up. Are you doing homework?"

I smiled at her, "No, I was just waiting for you. I made you dinner, would you like for me to heat it up Okaa-san?"

My mother declined with appreciation, "I ate at the hospital but thank you my sweet daughter." She came in front of me and sat down on the mat.

Mom has always been very lovely, inside and out. Her hair used to be long but very recently she had it cut just past her chin and styled accordingly to her face structure. Her skin is of fair complexion and her eyes are almost as big and round as Nori's.

This whole afternoon, I debated in whether telling Okaa-san about what happened after school. I sighed involuntarily at thinking of my anxiety state from the afternoon and she could tell immediately something was wrong.

She looked at me inspecting, "Is something wrong Ruri?"

I might as well tell her, "Nori and I both woke up late today but I managed to walk Nori to school on time but I was late to my own school so Sensei made me stay after to clap erasers."

Okaa-san nodded and continued to listen as I explained dreadfully and slowly, "I was pretty late in picking up Nori… She got impatient in waiting so she left the school and wandered around looking for me."

At the last sentence my mother's face spread in sudden fret so I quickly explained, "But I found her in the park playing. Don't worry Okaa-san, Nori is sleeping in her bed right now."

She exhaled relieving, "That scared me out of my mind… How did she make her way to the park and without being scared? She got lost from me in the supermarket and she cried at the top of her lungs."

"Nori said she was crying at first but… This one guy found her and watched over her..." Now that Ruri thought about that mysterious stranger, the more she wanted to find out who it was. She had never seen him before but Tokyo is a large city filled with a lot of people.

"A guy? What guy?" Okaa-san asked while tilting her head to the side.

"I don't know… I never seen him before but I wish I did, then I could thank him for watching Nori."

My mother nodded and yawned tiredly, "At least she is safe"

I grinned softly at her, "You should change and got to sleep, Okaa-san. The dishes have been washed and so has the laundry. I also put away dinner already."

Another yawn caught my mother as she nodded, "Thank you Ruri. For some reason, I am more tired than usual tonight."

"Goodnight Okaa-san." I said to her while she stood up and walked out of the living room and down the hall to her bedroom.

Poor Okaa-san, she must have worked too hard.

I should be going to bed too. I still have school tomorrow…

As I laid on my futon mattress in my bedroom, I couldn't sleep. My mind kept on wanting to bring up that guy from this afternoon.

XXX

OH! I'M GOING TO BE LATE AGAIN!

"Nori, honey we're going to be late!" I rushed her as I half drag her and while she half walked on her own on the way to her kindergarten school.

She must still be sleepy but I don't understand why; I slept later than she did. Finally we stopped in front of the school where the parents and other children were entering.

I knelt on my knees to my baby sister's height and pull her uniform coat closer to her as well as her small backpack, "Remember to listen to what Sensei is teaching and don't cause trouble now. If I'm late today, remember to stay here and not going anywhere okay?"

The small angel smiled, nodded, and gave me a kiss on the cheek, "Bye Ruri-neechan!"

I waited until she walked in past the gate and then I ran like lightning in the direction of my high school.

If it wasn't for the cross lights, I would have been on time. I could hear the bell ring from the school just as I arrived in front of it.

OH goodness…

My feet started to hurt from all the sprinting and my chest was tightening too but I hurriedly entered the school and quickened my way up the stars to the second story where my first hour class was.

I'm sure my classmates could hear me my running from the hall to the classroom and I'm sure a few had their snickers when I stopped hastily at the door; out of breath.

Sensei was already waiting with me with crossed arms and a stern expression. UH oh… I quickly bowed and apologized, "I'm sorry Sensei, I had to drop my little sister off at her school."

"That is the same excuse I have been hearing for the past two months. Now Ruri, I have been very tolerant with you being late every day but enough is enough. Don't let it happen again."

"Yes Sensei, I'm sorry." I said again along with another bow.

She sighed at my constant tardiness, "As for your punishment-"

I intervened her in mid sentence, fearing what the punishment might be, "I can't stay after school Sensei. My sister needs me to pick her up. I won't be late again Sensei."

Sensei scoffed harshly at me, "I keep hearing that too and yet here you are, late."

That is true…

Her face lightened in sympathy and exhaled annoyingly again, "There will be no punishment but a task."

"Task…?"

She glanced over to a desk in front of the class. Sitting in the desk was a new student…This new student looks familiar. Who is this guy…?

OH!

My eyes widened when I realized where I recognize him from. He's the guy from yesterday, the one who helped my sister. What was his name again…?

Reita…?

Sensei's voice interrupted my thoughts, "Your task is to show our new classmate around the school. Nishimura, Reita has just arrived from Kyoto. Please show him the proper welcome."

I was right, his name is Reita.

XXX

The first couple hours of class seem to drag on forever but my mind was occupied. I kept on staring at Reita who sat in front of the class. My seat was all the way in the back.

At least I know his name and he should definately be at least two years older than me. He is obviously in the same class as I am in but it's not him that shouldn't be here. It's me.

I skipped to the third year of high school because ever since I was young, I have always dwelled highly in school so when I entered high school, I was offered to skip a whole year.

Finally the bell rang and all my other classmates rushed out for their break. I noticed some of my female classmates look back to Reita and giggled at his handsomeness.

He is pretty charming in his looks.

He and I stood from our desks at the same time. I hesitantly walk over to him. His back was facing me but I still felt an unknown intimidation.

"Reita-kun?" Why is my voice so soft and frightened sounding?

He turned around with his hands in his pants pockets and I felt like I was a shrimp compared to his height.

His light brown eyes penetrate mine as he waited for me to speak.

I tried to secretly clear my throat and say something, "Hi, I'm Ikeda, Ruri. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise, I suppose." His voice was unenthusiastic and his face was indifferent, making it more nerve-racking.

My eyes evaded somewhere else for a moment but I managed to look up again, "Uhm, should I show you around the school now, Reita-kun?"

He kept his non-caring expression, "No need. I'll get accustomed to it soon."

"Oh… Okay." I nervously brought up another subject to diminish the soon coming awkward silence, "Yesterday, at the park… That was you with my sister, wasn't it?"

Reita-kun scoffed teasingly rude, "I guess an irresponsible girl like you, would leave her toddler sister alone wandering around crying."

"I didn't purposely want to. I was late yesterday and Sensei made me stay late-" I tried to explain but he cut me off.

"Why are you giving me a useless explanation as if I care." He said and turned around to walk toward the door.

"Reita-kun?" I called after him before he left. He stopped right before he got to the door. "Arigato, Reita-kun. If it wasn't for you yesterday, I don't know what would have happened to Nori."

The mysterious indifferent classmate of mine didn't reply to my appreciation but just left.

Did I say something or do something wrong…?

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I will have Reita's POV posted late tonight. :D