D e p a r t e d
Day 1: Distance
The soft breeze brushed against her face as the sun rose. She stared out her window, wondering how long it might take for life to end. Think about it, don't we wait all our lives? An average teenager waits at the bus stop until the bus arrives. Then waits in the bus until they get to school. Once they're at school, they wait until it ends….they wait until the week to end, basically…are we all just waiting until we die? Nobody can probably answer this question. But, as time passed by, Rikko Izawa could see herself…growing in to a stronger woman.
"Hey Rikko!"
-Miyabe?
"Who else?"
Rikko gave her friend a weak smile. They had been living together for a while now. Entering university together was a good idea for them. Miyabe changed her usual normal expression to a worried one. She patted Rikko's shoulder. She knew what was going on in her head.
"How long has it been since you last saw him?"
-Three years.
"He hasn't searched for you?"
-I don't want to see him…
A tear slid down Rikko's cheek. Miyabe wiped it off. Rikko started to sob. The heavy burden she carried, of not being able to return his feelings, cannot be lifted. She gazed at the millions of miles between her and her childhood friend. What a distance. She remembered everything about him, from his dorky glasses to his strange sense of clothing. His seriousness always amazed her but…he was always right under her nose. She felt like a fool to not be able to see right through him. All this time, he had loved her and all she did was runaway.
"What exactly happened between you two?"
-I left….
F L A S H B A C K
"What do you mean your back? What about Spain?"
-I told you that I came back for you!
"But…"
-No but's! Rikko…you don't need to be sad anymore…I'm here.
He wrapped his arms around her as many tears started to fill her eyes. He thought they where tears of joy. Being able to see him again must've made her very happy right? Not exactly. Her heart was filled with sadness. She wanted to be happy, she really did! But seeing him again…brought back to many memories. Memories Rikko had tried to lock away. So, as time passed by, they started living together. It was normal, breakfast in the morning, then school and so on. They slept separately: one in the living room, the other in the bad room. Life was steady and perfect, but it only took Rikko a few weeks to crack.
"Good night Rikko."
He told her. He looked hurt every time he saw her. She sometimes heard him say her name in his sleep. She couldn't return his feelings for her…so, to not make him suffer anymore, she packed her bags and left, in the middle of the night.
-Goodbye Soshi.
P R E S E N T
-So instead of facing my problems, I chose to runaway…I'm such a coward.
"Rikko, don't be so down on yourself. You did what you had to do."
-But there where better ways right?
That question left Miyabe puzzled. She couldn't answer Rikko. So she let the silence take over the room. There was nothing left to say, it was clear enough to everyone. We're all born in a world of love and hate. The only way to be loved is to be hated so someone can give you they're sympathy. And soon, that sympathy turns into a love. So maybe, Rikko's sympathy for Soshi, can someday turn into a love.
Somewhere on the outskirts of Tokyo lied Rikko Izawa's most precious memory. He was on a bed and he was senseless and emotionless. He suddenly opened his eyes, it was unexpected, but it happened. He broke free from what kept him tied to his bed. He walked out of the room and made his way into the outside world. He walked slowly but he ran fast, he looked tiered and bruised, he was limping his way back to his past. He had an unforgotten life, his existence was precious and changed the lives of many. He didn't care how large the distance was between him and her...
Alarm: Alert, figure of the nightly series 01 has escaped. Alert, figure has escaped, report to your stations immediately.
D e p a r t e d