My Beautiful Snow White
Pairing: Rikka x Sayuki
Genre: Romance/Tragedy
Disclaimer: I do not own Sono Hanabira/A Kiss for the Petals or any or it's characters.
Author's Note: Hello, everyone. This is probably my second Rikka x Sayuki story and first tragedy fanfic, so this can be quite depressing for those who read this. To be honest, I thought of Sayuki being a sickly girl, though she's really not, so I thought I would write a little something like this. This idea was in my head for a long time, by the way, probably inspired by a character named Kaori Sakuragi from "Strawberry Panic". So please, enjoy the story!
"So can you promise, Rikka-san?"
"I . . . I promise."
How long has it been? Rikka wanted to ask herself. She wanted to say it was a couple of days ago, but in reality, it's already been a few months. Ever since her girlfriend, Sayuki, told her about her condition, she's not been herself lately. Now she has to keep this a secret from everyone else, which is something she's not used to doing. Rikka's doing a pretty good job so far, but sometimes, she feels like she wants to let it all out because she's worried about Sayuki.
One bright sunny morning, Rikka meets Sayuki by the lobby at her apartment, bag in hand and a smile on her face.
"You ready to go, Sayuki-san?"
"I'm ready when you are, Rikka-san!"
"Let's go!"
Holding hands, Rikka and Sayuki start walking together to St. Michael's School for Girls. Today is a beautiful day for a walk in the neighborhood and even the birds are chirping. Rikka looks up at the nice sky with a smile.
"Hey, hey, Rikka-san!" Sayuki says excitedly. "One of our classmates told me something interesting!"
"What is it, Sayuki-san?"
"Well, she told me that there's a grand opening of a new bakery at the mall tomorrow. Maybe you and I can be the first to experience it."
Rikka nods. "Yes. I would totally like that."
"Great! The opening starts at 7:00 . . . oh, but we have school tomorrow." Sayuki's exoression changes to a pout.
"Don't worry," Rikka assures her. "We can go after school if you want."
"Yes! That's perfect!" She wraps her arms around her lover. "I love you, Rikka-san!"
"U-um, Sayuki-san," Rikka stutters as she checks her surroundings to make sure no one is watching.
Sayuki, on the other hand, continues to cuddle with her girlfriend, regardless of where they are. She didn't even stop until they were halfway to school and resume holding Rikka's hand the rest of the way while Rikka is blushing from embarrassment.
By the time they get to school, Rikka spots someone familiar by the entrance.
"Risa-nee! Good morning!" Rikka greets.
"Oh, good morning, Rikka and Sayuki-san," Risa greets back with a smile. "What's up?"
"Sayuki-san was telling me about this new bakery that's opening at the mall tomorrow," Rikka explains. "Do you want to join us?"
Risa's eyes widen in excitement. "A new bakery at the mall? Yes! I would love to join you! I'll have to let Miya know, too."
Without thinking, Rikka takes Risa's hands in her own. "Oh, that's awesome! Thank you, Risa-nee!"
"Ahem!"
Rikka and Risa gasp as they turn their heads to a certain blue haired girl, standing there with her hands on her hips and eyes fuming with jealousy.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Miya says. "But if you're planning to do things with my Risa, it ain't happening!"
"N-no! Miya-sama, you've got it all wrong!" Rikka tries to explain.
"Yeah right," Miya scoffs. "I can see how happy you were when you were touching Risa's hands with glee. Only I can touch Risa, no one else."
Rikka hides behind her childhood friend while Risa blushes bright red.
"M-Miya!"
"Waaaahhh! Risa-nee, she scares me!" Rikka wails.
This only gets Miya even more jealous and her eyes are staring down at Rikka like daggers.
"If you think Risa can protect you from me," Miya says as she quickly snatches her lover from Rikka and links her arm around Risa's. "You thought wrong!"
'Miya, stop!" Risa cries. "Rikka's only telling me about going to the grand opening at a bakery in the mall tomorrow and is planning to take both of us to the opening."
"Yes!" Sayuki agrees. "We could have our double date there, too!"
Miya hesitates for a bit before loosening her grip. "A double date, you say?"
"Y-yes," Rikka says. "So, will you come?"
"Of course," Risa says.
"As long as I'm with Risa, I'm fine with it," Miya adds.
"Great!" Sayuki clasps her hands together happily. "We'll meet together by the school gate tomorrow after school!"
Risa and Miya nod as the bell rings and both of them part ways to get to their classes. Rikka and Sayuki start to walk to class when Sayuki suddenly stops and breaths heavily while holding her chest. Rikka takes notice and knows that it's a bad sign.
"Are you alright, Sayuki-san?"
"I'm fine," Sayuki says while trying to smile.
"If you aren't feeling well, we can just-"
"I said I'm fine!" Sayuki snaps. "I promise I'll be okay by tomorrow! Please trust me."
Rikka frowns, but then her expression turns into a worried face. "But Sayuki-san . . . if you keep going like this . . ."
"No. I'm completely fine now. The chest pain went away and I'm sure I'll freshen up the next day and the four of us can go to the mall tomorrow," Sayuki assures her.
Rikka can't help but feel worried about her fiancé. Sure, Sayuki is trying to stay optimistic about this , but this just makes Rikka feel uneasy.
"Let's go, Rikka-san," Sayuki says. "We'll be late for class."
"Oh, r-right!" With that, the couple rush to their classroom with a minute to spare.
Throughout the school day, there were no signs of chest pains from Sayuki at all, even at lunch time with Risa and Miya. Rikka could assume that Sayuki was right about this, but she still feels worried to her stomach. After what Sayuki had told her three months ago, Rikka believes that Sayuki might be getting worse day by day. However, the pink haired girl still remains strong, despite her condition.
By the end of the day, the lovely new couple start walking home from school, just talking about things that are pretty much uneventful. Until Rikka reaches onto the topic that Sayuki is tired of hearing.
"Are you sure you're going to be alright tomorrow?" Rikka asks.
Sayuki sighs. "Didn't I tell you? I'm going to be fine, Rikka-san. No matter how bad my condition is, I must stay strong."
"O-okay," Rikka says, softly. Will she be okay by tomorrow? She thinks.
By the next morning, the sky is filled with gray clouds, liking like it's going to rain. Rikka and Sayuki take notice as they walk together as usual.
"You don't suppose it's going to rain, do you?" Sayuki asks.
"I hope not," Rikka replies while putting her palm out to feel any drops. "But that won't ruin our chance of going to the grand opening this afternoon. The mall will still be open."
"That's good." Suddenly, Sayuki lets out a few soft coughs.
"Are you okay?" Rikka says while putting her hand on her girlfriend's back.
"Yes," Sayuki replies. "I'm fine."
"You sure. We can turn back home if it's bothering you."
"Not, it's alright. It's just a few coughs. I'll be fine."
"Okay." First the chest pains and now this? Now Rikka has to be worried about Sayuki. It wouldn't be right for them to go to the map if she's going to be sick like this.
"Hey, Sayuki-san . . ." But when Rikka turns her head, she notices her girlfriend sprinting in front of her. "Hey, wait!"
"Catch me if you can!" Sayuki taunts while sticking her tongue out.
Rikka finally accepts the challenge and takes off after her. Pretty soon, Rikka ends up winning when they get to the school gate.
"Whew!" Rikka says while wiping her forehead. "That was quite a workout! I actually had fund, didn't you, Sayu-" All of a sudden, Rikka notices Sayuki holding her chest with both hands while breathing heavily and coughing. She could tell this is very serious.
"Sayuki-san," Rikka says. "I think you should rest in the infirmary for a while. Maybe you'll feel better by lunch time."
"Okay," Sayuki says, softly.
With that, Rikka puts an arm around her girlfriend. "Can you walk?"
"I . . . hah . . . think so," Sayuki whispers while still having a hard time breathing.
Together, Rikka and Sayuki slowly make their way to the infirmary and after Rikka explains the situation, the nurse let's her go while Sayuki rests on the bed. Rikka then leaves while glancing back at the sleeping, sick girl before closing the door.
First period ends and Rikka still hasn't seen Sayuki. She let's out a sad sigh as she hears footsteps coming towards her.
"Are you okay, Rikka?" Risa asks while looking at her childhood friend in concern.
"Seems unusual for you to be down like this," Miya adds, putting her hand on her hip.
"N-no, it's nothing," Rikka lies. "Everything's fine."
"You sure?" Risa questions.
"Absolutely."
Risa is still not convinced, but decides to not ask any further. Shortly after, Miya finally speaks up.
"By the way, where's Sayuki-san?" she wonders.
"I would've sworn I saw her earlier today," Risa says, putting her hand on her hip while looking around. When she is about to ask her childhood friend, Rikka immediately stands up.
"Oh! I almost forgot! I have to get to my next class! Talk to you guys later!" She hurriedly grabs her bag and sprints out of the classroom, leaving Risa and Miya looking at each other in worry.
"What was that about?" Miya asks.
"I don't know," Risa shrugs.
Once in the hall, Rikka looks back to see if her friends followed her, which they didn't. She lets out a heavy sigh of relief.
"That was close," she says. "It would be bad if they ever found out about Sayuki-san's condition." But deep down, she feels very guilty that she's hiding this from all her friends. Besides, if they ever did find out about Sayuki's condition, they would be devastated.
"Shinozaki-san?" a voice says from the hall.
Rikka turns to a tall woman with long blonde hair. "Ah, Rena-sensei!"
"Is something the matter? You're gonna be late for class, you know."
"I-I'm sorry, ma'am," Rikka apologizes. "It's nothing, really."
Rena looks at Rikka with a confused expression, but then smiles. "I see. Whatever it is, I'm sure you can figure it out." She checks her watch. "Well, I've got to go now. See you later."
"Bye," Rikka waves at the teacher and when she's out of sight, she looks down at the floor. She is really worried about Sayuki, but didn't have the courage to tell Rena.
Right now, Rikka is getting tired of hiding the fact that Sayuki is in bad condition and she keeps getting weaker and weaker. And if Rikka doesn't tell someone soon, no one can help Sayuki in time.
That afternoon, the school day ends. Rikka packs her stuff and gets up to leave. There is no sign of Sayuki the whole school day, which makes Rikka really worried. She either was sent home or stayed in the infirmary. Rikka decides to go to the infirmary first since she took her there earlier.
Once she got there, it seems that Sayuki already left. Maybe she could possibly be at home, Rikka thinks. She is hoping she would be okay by the time she gets there.
Rikka exits the school and notices her girlfriend standing by the school gate. She looks tired for some reason. But why?
"Sayuki-san!" Rikka calls as she runs up to her.
The pink haired girl weakly looks up. "Oh, h-hi, Rikka-san."
"How long were you waiting here?"
"How long?" Well . . . since . . . first period."
"What!?" Rikka exclaims.
"I've been sent home from the nurse, so I left, but i never actually went home," Sayuki explains. "So, I've been waiting for you guys."
"All this time!?" How could she wait here in the hot sun like this?
"What's going on?" Risa says, walking towards them with Miya at her side.
"It's nothing, really," Sayuki says, trying to smile. "I was just . . . just . . ." She feels very dizzy as she tries to keep her balance with her knees feeling weak. She clutches her head while putting a hand on her knee for support.
"What's wrong with Sayuki-san?" Risa asks. "Is she alright?"
"Y-yes," Rikka says. "She's just tired, that's-"
THUD!
All of a sudden, Sayuki collapses right in front of Rikka, causing the three girls to gasp.
"Sayuki-san!" Rikka cries as she kneels down and turns her girlfriend over. "Sayuki-san! Please talk to me!"
Sayuki slowly opens her eyes, only to notice Rikka staring down at her worriedly. "Ri . . . Rikka . . . san . . ." Her eyes flutter shut again.
"Sayuki-san!" Rikka cries again.
"Wh-what's happening!?" Risa panics. "Why did Sayuki-san collapse!?"
"There's not time to explain!" Rikka says. "One of you call an ambulance, please!"
"Got it covered!" Miya declares, snatching her phone out and dialing the number.
Rikka and Risa look down at the unconscious Sayuki in worry. Sayuki is still breathing, but at a very fast pace. Rikka prays very hard that Sayuki will be fine by the time the paramedics come and take care of her. After about a few minutes, Miya comes back and wonders how Sayuki is doing.
"She's still unconscious," Risa tells her.
Miya just nods and kneels down at Sayuki. "How did this happen? What made her like this?"
"That's what we're here to find out," Risa says. "Right, Rikka?" She notices her childhood friend close to tears. "Rikka, what's wrong?"
Rikka is about to answer when they hear sirens coming from their left. An ambulance arrives and a couple of guys got Sayuki onto the stretcher and into the back of the vehicle. The three girls soon get on the ambulance as well as they were on their way to the nearest hospital. There is silence the whole ride, only Rikka looking down at Sayuki with tears in her eyes, but tried not to cry in front of her friends. Risa and Miya look at Rikka in worry as they begin to wonder what's going on with Sayuki the whole time. What is Rikka hiding from them that they don't want to find out?
Once at the hospital, Rikka, Risa and Miya were told to wait in the waiting room until the doctor diagnosed Sayuki's condition. Seconds felt like minutes. Minutes felt like hours. The trio waits and waits for the doctor as time is ticking. Rikka looks down at the floor, her long bangs hiding her facial expression from the other two. Risa looks at her childhood friend in worry and tries to put her hand on Rikka's shoulder to comfort her, but Risa feels Miya's hand on her shoulder. She turns to her girlfriend, who shakes her head as if to say, "Just let her be." Risa nods and sits back next to Miya.
When an hour passes, the doctor comes in, with clipboard in hand.
"I'm looking for . . . Miss Shinozaki," he says.
Rikka slowly stands up. "That's me, sir."
"Very well," he says.
"How is she?" Rikka asks, desperately. "Is she going to be alright? Tell me she's going to be alright!"
The doctor gives her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Miss Shinozaki, but . . . your friend Sayuki Shirakawa . . . is dying."
It is as if Rikka's heart is about to break by this sudden news.
A/N: The real drama comes up the next chapter. Please, feel free to give out any suggestions, questions or concerns and don't forget to review. :)