Rika looked up at the sky, asking Kami-sama for help to leave the school gates. The sun was lower in the sky now, casting a soft golden haze on all that its light was touching.
These gates held so many memories for her, and she wanted to hold onto every single one of them. Sakura's smile, Syaoran's implacable warmth, Tomoyo's kind, observant eyes, Yamazaki's lies, Chiharu's attempts to control him, the many library books that Naoko read...
Rika absent-mindedly spun the ring around her finger.
The library. That was where she had made the promise. That was where she had given Terada-sensei her handmade teddy bear. The one that she had spent so many nights carefully measuring, cutting, stitching, and finally stuffing – stuffing with something that would far outlast mere cotton.
She started walking toward the elementary school building. Things would be different now that the lines had vanished, but would they be harder or easier? They were used to having to carefully plan their rendezvous. Would it be easier to be a public couple? Awkward?
She opened the doors of Tomoeda Elementary once more and stepped inside. Things definitely looked smaller. Was she really little enough to use those drinking fountains once?
She passed the doors to the auditorium, the place where Terada-sensei had first told her she looked nice. Just before she had to go on stage for Sleeping Beauty, while everyone was marveling at Sakura's prince costume, while she was standing all alone, he quietly spoke those words and made her feel so incredibly special. It startled her, and she could hardly sleep that night because of the wonderful feeling he gave her.
Now she was passing the windows to the track and field. Gym class, she thought to herself. Now there was a laugh. Rika was not that athletic, though she certainly tried her best. And whenever she fell or something was a little too difficult, she could always count on Terada-sensei to help her up and encourage her to keep trying. Sometimes she would fall on purpose, just to feel his hand holding hers.
Finally, she arrived at room 4-2, and gently slid open the door to her former homeroom.
"Sumimasen," she called out quietly.
No answer.
"Sumimasen," she said a little more pronouncedly.
The lights were off…
…and the room was empty.
She did not know whether to be disappointed or relieved that Terada-sensei was not there. The longer she waited to talk to him, the more difficult it would be, but it was nice to visit the classroom alone. This room held many memories too. Occasional stolen glances, hidden pink cheeks, work-study sessions together…
She made her way down a row of desks, running her fingers over the cool wooden surface of each one until she found her old seat. She sat in the small chair, though she could not quite tuck herself into the desk anymore. She had poured so much effort into her school work at this station, not wanting her teacher to be concerned that their outings might affect her grades.
She folded her arms and laid her head down, pulling different memories to the surface of her mind, and remembering the sweet feelings they gave her. Letting the warm glow inside calm her...
…lull her…
…until…
"Having sweet dreams?"