It seemed like too much of a beautiful day to be stuck in her room with assignments. Ayako decided to head out to the park, pulling a jacket over her bare shoulders so that the cold wouldn't get to her. Autumn was almost upon them and as much as she hated bundling herself up, the weather wasn't going to let up anytime soon.
She placed her sketchbook in her backpack and slung it over her shoulder, exiting the apartment and out into a brisk, cool autumn evening. The wind played with her hair, blowing the dark locks around her as she tightened the jacket around her shoulders, pushing any stray locks behind her ear.
The sky was a crystal blue today, contrasting vividly with the orange leaves and the warm color palette of autumn. Outside, the leaves crunched underfoot, the crackling sound somehow comforting.
Ayako breathed in the sweet air, hint of a smile tugging up her lips as she made her way down the busy street towards the park. There, she chose an unoccupied bench and looked around, noting the number of young children there with their families.
Despite San Fransokyo being a cutting edge city filled with the latest technology, it warmed her heart to think that people still appreciated the outdoors and prefer it rather than staying cooped up in their houses with their devices.
Her eyes landed on a large tree in the center of the park that cut an imposing figure against the periwinkle blue skies. She debated for a moment before taking out her sketchbook, perching it on her knee as she started sketching the outline of the tree.
She drew without hesitation, enjoying the warm sunlight on her skin and the laughter of children in the distance. Ayako was so caught up with drawing that she didn't realize the sky was starting to redden with the setting of the sun, only aware once the voices of the children faded and eventually petered out.
Looking around, she noticed that the park was almost empty and hastened to stand up, less she get stranded here without anyone around.
She snorted, silently chastising herself for not noticing her surroundings more.
"Maybe mom was right," she muttered under her breath as she picked up her backpack. "Maybe I really do need to pay more attention to something else other than my drawings."
The streets were less crowded now with everyone heading for dinner or staying put at home as another day passed. Ayako was blissfully unaware as she strolled down the street, having done this almost every single day.
But somehow, something felt off today. She cast her eyes over her shoulder, gazing around at what could've caused that strange mixture of apprehension and fear that seemed to settle in her chest. It was as if someone were watching her, observing her every move.
Nothing looked out of place, and she shrugged, continuing on uneasily.
Footsteps sounded right behind her and she tensed up when she heard, "why, hey there sweet cheeks."
She turned around to find a lanky young man with a dyed blue mo-hawk staggering after her, smirking at the sight of a young woman alone in the darkening streets.
Ayako ignored him, thinking that if she pretended he didn't exist, maybe he would leave her alone.
She didn't know how wrong she could be.
"Come on now darling, stop ignoring me," he slurred.
The dark haired woman walked faster, hoping to lose him at the corner but the echoing footsteps behind told her otherwise.
"Can I have your number?"
"Are you free tomorrow?"
"Interested in having sex with me?"
Ayako gritted her teeth and ignored every single one of the suggestions, heart pounding a mile a minute in her rib cage.
Sudden loud running steps sounded and before she could react, the man had taken a hold of her wrist and spun her around.
She shrieked and kicked him, hitting his shin with an audible crack. The man groaned but held on and she could see his bloodshot eyes narrowing in anger.
"Why, you stupid bitch," he snarled. "All I ever wanted to ask was-"
A loud horn sounded, making him loosen his grip on her. Lights flashed and illuminated the area, causing her to shield her face in defense to the brightness.
"Why don't you leave her alone, now?"
That voice...
She squinted through the scooter's headlights and found herself staring at a very pissed off Tadashi.
The blue mo-hawk man let go of her arm and walked away, muttering under his breath. She could distinctly hear him say, "not worth it," a few times.
Ayako heaved a sigh of relief, turning around to face her rescuer.
"H-Hey," she greeted in shaky voice.
The lights died down and Tadashi placed his helmet on the scooter's seat.
"Are you okay?" He got up to stand beside her, the concern in his tone was palpable as his gaze swept over her, looking for any sign of injuries.
"I'm f-fine," she said although the tremor in her voice detracted from that statement. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Really."
Tadashi looked like he didn't buy it. She felt herself trembling and pulled her jacket closer, as if it could ward of the chill that the man's words elicited in her.
"What are you doing out here at this time?" Although she knew he was just being worried, she couldn't help but get the feeling that he seemed to be judging her. But she knew Tadashi wouldn't do that. He was too much of a nice guy.
"I-I just came back from an evening in the park – drawing, nothing much – and... well, met up with that creep."
Her explanation came out sheepish, not helped by the shaking in her voice. Come on Sorokin, pull yourself together, she mentally scolded.
His eyes softened and he placed a hand on her shoulder, not missing the way how her body was trembling.
"Let's get you home, okay?"
"Look, you don't have to do this, I'll be fine-"
"Ayako," he said and it came out sounding consternated, as if the thought of her walking home alone pained him. "Just let me help. Please."
She opened her mouth to argue, but upon seeing his firm look, the words died in her throat.
Ayako sighed, lifting her arms up in surrender. "All right. Okay. Cool, let's go."
Tadashi gave her a small smile in reply and picked up a helmet, passing it over to her. She wordlessly followed him, slipping on the helmet and seating behind him as he started the red scooter up.
The vehicle moved in motion, wind whipping her hair and she inadvertently wrapped her arms around his torso for support.
"Were you coming down the same way too?" She asked over the loud thrumming of the scooter.
"Yeah," he replied, the wind distorting his voice a little. Ayako's grip tightened in response to the sudden lurch of the scooter, an unintentional squeal leaving her lips.
"You okay there?" He called in concern, as if expecting that she had hurt herself. Ayako shook her head before realizing that he couldn't see and said, "Yeah, fine. Just scared that I might get thrown off."
He chuckled at her words, relaxing his tight grip on the handles. "Never ridden before?"
"Once," she said and winced when they hit a particularly rough patch on the road. "A terrifying, not so great once."
Tadashi's shoulders shook with laughter and she was miffed that he was making light of her fear.
"Don't worry. You're in pretty good hands."
She felt her defenses weakening and she cracked a smile at his words. He got that much right.
"Thanks," she said and under her breath, whispered, "captain obvious."
No words passed between them as a flurry of shops, restaurants and bright colors zoomed by, and she had to blink a few times to stop her eyes from tearing. The last time she had ever ridden a bike was when she was three with her father, and the memory was still fresh in her mind, despite all these years.
She banished those thoughts, concentrating on not falling and turning her head to the side so that she could stop the whipping of wind in her face.
The scooter slowed down to a stop, just outside the steps of the apartment. Since the area was more low cost, the apartments didn't have a gated way, opening straight up to the stairs where anyone could climb up.
Her mother had once said that if she earned enough money, they could move down to one of the more better areas where there would be security and gates to protect them from the surroundings.
Ayako was grateful though, that the spread of crime in their area was limited and did not reach their place, for she didn't know what to do if the same thing that happened today were to repeat.
Tadashi switched off the engine and she got down, removing the helmet and passing it to him. The helmet had messed up her hair, making it stand in different directions and she grimaced as she tried to smooth it back again, all the while ignoring his smirk.
"Ugh," she muttered.
"Look who survived a hurricane."
She stuck her tongue out in petulance, causing him to laugh.
"You know what, I was just about to say 'thank you' but because of your wise crack, I'm taking it back now."
"There are other ways of saying 'thank you', you know?" He said, reaching out to tuck one stray strand of hair behind her ear. His touch sent static jolts on her skin, shocking her a little from his close proximity.
"Like what?" The tension between them was evident, and she realized then that she shouldn't have asked him such an obvious question.
He took a step back so as not to overwhelm her and shrugged.
"Say... a dinner date, maybe?"
Her face heated up and Tadashi hid a smile at the reddened blush covering her cheeks. She scowled at him, trying to appear in control.
"Are you honestly blackmailing me to go on a date with you?" Through her accusation, Ayako couldn't help but admire his shrewdness.
He made a face. "God, no, I won't do that. It's just a suggestion."
She seemed to think it over, purposely trying to make him feel uncomfortable. The young man flushed and gave her a pointed stare, eyebrows lifted in curiosity.
"Well?"
Ayako huffed a laugh and nodded. "Of course. We'll talk the details later, okay? Right now, I'm pretty sure my mum is walking a hole in the carpet waiting for me to come home."
"Sure." He relaxed, smiling easily now. "Tell me your plans."
A sudden rush of affection filled her heart and she couldn't help the way how her gaze softened at his shy suggestion. Ayako walked over to his side and threw her arms around him, pulling him into her embrace.
"Thank you, really," she said, voice muffled. Her head barely came to his shoulders so she had to turn her face away, cheek pressed against his chest. "I don't know what would've happened to me if you didn't come in time."
It must've been the combination of shock and immense relief in her system that allowed her to wrap her arms around him without fear of mortification. The only form of contact they've experienced was him touching her hand once and their impromptu hug in her room after the painting fiasco; genuinely, this form of embrace was as unexpected as it could be.
She could hear his breathing hitch, the way how his arms settled tentatively around her, unsure if he would be breaching her space. The situation was amusing because she was the one who was clinging on to him for dear life and yet Tadashi thought that he would be pushing her boundaries.
It was there and then that Ayako realized that she might have fallen for the young man before her, a good friend that fate seemed to have shown as a real blessing.
She pulled back, beaming brightly at him.
"You're welcome," Tadashi replied, surprising her by not stuttering. "Helping people is what I love to do."
The artist spared the inventor one last smile before she headed up the stairs, the enclosed space cutting him off from her sight.
The scooter's engine started up again and Ayako could hear him driving away, the sound a talisman of calm in her heart.
She took a deep breath and stared up at the darkening sky that held no stars, all because of the too bright lights in this futuristic, neon lighted pioneering city she now called home.
Gently, as if the words were butterflies against her lips, she whispered, "what did you get me into now, huh life?"
A/N: Sorry for not updating sooner, life just got super crazy and busy.
By the way, since this is my first story postage of the year, I would just like to wish all of you a Happy New Year! May 2015 be a prosperous and good year for all of you.
Also, thank you all for your wonderful reviews and words, I've been thinking of personally replying to every single one of them once the story is done. And wow, we're halfway to a hundred reviews!
Tell me what you think?
