No Longer Existing

chapter two: The True Ryoki Zenjoga

"It's about time. You don't know how much it hurts to remember all the pain I've been through..."

Akina kept on crying. Yami felt guilty seeing her in so much pain. He had held her close and she laid her head on his shoulder, still crying. It had been a couple of minutes until Akina finally stopped. Yami asked, "Are you sure you want to tell me? I don't want you crying or I'll feel guilty."

She laughed and smiled. "You always make me happy. That's why I like you. You were always there for me and always made me smile."

Yami felt touched, but when he looked at her again, her big smile was now fading away. It was quiet for a couple of minutes and they stared as the sun was slowly disappearing. "Yami, I feel so calm when I'm with you."

"I feel the same too."

"I like you and all, but I didn't mention that I already had a boyfriend." She looked down, feeling ashamed that she had kept it from him. Yami felt disappointed, knowing another man was already waiting. Akina seemed to cry again. Yami comforted her and asked, "Did he figure out that you were two-timing him?"

She seemed surprised. "Two-timing him? I've seen him cheating on me! He doesn't even care about me. The only time he needs me is when he needs sex!"

"Uh, I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. I'll just tell you from the beginning."

Akina looked up at the sun. It was so sheer and painful. Akina was wondering, walking towards an old-beaten apartment. She wasn't sure if it was the right address, as her so-called new friends who were obnoxious, had given her directions. Before they told the address, they had informed her it was a party and a lot of cool kids were going to be there.

"I was so stupid! I shouldn't have gone to that apartment! Anyway, let me continue." she said.

As she entered through the doors, it was dark and Akina could hear someone groaning and the other one laughing. She ignored them, and continued down the hallway. She stopped by an open door and peeked her head in. Akina had noticed some of her friends on the ground with other people. They looked drowsy and high. She had noticed that there were needles and a large bag of cocaine. What in the world is going on? This is no party. Plus, it's bunked. I'm leaving. Akina thought. As she was about to leave, someone had grabbed her, bringing her to an alleyway. The guy had released her, throwing her one the ground. He pulled out a switchblade and said, "I guess tonight's my lucky night. I've found myself another girl to screw with."

He laughed.

Akina was scared. Being so frightened, her legs would not cooperate and left her half paralyzed. As he was coming closer, Akina managed to scream and yell for help. The guy covered her mouth and threatened her with his blade. He had it almost puncturing her skin and said, "You do that again and I will not hesitate to slice your neck. So, don't be screaming' for help cuz there ain't no one who will hear you."

The man chuckled and Akina cried for help. Though, he had stopped as he heard footsteps from behind. "Who the hell are you?" The man asked, pointing his knife at the person.

"The name's Ryoki Zenjoga. Now release her."

Akina stared. She couldn't really see his face. "He seemed confident that the man, who was about to rape me, would release me."

"What happened?" Yami asked.

The man ended up threatening Akina, saying he would kill her if Ryoki didn't let them be. "Wrong choice." Ryoki said.

Akina immediately fainted, only capturing the scene of Ryoki running towards them. "The next day, I found myself in a small apartment room and it was really bright. I had gotten up, and my head was aching."

Where am I? And why does my head hurt so much? Akina thought.

"I'm sorry about hitting you in the head last night. I didn't mean to."

"What do you mean? I fainted off. You didn't knock me out. If that's what you think."

He snickered. "Aren't you a little too young to be around this area? It's dangerous for a cute girl like you to be here."

"I'm flattered." She took off her sweater. "I was here for a party, but it sucked."

"Next time be careful."

"Ryoki. That's your name isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"Thank you."

"Don't need to thank me. I guess I came at the right time."

"Why not? If it weren't for you, I would have lost my virginity and be killed."

Ryoki pulled out a chair and asked, "What's your name?"

"Akina Turusami."

"Well Akina, you're welcome. Let's go get something to eat."

"I recalled that day seemed more like a date. Ryoki told me that I should never come back to that area, and stay away from those girls. But I never listened to him. I kept on coming over. I couldn't help it. He was the only one there for me. One rainy night, I had a big argue with my mom and I ran away."

Akina had played with the grass and continued. That night was cold and Akina was wet. The moment she knocked on the hallow door, Ryoki opened it, wondering why she came back. He had given one of his shirts for her to change in and he would dry up her clothes that had made a puddle of water on the floor. As everything calmed down, Ryoki had asked her, "Why do you come here all the time? Aren't' you tired of visiting me?

"No. The only reason I come here is because you're here. You're always there for me."

"I'm not always there for you."

"Yes you are! You always open that door. You know that I'll always come here. I've been coming here for the past two months!"

Ryoki had gotten up and sat down beside her. She stared at him straight in the eyes. From his view, he knew consequentially that Akina was having trouble. She said, "Do you know how hard it is to say how much I like you?"

He seemed to know it already, but it was worth hearing it. She laughed. "What am I saying? A girl just said I like you to a guy three years older. Forget that I said it."

He slowly brushed his hand against her cheek. Akina blushed. Ryoki's head was slowly moving towards hers. He placed his lips on hers. Slowly, they laid down. "That was the first time he did that to me." She laughed and Yami noticed her blushing. "I feel embarrass, telling you that I lost my virginity at the age of 14. It's just weird."

"Your boyfriend doesn't sound so bad. I can't believe he'd cheat on you."

"You're half-right. I just told you the true Ryoki Zenjoga, before he became bad. There's more to come..."