Chapter 15
There we stood. In front of my house. Satoshi really is too kind to me. He stayed with me on the train ride, and he walked me home, in the middle of the night, carrying his suitcase with him.
It was dark, and I could see the stars above me. The light to my parent's room was on, and I gulped. I was ready to come home, but it was still kind of scary to me. How? I don't know. It just was.
"Will you be alright from here?" Satoshi asked, breaking the silence.
I took a deep breath. No, I wasn't going to be alright. I mean... I personally would be fine, but thinking about what Satoshi had to face made me cringe. I shook my head, my throat suddenly becoming sore. Before he asked me why not, I managed to push out, "I don't know if you're going to be ok."
This seemed to have an effect on him. He shut his mouth, genuinely surprised. Shuffling his feet, Satoshi had to clear his throat a few times. "I should be fine, Harada-san. I'll rent out a hotel room tonight and face my father tomorrow. I'll phone him beforehand or something."
"Where will you be staying?" I asked, not bothering to correct him to say my first name.
"Just the cheap motel down the street from school," he replied. I opened my mouth to offer, but he cut me off. "I have enough money. Even if I didn't, I wouldn't take any from you."
I scowled. "Will you call me?" Again, Satoshi was caught off guard. "After you've called your father I mean? Will you tell me how he took it?"
Satoshi shook his head, confused, but decided to let it go. "Sure. I suppose I can call you."
I nodded, satisfied. Then we were stuck. Even though it was kind of chilly outside, I didn't want to move. Probably using up the last of my courage, I shut my eyes tight, and wrapped my arms around Satoshi's waist in a tight hug. He froze in shock for a second, then awkwardly placed his arms around my shoulders.
"Thank you for being so kind to me!" I said, feeling tears come. "And for following me to America, and for saving my ass from a rapist, and for getting a tattoo with me, and walking me home, and... just for sticking with me all this way. Thank you so much!" I buried my face into his chest, breathing in his scent.
He laughed a little bit, and relaxed, actually giving me a real hug. I felt my face heat up at the feeling of his arms around me. "It's ok, Harada-san. I'm just glad that you turned out ok." It was odd how we both knew what he meant.
I sniffed and nodded. His leather jacket smelled so wonderful... I tightened my grip quickly before I released him. "It's Risa."
God damn him and his beautiful, caring, and (dare I say?) loving smile. "Right... Risa..."
I looked at the door to my house, took a deep, deep breath, and slowly swung it open. The house was dark, and eerily quiet. I thought I saw the TV glow coming from the end of the hall, but it was nothing. I closed the door and looked around.
Is everyone asleep? I paused. That was a dumb question...
I slowly walked up the stairs, trying not to make a sound. I decided to visit Riku's room first. Although that may have been a bad decision because her door always squeaked. I cringed as I stood in the open doorway with a moaning Riku sitting up in her bed.
"What?" she complained, rubbing her eyes. She spotted me. "Risa? Go back to bed..." She then stopped, her eyes growing large.
I smiled weakly. "Hi."
In an instant, she had lept out of bed and embraced me in the tightest of all hugs. I almost choked, but gave in to her shaking body. I hugged her back, and we were trapped in hugs only twins can share. When she finally pulled back, she had to wipe her eyes.
"Oh, God, Risa!" She shook her head, at a loss for words. "I'm so glad your home!" She hugged me again.
"Me too," I whispered, a tear falling down my cheek. I sniffed, pulling back once more. "Should I wait to tell Mom and Dad?" Riku thought about it for a moment. "I mean... I'm waiting for a call from someone... and it may be better to tell them in the morning..."
Riku shrugged. "I guess. However you feel most comfortable." She then beckoned me into her room and quietly closed the door. Well... as quietly as a sqeaking door can close. "Now..." she motioned for me to sit on the side of the bed opposite of her pillow, where she had plunked herself. "Tell me all about your trip! What happened? Where did you go? Why did Satoshi follow you to America? Tell me everything!"
So I did.
