Disclaimer: I only own Nori, Ryo and Nori's father. The story is mine as well but everything else belongs to Voltage.

Well, I think it's about time I got back into the swing of things, don't you? I'm so sorry it took me so long to get back to this but there were a lot of awesome games that came out, not to mention it's summer movie season and we've had some awesome movies so far this summer. Anyways, here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 7:

Out in the Rain

After lunch, they returned to the penthouse Nori had with her father and of course Ryo came in with her but it wasn't to spend more time with her. Oh no, Ryo and her father had important business things to talk about. Which was fine for Nori because she could slip out again while they were talking, which was exactly what they did.

Sometimes it didn't seem like she was there. She was Ryo's pretty little prize and her father's shame. She never understood that, why her father was so cold and uncaring towards her. Perhaps he was a warm man before her mother died but she couldn't remember those days. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking.

Nori came to a stop in front of the empty building. If she didn't buy it soon, it would be turned into a store or into a restaurant. Because there wasn't enough of those anywhere. She couldn't get the money from her father, he would adamantly refuse her and she didn't want to take anything from him anyways. She would do this on her own. Their fundraisers were doing good, face painting and bake sales. But they could be doing so much better.

Nori sighed, wrapping her arms around herself as there was a chill in the air now. She wanted to do more with her life, not just be the wife to a wealthy man, to be seen and not heard and to bare him plenty of sons. She wanted to help people and, even with all their money, Ryo and her father had no interest in helping people. It frustrated her to no end. How could people who had so much be so selfish? That was not the life she wanted to lead.

Nori let out a surprised gasp as she felt a few drops of rain hit her. She hadn't taken notice of the approaching clouds and didn't have an umbrella or a coat. She was getting ready to run back to the penthouse when something was put over her. Frowning in confusion, Nori looked above her to find a jacket being held over her.

"Who comes into the rain without at least a jacket?" A voice beside her asked. Nori looked over to find the man from earlier. Satoru, she remembered. The name came to her almost immediately as she looked at him. This was getting weird.

"Are you following me?" She asked. Satoru frowned.

"No," he said. "I'm staying in the hotel not far from here." Nori gave him a suspicious look but she didn't step out into the downpour. There was a hotel very close by so that checked out. She should at least be grateful, but she'd still be on her guard.

"You're going to get soaked you know," Nori said. Satoru only shrugged.

"It's a small price to pay," he said.

"Are you always running into the rain to save girls?" Nori asked. She saw Satoru breath a sigh.

"It's a change I'm making," he said. "I hope she can at least be proud of me for that." This woman must have left quite on an impact on this man. In their two brief moments she had already come up multiple times.

"You left her in the rain once." Nori said. She hadn't meant to say anything. She shouldn't be berating a stranger for anything but it had come out before she could stop it. What was more strange was that as soon as he nodded, Nori said something else. "But she forgave you." And Nori could feel that forgiveness. She could feel that wanting to tell him it was okay, that a little rain never hurt anybody. Satoru let out a breath as he looked at her but it wasn't with surprise. It was with...hope? Whatever for?

"Yes, she did," Satoru said. "But I didn't deserve it."

"You must have been very special to her if she forgave you," Nori said. "Because you really didn't deserve it." Satoru chuckled.

"You're right. I really didn't deserve it." He said. "But I suppose that was just the kind of person she was." Nori frowned as they looked at each other. He looked like he was trying to get something across to her, like there was something he wanted her to understand. And she desperately wanted to know what that was. But didn't at the same time.

"I should get going," Nori said. "Before Ryo comes looking."

"I can walk you home," Satoru said but Nori shook her head.

"That'll only get both of us in trouble," she said. "I'll be fine, really. You shouldn't be so concerned with me. We just met."

But I know you. Better than anyone does. Satoru wanted to say, but he stopped himself. That wouldn't help anything. Instead, he just nodded.

"Take my jacket at least," he said. "I don't care if I get wet." Nori seemed to think before she nodded.

"Alright," she said. "I'll have it cleaned and returned to you. Thank you, Satoru." She placed her hands over where his were to hold the jacket above her and was met with a flash of something. Something soft beneath her and concerned, annoyed voices. She blinked as she backed away, Satoru watching her as she did, seeming anxious.

"Good bye," she said. "Perhaps I'll see you again." With that, she turned and started away.

Satoru sighed as he watched her. What had she seen? She must have seen something. He had seen something. Eki, standing out in the rain, drenched to the bone and sick all because of him. Because he had told her to meet him there and forgotten about her completely. Nori was right, he hadn't deserved forgiveness for that but Eki had given it. And now it seemed Nori had taken it away. It wasn't a step in the right direction.

Satoru sighed heavily as he shoved his hands into his pockets and walked back to the hotel he was staying at. He didn't have long to make things right. They would find out he was here. That wasn't a meeting he was looking forward to. Satoru sighed, looking back to where Nori had been standing before the rain had started. She was looking up at the empty building. How happy would she be if he helped her get the building so she could open her homeless shelter? He'd help her with that and he'd help her get it set up. He could only hope that would be enough to make things right.

Well? What did you think? I'm going to try to update as regularly as I can because I do like this story and the story I'm doing for My Forged Wedding. Anyways, review and let me know what you think and feel free to yell at me for taking my time to update. Thanks guys!