Author's Note: This is Chapter 2. Please read and review. Thanks a lot! :D
Chapter 2: Past Unraveled
That afternoon, Rika eventually arrived at her home and opened the gate so she could walk inside. She had been living alone because of her mother who got accepted in a modeling agency in America and Grandma Seiko went with her in order to look out for Rumiko. With that, while being alone, she pursued her plan of studying college. For the first two years, she had depended on her mother's salary but after that, she found a librarian's assistant duty and earned money by just checking the inventory of the university library.
She fidgeted for the keys so she could unlock the door. When she found one, she opened it and she was already standing in the living room. She flopped herself on the couch and realized that today was Thursday.
Time flies and it's already weekend once again! Rika thought as she massaged her temples. I can't wait for it!
Suddenly, she remembered something and she immediately stood up. She was supposed to talk to her mother in a video message!
"Damn it!" Rika said and eventually ran towards her room so she could get her laptop.
When she ran upstairs, she realized that she had to be careful because she slipped at the stairway before. Fortunately, she landed on her feet at that time.
"Why oh why…" Rika mumbled as she arrived at her doorway and opened the door leading to her room.
She got inside and found that her laptop was just lying on top of her bed. She took it as well as the charger and some cables so she could set up the connection downstairs. She went downstairs and returned back to sitting in the couch. As she sat down, she plugged all the necessary cables and wires in order to establish the connection that she needed for her to talk to her mother. She opened the laptop and waited for the video message to pop in because of the program installed in it. Then after a few moments, she saw her mother in the screen.
"Hi, Sweetie!" Mrs. Nonaka greeted.
"Hello, Mom!" Rika answered. "How's life?"
"I'm good! Like I said earlier, I wish that you could come here in America with us."
Rika snorted at the idea of her going to America. The idea looked nice enough but I still have something to do here in Japan.
"But judging from your expression, it seemed to me that you're not willing. Was it because of… him, Rika?"
This caught Rika red-handed. In fact, she was hesitant to leave for America because she has not found Henry yet.
"Uh… Yeah…" Rika stammered because she did not know what to say.
Rika's mother gave a look of sympathy towards her.
"I know that you're still regretful of what you did and I understand. I know that you love him and you don't want him to get hurt because you think that you'll die any day before, right?"
"Yes, Mom," was Rika's subtle reply. "I missed him so much, Mom. I still can't get why this happened in the first place. It's only killing me inside."
Rumiko eventually gave a proud smile at her daughter's answers. She was proud of her.
"I'm proud of you, Rika, because you had truly reached your maturity and you're really in love with him until today. But I just wish you your happiness as well. Even if you got resurrected, I feel as if you're dead without someone to love. I know you do love us but it's different regarding to have that special significant other."
Rika eventually smiled at Mrs. Nonaka's advice. "Thanks, Mom. I guess I was truly wrong about you. You do care for me."
"You may not see it but I really cared for you, dear!" Mrs. Nonaka answered as she smiled once again. "Anyway, what's with the money that you wish to ask from me?"
Rika thought for a moment as she tried her best to recall what she wanted from Mrs. Nonaka in the first place.
"Well, it's about money to make changes in this house. I want to paint the walls again," Rika answered.
This sent Rika's mother laughing. "You? Painting the house? Since when did you do that?" she asked.
"Mom!" Rika exclaimed while trying to convince Mrs. Nonaka that she was a good artist. "I've been repainting the house since I was twenty! And don't fool me for my painting skills, Mom, because I'm good at it."
"Oh! You sure are!" Mrs. Nonaka praised humorously. "When are you going to repaint the house, anyway?"
"Hmm… As soon as possible," Rika answered. "As soon as I got the money, I can start with it!"
Rika's mother eventually agreed to what she was planning. "Oh, okay… Just don't make the house into a living canvas of yours!"
"Alright, Mom!" Rika answered with her energy restored. "I will!"
"I'm going to send that now. I don't want you using your own money for the house. I want you to use your earnings and savings for your future use and for things that were due for emergencies," Mrs. Nonaka replied.
"Alright, Mom… Thanks," Rika answered, still awed by her mother for still taking care of her even if she was nearing her twenty-fifth year of her life.
"It's okay…" Mrs. Nonaka replied pleasantly.
"Anyway, where's Grandma?" Rika asked, noticing that her grandmother only said hi for her.
"She's with her friends shopping," Mrs. Nonaka explained.
"Oh…" Rika answered. Shopping again?
"Anyway, I wish you the best in finding him once again. I really wanted you to find your happiness, Rika," Mrs. Nonaka answered and gave a piece of advice. "I know life seriously played a grave joke on you but that just the job: testing you in order for you to know what do you really want to do in order to conquer everything."
Rika nodded in understanding. "Thanks, Mom. Anyway, I need to go since I have to cook for my dinner as well."
"I see," Mrs. Nonaka said. "Take care of yourself and update me with everything, okay?"
Rika nodded and with that, the video that contained her mother was truly gone. With this, she closed the laptop and began to think of everything that happened in her life.
I guess Mom's right, Rika thought. I should find my own happiness and not just sit around and let everything be happening for a certain damn reason.
Meanwhile, in an apartment on the other side of Shinjuku, there was a blue-haired young man who was standing in the terrace. He had grey eyes and tan skin while his hair was laid to the side. His manly stature was depicted by toned muscles and firm body which made him the elusive bachelor of Shinjuku. Right now, he was wearing a white buttoned-shirt and a pair of slacks because he had just got home from work.
He was known to smile a lot. But that smile was replaced by wistfulness because he was thinking of a young auburn-haired woman who just disappeared without a trace six years ago. She was his beloved girl and he could not get her off his mind even for many years.
Where have you been, Rika? the young man thought as he looked at the stars. I missed you so much. Please come back to me, okay?
As his thoughts began to consume him, he was also looking at the stars. They reminded him of her beautiful and sparkling lilac eyes.
"Henry?" a feminine voice soared in the air.
The young man turned around and saw a mauve-haired young woman clad in a yellow sleeveless dress.
"Suzie?" Henry asked as he saw his younger sister. "What's up?"
The aforementioned young woman approached him and smiled at him.
"Are you still thinking of her, aren't you?" Suzie asked casually in order not to dwell on the subject for long.
Henry nodded wistfully. "Yes, I am. And I would… Even if I went to China and studied until I got the highest honor, I felt as if I didn't win at all… Because she did not tell me where she was… She's the one missing in my life."
Suzie only looked at him in sympathy as she saw how her brother loved this beautiful woman.
"I know, big brother," Suzie answered back. "I missed her too. She just disappeared… I wish somewhere that she's okay."
"I'm thinking of that too, Suzie…" Henry answered optimistically. "It hurts to think that she disappeared shortly after our high school graduation. And now, I already finished my degree in China, I still haven't seen her or heard from her at all."
Shortly after their high school graduation, Henry had not heard from Rika or from her relatives. He was wondering what happened to her because she had not spoken to him for weeks already. But after two months of not hearing a thing from her, he decided to push through with his studying in China with the promise that he would find her once he finished schooling. He got the highest honor but he still felt like he lost a battle because she was not with him physically and emotionally.
And now he was already working as an owner of a company that was entrusted to him by his grandfather, he still had not yet found her. He could not start finding her because he did not know where to go and how would he begin.
"I know…" Suzie agreed. "She's the best girlfriend you've ever had. Even if she's just your first girlfriend!"
Henry only smiled at Suzy's comment about Rika. Sure she avoided getting mushy when he courted and asked her out but he understood because in the first place, she was all cold. There came a time that Rika told him that Henry was the one who was patient with her and the best guy who had made her heart beat in a rapid pace. But all of them were just memories right now.
"I wish I could find her," Henry concluded. "That's the only thing I wanted to do right now. And if I did, I'll let her know how much I wanted to be with her until the very end."
"Aww…" Suzie said in awe. "No wonder why Rika loved you so much because of your sincerity!"
"Thanks…" Henry said and smiled again. I love you so much, Rika. Nothing will ever change that.
"Now let's go to dinner!" Suzie said and signaled him to follow her.
The young man followed his sister as they made their way towards the inside of their house.
Back at the Nonaka residence, Rika was busy cooking for her dinner. She was mastering her recipe of spicy tempura that was decorated with spices and herbs. When she placed the tempura inside her oven, the doorbell suddenly rang. She ran so she could get it.
When she arrived at the doorway, she opened the door and saw her friend Mimi standing in front of her.
"Mimi?" Rika asked curiously. "What brings you here?"
The brunette smiled and squealed. "I just came here to visit, Riks!" she added.
Rika flinched at the nickname. "Really?" she added as well. "I'm just making dinner. Want to join me?"
Mimi smiled at the request. "Of course! Why would I refuse if it's for free?" she exclaimed.
As much as she wanted to be alone that night, she began to change her mind.
"I've known you for years but you're not that," Rika answered casually. "Come inside so you can wait with me."
"What are ya cookin', Riks?" Mimi inquired but it had a tinge of an American accent as she stepped inside the house.
"Spicy tempura," Rika answered plainly.
Mimi's eyes grew wide. "Are you kidding me?" she answered back. "You're cooking again what you used to cook when we're still in college?"
Rika nodded as she led her friend to the couch. "Yes, I am. But I'm still mastering it."
Mimi laughed at her friend's way of developing things. That was why Rika had been her idol since then.
"You know you're really fit to get married! Why can't you just get a boyfriend already?" Mimi pointed out since her friend already had an eligibility to get married just because of her cooking skills.
Rika seemed to be nonplussed with the comment about her so she did not say a thing.
"Uhm… That's not yet a part of my priorities in life, Mims," Rika answered, trying to get back with Mimi calling her "Riks".
Mimi became surprised. "Oh come on, Riks! How are you sure that guys aren't your priority?"
Rika shrugged. "I don't know, Mims. Just find out everything on your own."
Moments later, Rika returned to the kitchen with Mimi following her because they recognized the familiar aroma of the tempura soaring in the air.
"Smells delicious, Miss Rika!" Mimi complimented.
Rika only snorted at the honorific that Mimi gave her. "Please. Stop with the label. It's driving me nuts, you know?" she added. "And for the record, we're just living in the same position, girl."
Mimi laughed at her friend's reaction and comment. "You'll be getting more nuts when you become the Associate Editor, Riks!" she added.
Eventually Rika smacked her head in disgust as she remembered that she was also a candidate for the position which was stated already earlier.
"I'm not going to get it. Someone better than me would be worthy of it," Rika answered because of the idea of her mother about her going to America as well.
Rika opened the oven and slipped a kitchen glove on her right hand. "Alright, I did it again!" she smirked victoriously.
Mimi suddenly felt embarrassed. "I'm sorry for being a mean intruder of your house, Rika."
Rika raised an eyebrow. Even when they were still housemates in the Nonaka residence, she was used to Mimi's actions already.
"Oh come on, Mimi!" Rika remarked. "You don't have to apologize. I'm used to you, you know?"
Suddenly, the brunette threw her arms around Rika gratefully.
"Aww! Thanks, Rika! I'm so grateful to have a friend like you!" she exclaimed."When we get back to the office, I'll always answer your coffee requests!"
Rika nodded, suddenly felt proud because she would take advantage of another situation after this. "Hmm… Okay! You said so!" she said deviously. So I'll be expecting free coffee drinks from now on.
Then the auburn-haired woman pulled the tray that contained what she just cooked. She eventually walked towards the table so she could place the food on it. Mimi, having stayed with Rika since they were college, had laid the table so they could eat as soon as possible. The brunette placed the spoon and fork along with the plates on the table. Seeing that everything was fine already, the two young women sat on the dining table.
"Let's go eat," Rika said as she began to serve herself with the tempura and rice. Mimi added with the pitcher and two glasses of water.
"Thank you!" Mimi said with an intonation that was a mixture of enlightened and happy.
Eventually, they were engulfed in a complete silence as they started eating.
"You know, I thank you girls for being with me all throughout my college days," Rika started.
Mimi looked up with interest. "Why? Are you saying goodbye?" she spoke up.
"No, you dimwit!" Rika answered with a snort. "I'm just saying that because you know how alone I was, right?"
Mimi nodded but returned with a comment. "Yeah, we know that. But I also wanted to tell how appreciative Zoe and I were when you made us your housemates when the dorm fire struck. It's so awful!"
Rika's face returned to a grim state as she remembered the fire that occurred six years ago. According to Mimi, she and Zoe were sleeping peacefully when they heard the fire alarm ringing at a highest rate. They woke up and saw that everything around there was engulfed in smoke. Zoe and Mimi got out safely but all of their belongings were gone including their books while the firemen extinguished the fire already. That morning, classes were already suspended and when Rika found out about the fire, she had let the two stay in her house and they became housemates until they graduated college.
"I know," Rika answered. "But it's alright. At least you two are safe that time."
"Thank you for being the bestest friend ever, Rika!" Mimi smiled as she drank the water inside her glass. "I owe you one!"
Rika nodded as they resumed eating their dinner. However, as she was eating, something different already crossed her mind.
I've gone to trials, tragedies, misfires and misfortunes but still I haven't found their essence except for not having to give up and move on, Rika thought as she realized that everything already happened under the sun. But I still can't move on because of him… I still… love him.
Meanwhile, back at Henry's home, the young man had been sitting in front of his computer. Actually, he was supposed to type a narrative report but he got into seeing some photos. All of them were photos that contained him and… her.
One photo contained him and her during the first time they went out. She was dressed in her traditional turtleneck shirt with a broken heart on it along with a pair of jeans while he was wearing his black shirt, orange vest, his brown pants along with his grey and yellow-colored rubber shoes. The date was only accidental since it was not even planned at that time. He remembered the time when Rika suddenly began to open up to him and it was the humorous thing he ever heard.
One night as the moon was shining brightly, a blue-haired boy and an auburn-haired girl were walking along the green grassy park while their hands were entwined together. It was just their second date and they only had gone to hugging and holding hands.
"You know, Henry…" Rika started as she looked at the boy. "I think…"
Henry seemed to know the answer since the girl was looking at him seriously. "I think you hate me… is that it?" he asked.
Rika let out a snort. "If I hated you then I wouldn't have gone on dates with you, you idiot."
Henry only laughed. He was used to her bad-ass personality and that was what made him like her. She was independent, smart, tough and at the same time, beautiful.
"Sorry…" Henry cleared his throat as he saw her facial expression. "It's just that… I can't believe that you're here with me right now."
Rika's face eventually showed a little smile. "Believe it or not… I'm happy that I chose you rather than that idiotic Rooster-Head."
Henry was surprised. Sure, he had a mental competition with Ryo because the latter wanted to have Rika as a girlfriend. Besides, Ryo had been the crushes of the girls in their school and he knew that Rika could also have a crush on Ryo because of his dashing looks and personality.
"Why?" Henry asked, somehow puzzled.
Rika took a deep breath. "I really don't like Ryo at all. I'm serious. You may think I had a crush on him but he's not really my type."
"Really?" Henry asked in a disbelieved voice. 'Wow. I'm lucky.'
Rika nodded. "I'm sorry if I'm not like any other girls. I'm not really a romance person after all."
Henry eventually hugged her in understanding. Rika suddenly enjoyed the warm feeling because of his arms.
"It's okay. I understand. The important thing is that I love you," Henry assured as they broke apart from the hug. He then kissed Rika's forehead which made the auburn-haired girl blush.
"I… I…" Rika stammered as she felt the boy's kiss on her forehead. "Thank you."
Henry eventually smiled. "No. Thank you. Thank you for letting me be with you."
Then the young teens were engaged in another contented embrace with each other.
Then Henry's mind returned to the present. He missed his girl so much. He wanted to see her, talk to her and tell everything that had happened during his stay in China.
I missed you so much, Rika… Henry thought as the same violet-eyed girl kept hitting his memory over and over again. Please come back to me.
Eventually, he felt himself worry as he thought of a possible reason behind his girlfriend's disappearance.
Back at the Nonaka residence and Mimi had gone back to her folks, Rika was finished cleaning the plates and went straight to her room so she could sleep already. But even if she had changed into her white shirt and shorts and she was already lying on the bed already, she still could not sleep. A factor that did not cause her even more to sleep was someone else.
He's really my drug, Rika thought as he kept on entering her mind earlier. I could not get him off my mind and I could not get him off my system either.
With this, Rika grabbed one of her photo albums and searched for some pictures. Technically, she was, and still, in love with the blue-haired young man even during the start, she did not feel it because she was an anti-romance person. Right now, she was seeing a photo of her and the blue-haired young man in their normal outfits: her wearing a turtleneck with a broken heart on it and a pair of jeans while him wearing his black shirt, orange vest and his brown pants. She remembered the day wherein she was grasping the fact that she was in a relationship already.
One day, as Rika was getting some things inside the locker in their high school, she felt two hands cover her eyes.
"Hey!" the voice said as she was seeing black.
"Henry!" Rika answered as she recognized the voice. "I knew it's you!"
When the two hands were already away from her eyes, she eventually saw Henry who was standing right next to her already.
"What are you doing here, anyway?" Rika asked, surprised that he was with her today.
"Isn't it obvious, Rika?" Henry smiled. "I'm here to help you carry your books."
Rika scratched her head as she became confused with what was going on.
"The last time I checked, you're the guy who told romances to me," Rika answered with a snort. "And besides, I can do things on my own."
Henry eventually pinched Rika's face. In span of few days, he had been easily getting fond of her and finding himself to be more affectionate towards her.
"What kind of boyfriend would let his girlfriend suffer?" Henry pointed out.
Rika scratched her head once again as she took her books from the locker. "So, I'm your girlfriend?" she asked, trying to make things clear.
"Of course!" Henry answered with a smile while beaming with pride.
Rika eventually let out a shy smile as she tried her best to absorb the situation.
"Gee, thanks, Henry. Like I said, I'm only new regarding these kinds of things!" Rika explained.
"Don't worry about it. I understand. Feelings do take some time to grow," Henry answered with a smile. "Now come on, Rika, and we still have a class to catch."
Rika eventually smiled as she closed her locker door. She gave the thick books to Henry and carried the thinner ones. Then they walked towards their classroom in a subtle yet easily depicted couple.
Rika sighed as the events took a toll on her. she missed the event of her having a relationship. Well actually, she threw it by not telling Henry where she was during the time she got sick.
"I'm so stupid. I let go a most important person in my life," Rika concluded as she drew her finger on the photo of her and Henry. "I wonder where he was right now. Oh, Henry, I wish I know where you are right now. I wanted to say sorry and everything. I really regret everything I did."
Eventually, the young woman held the picture and placed it near her chest. Despite everything that had happened previously, he would still be inside her heart.