Author's Note: Hello! Sorry for the late update! Everything's getting ready for Christmas eve and stuff so yeah. Anyway, a blessed Merry Christmas to all of you! With that, I bring you my gift: a new chapter! Yaaaay! Please read and review! Thanks you so much! :D
Chapter 7: Vacation in Okinawa
A week after her birthday, Rika was already packing her bags for her five-day vacation with her tamer friends. Since it was in Okinawa, she also brought herself a swimsuit and some summer wear. Fortunately, it was easy for her to file a leave of absence.
Two days ago, Rika signed a leave of absence form so that she could go with her friends to Okinawa. She was in Naomi Kitara's office.
"You're going on a vacation, Rika?" her boss asked her.
"Yes, Ma'am," Rika answered.
"When are you coming back?"
"Monday next week, Ma'am," Rika answered cordially. "So, I'll report to work on Tuesday."
The woman looked at Rika's form and at the young woman herself. She lifted her eyeglasses and gladly signed the form.
"Okay, Rika Nonaka. I'm allowing you," the woman replied with a smile. "But be glad to accomplish everything you missed, alright?"
"Yeah… Maybe when I get home, I'll submit my story to you. it lacks the ending already!" Rika commented.
"That's good," Naomi remarked.
Her reminiscing was ruined when she heard a honking of a car. When Rika went to the window, she saw that a black minivan was parked in front of her house. She deduced that it must be one of the tamers' van so she decided to go out with her bags. Wearing a light blue shirt and a pair of jean shorts, Rika found it easy to carry her things and close the door as well. She made her way towards the gate and opened it. Once she was already outside, she was surprised with what she saw.
"Hey, Rika!" Henry greeted her. He was wearing his black shirt and a pair of brown cargo shorts.
Rika's eyes widened as she saw that Henry's body somehow improved during the course of her absence. She could see his six-pack attaching to the shirt like glue.
Oh my… Rika thought as she felt her heart beat faster. He really looks good as always.
"Come on in!" Henry urged her as he approached her and helped her with her bags. He carried one bag in his left arm.
Rika walked towards the van while wearing the backpack. She decided to sit with Jeri for this trip.
"Uhm… Where's Jeri?" Rika asked. "I'm gonna sit with her."
"She's in the middle with Alice," Henry replied obligingly.
Rika nodded and went towards the door. When she opened it, she saw that Alice and Jeri were seated on the first row after the driver's seat. Ryo was seated with Kazu and Kenta while Takato was seated in front with Henry as the driver. She hopped in and saw that Henry also got in at the same time as her.
"Guys, we're gonna have a trip to the port that would take us to Okinawa," Takato announced. "So sit back and relax and enjoy the trip!"
Henry laughed as his hands got to the steering wheel and started the engines. Takato inserted a CD so they could have music while traveling. Kazu realized that it was his favorite song so he decided to get the lead.
"Come on, guys! Let's sing!" Kazu urged his friends.
Since the guys were oblivious to Kazu's mischief, they decided to ride along.
The tamers (Chorus):
So what we get drunk?
So what we smoke weed?
We're just having fun
We don't care who sees
So what we go out?
That's how it's supposed to be
Living young and wild and free
Ryo:
Uh, Uh huh
So what I keep 'em rolled up?
Saggin' my pants, not caring what I show
Keep it real with my niggas
Keep it player for these hoes
And look clean don't it?
Washed it the other day, watch how you lean on it
Give me some 501 jeans on it
Roll joints bigger than King Kong's fingers
And smoke them hoes down 'til they stingers
You a class clown and if I skip for the day
I'm with your bitch smokin' grade A
The tamers:
So what we get drunk?
So what we smoke weed?
We're just having fun
We don't care who sees
So what we go out?
That's how it's supposed to be
Living young and wild and free
Kazu:
You know what?
It's like I'm 17 again
Peach fuzz on my face
Lookin', on the case
Tryna find a hella taste
Oh my god, I'm on the chase, Chevy
It's gettin' kinda heavy, relevant, sellin' it
Dippin' away, time keeps slippin' away
Zip in the safe, flippin' for pay
Tippin' like I'm drippin' in paint
Up front, four blunts, like, "Khalifa put the weed in a J"
Kenta:
And I don't even care
Cause if me and my team in there
There's gonna be some weed in the air
Tell 'em Mac
Takato:
Blowin' everywhere we goin' and now you knowin'
When I step right up, get my lighter so I can light up
Henry:
That's how it should be done
Soon as you thinkin' you're down
Find how to turn things around
Now things are lookin' up
The girls:
From the ground up, pound up, this Taylor Gang
So turn my sound up and mount up and do my thang
Ryo:
Now I'm chillin', fresh outta class, feelin'
Like I'm on my own and I could probably own a building
Got my own car, no job, no children
Had a science project, me and Mac killed it
Takato:
T-H-C, M-A-C, D-E-V, H-D-3, high as me
This is us, we gon' fuss
And we gon' fight and we gon' roll
And live off life
Chorus
Kazu:
Yeah, roll one, smoke one
When you live like this you're supposed to party
Roll one, smoke one, and we all just having fun
So we just, roll one, smoke one
When you live like this you're supposed to party
Roll one, smoke one, and we all just having fun
Chorus
As they were singing, Jeri whispered to Rika's ear.
"Rika," Jeri said softly. "I think Takato likes me."
Apparently, Alice also heard the sentence and began to laugh. Rika's eyes only widened at that point.
Of course, golf course, Rika thought. Takato definitely likes you since start to finish!
"Really?" Alice whispered with an obvious hint of sarcasm. "How are you sure that Takato likes you?"
"Well…" Jeri stammered.
A week ago, Jeri was at the Nonaka residence and cooking for Rika's birthday when all of a sudden, Takato appeared right beside her.
"Hey, Jeri!" Takato said shyly, apparently trying to control his blush because Jeri was around.
"Oh, hey, Takato!" Jeri replied as she was busy chopping the meat for the yakiniku. "What is it?"
"Uhm… Can you go out on a dinner with me some time after this?" Takato asked bravely.
Alice seemed surprised with that point. "So you did have dinner?" she asked.
"Yeah," Jeri answered. "But I don't see why he asked me out to that!"
Alice and Rika only wore strange looks. Jeri was the one who was the densest among them all!
"Uh… Maybe you should see the hypothesis regarding like and infatuation, Jeri," Rika whispered once again.
"Rika's right," Alice said with a chuckle. "Why don't you test that hypothesis during this trip?"
Jeri's face brightened like a Christmas tree. "Of course! Thank you, girls!"
Well, behind the girls sat the three boys who were busy talking about random things. Suddenly, Ryo began to bring a subject about girls.
"Uh… Do you have any idea about girls?" Ryo asked his two minions.
Kazu and Kenta looked at him oddly. Ryo, the Digimon King that used to become a chick magnet, was asking about girls?
"Uh… Why are you asking that one, Ryo?" Kenta asked, demanding an explanation from his friend.
"I don't know anything about them," Ryo answered with a shrug.
"Who's that girl you're interested in, Ryo?" Kazu asked. "A fangirl? Since when did you become interested in a fangirl?"
Ryo huffed for a little while because of the embarrassment that he might feel if he told the answer.
"Come on, Kazu. I'm serious," Ryo replied seriously. "We're already working and you're still thinking of me as the Digimon King."
Kazu laughed sheepishly. "Sorry about that. But who's that girl you're crushing anyway?"
Ryo's face wore a smile as he remembered that the girl was also on this trip.
"A blonde," Ryo answered confidently.
Kazu and Kenta thought of the ladies who might be blondes. However, they only came to a single conclusion.
"Alice?" Kazu and Kenta whispered.
Ryo's face turned into a bright shade of red causing Kazu to burst into snickers.
"Should've known!" Kazu whispered and stifled his laugh. "She's just in front of us, Ryo!"
"And with her friends!" Kenta added jokingly.
"Come on, guys," Ryo said, feeling more embarrassed than ever.
"What's with the 'Baby Girl' and 'Baby Boy'?" Kazu sneered. He knew about the endearment that Ryo and Alice used for each other.
"Oh! Don't start with it, Kazu!" Ryo answered with a blush on his face. Damn it. I shouldn't have told them!
"Hey, Chumley! Someone here's playing Romeo!" Kazu sniggered to his friend. "And here along, we thought that Takato could be the worst case of a hopeless romantic! And we're wrong! It's Ryo all along!"
"I agree!" Kenta whispered in agreement. "Baby Boy!"
Meanwhile, Takato and Henry were busy navigating towards the port of Shinjuku.
"How many hours would it take to journey from the coast to Okinawa, Takato?" Henry asked his magenta-eyed friend.
"Around ninety minutes to two hours," Takato answered as he scouted in his map. He was wearing his white shirt and his pair of grey shorts. "I'm really excited to see Kai. He told me that he's going steady with Minami."
"While you are still single and can't make a move on Jeri!" Henry teased.
"What about you, Henry?" Takato jested.
"I can't force Rika to fall in love with me again," Henry replied wistfully. "I'm already contented with what we're now."
"I still can't believe that Rika just left you…" Takato added. He was a number one fan of Henry and Rika's relationship when they were still younger.
Henry only smiled because he already knew the truth behind Rika's disappearance and he was glad that he was seeing Rika in the flesh once again.
"I know but sometimes… there are things that happen for a reason," Henry concluded as he continued driving.
Not long after, the minivan arrived at Shinjuku Port and pulled to a stop. The passengers were still awake when it happened.
"We're here in the port, guys," Takato called out. "Let's get our bags so we could get to the boat."
"Alright!" Kazu and Kenta exclaimed.
The girls were not asleep due to sharing each other's adventures. Fortunately, they did not get bored since majority of the topic was all about Alice's American adventure since she was nineteen years old.
"I'll bore you with the remaining details later!" Alice said obligingly as she placed her shoulder bag on it.
"Oh sure!" Rika answered as she took her backpack and slid it on her back.
Then they went out of the van with their bags. The guys were carrying their bags as soon as they landed on the floor. Takato instructed Henry to leave the minivan in the port since they allowed walk-in vehicles especially in the case of having to travel by sea.
With this, Takato gave them tickets so they could board the boat. Once they were settled, they started walking towards their boat. They went on pairs: Takato with Jeri, Kazu with Kenta, Henry with Rika and Ryo with Alice as they walked on the ledge that would lead them to their boat.
"This will be my first time to go to Okinawa," Alice remarked as she held her trolley bag.
"Really?" Ryo asked in curiosity.
"Yep!" Alice answered back. "I've been to Shinjuku, Tokyo, Osaka and that. Nothing more, nothing less, Baby Boy!"
"That's great!" Ryo praised her. "At least, you won't be a spoiler in today's trip!"
"Hah!" Alice exclaimed and poked Ryo in the forehead. "I'm gonna spoil you if… I go to America once again!"
"I wish I've got the money, Alice," Ryo answered sullenly. I'm still stuck here in Japan. I wish I could go with you…
Meanwhile, the subtle couple was still obvious to what they had been observing.
"Uhm… Takato, when's the last time you've been here to Okinawa?" Jeri asked innocently.
Takato's face brightened with Jeri's question. At twenty-five, he was still shy around Jeri.
"Around five months ago?" Takato asked. It was Christmas when I spent my vacation here in Okinawa…
"Wow! I'm sure this would be worth enjoying!" Jeri remarked.
"Yeah!" Takato had nothing but to agree. Jeri was right. Trips to Okinawa were always enjoyable!
On the other hand, the couple who grew apart became unusually close today. But, back at Rika's mind, she was sure that she would accomplish a part of her plan: have a vacation and write once more. Right now, Henry had so many follow-up questions in mind after he heard the back story behind Rika's disappearance.
"Uh… Rika?" Henry asked, noticing that his beloved girl was spacing out.
Rika turned and looked at Henry. "What is it?" she asked.
"You told me that you had leukemia before," Henry stated. "How did your guardians take it?"
Rika sighed, remembering how sad her mother and grandmother were when she got sick.
"Well… They were still in-denial for days but they had to accept it," Rika explained. "But seriously, my mother was always crying since the day she had found out. I really understand my mother after I… well… became alive once more."
Henry began to take Rika's right hand and held it with his left. "I'm glad you're alive. At least, I still have my strength."
Rika felt her heart beating once again. Was he telling me that he still needed me despite all the things I did to him?
With this, Rika smiled at Henry. "Me too. I guess I still have some things to do."
They saw Takato who was signaling them to come forward towards him. They ran and saw that there was a specific cabin wherein they could put their things as they enjoy the cruise towards Okinawa.
"Nice idea, Gogglehead!" Rika praised the chestnut-haired young man.
The couple went towards the cabin door and saw their friends tumbling on the bed, fixing their stuff and setting something. They placed their bags on the floor as they saw their dufus friends. Kazu and Kenta could not believe that they were on a cruise ship. Kazu's black shirt was already flying around with his green pants while Kenta's yellow shirt as already halfway along with his black pants because of jumping around.
"Uhm… Kazu, we're not for a day here. We're gonna last for two hours," Ryo said, trying to calm his friends down because they were tumbling down the bed since they got inside.
"Who cares?!" Kazu smirked. "As long as there's a fluffy bed, I'm happy!"
"Me too!" Kenta replied, somehow agreeing to what Kazu just said.
This left Rika smacking her face, Henry shaking his head, Takato scratching his head, Alice somehow confused and Jeri covering her mouth.
"Uh… I'm gonna go towards the other part of the ship," Jeri said as she went outside the cabin door and walked away.
Opportunity came towards Takato as he decided to follow her.
"Be back at you!" Takato said as he ran towards the brunette.
Alice seemed to be restless because she saw Kazu and Kenta tumbling around while Ryo seemed in a panic because he was with Alice.
"I need a drink," Alice complained as she went out of the cabin door. "I'm thirsty!"
Ryo became alert at this point and ran towards Alice. "I'll go with you, Alice. See you later, Kazu and Kenta!" he added.
"Yeah, sure!" the diminutive duo chorused as they kept on jumping high.
The only ones who were left behind were Henry and Rika. But definitely, they did not want to stay with Kazu and Kenta either so they walked out of the room.
"We're just going outside," Henry said to the two.
"Yeah! No prob!" Kazu exclaimed. "Take care!"
Once they got outside of the cabin door, Rika let out a sigh of relief.
"Gosh! Those two haven't changed at all!" Rika remarked.
"You can say that again!" Henry agreed as they went to the part of the ship with the railings on it. "Come here, Rika! Let's enjoy the view!"
Rika approached Henry and stood near the railing. She was already enjoying the seascape along with Henry. The sea was somehow calm and the sun was shining brightly.
"It's beautiful," Rika remarked as she saw the things that made her appreciate nature even more.
Henry suddenly felt awed with the view. But he was still on the quest of searching for answers.
"Did you miss me before?" Henry asked, wanting to know the truth.
~ Just when I thought I was over you
Just when I thought I could stand on my own
Oh baby those memories come crashing through
And I just can't go on without you ~
Rika was taken aback with that question. She definitely missed Henry but she did not know how to express herself at that moment. She turned to face Henry.
"I… I did…" Rika stammered as she was lost into the young man's grey eyes. "I missed you. It hurt me to see you during our reunion because I wasn't able to express what I really want to say."
Noticing that her tears are on the brink of falling, Henry instantly brushed Rika's eyes with his thumbs gently.
"Shhh…" Henry assured her as he pacified her. He also pulled her in a warm embrace. "I'm sorry. I don't want to pressure you into answering my questions anymore."
Rika suddenly found herself disgusting because she cried once again in front of Henry. Well, who could blame her if she cried in front of him? Henry was her first love and the only person who would understand her flaws and problems. The mere fact of Henry being the one who would comfort her sent her heart crazy. And he even became her boyfriend. But she disappeared from his life because she did not want him to be sad if ever she died.
"I'm sorry, Henry, for being such a wimp," Rika said sullenly while she was embracing Henry.
"Just let it out, Rika," Henry answered, sensing that Rika was still trying her best to empty all her sorrows and pain from her body. Their talk before in the restaurant was not yet finished.
Rika eventually followed Henry's advice and buried her head on his chest. Henry did not mind the tears that poured near his chest. What mattered to him was Rika letting out her troubles after what happened to her years ago.
"I'm sorry if I left you. I'm sorry if I went out of your life. I'm sorry if I didn't want you to be sad," Rika mumbled as her tears came down like waterfall and buried her head as she did not want to be seen crying except for Henry.
I love you, Rika, Henry thought as he became her shoulder to cry on. I will and will always do.
Now feeling fine after releasing all the pain, Rika broke away from Henry while wiping the tears from her eyes. Her lilac eyes glimmered as they were dried already.
"Thanks, Henry…" Rika mumbled. "Thanks so much…"
"It's okay…" Henry assured her with a smile. "I'm sorry about what I asked earlier. I'm stupid. I only did it because you're important to me."
Rika's face slowly formed a smile. "Of course, you're important to me. We may have grown apart but nothing's going to replace you in my life."
With this Henry turned Rika around so she could see the sun and the sea. This time, he laid an arm on her shoulder as they viewed it together.
"Thank you," Henry said and smiled.
I love him… Rika thought. But I can't say it… because I'm still finding my way back into love.
I still love her… Henry thought. But I'm afraid to hurt her even more. She's still recovering from her death and I want to be with her throughout.
On the other hand, with Ryo and Alice, they were enjoying the drinks served in the lounge. Alice was drinking pineapple juice while Ryo was drinking orange.
"So, I wanna ask you something…" Ryo said as he finished sipping.
Alice looked up with interest. "With what?" she asked.
Ryo felt embarrassed but he was trying to scout information from the girl that he liked the most.
"Did you…" Ryo trailed off in embarrassment.
"Did I always go on parties when I was there?" Alice completed for him.
Ryo nodded. "Yeah… Do you?" he asked.
Alice recalled how many times she had gone on parties in America. One of them ended up in a disaster.
Three years ago, Alice was already graduating in college when her friend threw a party in America. However, just as they were about to go home, her female friend was very drunk and began throwing up on the road.
"Alice!" her other friend called out. "Lily's vomiting!"
"Oh great!" Alice grunted.
"Yeah… When I was a college student, parties were disastrous. I mean, we're on the time that we're being close to getting knocked up because boys at that time we're raunchy and stupid at the same time!" Alice recalled humorously.
"Glad you're not," Ryo replied with a laugh.
Alice decided to make things serious. "You know, the guys… remind me of you… But not raunchy and stupid… In fact, they're handsome if I must say!"
Ryo and Alice eventually laughed with the comment.
"I was the preventive one," Alice answered. "Because I'm saving myself for the one I love."
Ryo got struck by the bell with that comment. Him and Alice were similar in terms of finding a person to have a relationship with.
"Me too," Ryo remarked as well and drank again his juice. "I'm also looking for that special someone to love."
Alice sighed wistfully. Oh, Ryo… I wish you know that I'm in love with you already. You're the reason why I wanted to stay here in Japan.
Ryo was looking at his "Baby Girl" who was clad in orange shirt and white shorts while her hair was tied into a braid. Before, he treated her as a sister. But now, he wanted it to be more than as a sister.
I wish you'd stay here forever in Japan, Ryo thought. Because I wanted you to be the mother of my future 'Baby Girl'…
"What about you?" Alice asked. "Did you get into bed with some girls?"
Ryo shook his head. "I may be working but I can't afford sleeping with some ditsy ladies."
"Where do you work anyway?" Alice asked in curiosity.
"I work in Shinjuku Industries Incorporated," Ryo replied proudly. "But before it, I used to be a call center agent."
"Oh my god!" Alice chuckled. "I thought you used to be a callboy!"
Both cackled in laughter. Ryo was letting out tears of joy because of the humor that Alice just showed.
"You could earn millions if you do an escort service!" Alice replied with a grin.
"I don't know… I'm not always alert 24/7, you know?!" Ryo answered in amusement.
"I'm just joking, Baby Boy!" Alice exclaimed with a laugh. "You're so gullible!"
"Thank you, Baby Girl!" Ryo replied with a grin on his face.
On the other hand, Takato and Jeri were spending their day on the other side of the ship. However, they were still dealing with their anxiety since both of them grew up far from each other and they were afraid of what the other might feel.
"Uhm… Jeri…" Takato started.
"Takato?" Jeri returned.
"What do you feel when the person you like likes you as well?" Takato asked, wondering if he could receive a positive answer from the brunette.
"Me?" Jeri said and felt herself blushing. Does Takato really like me? Why's he asking that?
"Yeah…" Takato said sheepishly, unable to take back what he just said.
This gave Jeri the chance to answer the question in an honest way.
"Well, I would feel happy!" Jeri answered. "Unrequited love sometimes sucks!"
Takato smiled goofily as he heard Jeri's answer.
"That's nice," Takato replied.
But the next thing they heard was…
"Attention, passengers! We're now in Okinawa Port. Please check your things as we disembark from the ship!" the captain of the ship said.
"Looks like we need to go down," Takato remarked. "Let's go!"
"Yeah!" Jeri answered but right now, her mind was curious to why Takato asked her that thing.
At that moment, they walked towards their cabin and saw their friends walking back. Henry was with Rika while Ryo was with Alice.
"We're gonna disembark?" Rika asked.
"Yes, guys!" Takato replied. "Let's go!"
The adults eventually picked their bags in their room. They walked towards the ledge that would carry them to the dock of Okinawa Port. Takato was the one in front, Jeri followed him, Henry right next to Jeri and Rika as well, Ryo and Alice followed suit and the dweebs Kazu and Kenta followed them.
Not long after, they got the signal to walk faster as well so they could leave the boat. The adults went were already standing on the ground and they saw a shuttle van that would take them to the mainland. They first went to the trunk so they could unload their baggage.
"Guys, we have to ride this van so we could get to my relatives in no time!" Takato said as his friends began hopping inside the van after they did what should be done.
Moments later, the van started and began traveling towards the residence of Takato's cousin which was located at the mainland. It was not too far from where they disembarked and they arrived to their destination so the passengers alighted. It was a fast journey since there was no traffic to Takato's relatives. When the van stopped at a small wooden house, Takato knew that they were home. Best of all, he could see his cousin and his girlfriend as well who was walking nearby.
"Guys, we're here already!" Takato hollered as his friends stood up so they could alight and get their bags.
"Okay, Gogglehead! Don't need to shout!" Rika grumbled as she was carrying her backpack.
Eventually, the seven adults were already outside of the van and they were making their way towards the trunk so they could get their bags.