Chapter 3: A New Friend
The morning was greeted by Reika protesting to Akio, "Geez, why should we walk?"
"Reika, it's still early in the morning, and do you want me to explain again so that it'll go through your head?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. It's easier to hide if there are rebels and that blah, blah, blah. I got it, I got it."
"And that you even agreed. So why complain? Don't tell me you are tired already."
"I'm not!"
"Oh, yes you are!"
"Hey, want a challenge? Race you towards the tree" and Reika pointed the tree almost a kilometre away. "Winner does what he or she wants to the loser."
"Oh, really? Then I'll carry you like a princess afterwards, Rei-chan, so prepare yourself!" Akio teased.
"What! That'll be too suspicious and embarrassing, and who said you'll win?"
"I'm always the winner, and don't worry, it's not suspicious, they'll only think that a gentleman was just carrying his wife."
"What the! But we're not yet..." she said while blushing too much.
Akio held her chin and leaned towards her and said, "So, you want me to marry you now?" and he smirked.
But Reika ran and yelled, "Race you towards the tree!"
Akio, then, ran after her and was gaining speed. Meanwhile, Reika noticed that her vision became blurry, but still, she continued to run.
When she reached the 'finish line', she found Akio relaxing on its shade while she was panting heavily.
"Ah! I thought you'll reach here tomorrow. You are still slow as always, in spite that I'm the one carrying our supplies. So, Rei-chan, prepare yourself!" Akio teased. He waited for some annoyed answer from her, but instead, she continued panting. Akio's smile faded when he saw her very pale.
Concerned, he asked "Is there something wrong, Reika?"
"Akio...hazy..." she replied and fainted.
Akio caught her just in time and felt her forehead. "Oh my...Reika! You're burning up!" and without second thoughts, carried her (like a princess) and sought help.
Luckily, a few meters away from where they are standing, stood a little house with a garden of bellflowers and a wheat field.
-0-
Akio ran towards the house and, thankfully, an old man was tending the garden. He hastily ran towards him and asked "May I inquire who and where the owner of the house is?"
"I am at your service" the old man replied.
"Please sir, help my friend. She's sick and is needed to be tended quickly" Akio pleaded.
The old man felt Reika's forehead "She really is! Come in at once."
The two men hurriedly went inside the house, where the old man himself prepared a futon for Reika. As soon she was laid, Akio put away their things in a corner and tended her. The old man fetched some cold compress to cool her down.
While Reika was sleeping and being attended to, Akio thanked the man for his kindness.
"What are your names?" the man asked.
"Akio Maeda, and she, my friend Reika Inoue. Thank you very much for your help and I'm sorry for intrusion."
"No, not at all. I am glad to help and to have you here" the man answered.
"Shall I know your name to which we are in debt to?" Akio asked politely.
"Ryuuji Tanaka"
"Do you live here alone, Tanaka-san? Have you no companions?"
"Only until 20 years ago. I have a son and a daughter, and my wife, who died 5 years back, and my children are all married, so I'm pretty much alone, but my children and their families visit me, though not often, and, in view of the circumstances, with the warfare going on, I must say that they'll not visit me here" he said with his eyes full of sadness.
Akio turned to Reika and placed another cold compress to her forehead. After a brief pause, it is old Tanaka's turn to open a conversation.
"Is this lady your girlfriend?" he asked.
Akio only responded with a smile.
"Although, the right term would be fiancée..."
This time, Akio turned towards him and blushed a little.
"Don't get me wrong, your fingers told me" Tanaka said.
Akio knew that he was talking about his engagement ring. "But how did you know that we're still engaged? I mean, have you not thought about us being married, Tanaka-san?"
"I have, but the first time you address her is as your friend, had you introduced her as your wife, though I have to consider that you might be concealing the fact, and yet you reacted when you heard the word 'fiancée', so I concluded that you're still engaged."
Akio laughed with his remark and that he was humoured by his logic "I never met many old men with such exemplary mind."
"Such kind words, Akio-kun, I may be an old man, but I still have 'sharpness' of mind."
They both chuckled, and then Tanaka said, "Well, I must retire to bed, and you, too. You must have been tired with your travels and by the looks of the lady, she's quite well already."
Akio insisted upon watching over Reika, and the two men bid goodnight.
-0-
Surely enough, as Reika woke, her Akio was still watching over her.
"You haven't slept?" she asked.
"No, I couldn't bear not to watch over you, since I'm so worried about you, especially now that you didn't act like those times you were sick back then..."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"That, every time you are sick, you always pursue me, as if you're obsessed with me. Oh, and don't worry about my prize for winning our little challenge, I received it already." Akio smirked.
With this remark, Reika punched him in the gut.
"Reika-chan, how ungrateful!"
Changing the topic, Reika asked "Where are we?"
"In the home of Ryuuji Tanaka-san"
"Where is he?"
"Well he's right-" and he stopped, for he was interrupted by the man himself.
"Ah, Reika-chan, you're awake! You okay now?"
Reika just nodded.
"You should go out for some fresh air."
"I would like that very much, thank you. Akio, help me get up please."
Akio, then, helped her up, and Tanaka said "Akio-kun, Reika-chan needed a change of clothes. Please don't hesitate to use one of my daughter's, I'm sure they'll fit perfectly, and you, too, get some for my son's..."
Akio was about to say something, but was interrupted by Tanaka "And please don't refuse. It's been a while since my son visited me, and if you ever need me, I'll be tending my wheat field" and he left.
Now alone, Reika said "What a kind person. You should follow his example, Akio."
"Well then, Rei-chan, shall I help you dress up?"
The remark was responded with a blow on his shoulder.
"Okay, okay, I'll go now..." and Akio headed towards the door.
"No peaking" and she slammed the door shut.
"You do recover fast, Reika..." Akio said, and smiled.
-0-
A few minutes later, both of them are in their 'borrowed' apparel, and are now standing in the garden.
" Wow, bellflowers! My favourite." and Reika gathered a handful and smelled them.
"The air indeed is very fresh."
"Akio, come! Let's help him in the wheat field" and the two hurriedly went at the back of the house to the wheat field.
As they reach it, they saw Tanaka talking to a muscled man. When they approach them, the man went away. Out of curiosity, Reika asked "Who's that man, Tanaka-san?"
"I do not know, but I believe he'll return with some companions tonight."
"Do you really not know him?" Akio asked.
"Definitely not..." he paused for a while, and turned to Reika "How do you like the air here, Reika-chan?"
"It's very fresh! It helped me quite well, Tanaka-san."
"I see you recover fast."
"Yes, she really does."
Tanaka smiled at them and was about to say something, but was interrupted by Reika otherwise.
"Would you like us to help you in harvesting the wheat, Tanaka-san? They are now ready, right?"
"Yes, thank you, but harvest time is not until tomorrow. Shall we have some tea in the garden?"
"Allow me to prepare it." Akio offered.
"Well, I may as well boast that Akio's tea is one of the best."
And just before sunset, they are all found sipping tea and enjoying the moment.
-0-
Okay, so chapter 3 is here... up next, well, chapter 4, and, it will be somewhat short one... oh, yeah, I almost forgot, the names here in my story are all made up, so, for those with the same names, or if you knew someone with the same name here (it will also apply in the next chapters) are purely coincidental... so, yeah, thanks for those who reviewed and have read, and be prepared for the next... ; )