"Ugh, my head kills" Nadeshiko grumbled as she entered the kitchen in the morning.
"That's what you get for drinking nearly eight glasses of my mother's alcohol" Rika said as she cleaned out the glasses and threw out the empty bottle.
"How are you so chipper? Shouldn't you be in agony?" Nadeshiko asked.
"That was before I went on the Internet and found a hangover cure. It's in the mug over there" Rika pointed with her chin at the white mug.
Nadeshiko took the mug and sniffed whatever was inside. She recoiled instantly.
"What's in this?"
"Something. Drink it up. It works really well" Rika replied.
Nadeshiko plugged his nose and drank it up. She shuddered in disgust and then let the drink settle in her stomach. It cleared her aching stomach and pounding head in about five minutes.
"Wow, this is amazing" Nadeshiko said.
"I tried it myself to make sure you weren't drinking poison" Rika replied.
"I should take a shower. I smell absolutely horrid" Nadeshiko said.
"I'll make breakfast then" Rika said.
Nadeshiko headed up the stairs, deep in thought. It seemed like Rika didn't remember much from last night. Nadeshiko felt both relief and sadness at the thought. She wasn't really ready to start a new relationship with Rika but she was sad that she had to have some liquid courage to confess. Rika deserved more than that.
"Rika deserves someone courageous and brave. Not a coward like me" Nadeshiko said as she wept in the shower.
"I'm home!" Akaya yelled as he opened the door.
"Welcome home. How was the sleepover?" Rika popped her head out from the kitchen.
"It was fun. Yukimura Buchou and Yanagi senpai showed up too" Akaya sat down at the table.
"How are they? We'll be joining high school soon so we'll be able to see them more often. I haven't spoken to Yukimura senpai since graduation" Rika asked.
"They're fine but tired. Yanagi senpai always has some project or the other and Yukimura Buchou is whipping the tennis team into shape" Akaya replied.
"I've got plans with An-chan today. What about you?"
"Well, I have a last practice with the regulars so we'll go out for lunch before separating to our chosen high schools. I'll be back by five or so" Akaya said.
"Cool"
"Good morning, Akaya" Nadeshiko walked into the room dressed in a cute light pink dress with her hair softly curled. Akaya turned beet red before replying quietly to Nadeshiko.
Rika served the breakfast and then sat down to eat. She got a call from An-chan who would be meeting them at the train station for their plans. Rika changed into a pair of shorts and a white tee before heading out with Nadeshiko.
"An-chan!" An turned around before rushing to hug her friends. Despite being totally disgusted by her friend's choices, An had decided not to judge and just hang out with her friends. After all, they were still her friends inside and out.
"Let's go shopping!" An said excitedly.
Rika was immediately pulled to a clothes shop by An. Rika knew that An didn't like her style of clothes and was dying to buy her new ones. Nadeshiko hung back to look at the dresses while An dragged Rika to the casual clothes.
"You need some cute tops, Rika-chan. It's summer and all you wear are tee shirts" An said.
Rika took a few tops in her arms and then headed to the changing rooms. She hummed as she changed into a top and then smiled. It was vibrant green which matched her eyes. It looked adorable and Rika opened the door.
"An-chan, how does this look?" Rika called out. The sound of a gunshot immediately made her freeze. Screams erupted from the customers in the shop and in the changing rooms as well.
"Everybody freeze!" Rika heard a rough voice shout. She entered the changing room and locked it as fast as she could.
Her heart was beating fast as she curled herself on the bench. Her tears fell like a fountain as she heard another gunshot. She clapped her hands over her ears so as to block out the sound. The clock in the changing rooms ticked past making every second feel like an hour.
"Police! Hand's up in the air!"
Rika sobbed in relief. Everything would be alright now. She started when someone knocked on her door.
"Ma'am, it's safe. You can come out now"
Rika unlocked the door and saw a uniformed police smile kindly at her. She nodded and then shut the door again. She changed out of the clothes and headed out. Her head whipped right and left looking for her friends. She spotted Nadeshiko crying her heart out while being consoled by a policewoman. Rika ran over only to hear the last words of the officer.
"...rest assured, your friend will be absolutely fine. I'll just call the hospital to check on her"
"Who's injured?" Rika asked.
"Rika-chan!" Nadeshiko threw herself into Rika's arms.
"What happened? Where's An-chan?" Rika asked.
"An-chan was shot" Nadeshiko sobbed. Rika's mind immediately shut down as she heard this. Her legs gave out and she hit the floor with a thud taking Nadeshiko down with her.
"We're having a panic attack here" the policewoman said and one of the paramedics rushed over.
The ride to the hospital was a blur to Rika. She could hear people around her saying something but she never responded. All she could think of was An. Was she going to be alright? Was she going to die? Where had she been shot? Was it fatal? Rika then felt someone poke her arm and she fell into darkness.
"Rika-chan"
Rika opened her eyes to find her mother, brother, Nadeshiko and the rest of the tennis regulars around her.
"Where's An-chan?" Rika asked.
"How are you feeling, Rika-chan?" Yuki tried to change the subject.
"Where is An-chan?" Rika repeated.
"Let's not talk about An-chan right now-" "Why shouldn't we? I love her and I want to see her" Rika interrupted before her mother could go any further.
"We know you love her, Rika-chan. She's your friend. Right now, you need to calm down" Yuki said.
"I don't love her just as a friend, mother. I'm in love with her" Rika said.
"What?!" Akaya took a step back from his sister's bed.
"Rika-chan, you're not-" "Gay? Yes I am" Rika spat out.
Sanada looked properly horrified while Yukimura sighed. He had been so worried for Rika that he literally cancelled tennis practice and rushed here. His heart ached as Rika announced to the world that she loved An-chan.
"Rika-chan, An's dead" Nadeshiko said.
"I knew it" Rika said. She slumped against the pillows and began to cry quietly. Nadeshiko sat down and took her hand. She bent her head as crystal clear tears began pouring down her cheeks.
Yuki sat down on the sofa thoroughly confused. Akaya didn't even want to look at his sister. Yukimura glanced over at the rest of the tennis regulars who looked distinctly uncomfortable. He stepped forward and took Rika's other hand. Rika looked up at him and turned back to Nadeshiko, whose tears weren't ever going to dry up now.
Don't hate me, please!
