Spring Winds.
Omake.
*ANNOUNCEMENT / Shards of a Broken Mirror : I worked on another story some weeks ago and I decided to actually go through with it. So I worked on it a bit more and I think I'll start uploading that alongside this one! It'll be an alternate universe. The story will be in third person, focusing on Hibari (which is such a challenge) and Sakura will be in it. And since it's an AU, keep in mind that nothing that happens in that story has anything to do with this one. SO please read that if you're interested! :)
A/N: So this is just an omake. This will be in third person limited, focusing on Riri. I felt like she deserved a short chapter since she did help push Sakura, haha. It has nothing to do with the actual story line so you wouldn't be missing out if you're uninterested in reading it. But I did have fun writing it so hopefully you guys will enjoy it a bit. :)
{ Ririka / Glancing Back }
She had finally reached the school after a long morning of having woken up late. She definitely didn't want to be late to school or she would have to deal with the fearsome head of the disciplinary chair. As she walked to the building, she realized a sight that she hasn't seen in awhile. Speaking of the devil, he was leaned against the railing looking out at the town. She had to strain her neck to make sure it was him because it's been quite some time since she found him doing that.
Nevertheless she made her way quickly to her locker. She almost whirled into Yamamoto Takeshi who was way too immersed in something to look up where he was going, uncharacteristically serious and down. But she put it aside, it was none of her business, and opened her locker to reveal a foreign object inside.
….
Her mouth curved down to a frown as she welcomed a huge intake of air.
I see.
She tucked the neatly folded letter into her bag and replaced her outside shoes with her inside one. Well she certainly didn't expect that this morning. She wasn't even sure how to feel.
"What's wrong, Ririn?" Mari walked up to her with a worried look.
"Nothing," she grinned, wary that it wasn't a convincing one.
This was starting to give her a wave of nostalgia and if she was correct, she can figure out why the strange occurrence happened again this morning.
And without a doubt, it'll be the same at the end of the day.
The same that it used to always be.
About one year ago (will progress from there).
"Ririnnn~!" Her perky blonde friend chimed out excitedly and jumped onto her for an embrace the moment she passed the corner to school. "Good morning!"
"Oh! Marichi! Good morning," Riri grinned at her one of her best friends. The ever so optimistic and adorable girl who got along with everyone and captured the wandering eyes of males. Mari had mid length, thick volumed bright blonde hair with beautiful blue eyes. She was born in America but she moved to Riri's elementary school and they were friends ever since fourth grade.
"Good morning to you too, Kaorin," Riri turned to the black hair girl with straight bangs, walking with an indifferent expression and only scoffed in return. Her other best friend was Kaori, way too posed and serious. But she knew Kaori's personality deep down. Kaori was like a tsundere. She met Kaori when they had class together for their first semester in middle school. Kaori was quiet but Riri knew an interesting person when she saw them so Ririka never gave up until Kaori finally let her in.
"You're noisy as always," Kaori complained.
"Don't be like that, Kaorin," Riri pouted. There was something about Kaori's complaints and attitude that reminded her of a certain person.
"Stop crowding around or I'll bite you to death," called out a familiar voice. The one that made Ririka's heart beat even faster. Right, Kaori's attitude was almost the same as this prefect. Except he was a raging storm and she was more like a quiet wind.
"Hibari-san," Riri found herself saying.
The prefect turned his attention to the person who called out his name. His eyebrows furrowed. "Good morning!" She grinned. Riri has been told that her optimism and sunshine-like personality was one of her charming traits.
He frowned at her happy greeting and walked away without another glance back. But this was nothing to crush her dreams, it happened almost everyday sadly. Almost as in sometimes he wasn't there for her to greet.
"As hard to approach as ever," Mari frowned. "Really, you have terrible taste in guys." Mari too had a unique personality deep down. Although she seemed constantly bubbly and happy, she could also be extremely serious and stern.
"That's mean," Riri pretended to whine. "I can't help it. He's just so amazing!"
Kaori scoffed which caused Riri's lips to curve into a teasing smile. "You agree, don't you Kaorin~?"
"W-Wha-" Kaori's eyes widened and stuttered as her cheeks grew hot, a crack in her stoic mask. Kaori also had a small crush on Hibari deep down. It didn't bother them both though because to be truly honest and realistic, the chances of any of them making it were dim. However, it was really adorable whenever Kaori showed her other side and Hibari was a good tease against her.
Perhaps this is why Ririka got along with her two best friends so well. Because despite her carefree and happy go lucky personality, there was another side to her. One that was insecure, scared, and sad. But she didn't let it show often, didn't want to worry anyone.
They continued in their usual random conversations until class had started and they would disperse into their classrooms. Ririka had class with Kaori but Mari was unfortunately in the class over.
Ririka spent her time in class not paying attention as usual. Sure, she would get scolded from time to time but she couldn't help that absent minded nature of hers. She found her thoughts forming the shape of her crush. She doodled a few things. Unconsciously wrote his name. Once Riri was in love, she fell pretty hard.
She let her imagination roam wild, she would think about scenes where she would confess and he would accept it in his weird way of his. She would imagine helping him out in his office or walking home with him. Sometimes she would dare to be creative enough to think of a scene for a date but that never turned out right. He would be out of character.
She wondered what he would be if he was romantic. Surely he could be capable of such things if he were in love. Some way or another. She was sure that perhaps he would be able to change if he were willing.
Riri went through the day like a teenage girl in love would, only anticipating the moments she would see her crush. Aside from her enthusiasm for sports, of course. She breezed through the day lost in her daydreams and fantasies. Soon enough it was the end of the school day. Sure, she wanted school to end because she hated having to learn and sit through boring classes. But what she looked forward to was exiting the building, looking up at the rooftop, and seeing him against the background of an orange tinted sky.
...
"Ne, Kaorin," she started as she sipped on her orange soda. Kaori looked up from her phone uninterested, waiting for whatever inconvenient thing Riri was about to say.
"How did you fall for Hibari-san?" Riri asked casually while Kaori's eyes widened slightly as her cheeks flushed in a light shade of pink.
"W-Wha-"
"Oh c'mon. You were so uninterested in everybody. But why him?" Riri mused. Today she could. Since Mari wasn't there. Mari was a supportive friend but when the topic of Hibari came up, she would scoff and her delicate eyebrows would furrow. Mari thought he was nothing more than a jerk, nothing great about him. And that he only served the purpose of hurting people physically and emotionally.
"Such a nosy question," Kaori mumbled, glancing away.
"Then if I went first, would you tell me?" Riri offered with a grin. She knew that no matter how uninterested Kaori may seem, she had great curiosity.
"That depends on your answer," Kaori shrugged and Riri took that as a yes.
Her elbow was propped onto the table and she leaned her chin onto her palm. "Well… I suppose it was kinda silly. So on one of the first few days of school, before it started. I found baby kitty stuck in a tree, unable to get down. So being the totally great person I am, I attempted to climb the tree."
Kaori scoffed at that but Riri continued after a giggle. "It was a lot harder than it seemed. The branches scraped me a few times and I struggled a bit but eventually I made it up there. I reached my hand out but the cat seemed to be scared of me, it refused to come near me. So I inched closer and as clumsy o' me, my balance slipped. I almost thought I was going to die, to be honest," her smiled softened.
"But I landed, in his arms. I still remember what he said, of course. 'What do you think you're doing, herbivore?' I remember my cheeks growing hot, my chest beating wildly also due to the fact that I almost died. He put me down and swung up onto the branch with ease. He looked so cool. And the cat automatically warmed up to him. And the sight of him, carrying it down like a hero, was just…" Riri let how a heavenly sigh while Kaori rolled her eyes."And then of course he glared at me and said, 'Hurry up and get to class before I bite you to death.'"
"Hibari as a hero, huh," Kaori mused.
"What about you?" Riri grinned.
"It isn't a big deal." Kaori poked at her cake nonchalantly. "Library. One day after school. I was studying. I decided I needed one more book so I went to find it. But it was unluckily on the top shelf. I didn't want to bother anyone so I took one of those small stools and I tip toed. I almost had it too, at my fingertips. But like you, I lost my balance, I faltered backwards. I thought I was going to fall, hit my head, whatever. But a hand was on my back, steadying me. With ease, he reached up and grabbed the book from behind me. I turned around to meet his face, his uninterested expression. He shoved the book at me though. 'Do be careful not to cause a huge mess,' he said with a frown and walked away." Kaori finished with a small and gentle smile.
"So I guess he saved us both, huh," Ririka laughed. "Amazing. He is amazing." Riri was surprised to find Kaori nodding just slightly, just once. She sipped at her drink for a moment, getting slightly lost in her imagination. "I wonder who would be the lucky girl, if there would ever be one," she mused out loud.
Kaori scoffed. "As if."
Riri giggled at that. "Do you think he'd be interested in girls who he could protect or one that challenges him?"
Kaori raised an eyebrow at her question. "I guess the first would be too boring. But isn't that more likely?"
Riri pressed her lips together. "When I think of an ideal female for Hibari… I somehow imagine a cool, mysterious, black haired girl. As intimidating but as good looking as he is. Strong and what not."
Kaori shook her head. "Putting yourself out of the game already huh."
Riri laughed softly at her friend's teasing remark. "I'm just being realistic, Kaorin."
"No, you're just being imaginative. Realistic is him being uninterested in anyone."
"True, huh," Riri smiled despite the dream crushing words, feeling a slight pain in her chest.
...
"I'm going to do it today! I'm going to confess," Ririka shouted out. This was not a reckless idea formed on the spot. Okay, perhaps it was reckless. But she did some thinking, so much that she barely had a wink of sleep yesterday night.
Mari smiled softly and rooted her on even though Mari probably thought it was a bad idea. "Good luck."
"Are you okay with it, Kaorin?" Riri asked to make sure even though she didn't expect much for an answer.
"As if I care," Kaori frowned. Although deep down, Riri was sure that Kaori knew as much as she did that the confession would not go anywhere.
"It's not like I'm asking him out anyways," Riri smiled. "I kind of just… want to let him know. Let it out so I can just move on."
"That sounds like a good idea!" Mari threw her arm around Riri's shoulders. "I'm all for it." Mari would definitely be supportive if it meant Ririka would stop wasting time on such a jerk.
"Thanks!" Ririka grinned even though the proclamation of her plans started making her nervous and anxious.
The day went by faster than usual, much to her dismay actually. Like any normal person, she was terribly nervous and she played the situation over in her head. She could not imagine how her crush would react to her confession. More likely than not, she knew that there won't be a reaction. Still, she recited her words over and over like practicing for a speech.
The time came eventually. Her friends gave her words of encouragement, well Mari did. Kaori just watched the two talk but before leaving, Kaori placed a hand on her shoulder with a small squeeze. Kaori didn't talk much so she showed her intentions in a different way.
Ririka stood in front of the door leading out to the rooftop to what appeared to be countless minutes. She patted down the sides of her hair and fiddled with her bangs for what seemed to be the twentieth time.
"Yosh!" She exclaimed, pumping herself up. She took a huge breath before closing her hand on the cool metal of the door knob and finally opening the door to the rooftop. Surely enough, the prefect was there, leaning against the railings. Ririka found herself already mesmerized by his strong looking form despite the relaxed position he was in. She watched as the jacket draped over his shoulders fly back like a cape. It seemed heroic, the way she imagined him to be in some of her scenarios.
She steeled her will and took a few steps towards him. The noises made him whip around, narrowing his cool gray eyes at her for ruining his peaceful moment.
"Hibari-san," she called out. "May I speak to you for a moment?"
"What do you want, herbivore?" He frowned. "You're disturbing my peace and quiet."
"It'll only be a quick moment," she forced a grin despite her anxiety. "I'm Tanabe Ririka," she started with. He raised an eyebrow, arms crossing in front his chest impatiently. "I, uh," she took a few steps forward and stopped a few feet in front of him.
"I just wanted to let you know that I… I've admired you for a long time, ever since I entered school," she felt her face grow hot. "You probably don't remember but you saved me that one time, along with that cat in the tree." He continued to stare at her indifferently which caused her to become more anxious.
"And ever since then… I think you're really amazing and incredibly strong…..and not to mention.. h-handsome," her eyes darted elsewhere for a few moments. Something about this was starting to sound strange, too shallow. He was still staring at her when her gaze returned to him. Assumingly, Hibari still didn't understand what she was trying to say. No point backing out now, she told herself.
"And I've grown feelings for you… But it's n-not like I'm asking you to be my…. b-boyfriend… I just uh… I want to get to know you more," she finished awkwardly as his steel gray eyes bore into her.
"Is that it?" he finally spoke. His face and voice were both indifferent. She knew he wouldn't have cared.
"Y-yes," she felt her smile weakened. "T-Thanks for listening to me," Riri excused herself and walked towards the metal door. Before turning the handle, she allowed herself one last look at the rooftop and at him whose back was to her, leaning back onto the railing. Always watching the town for some reason, as if it was the most relaxing thing. Because for him, his heart wasn't beating as fast as hers. He wasn't a mess because he didn't just pull all his courage to confess to someone he's admired for so long and didn't even receive a reply.
She closed the door behind the sight that she wouldn't want to see, not for a long time.
But other than defeat and disappointment, she felt light. She felt something new like freedom. The weight finally lifted off her shoulders. She knew now and she couldn't say she regretted having done it. So she wiped her tears away quickly and smiled to herself.
That was all that mattered.
So this is it, my first love.
{ ... }
She found her two friends in their usual morning routine when the students started scattering. She smiled softly to herself because she knew her now distant crush had appeared onto the scene to hand out death threats.
"Ah, looks like Hibari is at it again," Mari chuckled.
"Nothing ever changes him huh," Riri mused to herself. It had been a few months since her confession but time definitely healed all wounds. She figured a lot of things during that time. One of them being how she had a reason for liking him, but she never really knew him at all. But who's to say that love at first sight didn't matter?
"Stop crowing around or I'll bite you to death," Hibari threatened on his usual rampage.
From the corner of her eye, Ririka caught the annoyed flash of light brown orbs and the wisps of light pink hair as the girl turned her attention away from the commotion. The unfamiliar face of what is undoubtedly the new transfer student. Her suspicions were correct when the principal appeared to take her in in which the girl smiled kindly too.
It was then that Riri found her new target for friendship. Ririka may be a bit slow in other areas but she could easily tell when someone had a mask on.
Bingo.
"You seem interesting," Riri told her the moment they met. The girl watched her with careful eyes before giving out a soft laugh. Ririka knew though, she could tell an honest laugh from a forced one. This made her excited though, she loved meeting people and their different sides after all. That despite this calm, kind, independent, mature demeanor, there was more. More than what she lead people to think, what they see. Girly, open, outgoing. There was anger, annoyance.
Ririka soon realized that she was partially wrong. It was true that her new friend had a mask on but it was quite different.
Ririka felt like there was more to be discovered but now she pondered if the girl even knew there was more at all.
But the week passed on like normal. Ririka attempted to get to know her new friend more but she seemed to be shut up in a shell, much more intricate than Kaori's. Riri didn't think too much into it though, if that was what the girl wished.
"Let's go get cake! I heard that they opened up a new bakery," Mari clapped excitedly and shoved a flyer at Riri.
"Yes, let's go! That sounds great," Riri answered her best friend's excitement as she read the flyer. "You'll go too, won't you Kaori? You love cake-" Riri looked up to her other best friend who was walking with her head turned back. Riri traced her eyesight to the rooftop. An empty rooftop.
Without intentionally doing it, Riri and Kaori would normally find themselves looking up onto the rooftop where the Hibari Kyoya would be at least in the beginning or end of the day. He was always looking out into the town. It seemed to be some kind of peace that he let himself indulge in.
It's been awhile but as Ririka put some thought into it, he really hasn't been there in awhile. "Maybe something's changed," Riri mumbled. But aside from his absence, the sky looked the same. The air felt the same. Whatever changed did not matter to her.
{ ... }
Later on that month, she heard Hibari has been hurt. Rumors went that for once he was defeated. She didn't feel devastated except for the fact that the undefeated Hibari Kyoya actually lost. Although, she was worried as a normal person should be.
Riri stopped outside his hospital room, wondering what the point was anymore. She had gotten over him but something in her still strived to be noticed. All that hard work she put it in seemed to be going down the drain all at once if she stopped here. The least they could do was be friends, right? One sided. But if she learned more sides of him, perhaps she would fall in love with him for the more than one reason.
She took a huge breath and placed her hand on the doorknob. She was prepared to turn it when she heard voices from the other side of the door.
Riri's eyes widened. "Yes, yes I know," she made out a familiar bell like voice. Someone she started getting acquainted to. Then she heard the female's laughter which shocked her in a way, surprised that girl was getting along with him.
"What are you smiling at?" Riri caught the voice of her former crush. The way he was speaking now, the fact that it wasn't just some usual death threat. It was different.
She found herself smiling, glad that she was because that could only mean one thing, and turned the other way to leave without another glance back.
I see.
Present.
The sky started taking a warm shade, preparing to be tainted by the sunset as the last of people who remained on campus started leaving. Ririka walked with her two best friends at her side but something bugged her, she couldn't go home yet. She knew it was something she ought to do.
"Marichi, Kaorin, I have something I still need to take care of so you guys go ahead," Riri smiled. Her friends looked at each other but nodded. Mari smiled understandingly and waved her off before leaving school grounds.
Ririka on the other hand, ran into the building, facing forward, only looking ahead.
She was panting slightly but this time she was different than the last time. With full resolve, she twisted the doorknob without hesitation and the metal door opened to reveal an orange hued sky.
The prefect was leaning against the railing, looking out into the town. Ririka expected him to have turned around at the noise but he seemed rather preoccupied. She took the chance to walk up to him from behind.
"Hibari-san?" she called out his name, a while since she has. It sounded weird coming from her voice.
Apparently that caught his attention because he whipped his head around, frowning. "What is it? You're disturbing my peace." He stuffed a piece of paper into his back pocket and glared at her.
I see.
She almost laughed because nothing about him seemed to be at peace at all. "I just wanted to let you know since you helped me before."
He raised his eyebrow at her but he said nothing more.
"Standing there, looking out. Searching like that. You're not going to find what you're looking for," she smiled after speaking those daring words of advice. He parted his lips but she wasn't interested in what he wanted to say for once.
She made up her mind already after all.
She turned around and walked away, face forward.
No glances back.
Not anymore.