Title: Don't Say Goodbye...
by: Sakura Seta
Chapter 1: A Ripple in the Calm Waters
Ukkiya Shun was walking down the street in high spirits, whistling an obscure tune as he did so. It was a beautiful sunny day: the type of weather when nary a cloud marred the flawlessness of the sky. Indeed it was the perfect summer weather. Maybe I could ask Rurippe to go to the park with me later after I finish doing the things mom asked me to do, he thought absently.
“Ukkiya-kun! Ukkiya-kun!” a feminine voice called after him.
Ukkiya turned to look at who was calling him and was pleased to see that it was Ruriko. Just the girl I wanted to see. Ruriko looked pretty, as usual, and she looked excited. Her face was flushed a flattering shade of rose (probably from running after him), and she was waving a bunch of papers with her left hand. He stopped to wait for her, a smile brightening his already happy face.
“Oi, Rurippe, what’s up?” he greeted cheerfully when she caught up with him.
Ruriko promptly hit him on the head and glared at him. But still the excited sparkle remained in her eyes. “Ukkiya-kun, look at this!” She shoved a bunch of papers in front of his face.
“Easy Ruruppe,” he teased good-naturedly. After he had rubbed the sting from his jaw where Ruruko’s fist had slammed earlier, he took the papers from her outstretched hand and scanned the first page:
Congratulations on your admission to Harvard University for the first semester of Academic Year 1969-1970, under the degree program of your choice namely:
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
MAJOR IN BIOLOGY
On behalf of the Harvard Community, we wish to extend to you our warm and sincere welcome. We look forward to seeing you at Harvard University and trust that your educational experience with the university will be both enjoyable and rewarding.
Sincerely yours,
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS
Ukkiya felt his heart drop down to his toes when he finished reading the letter. His earlier good mood was evaporating rapidly. This can’t be…. He raised his confused gray eyes to meet with Ruriko’s excited brown ones.
At his questioning stare, Ruriko smiled widely. “I’m going to study in Harvard, Ukkiya-kun!”
He felt as though he had been punched in the gut at her confirmation. The full impact of what was happening, or rather, what would happen, registered in his already numb brain. “Harvard… that’s so far away…” he muttered under his breath almost absentmindedly.
Ruriko’s smile faltered a bit. “I know. But I can’t possibly pass up an opportunity like this.” She peered at him closely. “You’re happy for me aren’t you?”
A look of sadness crossed Ukkiya’s eyes, but in a flash, it was gone. He forced a smile for her benefit. “Sure, I’m happy for you.” He grinned cockily. “And I’m happy for me as well. Imagine, I’ll be free of Ruriko the sniveler at last!” he exclaimed dramatically.
Ukkiya could swear he saw pain flash briefly in Ruriko’s eyes. But it had gone so quickly that he wondered if he had only imagined seeing it.
“Baka Ukkiya-kun. It is I who would be free of you at long last,” she retorted back. She stuck her tongue out at him.
In response, Ukkiya made a face at her and Ruriko couldn’t help but laugh at how silly he looked. Ukkiya laughed along with her. When their laughter subsided, Ukkiya tapped her lightly on the shoulder. “Listen Rurippe, I really have to get going. Okaa-san asked me to run some errands for her and I have to finish them before dinnertime. Catch you later, ok?”
“Yeah, I’ll see you later. I have to tell the others the good news anyway. Bye!” Ruriko waved before running off in the opposite direction.
Ukkiya stared after her until she disappeared from sight. Sighing, he continued walking and did the things his mother asked him to do. But his mind wasn’t really on it. His mind was on Ruriko, and her impending departure for the States. One question kept on running through his mind: How was he supposed to survive without her by his side?