Tuesday, March 6, 2001

A/n: Hi minna! Here is chapter five, sorry didn’t work on this sooner…thanks to those who’ve reviewed^^. The couple is decided –Leeki/Henrika! ^^ Sorry Ryo/Rika fan, but please keep reading^^…Okay…on to the fic

The small snowflakes fall down from the clear blur sky, the cold wind breath softly in the air. Rika sat on the one of the swings in the park. Swinging back and forth slowly, her black boots touched the snow-covered ground leaving a trace every time when she swung back and forth. Rika, for the some of the few times in her life she was deeply in thought. Her head was down, looking at the ground blankly as she recalled the conversation between her and her mother a few days ago.

“Rika, I need to talk to you about something.” Her mother said as she stepped into Rika’s room and walked towards her sitting down at her bed besides Rika.

“Yeah?” Rika asked.

“I talked to your grandma about this already, the other day at dinner, but you seemed wasn’t concentrating. But anyways, I’m about to be away for a while because of work, and this time I’m going to America with my new manager.”  Rika looked at her mother a little surprised, but she didn’t say anything.

“And the problem is I’m going to be away for at least five years…” Rika looked even more shocked.

“Five years?” she asked in surprise.  Her mother nodded, but then smiled.

“That’s why I want to bring you and your grandma along with me-“

“What?!” Rika cut her mother off, she stared at her mother in disbelieve.

“Well, listen to me Rika. It’s not going to be as bad as you think, we already had bought our house there and you are going to a new school and make new friends. And besides, my new manager has a son your age, so you wouldn’t feel alone at first, and his name is Ryo.” Rika’s eyes widened as she heard Ryo’s name.

“Ry…Ryo…Akiyama…?” Rika asked after few second, trying to sound like her normal voice.

“Yes, do you know him?” Rika’s mother asked curiously, Rika looked away and lowered her head.

“He’s in my school.”

“That’s even better! You already known each other!” Rika’s mom exclaimed. Rika looked at her again.

“But mom, I don’t want go there, I don’t want leave Japan.” Rika said as calm as she could.

“Rika, why can’t you understand that this is really important to me? This may be the chance for me to become a international model!”

“But mom, why can’t you understand that I don’t want to leave here! I got use to the life here in Japan, I don’t want go to a new country, I don’t even know anyone there!”

“Don’t worry Rika, it’s not as bad as you thought-“

“Yes it is! You only care about yourself, you only care about your career, you never cared about me! NEVER! “ Rika stood up from her bed and ran out of the room slammed the door behind her.

She had never been so angry before; she was usually calm and cool. But this time she was really angry with her mother, mad that her mother didn’t even thought of what she’ll think, how she would feel. And what surprised her the most is that Ryo is coming with her. Is not that she really hates him, but what about Henry…? Rika’s eyes widened, ‘Henry…’ her heart felt a sharp of pain when she thought of that name, thought of she’s leaving him that she may never see him again.

‘Henry…’

A softly tap on the shoulder brought Rika back to reality. She turned her head to look behind and found Henry.

“Hey Rika.” Henry greeted with a smile on his face. She looked a little startled, but then gave him a small smile.

“Hi Henry.” Rika said softly. Henry sat down on the swing besides her and started rocking back and forth slowly.

“Are you okay Rika? You didn’t look very well these days, is there something bothering you?” Rika looked down again, shook her head slowly.

“No…” she answered. Then a period of silence followed, the only sound could be heard was the noise from the iron chains. Rika rose up her head to the sky, the snowflakes fall on her face and melted immediately. Henry looked at her then smiled to himself.

“ Hey, let’s see who can swing higher!” Henry exclaimed, and then started swinging back and forth. Rika soon joined him. They swung higher and higher each time, the sound of laughers filled in the air.

‘I can’t believe I am doing this!’ Rika said in her mind. She had never been this relax before, she hadn’t laugh like that for a long time. ‘And Yet, I am doing it! And I really enjoy it! I always feel happy and relax whenever I’m with him…’

After a moment, they both slowed down and finally stopped swinging high, only rocking slowly. Rika looked over at Henry, who looked back at her as they exchanged a smile.

“Feel better now?” Henry asked.

“Yeah, thanks. I haven’t laugh like that for ages, I guess I needed that.”

“No problem,” Henry smiled again, “You look really pretty when you laugh.” Rika’s heart skipped a beat, she could feel her face turned red.

“Par…pardon?” she asked, trying to sound as calm as she could. Henry just shook his head slightly.

“Nothing…never mind.” Rika lowered her head again; somehow she felt a trace of disappointment inside. But she shook it away, she knew she was just hearing things, how could she be so foolish to expect Henry would say something like that to her.

‘What the hell was I thinking???’ Henry scowled at himself in his mind. ‘How can I just let it out like that? But maybe… I guess I should tell her…that’s what I came for today…there may not be another chance…’

 Another period of silence followed, one’s head looking down on the ground, one’s head looking up in the sky, both deep in their own thoughts.

“I have something to tell you.” finally both of them decided to broke of the silence and said in reunion, they exchanged a smile.

“Okay, you go first.” Henry mentioned Rika to say it first.

“There…there’s something I think you should know…before too late…”

“Yeah…?”

“My mother has to go to America soon…and I have to go with her…” Henry was shocked at the news, but he tried to calm down and forced a small smile out of him.

“Tha…that’s great! You will get a chance to meet more people, and start a new life.” He lied, he didn’t want Rika go to, but he knew he shouldn’t be so selfish to keep her here, and he knew she wouldn’t do that for him anyway, but he didn’t know that’s exactly what Rika want to do. Rika felt a wave of depression coming towards her; she could feel her heart was sinking deeper, somehow, she expected Henry would say something different from what she heard. 

“How long will you be gone for?” Henry asked softly.

“At least five years, and Ryo’s coming with me.” Henry was shocked first, then he could feel a pain through his heart; he could feel his heart broke into pieces, like a broken mirror.

‘She likes Ryo…I should have known it before…how could I be so foolish to lie to myself that I may have a chance…?’ Henry forced another smile.

“ That’s even better! With Ryo coming with you, you couldn’t feel alone at first.” Henry explained. Rika just nodded in response.

“So…when are you guys leaving?”

“Monday morning…”

“Oh…so soon…? Well, I guess I’ll wish you good luck then.”

“Thanks…”

“Don’t for get to bring me something when you come back.” Henry joked, but deep inside he’s really hurt. Rika just gave him a small smile in response.

‘He really wants me to leave…but then again…who would want me to stay…? I’m so stupid I thought he would…’ Rika was mad at her self for having such useless thoughts; at the same time her heart was also in pain. She tried to control herself in front of Henry; even if Henry weren’t there she wouldn’t allow herself to cry. She felt useless when she cry; she hated her self for that, she felt like she has been fooled by those emotions of hers. But on the other hand, Henry was thinking totally different thing.

‘Well, at least you know she couldn’t be alone. Ryo is a nice guy; he would take care of her…I should be happy for her…’

“So…what did you want to tell me?” Rika asked, trying to change the subject. Henry smiled then shook his head.

“Nothing really important, just forget it…”

They stayed there in silence as the snow fall onto them. But somewhere else in the park, near the swing they were sitting in, a boy with spiky brown hair was watching them the whole time…

***

That night, Rika didn’t sleep well. Her eyes started at the ceiling, thinking about the conversation between her and Henry.

‘I should have never trusted in feelings…and emotions…they are all fake…you love them, but they don’t love you back…why should I have these feelings anyway…? Especially towards him…because…he’s your friend, he was the first one to talk to you, be friends with you…’ Rika closed her eyes; the scenes flow through her head…

“Huh…um…do you have a partner for the math project yet?”

 “No, I’m working alone anyway.”

 “But it would be much easier if you work with a partner.”

 “Whatever.”

“Would you like to be partner with me?”

“Ah…!”

“What’s wrong Rika?”

“Nothing, just a paper cut, no big deal.”

“Here, let me put this on for you.”

She sighed, a single tear slid down her cheek as she fall asleep.

Somewhere else in the city, in a beautiful apartment building. In Henry’s bedroom, he turned his body to the left, eyes looking straight blankly.

‘She loves him…I hate to admit it, but it hurts…badly…I guess I’ll just have to keep this love inside me…forever…’

***

Monday morning had finally arrived. It was 10:30 in the morning, but it was cloudy. Rika walked out from her house, Ryo and his family was already there waiting for them. Rika saw two men, was busy transporting the suitcases into the car, her mother and grandma were busy talking to Ryo’s parents. Ryo get out from the car and walked up to her.

“Hey Rika!” Ryo greeted with a smile on his face.

“Hi.”  Rika replied, giving him a small smile. They stood in front of each other in silence; Ryo was trying to find a subject to say while Rika was looking at the road blankly. The road that Henry may come and say goodbye to her, she was hoping she could see him one last time and say goodbye to him, but she found no one, no one was walking on the street. She looked up at the sky, it was darker than usual, and the clouds were grey, same colour as the sky. Soon there would be a big rainfall coming.

“So…did you tell anyone else that you are leaving?” Ryo asked, finally broke of the silence between them.

“Yeah, I told Henry on Saturday-“ Rika didn’t get a chance to finish as her mother had interrupted her.

“Rika! Ryo! Come on let’s go! We are leaving!” Rika’s mother yelled in the car, her head stuck out of the window. Ryo looked at Rika then smiled.

“Come let’s go.” Rika nodded and followed Ryo. It was a really big van they rented, because they knew there would be a lot of people in the car, and a normal family car just wouldn’t do the job.  Ryo got into the car first, he sad down at the back seat, saving a spot for Rika. Rika took one last look at the road, hoping to find what she’s been waiting for, but to her disappointment she didn’t find anyone expect for an empty street. She sighed, then hardened her heart and stepped into the car.  A drop of rain dropped onto the ground, then another one, followed by another; before you know it, it was raining.

The car began to move, to the direction of airport. Henry walked out from the corner and onto the street, he watched as the car disappeared into the rain with sadness in his eyes.

Rika and Ryo sat in the van in completely silence; the only sound they could hear was the chatter of their parents. Rika looked outside the window, buildings and trees past by her eyes, the drops of rain splashed on to the window.

“You love him don’t you…?” Ryo asked suddenly. Rika’s eyes widened, but she stayed there in silence.

“If you really love him you should go to him…or…both of you may regret it…” Ryo took out a small note from his pocket.

“Here, it’s from Henry. I didn’t read it, he told me to give it to you when we arrive there, but I think I better give it now before too late…” Rika finally turned her head to see Ryo, he smiled at her. Rika took the note in her hand, she stared at it for a moment, and then unfolded it began to read.

                                                                                                -Henry-

Rika stared blankly at the note; she was speechless and shocked. A softly touch on the shoulder brought her back to reality, she turned her head and found Ryo smiling at her.

“Go to him, I’m sure he feels the same way for you…or both of your will regret it…” Ryo said softly. Rika looked the note, and then looked at Ryo, her eyes filled with confusions and decisions were finally being made.

“Mom tells the driver to stop the car!” Rika suddenly yelled, spoke up for the first time since she step into this car. The driver parked along the sidewalk, and Rika jumped out from the car as soon as it stopped.

“What’s wrong Rika?” her mother asked from inside the car.

“Mom, I can’t go with you, I’m sorry….” Rika replied as she stood there in the heavy rain.

“What!? Come on Rika this is no time for joke, we need to get to the airport now or we’ll miss the flight. Come on, get into the car!”

“No! I’m not joking! Please understand I can’t go!” Rika protested.

“What are you saying Rika?”

“I…I can’t leave here…I can’t leave him! I love him mom!” Rika cried as tears ran down from her face she just couldn’t control it anymore. The look on her mother’s face was something Rika had never seen.

“ Please Miss Nonaka. Please let Rika go.” Ryo begged. Rika’s grandma put a hand on Makino’s shoulder and smiled.

“Understand her dear, she’s your only daughter.” Makino stared into her mother’s eyes, and then finally smiled. She turned to Rika, who’s looking at her with determined eyes.

“Okay Rika, I understand now, and I’m sorry for earlier. But I’m going to miss you.” Rika couldn’t believe her ears; she stared at her mother for a moment, and then gave her a warm smile.

“Me too mom, and thank you!” she turned her head to see Ryo, who seemed really happy for her.

“Thank you too Ryo, you had always been a good friend to me, and I’m going to miss you a lot.”

“Me too Rika…”

Rika gave one last look at her mother and grandma, then turned her head began to run to the direction where she came from.

“But Rika wait-“

“Don’t worry,” Rika’s grandma cut her daughter off. “ I’m with her, and him…”

***

Rika ran as fast as she ever could, she almost tripped for couple of times because of the slippery ground. The rain splashed onto her shoes and pants, she was wet from head to toe but she didn’t care, she kept on running and running. Across the street, turned the corner and finally she stopped running and stood there like a statue. Wasn’t far away from her, there was a boy with dark blue hair sitting on the ground with his back leaned against the wooden door of Rika’s home. He was just as wet as she was; his hair was so longer spiky, his head face up, staring at the cloudy sky blankly. Raindrops pored onto his face and flowed down along his eyes down to his chain like rivers. Tears once again filled Rika’s eyes, she took a deep breath then began to walk closer to him. The boy seemed to notice as the girl walked closer and closer with each step. He turned his head to the girl slowly, and his eyes widened as he saw Rika. Henry stood up slowly, never taking his eyes off her, Rika finally stopped walking and stood in front of him face to face, looking at him with tears and happiness in her eyes. Henry was the first one to response, he smiled and wiped out the tear running drown from Rika’s eyes with his hand. Rika took his hand in hers, and smiled back at him. Henry then grabbed her into a tight huge, Rika was a little startled first, but soon hugged tighter in response. They two of them stayed like that as the time passed by…

Rika’s grandmother smiled as she watched the couple in a car parked nearby…

***

The End

How much I love you…

My feeling for you is true; my love for you is true,

Moon represents my heart…

You touched my heart with a soft kiss…

The deep love is still burning in my memory…

You ask me how deep I really love you…

How much I love you…

Don’t you see…think about it yourself…

Moon represents my heart…

A/n: YEAH!! FINALLY FINISHED!!! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!! I know this is a long chapter, but if I put it into two chapter, the next chapter would be too short…but anyways…thanks for reading and please review^^…oh and the song at the end, it was just a little ending song I wrote…^^…and sorry for any spelling and grammar mistake…