HSJ

HSJ

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Second Chances Ch. 12





“The other fingerprint belongs to Kei.”
“Kei?! What the hell?! He's been with us through this whole mess! He has no motive to attack Riki! He would never do that!” Nina screamed annoyed. Hikaru groaned, “Nina... if his fingerprints were on the same knife... its not surprising that he would be taken in as a suspect. We can't get him out of that...”
“But he was the one who witnessed what that guy did to Riki! Without him... we have no witness. We don't have anything to prove Jared's guilty.” Nina panicked. They were all silent as she turned to her best friend, sadly staring off. “Riki, say something. You've been quiet this entire time...”
“...I need to clear my head...” she said standing up. She headed out the door before any of them could say anything.


“...” Riki quietly walked through town, he head hung as she thought.
“Ri?” she soon heard as she turned. A surprise look came on her face, “K-Kei...” He scratched his head, “Sorry... I know I said I'd stay away from you... but you looked so sad. Is everything okay?” She thought again as she said, “...Not really...”
“Anything I can help with?”
“... You should get outta here while you can.” she told him watching around. He gave her a questioning look, “What? Why?” She stated, “Just trust me. I don't remember much about what happened to me... but if you know what's good for you, you'll leave.”
“Riki, I don't understand. What's going on?” he wondered.
“Kei, they found fingerprints on the knife... not only Jared's--”
“They found mine...” he sighed as she nodded. “Ri, I'm not leaving. That would make me look more suspicious. I know I'm not guilty so I'll man up and face them.” She was silent as he gave her a smile, “Hey, come on. Don't be sad. We can get through this.”
“I guess... how can you be so happy. You're about to be arrested any second...”
“Because I didn't do anything.” he said seriously. “Sure, my finger prints may be on the knife, but I know. It was Jared's fault you're in this mess... I have faith in you. You may not remember, but you'll know.” There was a silence as he said, “Well, the police are probably at my place right now. I should get going.” He began heading off as he stopped, “Ri...”
“What?” she questioned. He was silent, “I... Since I'm gonna be under surveillance for who knows how long... do you mind if we hang out together for the rest of the day? Just you and me?” She thought, but nodded as he smiled, “Great. Let's go.” He held out a hand to her as she took it and they headed off.
“The beach again?” she stated with a small smile. He nodded, “it's a soothing place... and luckily. It's pretty empty.” They sat on the sandy beach once again as Riki's mind drifted. Kei laid on the sand and told her, “Since... you're trying to get your memories back now... Can you remember the significance of this spot?”
“A bit...” she thought. “Our first date...” He nodded, “Yea. The best day of my life.” She turned away a bit red as she smiled, “... haha, you ditch school and snuck me out. Just so we could go out on that day. You were too impatient to wait til the weekend.” He nodded, “OF course I was. Hikaru got to go out with you the day before.”
“You were jealous.” she giggled. He chuckled, “Maybe a little...” She then continued, “... And you... You had stopped fighting. At least that was the day I noticed. No more bruises, cuts, anything.”
“Because you were a good influence on me...” Then he laughed, “And then we got that call from Hikaru. He was in such a panic when you never came back to class. And Nina! Haha...”
“She was freaking out to hear we were out together.” Riki lit up remembering. “She was bursting with happiness when she heard.” He nodded. “And then our date continued. We went shopping in the outlets... and then...” She tried to think. “We were hiding...”
“Yea. One of the gangs I used to fight.”
“They were looking for you. So I tried to hide you from them.” she stated. “And it worked.” He nodded, “You were one sneaky girl.” But his smile faded, “... Now that I think about it... it wasn't only the best day of my life. Not everything... was that great, that day...”
“Why?” she wondered trying to remember what happened after that. They had went over to Hikaru's where he and Nina were waiting anxiously. She had gotten angry at Nina for telling Hikaru something personal about her and stormed off... when she and Kei had run into someone. Then it struck her.
“... That was the day.” Kei sighed a bit annoyed. “When our lives started getting screwed up... the day Jared found you.” She began recollecting what had happened that night. That meeting.


Riki, wait!” Kei said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her into him to hug her. “Calm down, alright? You don't need to freak out.”
I don't need to freak out?! I have all the right to freak out! My best friend telling my business to people is freaking backstabbing me! She's suppose to be someone I could trust!” she screamed.
And she is! There has to be a good explanation for why she told Hikaru... whatever it is you're freaked out about... remember she's been acting weird. That's probably why she told him.” he explained as she thought. She took a deep breath and sighed, “Well, I guess I was just over reacting...” He nodded, “Now why don't we go back and hear what Nina has to say?” She smiled to him, “Yea let's---”
Ryelie?” they heard as Riki froze. The voice sent chills down her spine. It had haunted her so many times in the past and now... she couldn't even turn around. She quickly ran as he called, “Ryelie!”


“Nina had told Hikaru... about Jared.” she stated. “He... was some kind of psychotic stalker ex-boyfriend. And when she saw him here in Japan. She kept her distance from me. She started avoiding me so he wouldn't find me...” Kei nodded continuing, “I confronted him, telling him to back off. He left that night, but... well he's not a very good listener. Then I went to find you. And you explained who he was and your relationship with him.”
“...I can see why your day turned upside down then.” she sighed. “He's not exactly the best thing to walk into your life...”
“Probably the worst thing.” he stated. “He... If it weren't for him. Things would be a lot better right now.” Riki sat in thought as she continued to recollect pieces of that day. Kei watched her and smiled, “... But after that encounter with him. The highlight of my life happened...”


Kei, you don't have to do all this. You finally stopped fighting. I don't want to be the reason you began fighting again.”
Riki, I want to do this for you. I hate seeing you scared like that and hurt. It pains me when I see you cry and I-- I just want to make him pay for what he did to you.” he thought. “Today was suppose to be the best day of your life. You had that great smile on your face all day and then he shows up and it vanishes!”
...Kei...” she hugged him. “You're such an awesome friend... I'm glad I got to meet you.” He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her, “I'm glad I met you too... Riki... I really like you.”
I like you too Kei-”
No, I mean. I REALLY like you.” he said as he stared into her dark brown eyes. “Ri, I know I've always flirted with you since we met... and it wasn't because you were different than all the other girls. It's because I really like you.”

...” she was speechless as he inched closer and closer to her. She was still wrapped within his arms and just as he was about to kiss her, a loud knock appeared at the door as Riki jumped in fear.
“Really... if we hadn't ran into Jared that day... It would've been the best day of my life.” he smiled happily. He turned to her, a bit red, “D-Do you remember that day...”


Riki, look.” he groaned. “Right now I'm really pissed at that guy... I just really wanna punch his guts out right now. Trust me, getting rid of him is a win win situation for you and me. You get him off your back, and I get to be the one to get him off your back.” A small smile appeared on her face, “...You know, I don't think I've ever been this glad to hear someone getting into a fight because of me... truth is... I think he deserves a beating.”
So you don't mind if I do it?”
I do... I seriously think he's someone you shouldn't mess with.” she said in a worried tone of voice. He approached her, “Relax, I know what I'm doing and I'll take whatever consequences there will be.”
...I dunno, Kei. I got a really bad feeling about this.” she sighed as her head hung. He moved his hand to her chin, lifting it to look at him. He smiled, “Riki, you trust me right?” She nodded. “Then believe me. I'll make sure he leaves you alone. I'm not sure what... but if its to keep that smile on your face... I'll do it.” They stood in silence as a slight blush slid across her face. She then sighed with a nod, “Alright, Kei. I'll trust you on this... just please be careful.”
When am I not?” he smiled as he thought, “Actually, don't answer that...” She smiled a little and thought. Kei sighed, “Riki, you don't need to worry... None of us will let him get to you alright?”
... I know you all won't... but still...” she thought. Kei hugged her, “Riki, I'd risk my life, just to keep that smile on your face... I won't let him hurt you ever again...” Her face was really red now, making Kei smile. Holding her tightly in his arms, he leaned into her. Riki's whole body tingled as she felt his lips on hers. Fireworks had been lit and blasted into the sky of her heart as his grip on her tightened and he deepened the kiss. Time passed as they heard a knock on the door, of course scaring Riki, right out of the kiss. Kei groaned as opened the door for Nina and Hikaru.
What's up with you?” Nina questioned as she saw Kei's annoyed face.
Nothing. I'm taking off then.” he said as he picked up his bag. “I'll see you soon Ri.”


“... Yea.” she stuttered, blushing. She put her fingers to her lips, as if that had happened recently. She could almost feel the warmth of his lips on hers. Kei nodded, “... my feelings have never changed Ri. Even with your amnesia. I could never have these feelings about anyone. I- I never did find out how you felt about me... so, can you tell me now?”
“T-Tell you... m-m-my feelings...” she stuttered nervously. He nodded, “It's been four months since... since the incident. You don't know how hard I've been trying to get you to see my feelings again. I-It's hard to do... for a guy like me to confess... and I've had to do it twice now.” He sighed, “But for you... I'd confess as many times as possible.”
“That's really... really sweet Kei.” she told him.
“So... can you tell me?”
“Kei... I--” she began but was interrupted, “There he is!” They both turned to see some police officers approaching. Kei sighed, “Damn... worst timing.” One of the officers said, “Inoo Kei? I'm afraid you'll need to come with us.”
“Alright. Just give me a minute.” he groaned turning back to Riki. “I guess... with all this drama going on lately, you're feeling conflicted. But I'll wait for your answer. No matter how long it takes.” Riki was just in thought, her head hung. Kei took a glimpse of the officers.
“Hey.” he smiled lifting her chin to face him. “Relax. You can do this. You'll make the right choice.” And then, he left with the officers, leaving Riki there alone, to think about what to do.

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