KAIRI AKASHI
It's been exactly four years since Ryu left, and I don't have even the slightest bit of news about him. Kei is now here beside me. Yes, I came back to him. Not because I love him, but because he forced me to. I didn't want to be forced, and I don't want this, but he manipulated our parents into believing it was really us all along.
Our friends know the truth; it was never supposed to be this way.
Yes, it's been four years since Ryu left me, and I miss him deeply. I want to follow him, but I have no idea where he is. We were eighteen when he left. Now we are twenty-two, and still, he is nowhere to be found.
I am slowly remembering my memories, but Kei keeps trying to wash them away. Does he want me to forget about Ryu?
I don't understand Kei; he is so obsessed. I am suffocating under his control. I don't want to be with him anymore. He is just fooling me. He is fooling himself. I don't love him, and he knows it. So why does he stay close, forcing himself on me? It's maddening.
"Daarin, let's go and eat?" It was Kei. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing..." I shook my head.
"Let's go then." He stood up. I just nodded and followed him to the cafeteria. He ordered food for us while I sat there, my eyes roaming around the room.
We had just gotten our jobs, which is why we were here. Mom and Dad were with the older generation. Suddenly, I was stunned by a familiar sight.
"Ryu?" the word slipped out of my mouth. I automatically stood up and walked towards him. "It's R-Ryu..."
He ran, and I followed. "Hey, Kairi!" Kei called after me.
I ignored him and kept running. "R-Ryu!!"
He looked back before climbing a wall and disappearing around the building. I could still feel his stare. "Kairi, why did you run away?" Kei asked, catching up to me.
I fell to my knees, tears streaming down my face, mixing with the raindrops that began to fall on my skin. "I-I saw him," I sobbed.
Kei draped his coat over me and helped me to stand. "Let's go..."
I looked back once more before leaving. I saw Ryu watching me, his gaze intense despite the rain. He turned and walked away like nothing had happened, his calm demeanor contrasting with the storm inside me. Kei and I walked through the rain, but my tears continued to fall.
I miss you so much, Ryu. I hope you miss me too.
I hope you still feel the same because I know in my heart that I love you.
My feelings are true, and they are just for you.
Please come back, Ryu.
"Kei, what happened to you two?" dad asked when we returned.
"Uncle, she ran outside in the rain..." Kei explained.
"Take her to the car. Her mom already went home, and so have we," Dad instructed, shaking his head.
After half an hour, we arrived home. I jumped out of the car and rushed inside, where my friends were gathered. Their eyes were full of questions, but I ignored them and ran upstairs to my room. Mom was there. I hugged her tightly, despite being soaked.
"What happened to my princess?" Mom asked gently.
"Mom, I saw him. I saw Ryu. I-I finally saw him..." I sobbed.
