"Goodbye Mother," Rika Nonaka said sighing. For once in her life, Rika leaves away from her home, her mother, and her grandmother who was buried in the local grave. She was going to Tokyo Univ. She was old now, 19, and far more mature than she was in the old Digimon days. Her hair has grown down to shoulder length, and her bangs outgrew. But her hair still remained the old orange-strawberry color with highlights and her eyes were still the colors of spring violets.
"Well goodbye, take care of yourself," Rika's mother, Miya, half sobbed, and half smiled. Her own girl was now grown up and ready to take a penetration to the real world. She informed herself not to get over emotional because of this.
Rika smiled wearily, and sighed again. She had recently gone to Granma's grave to burn incense with her aunt and mother. She couldn't go through such pain and tears filling in Miya's eyes right now. She sighed again, and picked up her luggage, after tying her hair into two pigtails. She gave a weak smile, than walked out the door of their traditional Japanese home, dressed in light blue shirt with sleeves till her elbows, and beige jeans.
"Rika…no…no," Miya gave a heart-breaking sob.
"Mother," Rika gave her a reassuring smile, "I'll be fine; I'm grown up now." Then she added to herself. This is the second time I've changed, she informed herself. Last time was when Granma died, and I endured a dramatic change. It was true she was no longer heartless and cold, but instead, was an unconditional mood person, sad and sweet at times, while raging and impatient at others. She tilted her head and gave her mom a nod. She's going back to the real home she's missed for 7 years, and time to head for University.
With a handbag in one hand, and two luggages in another, she strode slowly to her white van. She took out the keys, and opened the door. Unbelievingly to herself, tears started to flow. Oh stop it, she said. Remember, she instructed herself, Takato and Jeri may even be there. But hopefully she will not see Henry, who betrayed her own emotions. Seven years ago, she had a crush on him, and she had an emotional break down when she heard she was going to move to Osaka for her mom's modeling career. She hated her mom for that moment. She was walking nervously through Sakura Fall Park, the day of the departure, and ready to tell him her emotions, until she caught him kissing Trina, a popular brunette as Takato said, under a tree. Her heart shattered, and she decided she was willing to move to Osaka. She reminded herself again. Don't break down now.
Looking back for one more glimpse of the house in Osaka, she stepped into the car, and turned the engine to life.
**********************
"Takato, know where our new apartment is?" Henry Wong asked his friend, Takato Matsuki, who was blatantly trying to carry a big box of clothes.
"Yeah, over there by Kikora Lane," Takato panted, then added, "Mind if you help me with this thing. It's quite heavy actually." Henry laughed, and went to assist his friend. Wonder if Rika will be here? I heard that she was going to come her when she mentioned it before she left, Henry thought silently. Oh, have I missed her for such a long time! The last time I ever saw her was 7 years ago. I knew that my heart belongs to her, even though I have a girl friend, Trina. Henry turned and heaved a loud sigh. [Heh, I know. Don't flame me for that pathetic sentence}
[Flashback]
"Henry, Takato, Jeri, gomen nasai," Rika breathed quite raggedly. Her eyelids were continuously fluttering, but she realized her state, and muttered quite monotonously, "I'm moving to Osaka because of my mom's career. Permanently." Rika paused to clutch a branch of a plum tree to catch her breath.
Henry stared into the beautiful plum tree blossoms, and reminisced all those great times they shared through friendship, courage, and others. Rika, he gazed, had grown as pretty as the blossoms too from the past 2 years. Her hair was now longer, and her bangs were not stubby short. She no longer kept it in a flaming ponytail. His heart was pounding and pounding as he watched the slender girl dressed in dark blue pants, and a blouse. Admit it Henry, he instructed his self, you have some feelings for that girl, don't you? Rika changed her attitude and her way of life, and opened part of her soul to socializing and smiling. Get a grip, Henry, don't slobber over that girl.
Jeri was in tears, using the back of her hand to dab them away. This brunette grew out of her "little weeny talk back puppet thing." Her hair grew long and sleek, and her bangs were not so curled up anymore. She dug into her pockets, and said, "Rika, you've helped me through so much. How can I let go?" She took out a silver ring with a star on it, and gave one to Rika. "As long as we wear these rings, we'll be eternal friends."
Rika nodded, "sure." And she slipped the ring on her index finger.
Takato gave a weak smile, "well Rika, you've helped us a lot. Even if you were not so great in the beginning, we still became great friends. I hope you'll call us from Osaka." Takato took out his hand, and Rika shook it.
"Well, Rika," Henry started," [Rika's heart was beating fast], "we'll miss you. But before you go, I just want to thank you for your friendship." He left without any further notice. How could she do this to me? He cried through frustration. Terriermon was gone, and now Rika? I can't take this. I just can't, he thought as he walked along the path towards his apartment. Tears started welling his eyes and he rashly wiped them away. Farewell Rika, wo ai ni.
