the girl in the corner.

episode 16: under the moonlight.

riki and i had planned something different for tonight.

we decided to wander up to the next district. it was riki's idea, for i was rather an obedient girl and would always abide by the rules. i wasn't one to take any risks—i told riki that meeting him so late at night was a risk in itself one time—and going to the next district was surely a bigger risk for me. i still ended up going though.

we didn't take any snacks with us tonight, for it might take us longer to finish them and get back home soundlessly. riki always liked the thrill of sneaking out and meeting me every night, but i know i didn't. during our walks at the park, i would occasionally fidget out of habit, but now i was internally panicking. riki noticed and held my free hand as a way to comfort me. i felt a bit better, but i was still scared of the possibility that my parents might find out about me sneaking out.

"come on, suzuki," he entreated. "nothing will go wrong. we went out earlier than usual, too. we'll get back home at the time we usually go out."

i only sighed and nodded, and i suspect riki thinks that what he said didn't ease my worries. soon, we found ourselves in the other district. riki told me he knew a small building that was rarely occupied here, so he led me to it. we ascended the stairs and ended up at the roof. the moon was still in its full state tonight, so the dark area was illuminated by its gentle glow. riki slowly let go of my hand and stuffed them in his hoodie pockets, and i moved to the ledge of the roof and set my eyes on the moon.

riki stood beside me in silence, and soon i felt his arm fall on my shoulders as he pulled me closer to him. his scent immediately filled my nostrils, a scent i'd grown used to and found comfort in. we stayed in that position for quite a while.

"suzuki, you know you're beautiful, right?" riki asked me gently. i didn't know how to answer, so i just kept mum. "you're just as beautiful as the moon tonight, even with all its craters and your flaws. you're beautiful, so don't think otherwise."

riki had always told me i was pretty these past few days, but tonight he sounded genuine. my heartbeat increased with every word that left his lips.

"you've always been so beautiful, suzuki. and tonight you're even more beautiful, you know?"

there was a moment of silence after that. i tentatively turned my head to face him, and i found him already staring at me. his eyes were glimmering under the moonlight, and they held so much love and adoration i felt i would faint. the way his eyes shone resembled the stars we were under.

we held gazes in silence, and his hand fell from my shoulder and held mine. i was fully aware of the situation, yet i wasn't able to act.

eventually, he sighed. "listen, i don't know what's happening between you and momoko, but don't let it get to you, okay? whatever she says to you or about you isn't true, and i won't like her at all."

i mumbled a mindless "okay" and looked at our intertwined hands. i still felt riki's eyes on me, and to be honest the sentiment of the moment and how thick the tension was made me feel the blood flowing hastily through my veins.

"riki, are we friends?" i broke the silence, lifting my eyes to meet his. riki blinked twice and leaned in closer.

"hm?"

"are we friends?" i asked again, my heartbeat growing faster with each passing second. riki only leaned in closer. there was now only a few inches between our faces. my eyes flickered everywhere to avoid his strong gaze.

"are we friends?" he repeated my question to me. i bit my bottom lip.

"are we friends?" i spoke again, with a hint of impatience in my shaky voice. riki leaned closer, to the point our foreheads were touching.

"are we friends, suzuki?" he said, voice barely heard. "i don't know."

and everything after was a vivid memory to me. under the moonlight, his lips fell on mine.