people pleaser | nishimura riki

21. difference

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

In the following week, not once did Riki show up to class.

Although there was a tiny part of her that felt guilty, she is constantly reminded that it wasn't her fault. All she did was be herself, that's all.

Thanks to Riki's influence, she could really think for herself.

"Have you ever thought about changing your hair colour Aira?" Her classmate, Sera asked.

Due to her confidence, she was brave enough to open up to her classmates in which she could now call friends. During one of their talks, her friends had admitted that they had wanted to be friends with her but she had seemed too reserved. They apologised for being bystanders when everyone was using her and was going to speak up with her if it ever happens again.

She was grateful.

"What hair colour do you think would suit me?" Aira reversed the question back.

"Red?" Yujin suggested.

That reminded her of Miu. They weren't on bad terms but because of their relationship with Riki, it was a bit awkward to continue hanging out with her. However, they did occasionally text and greet each other on school grounds.

"Blonde." Rosa also suggested.

"I don't know Aira. With that face of yours, you could probably pull off being bald too." Sera commented which caused everyone else to laugh.

She was happy.

"Rumour has it that Sato actually had a crush on you."

"Sato?" Aira furrowed her brows in confusion.

"I know. Hard to believe that that asshole treated you that way despite liking you." Yujin scoffed.

"He's better now. We spoke the other day." Aira casually said which shocked the girls.

"No way." They all exclaimed in unison. "What did he say?"

"I don't know. It was just a casual conversation." Aira looked at the shocked girls. "Really, he's not that bad. Just like how I changed, he can too."

"Right.." Rosa hummed, not wanting to believe her.

"Oh but he did ask me if I wanted to go to the spring festival with him."

"HE DID WHAT?" They all yelled this time, catching some attention. "What did you say?"

"I said sure. I mean I didn't have anyone to go with."

"Hello? Us??" The three asked in disbelief.

"Well...I didn't think you guys would want me to interfere with your friendgroup."

"Our friend group silly." Sera smiled in reassurance. "Well, it's fine. We are still going with you. Whilst you are with him, we will be following you two around like paparazzi to keep you safe."

"You mean body guards?" Yujin corrected her.

"Ugh you know what i mean."

"Wait...I'm a bit slow. What happened to you and Nishimura?" Rosa finally broke out of her train of thoughts.

"We..." Aira didn't know how to explain it to her. Was she supposed to explain from top to bottom or just briefly? "We sort of just drifted."

"Oh. Damn. Just when I thought he was really over her." Rosa replied which caused the other girls to shut her up.

"It's fine. I know about Dana." Aira shrugged. "Apparently I resembled her."

"No you did. But now that i think about it, you two are so different." Sera spoke. "Yeah Dana was pretty but she was...how do i say it not in a mean way..."

"Insecure." Yujin bluntly finished her words. "She craved validations so she would always use her inferiority against Riki for him to compliment her. You never did that."

"Oh and, you actually changed. No offence Aira, but you were such a push over in the beginning. When Riki appeared, we all thought history was going to repeat itself but...you actually developed. You didn't use him as a shield because you made yourself a shield." Rosa added in. "You can actually survive without him. Dana couldn't."

"Oh-" Aira was about to speak as hearing about her was a little unsettling. She wasn't the type to talk behind people's back.

"You also tried to open up to people. With her, she would shut everyone out as if her world only revolved around him. A little obsessed but that's her." Sera finished off. "Oh you're also taller. I guess that's a win."

Usually, hearing all these would make someone fell better about themselves. But all Aira could feel was pity. She felt bad for not only Riki, but Dana. She was not one to judge their relationship, let alone their stories.

Thus, she manage to switch the topic back to the things to do at the festival.

But if there was anything to take away from that conversation, it would definitely be that she and Dana are two completely different people.