people pleaser | nishimura riki

26. maroon cheeks

╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮

This felt like waiting for him on that one weekend, all over again.

No matter how long they have known each other, the level of nervousness in meeting him just doesn't change.

It was given that for the rest of the school day, she was not able to focus properly in class. As a result, she had spent her entire studying period to construct a speech.

Call her an over thinker, but she did not want to mess this up.

Organised Aira.

However, all her effort had gone into vain from the moment she noticed him. Despite it only be the back of him, Riki was the type to stand out. From looks to height, he was a common person with the traits of an idol.

Two steps into walking towards him, she immediately went back into her hiding spot; behind the artificial plant in front of the cafe.

He wasn't alone.

In front of him, where his figured hid, was a girl.

It was Dana.

She wasn't going to try to eavesdrop again because based on experience, that did not end up well. However, just as she decided to leave, she had suddenly heard sobs.

Dana was crying.

"Dana." Riki sighed. "It's not that i don't care about you. In fact, it's because I care about you that we can never go back to how it was."

"No...please Riki."

"You can live without me and..." He spoke in a softer tone. "I can also live without you."

"It's because of her isn't it." She cried. "Because you found a clone of me."

"Stop." Riki's tone suddenly switched from a soft to stern one. "Stop victimising yourself. It isn't healthy."

"Why choose her when you have me?"

"Because she isn't you. She will never be you." Riki replied. "And that's what I like most about her."

"I can change to your liking-"

"Enough. Don't think I didn't know you were chatting up other guys when I was abroad." Riki scoffed. "Before we even broke up."

"I just couldn't bare being alone!"

"Then you better start living independently." Riki rubbed his head as if it was hurting his mind. "I could've cussed you out but I'm not going to. People make mistake but just don't do it the second time Dana."

"No..."

"Oh and don't contact me again. Don't think about approaching Aira either."

And with that, the girl whom he once loved most finally turned around and left him.

He would be lying if his heart didn't ache a bit, knowing they would probably never meet each other again, but he knew it was right choice. Instead of grieving over losing her, he took his phone out and began to dial someone.

On the other hand, Aira who had been watching the entire scene was too shocked to even move. She knew it was their own personal matter and should've left but she was just a girl. It's human tendency to become nosy, especially to people you knew of.

Many thoughts ran across her head but at the same time, she felt like her brain was blank.

All that show just for her not to understand what just happened.

Maybe it was better to leave now.

"Aira." Too late. "You sure like eavesdropping."

There he was. Standing in front of her with his hands in his pocket. His face...he was smiling.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to." Was the only thing she could say without her not making any sense.

"No, it's good that I got a wtiness." He shrugged. "Especially from you."

"You okay?"

"Of course." He chuckled. "So miu told me you wanted to see me? Why didn't you just text me."

"Miu." She cursed under her breath. "I was scared you weren't going to reply."

"Now...since when did I ever not reply to you." He shook his head. "You hungry?"

"Not really." Aira replied. "Let's take a stroll"

But he was right.

He had never not replied to her. In fact, he had always been so agreeable with her.

At first, Aira was only telling him about the lessons he had missed. But both parties knew that this wasn't the reason why she had called him out today.

"So why did you want to see me?" Riki asked. It wasn't his typical flirtatious or teasing tone. Just a question.

"You got suspended."

"Mhm." He nodded. "I needed a small holiday anyway."

"Riki this isn't funny. You hurt someone." Aira suddenly stopped in the middle of the path. Luckily, they were in an isolated park so no community members were being blocked.

"You're seriously going to take his side?" Riki asked, rather shocked than disgusted.

"No because he hurt you too."

"Well then, he 'hurt' you as well." He catered to her language. Relief rushed in when he realised she was not on that asshole's side.

"You didn't have to provoke him or anything. I told you, I'm unaffected." Aira couldn't stand the look on his face. It was too hard to get mad at.

"You're unaffected, but I'm affected." Riki sighed. "Call me a menace for interfering but I will not just let him use you like that."

"Why?"

"Because I care too much," Riki rubbed the nape of his neck. "about you."

There was a short pause. Aira didn't know how to respond to it. Should she be glad that she is her own person and is being cared for by someone she admired so much, or still be mad?

"And before you say something stupid like how i only did it because you resembled Dana, I didn't. God, i would've hesitated if it was her." he said. "I care about you. The person you are. The people pleaser, the kind girl, the bubbly girl, you. Kim Aira."

Feeling a rush of blood flowing to her face, her cheeks were now a tint of maroon.

"Does it hurt." She whispered.

"Not anymore." Riki smiled upon looking at the flustered girl.

"Thank you...for standing up for me." She shyly turned away before moving her legs again.

Following behind, Riki gently laid his hand on her head.

"Always."