Chapter Three

“You’re so slow, Hikari! We’re gonna be late!”

I rolled my eyes at Scarlet while wearing my socks. She’s standing beside the front door, pouting.

“Calm down. We still have five minutes,” I calmly said.

She stomped her feet on the ground. “The ride is ten minutes long!”

“Oh?” I shrugged and wear my shoes.

I locked the door of my apartment when I finished fixing myself and followed her outside. Yunho is leaning on his car, waiting for us.

“Hop in. I’ll drive fast so we can get there on time.”

I fastened my seatbelt when I sat in the front seat. This will be a hell of a ride.

Yunho drove fast. We were never late, this is the first time and the one that is to blame is my upset stomach. I stayed in the comfort room for five hours. Five whole hours.

We ran to our classrooms when we reached the school. I envied Scarlet because her room is just five steps away from the school gate. Yunho and mine’s at the far end.

“Faster, Hikari!” Yunho laughed.

I looked at him and laugh as well when I saw his eyeglasses bouncing.

“You should be the one to run faster! You’re so slow!” I teased him.

He tried to catch me but he failed. I almost tripped because of our little chit-chat.

Calm down, Hikari. You don’t want to hurt yourself, do you?

I bit my lower lip when we stood in front of our door. My classmates were staring at us as well as our Biology teacher.

“You’re thirty seconds late, Ms. Davis and Mr. Jung.”

Yunho scratched the back of his head and lowered his head down. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Smith.”

Mrs. Smith looked at me next.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Smith,” I repeated what Yunho said.

She nod her head and let us in. She told us she’ll let this slip since this is just the first time.

I took out my notebook and starts taking down notes. We have an upcoming quiz this week and I don’t want to fail miserably… again.

On our last quiz, I scored ten… out of fifty.

I stayed up all night just to review. Well, my review didn’t go well. I’m just reading the book and not a single thing entered my brain. That explains my score.

I don’t really like Biology. I sometimes don’t like my own existence.

I also don’t like things connected to living creatures and I don’t know why. Don’t get me wrong, I love people and animals but I just can’t get myself to study about them.

After Biology, we went to our classroom at the third floor for Calculus. It’s so early in the morning and yet, I can’t feel my brain anymore. My brain cells have vanished instantly.

It’s our lunch time after Calculus and we went to the cafeteria to have some food. I frowned when Yunho happily went to where Unira is.

I’m happy for them even though it hurts seeing him head over heels for her.

I sat in front of Yukira. She’s busy reading her Biology book. She joined a contest related to that subject that’s why I don’t want to disturb her.

Teagan probably went to get some food for Yukira and Scarlet may still be at her class.

Yunho, Yukira, Unira and I shared a table. Yukira and Teagan are busy and so is the other two. They’re busy minding their own business and I pouted. When will I meet someone who will accompany me in my lunch time? I’m third of being alone. I’m tired of always being left out.

Time flies fast and it’s time for us to go home.

Teagan and Yukira went home first for they have to study for the contest. Scarlet is on her cheerleading practice. Only the three of us are left.

“Let’s drink some coffee. There’s a new store at the other street. They said it’s the best coffee in town,” Unira suggested.

I was planning to go home and rest but Yunho asked me to go so I don’t really have a choice.

They walked in front of me, holding hands and I just felt my heart shatter into pieces.

Outside the campus, I felt a drop of water in my cheeks. I’m not crying! It was the rain!

Wait… rain?

I looked up at the sky and before I had the time to react, the rain poured down.

What’s with the rain and it always falls when I’m out?

I immediately opened my bag to get my umbrella but I can’t find it! I think I forgot it at home!

There’s no trees or houses nearby and I’m starting to get wet from the heavy rain. Yunho and Unira didn’t even bother to look at me to see if I have an umbrella. They just continued walking happily, not caring about me.

I sighed. I think I’m going to be sick.

I raised my eyebrow when I didn’t feel the rain in my skin anymore. I looked up and saw an umbrella shielding me from the rain.

“You looked dumb standing under the rain, Hikari.”

That voice… That manly yet sweet voice I heard yesterday…

I looked at the person who’s holding the umbrella and I gasped when I saw his face.

He’s really handsome. His blue eyes, pointed nose, natural red lips and his defined jawline makes me drool. Is he a model?

“Hey, Hikari? Don’t make it too obvious that you like me.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “What do you want? What are you doing here? Are you stalking me?”

He raised his eyebrow. “I’m not stalking you. You’re not even pretty, why would I?”

Calm down, Hikari. You can’t just punch someone and expect him not to sue you or something.

“What are you doing here then?”

“I ran an errand nearby and saw you here, soaking wet.”

“And?”

“And you looked awful that’s why I helped you. Don’t you need my help?” He removed his umbrella from me.

I grabbed his arm to cover me again. “I need it! I just don’t know why you’re helping me.”

“I told you the reason already. You looked awful.”

I asked him a favor to lead me to where the new coffee shop is and I’m glad he knows where it is.

We’re silently walking. We can only hear the heavy drops of the rain falling onto the ground and the strong winds that makes the trees sway.

I stopped on my track and pointed what caught my attention. Raui nod his head and lead me there.

We looked at the sea in front of us. The violent waves are striking hard against the sand and the cold wind blew on our way that makes me shiver.

Raui removed his coat and covered me with it.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

It feels so warm.

“Why do you want to be here? Don’t you need to go to the coffee shop? What about your friends there?”

I looked at him and smiled. “Thank you for bringing me here. You can leave me now. I’ll here for an hour or so.”

He shook his head. “I’ll accompany you. You might get sick.”

I let him and didn’t argue. I’m just peacefully watching the waves and the rain.

“The sea reminds me of my sister. We always go at the sea to play. We never get tired of watching the sunset. I missed her so much.”

“Where is she now? In Japan?”

“No… S-She’s not here or anywhere in the world now.”

His eyes shows panic and sadness. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-“

“It’s all my fault. It was me who ended her dreams. It’s my fault our parents can’t smile anymore. I didn’t mean for her to die. I didn’t know it’ll lead to her death…”

He enveloped me in his arms and I cried so hard.

“If it wasn’t for me, she’ll still be alive…”

“It’s not your fault, Hikari…”

“You don’t know anything. I don’t want to tell it to anyone. I don’t want to them to leave me because I don’t want to be alone. I can’t… I can’t live alone. It’s killing me… The pain is slowly killing me and I’m scared. I’m so scared!”

My tears are like the rain now, it was heavy. I can’t feel the coldness of the wind anymore. I think I became numb again.

It hurts so much remembering her. She’s the only one who loved me despite my attitude before. She took care of me as if I was her real sister.

“Shh. I’m here, Hikari. Even if everyone leaves you, I won’t. I won’t, now that I know you need help.”

I pulled away from his hug and gave him a confused look, eyes still filled with tears. “Why would you do such thing? We’re strangers. You don’t need to help me.”

“There’s something in me that wants to help you. My conscience will kill me, knowing I left someone who needs help. I already lost someone because of my negligence and I don’t want it to happen again.”

“You’re so strange…”

“I am but I’m determined to help you. I won’t take no for an answer.”

After an hour, I decided to go home. Raui’s car was parked nearby and he offered to give me a ride. I accepted his offer because I’m too tired to commute. I just want to lay in my bed and sleep.

When we reached my apartment, I looked at him and smiled. “Thank you for today, Raui. I didn’t expect that it’s you I’m sharing my life story with.”

“I enjoyed listening to you. I… I honestly want to be your friend.”

“Okay, friend. Do you want to have some coffee?”

He nod his head and I led him to my kitchen. I prepared coffee for us and he closed his eyes after taking a sip.

“This is the best coffee I ever had.”

“Good thing you came. I don’t need to pay for my coffee and my ride is free. Can we do this more often?”

“You are saving up for something?” he raised his eyebrows.

I nod. “Yeah. I’m saving up for my ticket.”

“You’re going home?”

“Yeah, after graduation. Please?”

He chuckled. “Sure, lady. My pleasure.”