Chapter 23

“I wanted to tell you before you hear it from others” Keiichiro said as Jin looks at him, “…That Shirota Yuu’s case is being reopened and most likely he will be free man.”

“What?” Jin asked in an angry tone.

“Shirota Yuu may be a free man soon” Keiichiro repeated as Jin stare at him with the worry look on his face.

Somehow they found new evidence where the killing was at and this evidence can most likely set him free” Keiichiro said as Jin looked at him as he got closer to Keiichiro

“What? That’s impossible! What evidence is strong enough to reopen this case?!” Jin yelled

“The evidence that can flip this case is the real killer” Keiichiro said

“The real killer? What are you saying? The real killer is that Shirota guy” Jin said through his teeth as he clinched onto Keiichiro shirt.

“The real killer was caught today. He owed them money and 4 years ago he killed those people at the abandon factory because they blackmail him. They were beating him up and was going after his family even though he helped them steal money from the elders too. He took the opportunity when they were injured he stabbed them multiple of times” Keiichiro said.

“Impossible…impossible” Jin mumbled over and over

“If what they say is true…then most likely Shirota Yuu will go free” Keiichiro said as Jin fell on the couch as he clinch his head.

“Can’t be…that can’t be”

----------------

Riyo looked up at the ceiling as she waits for the sleeping medicine to take its effect, no matter how much she drinks, the nightmare that once disappear was slowly coming back. Ever since she met him again, they begin coming back each day to haunt her.

There was nobody here to chase those nightmares away for her.

Nobody here to protect her like 6 years ago, he’s not here to protect her at all.

“No matter how much I try to escape, I can never avoid who I really am… Ito Rikka” Riyo mumbled as she closed her eyes as the nightmares begin once again

--------------------------------
[SONG FOR THE CHAPTER: IU- MIA (LOST CHILD)]

15 years ago…

A young boy holding a hand of a nun walked into a backyard of a house. He watches the kids running and playing as the nun let go of his hand as he clench onto his backpack. He noticed the kids were looking at him and pointed at him. There he saw in the corner a group of boys looking at him. Then they walked toward him as they surround him.

“Hey guys look at this, we got a new orphan boy in the house” one of them said as they smirk at the boy in front of them.

“He doesn’t look Japanese to me” one of them said

“I heard he’s an alien” one of them said as one raises his hand to stop them from talking.

“Who are you?” he asked

“Yuu” the boy whispered

“Yuu? So what did you do that your parent dumped you here?” the leader asked as Yuu looked down.

“Aww boss you hit his soft spot” one of them said as the boys started to laugh as Yuu begins to tear up

The boys then begin to laugh louder and started to point at young Yuu as he wiped his tears. They begin pushing him around and one pushed Yuu onto the floor as he scraped his knee. Blood begin to appear as he held onto his knee with his hand so the blood won’t come out.

“Yah! What is wrong with you all?!” two girls from behind them yelled as the boys stop laughing as the girl push one of them on the ground, “What rights do you have to pick on him?!” she asked pointing at them as they look at her.

“You all are like him nothing different instead of picking on the new ones try to be nice because you were once him” the other girl yelled

One of the boys helped the leader of the group up as he brushed his pants.

“It’s none of your business Rikka and Chou, you two better stay out of it” he said

“Oh I’m so scared of you Jin as if” I said as I stood face to face with the young Jin. “I been bullied by others so you don’t scare me and your little group got their ass kicked by me so you better know what position you’re in” I threaten them as they back off.

“You’re lucky you’re adorable if not you won’t be standing here” Jin said as I stuck my tongue at Jin and turn toward Yuu who stood there looking at them. I took his hand and walked off as the boys in the back were making chicken noises. I turn around and gave them a death glare as they backed further away.

“I’m going to go get revenge I be right back” Chou said running after the boys who began to run away.

I lead Yuu toward outside the backyard. I told him to sit on the bench and I disappeared and came back out with a first aid kit in my hand. I sat next to him as I helped him clean up his wound. I wiped it with alcohol as he moved a bit due to it stinging his leg.

“Does it hurt?” I asked as Yuu shook his head no. Then I wipe it again but this time putting a bit pressure as he jumped a bit. “Are you really sure?” I asked as Yuu shook his head yes.

Then I poked it as he yelp in pain, “and you say it doesn’t hurt.” I wiped it clean but this time blowing it the same time so it won’t be stinging. He looks at me as I put a band aid on. “There you won’t get infected or germs in” I said smiling.

“Thank you for helping me” Yuu said

“Don’t let them get to you. They’re a bunch of bullies but don’t worry I won’t let them pick on you” I said as Yuu smiled at her. “By the way I’m Ito Rikka” I said as I stuck my hand out as Yuu shook it.

“Shirota Yuu” Yuu said as he shook my hand.

“So…you’re new?” I asked

“Yes” Yuu replied.

“How about I show you around then?” I said as I took his hand and took him around different places.

Chou returns back with a big smile on her face,

“Did you push them into the mud pit again?” I asked as Chou wiped her muddy hand on her outfit

“They started it, they were bullying this other boy so I push each and every one of them into the mud” Chou said proudly

“Yuu-san this is Chou, and Chou this is Yuu-san” I said introducing them to each other.

“Thank you for helping me” Yuu said as Chou patted him on the shoulder,

“If they bully you again, tell me I can get more revenge” Chou said.

From there on where ever I goes Yuu was next to me. Soon the orphanage had to close down due to financial reasons and the children were separated and sent to different orphanages. Me, Yuu and Jin were sent to the same one. As soon as the nuns were away, kids begin to pick on us. Three of us were sitting on the hill top looking at the sky as we begin to talk.

“So where is the fierce Jin before?” I asked as Jin looked at me,

“This place isn’t my territory what do you want me to do?” Jin asked as he looked over at Yuu who was doing something with the flowers. “Well it looks like you’re buddy over there fit in nobody picked on him yet” Jin said as Yuu glare at him and continue back to what he was doing.

“He fit in because he didn’t try to boss them around but due to your little pride you had to mess with them so we are now almost everybody’s enemy” I said as Jin rolled to the other side. Yuu then excused himself and ran off to the other side as I noticed Jin was still facing his back toward me. I reached over and tapped him but he didn’t reply. He got up and began walking away as I got up after him. I reached out to hold him back but he pushed it away.

Losing my balance I begin to fall backward down the hill as Jin grab my hand but both rolled down the hill together. When we were at the bottom I was on top of Jin. I look at him and for some reason my heart begin to beat faster than normal. I sat up as I brushed the dirt off my clothes.

“If you don’t start changing you who are now, nobody will ever like you” I said running off. I ran behind a tree as I held my cheeks which were somehow hot.

“What is going on with me? I cannot seriously like him” I mumble. I ran away until I bump into Yuu who came back flowers he picked from distance. He walked up to me and noticed I got dirt on my clothes.

“Is everything okay?” Yuu asked

“Yeah I just fell on some dirt” I lied

“Oh these are for you” Yuu said handing me the flowers in his hands.

“Aww thank you” I said as I noticed Yuu was holding something behind his back. “What else do you have for me?” I asked as Yuu shyly smiled. He held out his hand and in the middle was a grass ring.

“You made that?” I asked as I pick it off his hand.

“I was bored and decided to make something” Yuu said, “Do you like it?”

“Totally, really cute! Thank you” I said looking at it as Yuu stares at me.

A few months later Jin began to change, there was more smile on his face then he used to and most of the time he would be around me in which Yuu never liked but accept it. Girls begin to envy me on how I would gets the attention of two guys and would usually pick on me and bullied me. Yuu would always appear and protected me and was always there when I needed a shoulder to cry on. On the day a couple came they were looking for a child to adopt when the liked Yuu who was sitting in the corner with me doing homework together. The nun called Yuu to come over as he disappeared behind the door. I got up walked outside where Jin was playing basketball with the other guys. I sat on the bench and watched him play. He would occasionally turn around and wave at me. He then ran over to where I was when the game was on break.

“Hey I have a question to ask” Jin said as I handed him a sweat towel.

“Ask”

“There is a dance coming up I want to ask you to be my partner” Jin said as I looked at him.

“Out of all the girls that are like drooling over you, you’re asking me?” I asked looking at him

“Oh come on you know I have a thing for you and you have a thing for me” Jin said as he smirk as I smack him with a towel

“I’ll think about it” I said as the same nun came out calling Jin away. A few second later Yuu ran out sitting next to me.

“What was that about?” I asked

“Couple looking to adopt” Yuu said

“And you got picked? That’s awesome” I said

“Well I’m not what they are looking for” Yuu said

“Awww but you will get more chances don’t worry and beside I’m not ready to let you go yet” I said with a smile holding onto his arm

“I told you I won’t leave without you so don’t worry” Yuu said patting my head

Yuu and me walked back into the house as we walked passed Jin’s room. He was in his room packing up as I knocked on the door.

“Well it looks like you don’t have to reply to my question” Jin said as I looked at him.

“I got picked and they will be taking me to the states tomorrow” Jin said as I nodded my head slowly.

“States is good better stuff than here beside those people are rich” Yuu said leaning on the door.

“Yeah they are nice people” Jin said.

“I have homework I need to finish sorry can’t help you pack” I said walking fast out of the room as Jin wanted to go after me but Yuu stopped him

“She is just upset and need her space” Yuu said as Jin looked at Yuu. “She has been doing well without you around before so you don’t have to worry about her” he said walking off as Jin just stood there.

The next following morning Jin stood there saying his goodbyes to his friends as he looked around hoping to find me.

“Jin we have to get going if we’re catching the plane” the woman said as Jin turn around and nodded his head. He took a deep breath and turn around when he heard his name being called. I ran toward him and stopped,

“You’re not going to leave without saying goodbye to me are you” I said holding back her tears. Yuu appeared behind her.

“Of course not, maybe without you I won’t be who I am now” Jin said as he pulled me in for a hug. “I’m going to miss you” he whispered as I nodded my head as tears fell down from my eyes.

“I will too. Remember to write back when you get there” I whispered as Jin strokes my hair.

“He has to go now before his new parent gets mad” Yuu said softly as Jin dug into his backpack handing me a teddy bear.

“He has been with me since I was a little kid, I want you to keep him for me till I return” Jin said handing me his bear as I handed him my stuff rabbit.

“Then you keep mines when we meet again we can return back together” I said as he took it.

“I will keep it safe. Well I have to go now, take care of her” Jin said as Yuu nodded his head. Jin then slowly turns away as his hands slip away from mines. He got into the car as it started to leave the driveway. I ran after it but I trip and fell. Yuu ran next to me helping me up as I started to cry. He held me tightly in his arms as I cried harder.

Jin, in the car turns around as tears begin to roll down his eyes as he watches them from distance and soon they disappear as the car turn the corner.

That was the last time she ever saw him, his letters came every week for the first 2 years and slowly it begin to stop. I was sitting outside waiting for the mail but nothing. Soon I gave up on it as I realized he has a new life. The orphanage shut down two years later as for me and Yuu-san, we were living together in a small apartment. He worked part-time as I did too but then I realized a better way to earn money… swindling people but mostly jerks and rich people.

Those rich men who show off their money doesn’t care about anything. Getting close to them is easy and them giving you their money is even easier. Though Yuu never approved of it but always made sure I was always safe until one day things changed.

As I was walking down the street a van drove up and pulled me in. When I open my eyes I noticed I was in an abandon building, I was tied down on a bed.

“What do you want from me?!” I yelled

“What do I want from you? You’re a swindler and you dare take my money?” the man asked

“You’re a dirty greedy politician who takes money from poor citizens by promising them this and that your no better than me!” I yelled as he slapped me across my face. He then clinched his hand on my face forcing me to look at him

“You have no rights to judge me you’re just a whore who’s after my money” he yelled as his grip on my face tighten

“Everybody has the right to judge you. They voted for you. I’m just giving them back what you took them” I said as he glared at me.

“Well let me tell you something, you pick the wrong person to mess with. I also remember what your boyfriend did to me when we were little” he said loosening up his tie. “Usually when people take my money, I would give them a serious beating till they return the money but you’re an exception”

“What do you want?! Don’t you come near me! I don’t have any boyfriend!” I yelled as he ignore my yelling as he rip open my shirt.

“Oh really? Akinishi Jin you and him were close weren’t you?” he asked

“How did you know?” I asked

“Don’t you remember that young boy that got picked on every day, and locked in the bathroom stall every day?” he asked

“What does it got to do with me? Its Jin that you’re suppose to go after for revenge” I yelled as he pin me on the bed

“He took away my childhood, I’m going to take away what was precious to him” he laughed as he forced himself on me.

I kept screaming and kicking for help but nobody came...

No matter how much I kept calling his name, he was nowhere to save me. That was because he left her when he left to the states.

He abandoned me. He lied to me.

Tears ran down my face as the man on top of me took away my innocent.

When the nightmare was over, the man threw money at me and left me there. I slowly sat up and grab the torn clothes off the ground and begin to walk home. Rain begins to pour down as I continue to walk home.

As I enter the apartment, I headed into the shower. I scrub everywhere hoping to get rid of the dirtiness on myself but no matter how much I scrubbed, I was still dirty. I bent down crying and screaming.

I reached for the water as I watched it begins to fill up the tub with water.

Yuu walked in as he noticed something was wrong.

“Rikka?” Yuu called out but got no reply but he heard water running on in the bathroom

He walks toward the bathroom and knock on it but got no reply he then heard the water overflowing hitting the marble floor and water appearing at his feet.

He used his body hitting the door till it slam open. He ran over to the tub and turn off the water as he saw me under the water. He quickly reaches in and pulled me out. He wrapped my body in a towel as he carried me out of the bathroom. He placed me on the bed as he began doing cpr

He kept calling my name over and over telling me to wake up.

I began to cough spitting the water out as I open my eyes. I realized this wasn't hell nor heaven and that I didn’t die. I screamed and pushed Yuu away. Because of him, I am still alive and I hate it.

“What the hell happen?!” he asked as he grab my hand as I tried to pull away but he didn’t let go. He took a look around the room as he noticed my clothes on the floor. He let go of my hands as he went to look at it.

There he saw it was all torn up and blood on it as he look back at me. I looked away crying. His eyes begin to tear up as he picked it up,

“What happen?”

I didn’t reply as Yuu clench the clothes in his hand,

“Who did this?” he asked

I didn’t reply as I got up and grab the clothes out of his hand and ran toward the bathroom. I threw the clothes in the toilet as I kept flushing it hoping it disappear but it didn’t

Yuu ran in as he saw the woman he cared for fall on the ground crying as I screamed at the toilet to make it disappear. He ran over and held me in his arms as I clenched on his arms begging for the nightmare to be over.

“Tell me what happen” he asked as I cried on his shoulder.

“He caught me…because I took his money” I said

“And?”

“He said that if people take his money he gives them a beating but I’m different” I said

“What?”

“He…he…rape me because of Jin” I said as I cried as Yuu held me close to him.

“Jin? Because of what Jin did in the past he did this?” as I nodded my head as Yuu stroke my hair

“I’m gonna find that bastard and kill him” Yuu said as I plead him not to.

He tries to get me to eat but I didn’t want to. He tucked me in bed as I grabs his hand,

“Don’t go Yuu-san, I’m scared” I whispered as he nodded his head.

He got on the bed as I lay on his chest as he held her hand tightly. I closed my eyes as I went to sleep. I felt safe listening to his heartbeat.

“I will make sure whoever harm you pay for what they did” he whispered as he place a kiss on my forehead.

A few days later, Yuu was standing at the door as he fixed his shirt

“You’re leaving?” I asked as Yuu walked over to me and placed his hands on my shoulders as his grip tighten,

“I have to go to work to pay the bills, I will be home later tonight I promise” Yuu said as I nodded my head. “Remember do not leave the house even when somebody knocks on the door okay?” Yuu said as I nodded my head again. “Good girl. I will be home soon I promise” Yuu said placing a kiss on my forehead as he left the apartment.

Once he was gone, I looked around as I felt the cold chill run down my spine. I walked to the bed as I pulled my legs closer to my body.

“He will be home soon” I whispered. As soon I closed my eyes, I can hear the man evil laughter as I tried to cover my ears but no matter how much I tried to block it, I can still hear it.

His evil laughter.

Him ripping my shirt.

I looked up and saw my reflection in the mirror. I got up and stare at myself. The girl in the mirror isn’t the same girl anymore.

She’s dirty.

A whore like that man said.

I hate the girl in the mirror.

I hated myself as I screamed at the mirror. I knocked everything off the table as I cried.

No matter how much Yuu would tell her that no men would care, I know no men would want me now. He would tell me over and over that it wasn’t my fault but it was Jin’s… because of him, this happen to me. I picked up the lamp and threw at the mirror as I watched it shatter into pieces. I no longer has to stare at that woman in the mirror anymore.

I bent down leaning against the wall hoping everything was just a nightmare and when I wake up, nothing ever happened. I looked around the room. I began to feel suffocated. I got up and grabs my purse hoping to leave this place. Ignoring Yuu’s request for me to stay home, I ran out the apartment. I continued to run not knowing where I was going. I looked up and noticed the coffee shop that Yuu was working at was just a few blocks in front of me. I wanted to be where he was because my mind would be calm knowing he was nearby protecting me.

The next thing I knew, a white van appeared in front of me blocking my way from crossing the street. The doors open as I recognized some of the men that kidnap me last time. I began to run the other direction but one of them began to chase me as the white van cut me off again. Before I could back out, the one chasing behind me caught me and pushed me into the van as the door slam shut. I kicked and screamed as they tried to tie me up. One of them dialed a number on the cellphone,

“Hello boss? We got her and heading your way” he said as they pushed her toward the back as she looked out the window. I saw Yuu taking orders outside the coffee shop. I screamed and bang on the window as they speed by.

Yuu was about to head back into the shop when he saw the white van drive by and there he saw me screaming calling his name. He began running after the white van but couldn’t catch up. He hauled a taxi over and commanded the taxi to go after the white van but the taxi couldn’t catch up in time as the white van speed off.

About 10 minutes later, the van stops as they dragged me out. I look at the abandon warehouse, where my nightmares all began. I screamed and kicked but they wouldn’t let me go. They dragged me in as I noticed the beast that humiliated me was beating another man from distance for not paying his money back.

“Boss!” one of the men that was in the van with me yelled as the man turn around,

“Take her into the room. I will be there later” he yelled as they drag me into a room throwing me onto the floor. They slam the door shut as I banged the door screaming to let me out. I backed away from the door leaning on the wall covering my ears hoping I would wake up from this nightmare once again.

I noticed there was a bathroom in the room as I ran in. There in front of me was a mirror as I looked around the place. Since the warehouse was abandon I noticed there was rubbish laying around, I found a brink lying in the corner. I picked it up and hit the mirror till it broke hoping it didn’t make loud noises to alert them. I picked a piece of shard that fell in the sink and wrapped it in a dirty rag I found on the ground.

I hided the mirror piece in my long sleeve hoping nobody found it. I heard shouting and yelling as the door to the room slam open. My eyes widen as the men that kidnap me grabbed me by my arm and dragged me out. He threw me on the ground as the man that raped me looked at me with those disgusting eyes.

“Welcome back” he said with a smirk

“You already got what you want what else you want from me?” I yelled

“You really think it’s over? Jin tortured me for more than half my life, I will be sure to make your life a living hell till I find him. I want him to see what I have done to you and make him beg me for forgiveness” he laughed as I stood up hoping to run but his men were standing behind me. He moved toward me as I pulled out the sharp shard mirror pointing it toward the man in front of me.

“Don’t come near me” I yelled but he kept coming toward me. He jumped toward me when I swing my arm that was holding the mirror.

The mirror made a cut on his face as his hands reaches up touching the blood.

“You’re going to get it bitch” as the guy signal his men to jump me from behind. I started to scream swinging the mirror but it got knocked out from my hand. I took a bite at one of the men arm as they slap me across the face. One of them pulled me off the ground as I reached into his jacket and grab his gun pointing it at him.

“Get away from me!”

They let me go as they back down,

“Do you really think that you can take all of us down?” the beast asked as I glared at him.

I didn’t know what else to do. My hands was on the trigger as I just pointed it at him. My hands begin to sweat and shake the same time.

“After I’m done with you, my buddies will enjoy playing with you. If you satisfy us, you will get to live, and if not…you will die” he said smirking at me.

They begin to move closer and closer as I move backward till my back was against wooden boxes that were left there.

“I will be sure to send Jin a postcard of this” he said as he move closer to me.

The next thing I knew, I push the trigger nonstop.

I can hear screaming, moaning but I didn’t stop. I kept swinging and shooting the gun everywhere hoping it hit them so they can leave me alone.

There I felt blood hitting against my face as I looked up, there were lying on the flood moaning and blood was oozing out from their wound. I drop the gun as I feel on the ground. One of them glared at me as I scoot back clenching my head with my hands as I screamed. His eyes closed as I just screamed.

I heard footsteps and a voice screaming my name. I looked up and standing at the doorway was Yuu-san.

“Rikka!” he called as I tried to get up but my legs gave out. He ran over to me as he hugs me tightly.

“I didn’t mean to…they came at me…they wanted…wanted” I tried telling him but the words couldn’t come out.

“Shhh it’s alright. I’m here” he whispered

My heart began to feel at ease when he held me close to him. All the pain, the sadness, the nightmare was gone when he held me close to him. I knew he would protect me as he carried me in his arms. He put me in the van that took me here. He started the engine and drove off.

My hands were cold as ice, still trembling from the gun. But then I felt a warm hand holding it. I looked at Yuu-san hands over mines as he clenches it tight.

“Everything will be alright I promise” he whispered as I nodded my head.

When we reached the apartment complex, he carried me up to the apartment and placed me in the bed. He tucked me in as he sat at the edge of the bed and look at me.

“Don’t worry, everything will be alright. No matter what happens, I will always protect you and be there for you” he whispered. He got up and lean in and gently placed a kiss on my forehead.

I closed my eyes as I held his hands knowing everything was going to be alright.

But I was wrong.

I woke up and noticed he wasn’t next to me. I got up and noticed it was already 8AM in the morning. I ran around the apartment calling his name but he was nowhere.

I noticed a letter on the table as I picked it up and read it.

“When you read this letter that would mean something happen to me. Don’t worry about me, I will be fine. I promise you I will always protect you and will always watch out for you. I won’t let anybody or anything harm you at all. I have so much to say to you that I know one letter cannot finish it all. Ever since we were little, I said to myself that no matter what happens, I will always be there for you. No matter where I am, I will always be there for you. Remember, when people ask you about me, pretend not to know me. Take care”

What’s going on? What does this mean?

I collapse on the couch dialing his number but it was off. I turn on the TV flipping the channel then I stop.

There on the breaking news, Yuu-san photo was on the TV. I turn the volume up as the anchorman said Yuu-san murdered 4 people at the abandon warehouse, he didn’t say why but when police arrived at the scene, he was there.

Because of me, he took the blame.

It was me that killed them and he protected me by claiming it was him that killed them. Tears begin to fill my eyes as I wipe them away. I have to be strong for him, I have to help him.

There was a loud banging on the door. I got up and washed my face. I walked toward the door and there was police standing outside with a warrant. They took me for interrogation, and I remember every detailed Yuu-san told me to say.

“What is your relationship with Mr. Shirota Yuu?” the detective asked

“Roommates” I replied

“Are you close with him?”

“Not too close” I replied

They continued questioning me about Yuu-san. It breaks my heart to deny not being close with him and pretend he was a stranger.

---------------------

In the end, they charged him with first degree murder and sentence to jail. From then on, I knew even though he said he was going to protect me forever, I have to learn to protect myself from the world first.

I sat up from the bed and stare at myself in the mirror. I got up and walked toward it. I’m still standing here because of Yuu-san.

I owe him too much that I cannot repay him this whole life.

Because of him, I killed them.

I killed them and worst is that nobody knows the truth.

No matter how much I blame him, I still love him.

I looked at myself in the mirror once again. I can still see the dirty whore that got rape 4 years ago. No matter how much I tried to get intimate with Mike, Jungmin or Jin I cannot. They cannot know what happen 4 years ago.

Nobody can because nobody can ever forgive me.

No matter how much I lie to myself, in the end I'm Rikka a woman who got raped, a killer and a liar...

Labels: chapter 23

11:07 PM