Chapter 6:

Intensity

Sanctuary


I sat at my desk a little drained; I probably got three hours of sleep that night. As I looked across the classroom I noticed Risa was sitting a couple desks in front of me. She turned, noticed me, then waved a little. I smiled and waved back. Once first class was over, I made it a point to talk to her.
“Hey, Amaya-san,” I said, using the Japanese greeting vernacular. “How are you?”
Risa smiled, looking up at me.
“I’m fine, thanks.” Her voice seemed a little soft, softer than when we talked in the sushi restaurant. “How are you doing?” She asked in earnest.
“I’m ok,” I said with a smile. “I was just taking a nap out there. I was tired.” I said with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. Risa still looked a little worried, so I got on one knee. Our eyes met as I reassured her.
“I’m fine. It was just a little rain.” Actually, it wasn’t. It was a mysterious girl’s surprise zap gun, but that wouldn’t have helped anything to admit. Finally Risa smiled, looking a lot more relaxed.
“I’m glad you ok.” Risa said, smiling bigger.
I smiled, standing up. “Me too.” I said with a thumbs up.
Once school was over, I didn’t go home immediately. I sat in the library, looking ahead to see what assignments I could get started on. I kinda’ knew I didn’t have anything yet, but just made sure for good measure. Soon I was convinced my suspicion was right, so I closed my books and sat back, taking a deep breath. I guess at that point I felt more relaxed then I’d felt in the past couple of days. Not like I had much time to do anything, since Meeshee and whomever was looking for her kinda shook me up a little bit. But, sitting here, it was almost like those things were in another world, and here in the school was the real world. It felt like a distant memory for a moment, and as I laid my head down to close my eyes for a second, I started to wonder if maybe Meeshee and all her shenanigans would blow over. As I closed my eyes, I took in the sounds of the library around me; the fan above my head, a couple people checking books on the nearby shelves, and a guy in the corner tapping away on his computer. I started to relax a bit more when I heard someone clear their throat. Sounded like a woman, and she was pretty close. I opened my eyes and looked up, seeing Risa standing there, looking down at me.
“Hi Amaya-san,” I said, smiling a bit, “how are you doing?”
“Good,” Risa said, smiling back, “I was just checking out some books when I saw you here.”
Risa looked a little nervous as she asked, “may I sit here?”
I nodded, smiling encouragingly.
“Sure. That spots open.”
“Thanks.” Risa said, sitting. I thought I saw a little redness come into her face, but it cleared up quickly once she took a seat. After a few minutes of us talking, we sort of dissolved into awkward silence, followed by reading our respective text books. Occasionally I thought of things to say, since Risa wasn’t too keen to start a conversation.
“So how are you liking Hokkaido so far?”
Risa looked up, thinking for a moment. “I’m liking it so far; studies really aren’t that hard for me.”
“Ok, so this should be a breeze, huh?”
I smiled, and expected Risa to smile in return, but she didn’t. Instead she frowned a bit.
“Actually I find it hard. I’m a good student, but it’s hard when I don’t have too many people to talk to. I’m not that good at making friends.”
“Oh, I see,” I said.
Risa smiled, and a redness returned to her face. “I, never really knew a guy like you, Tamaki. I,” she paused, and I could physically see her struggling between what I was pretty sure she was trying to say and her nerves. Finally she won the battle and faced me, looking worried but speaking confidentially anyway.
“I think I like you, Tamaki.”
Immediately Risa clamped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise. I kind of expected her to say something like this, but was still flattered by her words anyways. Risa was a very nice girl, if maybe a little insecure. I smiled encouragingly, just so Risa could know I wasn’t shocked by her words. I honestly thought we were pretty new friends, and couldn’t envision one way or another what I felt about Risa. However, I didn’t have to think too much longer before Risa found the courage to speak.
“Did I, say the wrong thing?” Risa asked, looking at me.
I smiled. “You didn’t say anything wrong. I’m a new friend to you, and while I don’t know you well enough to come to my own conclusion yet, I appreciate your feelings.” I smiled a little bigger to sort of buffer my statement, hoping Risa would take it in stride. She smiled, seeming to handle it well, then went back to reading her textbook. From there we continued reading our books, living in the silence a little bit until I got a buzzing on my cell phone. I hardly got texts from people, especially when I was at school where the students could just talk to me if they had anything important to say. When I flipped it open, my whole world seemed to stop.
[It’s Meeshee] the text read [I’m outside]
I stood up, turning towards the door without a second thought. I was able to pause long enough to look up at Risa.
“Hey Amaya-san,” she looked up at me, “I’m gonna’ be gone for just a minute. There’s something I have to take care of.”