Another post!!! I haven't finished my Tegomasu fic... I've wrote it half-way.. I'll find time to finish it somwtiome soon. For now, enjoy my lastest chap! :)

Chapter 4

Inside the room…

“Wow! You’ve got a softer bed than mine!” Rika excitedly jumped up and down on Maki’s bed.

“I thought you wouldn’t mess around here?” Maki eyed at Rika while getting the supplies needed for their project.

“I’m not messing your room. I’ll fix your bed before I go home.” Rika sat beside Maki on the floor. They start making their projects by putting a little bit of water on the clay while mixing it. Rika playfully put some onto Maki’s cheek.

“Why did you that for?!” Maki shouted while removing the dirt with her shirt.

“Because you were so serious while we make this.”

“Why shouldn’t I? This is our project. Our teacher expects a lot from us that’s why I’m doing my best.”

“There’s a saying that learning is fun. What we’re doing now, for me, is not enjoyable.”

“I can’t think why you’re the first honor in our class.”

Rika didn’t answer at first and just pretend that she didn’t hear it at all. She continued to mold the clay into a volcano shape.

“When I was little, I don’t have any friends. They always tease me because they see me as a geek. That was the saddest time of my life. Eventually, I realized that I can have fun and still, be in the honor list. I started to engage in futsal when I was in grade 3. There I met many friends. I became happy. That’s why I wanted to befriend you because I’ve been in your situation once and I know how hard it is to be alone.”

Maki was stunned. She thought that Rika was just a happy go lucky girl but she was wrong. Behind those cheerful attitude of hers, lies a very sad past…

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say those things.” Maki sincerely apologized to Rika.

“Hahaha… It’s ok. That was the past… I’m just enjoying my life now and you should too.” Rika smiled warmly at her. Maki smiled back for just a short time and returned to her work.

“THAT’S THE FIRST TIME I”VE SEEN YOU SMILE!!!” Rika blurted out. She was so happy that her efforts were not in vain. Gradually, she sees some changes in the attitude of Maki.

“Maki, Rika! Come down here and let’s eat lunch!”

“HAI!!”


At the dining table

“So, what’s the progress of your project?” Maki’s mom asked the two of them while giving a second serving to Maki.

“I think we can finish it this afternoon. We’re just waiting for the clay to harden, then we’ll put the solution inside to test it.”

“Ano saa, did you know that I saw Maki smiled for the first time today?”

“That was not part of our discussion!” Maki blurted out. Somehow, Rika could see that she was blushing slightly at the comment.

“Oh, really? That was a great improvement! Whenever Maki’s here, she would just lock herself up in her room and study. I’ve never seen her smile for years.”

“Don’t worry Mrs. Goto, I’ll make sure that she will smile and laugh whenever I’m with her.”

“Arigatou! I hope you wouldn’t lose your patience with her.”

“Can you please stop talking about me and just eat our lunch?” Rika and Maki’s mom could see how red Maki’s cheeks had become from the intent blushing.

“Hahaha… Maki’s blushing real hard. Hey, you might turn into a tomato.”

“Shut up! It’s not funny!” Maki eventually lowered her head… This time, she smiled and both the other two persons saw that.

“SHE SMILED AGAIN!!!!”

That was a memorable and happy lunch time as far as Maki could remember.