Love Live! Romance: Sunshine

Chapter 7: Comfort

Riko finally let go of my hand and calmed down.

"You know, I really love playing the piano ever since I was a child. But as long as years have passed, I feel like my skills at it haven't improved no matter how hard I try. And I don't have the motivation to do something about it. When you showed up and returned my piano sheets on that day, I feel like something have sparked deep inside me to do something I should've done a long time ago. But I wasn't sure about what to do next and it affected me on the day when the piano competition came. I felt so lost and empty that I can't even put my fingers on the keys." Riko explained.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe I should've done something as soon as I can back then"

"What do you mean?" Riko asked

"You know, I'm a loner too back in Otonokizaka. I have no friends, or even someone to talk with. Everytime I pass through the music room, I always see you there, playing the piano. You may have not noticed but I always listen to you playing it even though just outside. You play so good I always-"

Riko looked so shocked and embarassed

"I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have done that. Its a bit creepy after all"

"N-no its fine, I just got surprised that's all. I never expected that someone would listen to me play" Riko replied

"What do you mean? You play so good. Maybe you've won a lot of piano competitions because of your talent"

"Not really. I'm not even that good enough" She replied and looked somewhere far

Riko felt so down to herself, I don't even know how to comfort her

"Then? What brought you here in Numazu?"

"When my father started looking for another job, it was me who recommended to go here and move. But to tell you the truth, I just thought I need a change of scenery. If I could hear the sound of the ocean, I thought something would change." She explained

"If that's the case, you should go try diving. That way, you might get the chance to find what you're looking for. There's a diving shop here not that far and Chika's family knows the owner so I think it'll be perfect."

"Are you sure that's going to help?" She asked

"I'm not sure but I hope it will"

"Then I'll go. But please keep it a secret to Takami-san and her friend. They might force me to their school idol club again" She requested

"I understand"

"Thank you so much" she replied

We stayed in the beach looking at the waves of the water in a beautiful sunset.

"That reminds me, you still haven't told me the reason why you moved here. Is there a reason for that?" Riko asked

I fell down on silent as well as I tried to explain to her what happened.
"Few weeks ago, my parents and I planned to go here on Numazu to visit Shima-san since she and my mom are close friends. And then an accident happened. I was the only one who survived with less injury, but they didn't. Shima-san decided to adopt me when I got discharged at the hospital and now I live here."

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked" Riko held my hand as she felt bad for asking and tried to comfort me

"Don't be... I'll be fine."

Riko leaned to me and grabbed my shoulder. She looked me straight to the eye and slowly embraced me with her arms

"You don't have to hide your true emotions anymore. Just let it all out. I'll be here at your side everytime." She continued

"B-but"

"Just let it all out"

I let all of the sadness and frustrations I have deep inside me. I cried it all out as she kept on embracing me until I finally calmed down.

**********

"Thank you Riko-chan, for everything"

"Its fine, also thanks for hearing me out too." Riko replied

"We still have to go at the diving shop tomorrow right? Lets go there together after school"

"Sure. I'll go home now" Riko stood up and walked back to their house

"Take care!"

Riko stopped before she entered her house

"Maybe I should've told him... About how I feel" Riko looked into the night sky as she's about to open the door