Shinji's mother's words echoed in his ears as he ran away from home. He felt like his life was over. He wondered if anyone would ever care about him, if anyone would ever love him.
He found himself on a bridge, looking down at the river below. He felt a sudden urge to end his pain, to jump into the water and drown. He leaned over the railing, ready to let go.
"Hey, what are you doing?" a voice called out from behind him.
Shinji turned around and saw a girl, with long black hair, brown eyes and she had no clothes on. She was naked.
"Who are you?" Shinji asked, startled by the girl's appearance.
"I'm Rina. I live nearby. I saw you running and followed you. What are you doing here?" the girl said, walking towards him.
"I'm... I'm nothing. I have no reason to live. My mother hates me, my classmates bully me, the girl I love doesn't even know I exist. I'm just a waste of space," Shinji said, sobbing.
"Hey, don't say that. You're not nothing. You're a human being, with feelings and dreams and potential. You have a reason to live, even if you don't see it right now. You can't give up on yourself, not like this," Rina said, reaching out her hand.
Shinji looked at her hand, then at her face. He saw sincerity and kindness in her eyes. He felt a flicker of hope in his chest. He hesitated, then took her hand.
"Come on, let's go. I'll take you to my place. You can stay there for the night. We can talk, or not talk, whatever you want. Just don't do anything stupid, okay?" Rina said, pulling him away from the edge.
"Okay," Shinji said, nodding.
They walked away from the bridge, hand in hand. Shinji felt a warmth in his palm, a warmth he had never felt before. He wondered who this girl was, and why she cared about him. He wondered if this was the start of something new, something better. He wondered if this was his chance to escape the darkness, and find the light.
Rina led Shinji to a small place in the city park, hidden behind some bushes. It was a makeshift shelter, made of cardboard and plastic. It was where Rina lived, ever since she ran away from her village.
She opened the flap and invited Shinji inside. "Come on, it's not much, but it's better than nothing," she said.
Shinji followed her, feeling nervous and curious. He had never seen such a place before. It was cozy and warm, with a mattress, a blanket, and some candles. Rina offered Shinji some food and water, which he gratefully accepted. "Thank you, you're very kind," he said.
They sat on the mattress, facing each other. Shinji felt a surge of curiosity about Rina, and asked her about her life. "So, how did you end up here?" he asked.
Rina sighed, and looked away. She hesitated for a moment, then decided to tell him the truth. "I ran away from my village," she said. "I had a horrible life there. My father and stepmother treated me like a slave, forcing me to do all the chores and beating me if I disobeyed. They also tried to sell me off to a rich old man, who wanted to make me his wife. I couldn't stand it anymore, so I escaped. I stole some money and clothes, and hitchhiked to the city. I hoped to find a better life here, but I soon realized that the city was not kind to a homeless girl. I had to fend for myself, avoiding the police, the gangs, and the predators. I found this spot in the park, and made it my home."
Shinji listened to Rina's story, feeling sympathy and admiration. He couldn't imagine how hard it must have been for her, to survive on her own. He felt a connection with her, a bond that transcended their differences. He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I'm so sorry, Rina. You've been through so much. You're amazing, you know that? You're brave and strong, and you never gave up. I'm glad you saved me, and I'm glad you shared your story with me."
Rina smiled, and squeezed his hand back. She felt a warmth in her chest, a feeling she had never experienced before. She looked into his eyes, and saw kindness and gentleness. He made her feel less lonely, less hopeless. "Thank you, Shinji. You're very sweet. You're the first person who ever listened to me, who ever cared about me. You make me happy."
They looked into each other's eyes, and felt a spark of attraction. They leaned closer, and kissed softly. They felt a tingling sensation, a rush of emotions. They broke the kiss, and hugged each other. They felt a warmth and comfort that they had never felt before. They felt like they had found someone who understood them, who cared for them.
They lay down on the mattress, and cuddled under the blanket. They whispered sweet nothings, and fell asleep in each other's arms.
They dreamed of a better tomorrow, a tomorrow where they could be happy together.
Shinji woke up to the gentle rays of the morning sun, shining through the gaps in the plastic sheets. He felt a chill in the air, and reached for the blanket. But instead of the warmth of Rina's body, he only felt the coldness of the mattress.
He opened his eyes, and saw that he was alone. His heart skipped a beat, as he looked around the shelter. There was no sign of Rina, the girl who had saved him, kissed him, and made him feel alive.
He spotted a note on the pillow, written in a hasty scrawl. He picked it up, and read the words that shattered his world.
"Shinji,
I'm sorry. I have to go. You're too good for me. You deserve better. Please don't look for me.
- Rina"
Shinji felt a surge of pain, as the note slipped from his fingers. He couldn't understand. Why did she leave? What did he do wrong? Months passed, and she was never found.