The past had a funny way of lingering, like a shadow that refused to dissipate no matter how brightly the sun shone. For Rika, it came alive every time she saw Maya sitting alone in the cafeteria, sketching quietly in her corner as if the world around her didn't exist. Each glance brought with it a pang of guilt so sharp it took her breath away.
But guilt was never enough to undo years of cruelty.
Back then, Rika was the queen bee of their class—outspoken, confident, and surrounded by friends who hung onto her every word. She was the type of girl who thrived on attention and validation, the kind of person who couldn't tolerate being overshadowed. And Maya? Maya was the silent storm she hadn't seen coming.
Maya never sought the spotlight. She didn't have to. Teachers praised her talent, her grades spoke for themselves, and her art captured emotions that words could not. It made Rika seethe. How could someone so quiet, so "weird," garner admiration without even trying? It wasn't fair.
Rika's bitterness turned into a festering hatred that she justified with lies she told herself: "She thinks she's better than everyone else." "She's just a show-off." Those lies made it easier to act on her jealousy. And so, the small jabs began.
At first, it was harmless—petty comments about Maya's clothes or the way she always carried her sketchbook. But Rika craved control, and the small jabs weren't enough. One day, when Maya was presenting her artwork to the class, Rika whispered just loudly enough for everyone to hear, "It's not that great. Anyone can draw like that if they practice enough."
The laughter that followed gave Rika a twisted sense of satisfaction. Maya didn't say a word. She just lowered her gaze, her hands trembling as she continued her presentation. Rika told herself she didn't care, but a small, nagging voice in her head whispered that she'd crossed a line.
That voice grew louder the day Rika went too far.
It was during their second year of middle school. Maya had been working tirelessly on a sketch for weeks—a detailed landscape she planned to submit for an art competition. Everyone knew about it; even the teachers were excited to see the finished piece. But to Rika, it was a reminder of everything she lacked.
"Let's see what she's so proud of," Rika had said to her friends one afternoon. They found Maya sitting alone in the art room, lost in her work. Before she could react, Rika snatched the sketchbook from her hands.
"Please, give it back," Maya said, her voice trembling.
Rika flipped through the pages, her heart sinking as she saw the talent in each stroke. It wasn't fair. It would never be fair. With a cruel smile, she tore the page from the book and held it up for her friends to see.
"Is this what you've been hiding?" she sneered before ripping it in half.
Maya's gasp was almost inaudible, but the look in her eyes was deafening. For a moment, Rika hesitated. The tears welling up in Maya's eyes made her chest tighten in a way she didn't understand. But her pride wouldn't let her stop. She tossed the torn pieces onto the floor and walked away, laughing with her friends.
That night, as Rika sat alone in her room, the guilt clawed at her. She tried to drown it out by telling herself Maya deserved it, but deep down, she knew the truth.
(Rika Never Stopped)
___Present Day____
The following morning, the rain had finally stopped, leaving the streets damp and glistening under the sunlight. At school, the air buzzed with the usual chatter, but a noticeable tension hung around Rika as she sat at her desk. She glanced nervously at Maya, who was quietly sketching, her face as serene as ever.
Rika clutched the strap of her bag tightly, summoning her courage. She had stayed up late the previous night, debating whether to go through with her decision. Now, as she sat just a few desks away, her chest tightened. Today was the day she would apologize.
Meanwhile, Kaito entered the classroom, visibly pale and sniffling. He sneezed loudly, drawing everyone's attention. A few classmates laughed, and someone teased, "Kaito, were you out in the rain without an umbrella?"
He grinned weakly, rubbing the back of his head. "Something like that."
Maya's gaze lingered on him, concern etched on her face. She remembered the night before—the rain, her brother's cryptic call, and her lingering worry for Kaito. She wanted to approach him, but her nerves held her back.
Rika noticed Maya's reaction and sighed. Her guilt deepened as she realized how much Maya cared for Kaito and how much her actions might have hurt her. The bell rang, and their teacher entered, beginning the lesson.
When the bell rang for lunch, the classroom emptied quickly. Maya hesitated, unsure if she should stay and check on Kaito or give him space. Before she could decide, Rika stood and approached her desk.
Maya looked up, startled. "Rika?"
Rika shifted uncomfortably, her usual confident demeanor replaced by uncertainty. "Can we talk?" she asked, her voice softer than usual.
Maya blinked, unsure of how to respond. She nodded hesitantly and followed Rika out of the classroom. They ended up in a quiet corner of the school courtyard, away from the bustling crowd.
Rika took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly. "Maya, I... I want to apologize."
Maya stared at her
"Apologize? Again? "
"Yes For spreading that stupid rumor about you and Kaito. For being mean to you. For... for letting my jealousy get the better of me."
Maya stared at her, unsure of what to say. She hadn't expected this—Rika, the confident and popular girl, was standing in front of her, vulnerable and apologetic.
"I liked Kaito," Rika admitted, her gaze dropping to the ground. "I thought if I made you look bad, he'd notice me instead. But he didn't. He only seemed to care about you. At first, it made me so angry, but then I realized... it wasn't your fault. You didn't do anything wrong. I was just being selfish."
Maya felt a lump in her throat. She wanted to respond, but the words wouldn't come.
"I've been watching you," Rika continued, her voice breaking slightly. "You're so quiet, so kind, and yet you've been through so much. I don't know how you do it, but I admire you for it. I'm really sorry for everything, Maya. I hope... I hope you can forgive me."
Maya looked down at her hands, her mind racing. She wasn't sure how to feel—relieved, angry, confused? She swallowed hard and finally spoke.
"I don't know if I can forgive you right away," she admitted honestly. "But... I appreciate your apology. It must have taken a lot of courage to say all that."
Rika nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "That's fair. I don't deserve your forgiveness yet, but I'll do my best to make it up to you."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension slowly easing.
As Maya returned to the classroom, she noticed Kaito slumped over his desk, clearly unwell. She walked over hesitantly, clutching her sketchbook.
"Kaito, are you okay?" she asked softly.
He looked up at her, his eyes tired but warm. "Yeah, just a little cold. I'll survive." He chuckled weakly before sneezing again.
Maya frowned. "You shouldn't have played in the rain."
"Couldn't help it," he replied with a grin. "Your brother's a tough opponent."
Maya smiled faintly, the tension from earlier fading. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Rika watching from afar. Their eyes met, and Rika gave her a small, encouraging nod.
As the day went on, Rika found herself reflecting on her apology. She had always prided herself on being strong and confident, but admitting her faults had been surprisingly liberating. Watching Maya interact with Kaito, she realized just how much she had let her insecurities control her.
By the time school ended, Rika felt lighter. She wasn't sure if things would ever be normal between her and Maya, but for the first time, she felt like she was on the right path.
When she passed Maya in the hallway, she paused. "Maya," she called out.
Maya turned, her expression guarded.
"I meant what I said earlier," Rika said, her tone firm but gentle. "I'll do my best to make things right. And if you ever need someone to talk to... I'm here."
Maya hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Thank you, Rika."
As Rika walked away, a sense of relief washed over her. Redemption wouldn't come easy, but she was willing to try. For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was finally becoming the person she wanted to be.
The sun rose hesitantly the next morning, as if reluctant to shine through the heavy clouds lingering after the previous day's downpour. The school grounds bustled with the usual chatter and laughter, but Rika felt detached, her steps slower than usual as she walked to class. Her mind replayed the awkward exchange with Maya the day before. She had apologized, yes, but Maya's hesitation lingered in her thoughts.
Rika could still hear her own voice echoing in her mind—the cruel whispers, the snide comments she'd made about Maya. At the time, she convinced herself it was harmless. "Kaito will notice me if she's out of the way," she had thought, but instead, it only made her feel hollow.
She remembered the first time she saw Kaito. He had just transferred, his easy smile and laid-back charm instantly drawing everyone's attention. Rika, usually the one others admired, had been taken aback by how quickly Kaito became the center of attention. She had tried to approach him multiple times, but it was always Maya he noticed. Why her?
The flashback shifted to one specific moment in the hallway: Kaito walking past her with a casual "Hey," his eyes focused ahead. Seconds later, he stopped and turned—to Maya, who was struggling to carry a stack of books. Without hesitation, he had helped her, and they walked off together, laughing about something. Rika had stood there, rooted in place, feeling invisible.
Rika shook her head, trying to dispel the memories. They were a bitter reminder of her actions, but they were also the reason she knew she had to make things right.
Rika spotted Maya sitting by herself near the window during lunch, her tray untouched as she stared out at the gray sky. Taking a deep breath, Rika approached cautiously, her hands gripping the straps of her bag.
"Hey," Rika began, her voice softer than usual. Maya turned, her eyes widening slightly. Rika noticed how Maya instinctively tensed, her guard going up.
"I just…" Rika hesitated, searching for the right words. "I wanted to try again. Yesterday, I meant what I said, but I know words aren't enough."
Maya blinked, caught off guard by Rika's earnestness.
"I was awful to you, and I don't expect you to forgive me just because I said sorry," Rika continued. "But… I want to show you that I'm serious about changing."
Maya looked down at her tray, her fingers fidgeting with a spoon. "Why now?" she asked quietly.
Rika hesitated, then spoke honestly. "Because I was wrong. And because Kaito—he sees something in you that I didn't bother to see. You're kind, Maya. You didn't deserve any of what I did to you."
Maya's cheeks flushed at the mention of Kaito's name, but she quickly looked away. "It's… not easy for me to trust people," she admitted, her voice barely audible.
"I know," Rika said, her tone filled with understanding. "I don't expect it to be easy. But can we start small? Maybe… as classmates?"
Maya glanced up, meeting Rika's gaze for the first time. There was hesitation in her eyes, but also a glimmer of curiosity. "Okay," she said softly.
Over the next few days, Rika kept her word. She didn't crowd Maya or try to force a friendship. Instead, she focused on small gestures.
During art class, when Maya dropped her pencils, Rika quietly picked them up and handed them back. During group activities, she ensured Maya's voice was heard, subtly encouraging her to share her thoughts. And when she overheard someone whispering about Maya, Rika stepped in, shutting the gossip down with a firm glare.
At first, Maya was wary, unsure of Rika's intentions. But as the days passed, she began to notice the sincerity in Rika's actions. It wasn't just for show—Rika genuinely seemed to be trying.
One afternoon, Rika found herself alone with Maya in the art room. The rest of the class had gone out for a break, but Maya had stayed behind to work on her sketch. Rika hesitated, then sat down at the table across from her.
"I used to love drawing," Rika said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Maya glanced up, surprised. "You did?"
Rika nodded, her eyes distant. "Yeah. It was the one thing that made me feel… free. But somewhere along the way, I stopped. I started caring more about what people thought of me, about being popular. I guess I thought that was more important."
Maya tilted her head, studying Rika. "Do you miss it?"
"Every day," Rika admitted. "But I'm scared to start again. What if I'm not good enough?"
Maya hesitated, then said quietly, "You could try. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just… draw for yourself."
Rika smiled faintly. "Maybe I will."
During a class project. The students were divided into groups, and by chance, Rika and Maya ended up in the same one. Their task was to create a presentation, and to everyone's surprise, the two worked seamlessly together.
At the end of the day, as they packed up their things, Rika turned to Maya. "Thank you," she said.
"For what?" Maya asked, puzzled.
"For giving me a chance," Rika said. "I know I don't deserve it, but… it means a lot."
Maya hesitated, then gave a small smile. "I guess everyone deserves a second chance."
The following week, during an assembly, the principal called out a group of students for their exceptional work on a recent project. Among them were Maya and Rika.
As they stood on stage, Rika took a deep breath. Turning to the microphone, she said, "I just want to say something. I haven't been the kindest person, and I've made mistakes. But I'm trying to be better. And I owe a lot of that to someone who showed me what it means to be strong and kind. So… thank you, Maya."
The audience murmured in surprise, but Maya's cheeks turned pink. For the first time, she felt truly seen—not as the quiet girl who stayed in the background, but as someone worth recognizing.
By the end of the day, Maya and Rika weren't best friends, but there was a sense of understanding between them—a fragile but growing connection. Rika's redemption wasn't complete, but it was a start.
And as Maya walked home that afternoon, she found herself smiling, feeling a little lighter than before.