Between Him and Her

So Near

Liya gave directions to Ryuuhei as he manipulated his car on narrow streets of their town with dexterity.

"You drive very well," Liya commented. "Here, turn right - the big building, that's my apartment."

"Chikaii desu ne?" Ryuuhei said with a smile.

"Wha..Sumimasen?" Liya said.

"I live there." Ryuuhei pointed. "I said you live near me. Chikaii means together."

"Together?" Liya tilted her head, "Do you mean near?"

"Yes," Ryuuhei snapped his fingers. "Liya ga jiyūna toki ni isshyo ni yūshoku o torimashou."

Liya shook her head in confusion with the jumble of words. SO Ryuuhei repeated slowly and added, "dinner?"

"Ah.. yes. Hai, onegaishimasu."

He stopped in front of her building and said, "Your mansion is good."

Liya smiled and replied, "Thank you. One day, I will invite you for dinner."

Ryuuhei looked at her. Liya didn't know if he understood her or not. But he did. Her words were very clear, and she enunciates them so well that he doesn't have to go "Pardon?" like an i***t.

Ryuuhei smiled at her. When she opened her passenger side door, he got out as well. She thought to herself what a wonderful gentleman he was seeing her to the door. She never had an experience like this since she wasn't allowed to date. Also the men she had seen or kissed only wanted her for one thing - booty call. Once in her life, she wanted to be cherished by a man.

Walking her up to the front entrance, Ryuuhei watched as she entered her security code to enter the building. Liya turned to him, "Kyo wa tanoshiikatta. Arigatou gozaimashita." (Today I had fun. Thank you very much.

Ryuuhei replied with a smile and said quietly, "Kochirakoso." He watched her enter the building through the glass door and the door locked after her. She turned around to look at him and waved at him. He returned her wave with a smile and turned back.

Liya sighed happily. It felt good to have companionship with another human being that wasn't obligatory. Tonight she would sleep peacefully, so she skipped to the elevator. She didn't have to since she lived on the second floor, but she was lazy.

Getting into his car, Ryuuhei started his car and leaned against the wheel. He looked up and saw lights coming on the apartment above his car second story. He saw a figure walking back and forth stretching and twirling. He didn't know if it was Liya or not, but the shadowy figure was most definitely a girl.

Then the person opened the curtains, and Liya's head popped out as the window opened. Ryuuhei smiled slightly. Inwardly sighing, he shifted his gear and moved his car forward.

It only took him a couple of minutes to get home and park his car inside his garage. They were technically neighbors living so close in proximity.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Flashes of city light passed behind her closed eyes. Liya could see the orbs of blues, reds, and greens behind her lids. She liked to feel and see these lights and guess what they stand for - a billboard, a streetlamp, an oncoming car or a shinging castle. She smiled. The car moced smoothly. Through the speakers, she could hear classic rock. She turned to Ryuuhei who was relaxed with one hand on the steering wheel and the other rubbing his lips. When he looked at her and asked, "tsukareta?" (Are you tired?" )

Liya shook her head and said "Iie." She had fun today again with Ryuuhei or Ryuu as she thought in mind. She smiled at him and "You play very well. I can't stop humming the melody in my head."

"Thank you." Ryuuhei flashed a smile in return. "Do you like band?"

"Yes I like the band. It is great that Marlene was there as well."

"Ken likes Marlene-san."

"Yes," Liya said. "Ryuuhei, can you stop at the nearest convenience store, I want to buy something."

Ryuuhei nodded and said, "Hai."

He saw a Family Mart on his left side and turned into the parking lot. Quietly both of them walked into the store. Liya immediately went to the hot beverage section to grab some hot lemon teas, then to the chips and candies section and came back to the cashiers.

She purchased them and grabbed the plastic bag of goodies. When they came to the car, she stopped Ryuuhei from getting in the car instead she pointed to the car hood. "Can we stop here and rest for awhile. Chyotto jikan no kyukei?"

Ryuuhei had a confused look and but he assented. Digging in her plastic bag she gave him a lemon tea. She said, "It's good for your throat." Ryuuhei accepted with thanks. They both leaned against the car and drank silently.

"The stars are brighter here." She said. Ryuuhei looked up.

"Hai, so desu ne." (Yes it is, isn't it.)

"It's the same in New York where I live."

Ryuuhei looked at her. "Are you from New York, Manhattan?"

Liya chuckled and said, "No. A little far from Manhattan." She used her hands.

"Liya-san, you are in Japan hittori de?" (by yourself) Ryuuhei asked.

"Yes. by myself." Liya answered.

"You are strong." He continued.

"I am? I am scared." Liya said quietly. She opened a packet of potato chips and offered to Ryuuhei. He took some in his hands and they chewed on some silently.

"I like Japan," she said. "Japan is quiet and peaceful."

Ryuuhei nodded. "When come to Japan?"

Liya looked up, "In August." She stopped, "hachi gatsu".

Ryuuhei remembered seeing her face in the sea of passengers in the back of his mind. He smiled and said, "I remember."

She smiled and then turned to look up to the sky with glittering stars. The night air carried the scent of rich soil from the paddy fields nearby and she audibly inhaled. Their sides brushed against each other. Ryuuhei sipped from his bottle of tea and took some chips from the bag that Liya held in her hand. She started to hum from her throat and he listened quietly to it. He didn't recognize the song and he exhaled audibly.

Momentarily they were in their own thoughts but silently accepting each others presence in their sphere. There were no demands to be meant, nothing they have to say to keep the chatter going and both became comfortable sitting there silently looking at the starry sky.