Chapter 6: 3rd Fragment – Since That Day I

The memory buried among the fragments of other memories began to rise again. How Rio is reminiscing about him going back and forth to the teacher's room and database room to look for Arisa's whereabouts, who suddenly disappeared from the school, made him uneasy.

Rio also tried to go to the police station to look for relevant information. Unfortunately, he was too young at the time, so almost everyone has yet to actually listen to his request.

On another occasion, Rio spent his spare time while lacking sleep looking for information through the communication ring to meet his classmate again.

After everything he has been through—

Rio couldn't believe his eyes. He quickly activated his communication ring by tapping it once. The holographic display hovering above Rio's fingers appeared and immediately received input from the user.

When the young man compared the photo from the projection with someone enjoying her ice cream, he nodded slowly.

 

There's no mistaking it.

 

Rio walks closer. His steps gradually quickened as if he was about to jog. His feelings and thoughts were jumbled, and he couldn't think straight at all. That figure…

He has to meet her now!

 

And then, the man arrived in front of the girl. She looked up to see who was blocking her line of sight. That look—it's what Rio had been looking for all this time.

 

"Arisa, is that you?" he greets in an almost shaking voice, "I don't know that you joined this project as well."

 

The girl stays quiet as she stares at Rio's face intensely. Getting a glare like that made Rio uneasy.

 

"H-hello?" said Rio once again.

"Yeah, just a minute. I'm trying to remember your face. Hmm, hmm," said Arisa, who didn't blink at all.

"…oh."

 

He doesn't expect it if Arisa forgets about him. There's a chance that the girl doesn't remember. To be honest, the young man really wanted to hug the girl as soon as possible. However, he is still able to restrain himself.

 

Since that incident, I can't forget you for a second, Arisa.

 

"Damn, my memory really sucks. Don't you have anything to help identify you again?" Arisa said.

 

Rio racked his brain for a moment. How to make her remember him again?

There is no other way but to display photos of their previous school and classroom as the learning activities are taking place. Rio enlarged the photo to become a three-dimensional display so that they could recognize the figure of the teacher who was teaching or their former classmates.

 

"This is proof that we were in the same class," said Rio while showing little Arisa, who was focusing on the lesson.

"Ah, I finally remembered. Rio, you are Rio, right? Then that incident at the Edge of the Safe Zone—"

"You already remember it. That's good."

 

Arisa moves her facial muscles to show her signature smile once the fragments of her memory have returned. Hearing that, Rio sighed with relief and laughed bitterly. Luckily, Arisa still hasn't completely forgotten about him.

At least his struggle to find Arisa has paid off through this coincidence.

 

"Then just sit beside me, Rio. Let's chat since it's been a while since we saw each other," said Arisa, patting the spot beside her. There was no reason to refuse the offer, so the man complied with the girl's offer.

"Excuse me then."

"No problem!"

 

Arisa throws an ice cream stick into a plastic trash bin since she is finished with it. Her throw was so accurate and went in flawlessly. Rio silently clapped in his heart.

And then, what will Rio do? Indeed, all this time, he has always been chasing the figure who has been occupying his mind, sacrificing a lot of time to find information about Arisa's whereabouts.

But, the girl was here now, beside him. So, is hugging her now the right thing to do?

 

"Long time no see huh, Rio. Since I left that school," Arisa suddenly started a conversation.

 

Rio looked at the girl in confusion for a moment.

 

"The last time we met was when we were in the elementary class. Then, you suddenly disappeared without any notice to the school. Even the teachers and the school database had no data regarding your whereabouts. I miss you, you know. How many years have passed, and finally we meet again." said Rio firmly.

"Wow," Arisa didn't expect that her former classmate would pay attention to her that much. An interest arises in Arisa's mind regarding Rio's desire towards her, "thank you very much. But there is an urgent family matter, so I have to leave school quickly."

 

This is the first time Rio knows the reason behind Arisa's disappearance from school. A reason that even the teachers at school didn't know about before. Still, why is Arisa trying to keep all the information regarding her whereabouts a secret?

 

"Oh, I see. You should have told me before you just disappeared like thin air," Rio complained.

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"Haha, sorry. But I had to hurry up then. It's pretty urgent."

"Alright, then. I understand" Rio decided not to pry any further because it could be Arisa's privacy. "How are you?"

 

So he chose to talk about a safe topic.

 

"Been doing great! A first-hand experience to see what the past looks like really made me barely sleep the night before we go. Indeed, there are many things we already know before, thanks to detailed research from scientists. But seeing it with your own eyes is something else."

 

Arisa points to the river that flows gracefully. A twilight glow reflected on the water, showing its dazzling glitter to anyone from the future.

 

"I agree. We can't see something like this at our place."

"That's right. Video or three-dimensional projection can not match it. Because of that, I wanted to see more things here. Tasting more ice cream in this era included!"

"That's right. Oh, before I forgot. May I have your contact?"

"Sure thing. Give me your ring."

 

Their fingers were close and touched each other. Finally, Rio got Arisa's contact so he could call any time. He didn't have to worry about looking for this girl anymore when she was not around.

 

"With this, we are reconnected again," said Arisa.

"I hope you don't disappear again."

"I will not. At least, I have no thoughts of disappearing right now."

Rio chuckled at that answer. "So, what are you going to do next in this era?"

"Let me think about it. At first, I thought I would do—"

 

The two of them engaged in a casual chat until dusk came. Like two people who haven't seen each other in a while, they share many things to tell about. Although most of it Rio listening to Arisa share her views and experience.

When the man is focused on what the girl has to say—

Rio's memory jolted once again.

 

Arisa once gave him ice cream in the future when he had tears running down his cheeks.

The man smirks as he lets out a relieved breath.

 

"I guess that part of you will never change."

"Have I ever changed, Rio?"

"I can't say right now. But I think up until now, you're still the old Arisa who was my classmate."

"If you say so."

 

Arisa's smile blows Rio's feelings, which are slowly getting messy. The man was again reminded of his efforts to meet the person he had always dreamed of. This girl is his sole motivation and always fills the void in the man's heart all this time.

It was no exaggeration that this girl could be considered Rio's life goal.

The feeling of love slowly building up, regardless of the man's attempts to hold it began to affect his mind. Of course, there is nothing wrong if he feels euphoric just by meeting his idol.

 

“…”

 

Rio pressed between his left thumb and forefinger to reorganize his feeling crawling to the surface. He knew it would be strange to express a sensitive corner of his heart in front of someone he had just met a few minutes ago. At the very least, he wants to start his relationship again with Arisa as a friend.

 

"I forgot to say one thing, Rio."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for finding me again in this timeline. I'm sure this mission would be even more fun if you are here."

"Ah—"

 

For some reason, the girl's expression of gratitude turned off the logic of her old friend. 

 

I will say it now.

 

Rio got up from his seat and faced Arisa. His fists are clenched now, and he looks serious. He can finally arrange his thoughts in such a way that he can convey them correctly. One deep breath, and…

 

"Rio?"

"I like you, Arisa. This feeling hasn't changed since we met at the edge of the Safe Zone until now."

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