Threads Of The Heart | Nishimura Riki ?

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As Y/n’s relationship with Riki deepened, the weight of her past grew harder to ignore.

Her former friends still cast glances her way, some mocking, others curious, as though they were trying to decide how to react to the new Y/n who walked with quiet confidence by Riki’s side.

The memories of the things she’d done with them, or had stood by and let happen, gnawed at her.

One evening after school, Riki noticed her troubled expression as they walked to the park.

“Hey,” he said gently, slowing his pace. “You’ve been distant today. Is something on your mind?”

Y/n looked up at him, hesitant. “It’s just... the past. I feel like I haven’t fully faced it. Those people I called friends... I let them hurt others, hurt you, and I didn’t stand up for what was right. It’s hard to see them now and not feel ashamed.”

Riki nodded thoughtfully. “You’re not that person anymore, Y/n. You’ve grown and changed, but maybe you need to confront it—get closure. Would you feel better if I was there with you?”

A part of Y/n wanted to say no, to avoid the confrontation, but another part of her knew he was right. “Maybe... maybe that would help. I feel like I owe it to myself, and maybe to you, to put it all behind me.”

The next day, Y/n and Riki waited by the school’s courtyard, knowing that her former friends would gather there after classes.

The familiar group, Daichi, Kaito, Hana, and Yuri, were laughing together when they noticed Y/n and Riki approaching. Their laughter faded, replaced with a mix of confusion and disdain.

“What do you want, Y/n?” Hana asked, her tone dismissive.

Y/n took a deep breath, feeling Riki’s reassuring presence beside her. “I want to talk. I need to clear the air about everything that happened—especially the way we treated others, including Riki.”

Daichi scoffed. “Oh, so now that you’re with the ‘quiet kid,’ you’re suddenly all high and mighty? Spare us the lecture, Y/n.”

But Y/n stood her ground, her voice steady. “I’m not here to lecture. I just need you to understand that I’ve changed. I don’t expect you to apologize or accept it, but I wanted to tell you that I regret everything I was a part of. Hurting others to fit in was wrong, and I know that now.”

Hana rolled her eyes, muttering, “Some people don’t change.” But Yuri looked away, her expression uncomfortable, as though Y/n’s words had struck a nerve.

Kaito scoffed, “So what now, you’re suddenly best friends with him and think you’re better than us?”

Riki spoke up for the first time, his voice calm but firm. “It’s not about being ‘better.’ Y/n is facing her past because she wants to grow. That takes courage, something you could learn from.”

An uneasy silence fell over the group. For the first time, Y/n noticed a flicker of uncertainty in their expressions, as if they weren’t as sure of themselves as they pretended to be. But she knew she didn’t need their approval anymore.

Without another word, she and Riki turned and walked away, leaving her former friends behind.

Once they were alone, Y/n let out a long breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “Thank you, Riki. I needed that.”

Riki smiled, taking her hand. “You did that on your own, Y/n. I’m proud of you.”

With that conversation behind them, Y/n felt lighter. Her past no longer haunted her, and she knew she had someone who accepted her fully, flaws and all. Together, she and Riki walked into their future, stronger and more united than ever.

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All Rights Reserved. Please do not steal my work or copy it. If you use any of my content for your own work, please credit me. I worked hard on coming up with a storyline and taking my time to write my thoughts so please be respectful of me and my work. Thank you very much.