Aiko: The Space Between

No one could describe it in one word, actually. You can't say it's 'normal'. And you can't exactly say it's 'different', either. Yes, things have changed, but at the same time, they didn't. At times, I pondered about it, but I gave up eventually.

"Just let it be," Kamui had told me. "Everything's better now, anyways."

Yes, that's true. Everything WAS better. But 'better' doesn't quite cover it. It was so much better, you wouldn't use 'better' to describe it. Oh, whatever. At least our plan worked. Of course, the plan wasn't exactly THE reason for the change. It was all the past events sewn together. That event in The Spazio served as just a push. A mighty helpful push, if you asked anybody concerned (even Rei and Midori, though they probably won't admit it to each other in a while).

Rei and Midori were still their arguing selves, but at least they weren't fatally at each other's necks. A friendly banter was quite refreshing after watching those two shoot laser beams out of their eyes for a year.

Frankly, it was obvious to me that Rei liked Midori. But he doesn't exactly have it bad unlike a few other boys I know. As for Midori, she doesn't seem to have any romantic interest in Rei. Sure, she thinks he's cute and nice and all that, but compared to the way she occassionally spouts the line "once you see him, you get rooted on the spot!" about some other guy, the rest of Kobayakawa would think you're living in a fantasy world if you thought she saw Rei as more than a friend.

Heh. That's why I never told anyone what I really thought about that possibility. They'd think I'm weird.

Anyways, our second year in Kobayakawa Jr. High ended with a bang, with us reigning victorious in the Interschool. Sure, we didn't get ALL the gold, but we brought home a pretty big chunk of the bacon. For example, our girls' and boys' track teams won. The soccer team did, too... The kendo team got a silver medal, but that was OK. Silver was still better than bronze. There were a handful of other sports that we won, too...

Our last year in Jr. High was as good as the second, though it was more of a challenge because of the heavier responsibilities aside from schoolwork. Kamui became the captain of the soccer team, which gave him even more popularity (O~hoho! Payback time! Toriyama, it's your turn in the hot seat!). I became the captain of our team, and part of the student council. Midori was still our team's manager, and Rei...Well, Rei surprised everyone by choosing to be manager over captain.

"We never talked about this since I always thought he was going for captain," Midori told me when I asked her about it. She was just as surprised as I was.

I asked Kamui about it, too, but he just shrugged. And when I finally asked the man himself, Rei gave a simple answer.

"Because I wanted to."

Well, what do I have against that? But, as it turned out, it was pretty OK that Rei became the manager. He did a good job, and we won in the Interschool again, the Board actually considered putting us in the Hall of Fame already.

The space between was a pretty interesting stage. Everything was in transition, and every day brought something new. Now that we're going to start high school in a week, I can't help but feel excited. I don't know why, but I just get this feeling that something, something big, is coming for me (coincidentally, Kamui seems to think that way, too). Sara-chan is starting in Kobayaka Jr. High. Oniichan is starting to take Kendo seriously (it's about time, too. He's really good once he puts his mind to it). And as for Rei and Midori, they've been close friends ever since that afternoon at the Spazio.

And will they become closer?

Well, I'll just quote Midori's answer to that:

"I really wouldn't know...

I guess we'll just have to see."

~~~

From the Author:
OK...Let's get this thing rolling.

Q: What's with this chapter's title?
A: This chapter is an optional bridge from Ribbon to Blue Star.

Q: But, what's Blue Star's connection to Ribbon?
A: The storyline takes place during the Group's first year in Kobayakawa High. Rei and Midori still keep appearances, but they have a smaller role than they have here.

Q: Is Ribbon going to have a Part Three?
A: As of the moment, no. I like the ending as it is.

Q: But what if WE don't? What if we wanna read Rei-Midori fluff?
A: Then make yourselves heard! That's what the review button is for.

Q: Is there a possibility that you WILL continue Ribbon?
A: Yes, I still might. Grateful as I am to those who read, and voted for me to continue Ribbon, I don't think I can write it any time soon. I'm putting Blue Star in the top of my priority list, in terms of writing.

Q: So when will Part Three be up?
A: I'm currently editing Episode 16 of Blue Star, and I'm already starting Episode 17. So, if do continue Ribbon, I might have it up by the end of the year.

Q: Are there any new stuff on the website?
A: Trivia, tidbits, profiles and more will soon be available.

So, there. I hope you guys won't kill me, and I hope even more that, by the time I post Ribbon again (if I ever do at all), you'll still be there. Thanks a million for reading, and thanks a gazillion more to the reviewers! Special thanks to Youku Kazeyami, ArikaMorance, Maggy_d, ricebowl35, Lollipop Candy and gentledeity. I love you guys so much!

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