Rika Tanabe

Car dealership, Rika works as a mechanic and makes good money.

Scene: “Bored At the Dealership” Location: Small-town car dealership, just outside the attached auto repair garage.

The lot buzzes with late-afternoon heat, cicadas droning in the background. The glossy line of sedans and family SUVs sits untouched as Rika wipes down her hands with a shop towel, having just finished checking a rattling noise in a customer’s engine.

She glances across the lot—and spots him.

A guy, maybe her age or a little older, is slumped on the low concrete wall near the vending machines. Hoodie half-zipped. Wireless earbuds in. Eyes half-lidded like he’s about to evaporate from boredom.

He’s clearly not the one shopping—must be tagging along with a parent. Occasionally glances at the sky like it owes him an apology.

Rika doesn’t usually get curious about customers.

But something about the guy’s complete disinterest in everything—including the shiny showroom behind him—gets her attention. So, wiping her hands one last time and pulling her hat low, she walks over.

Rika: (Casually, stopping in front of him) “Y’know, if you stare at the sun long enough, it’ll fry your retinas. Or is that the goal?”

Guy (taking out one earbud): “…What?”

Rika (deadpan): “Looked like you were trying to disappear. Figured I’d check if you were melting into the concrete or something.”

Guy (chuckles, a bit caught off guard): “Nah. Just… my mom’s asking about every feature like she’s buying a spaceship.”

Rika (grinning slightly): “Well, if she asks about the warp drive, tell her it’s extra.”

He laughs—genuinely this time. Rika shifts her weight, glancing down, pretending to study the ground like she’s only half-interested in where this is going.

Rika (after a pause, slightly nervous): “…Hey, uh. You free next weekend?”

Guy (blinks): “Huh?”

Rika (quickly, hands stuffed in pockets): “Not saying it's a date or anything—just, there's this car show thing down in Riverfront Park. Custom builds, food trucks, people doing stupid burnouts.”

Guy (smiling now): “Sounds cool. You into cars or something?”

Rika (smirks, nodding toward the garage): “Work next door. Covered in grease six days a week. It’s either cars or losing my mind.”

Guy: “…Alright. I’m in.”

Rika (trying to sound unaffected, but her ears are definitely red): “Cool. Just meet me here, same wall. I’ll bring snacks. Or earplugs. Depends on how loud the burnout guys get.”

She turns to walk away, tossing the rag over her shoulder—then hesitates.

Rika (without looking back): “…Don’t flake. I’ll actually be kinda annoyed.”

He watches her head back toward the garage, wiping grease off her hands like it’s no big deal—completely unaware of the slight bounce in her step or the soft smile she’s hiding under her cap.

Scene: “Late Arrival” Riverfront Park — Car Show, late afternoon. The lot is buzzing with engines and chatter. Rika sits on the edge of a concrete barrier, arms crossed, trying to look indifferent but clearly checking her phone too often.

She’s not dressed in her usual garage-wear. Emi had gotten to her this morning.

Her hoodie is zipped halfway over a fitted crop top, and her jeans are newer than usual—no stains, no holes. She wears high-tops that Emi said made her legs look “boss-level cool.” Rika had rolled her eyes. She still wore her signature cap backwards. Couldn’t give her sister everything.

She checks her phone again. 20 minutes late. No texts.

Rika scoffs quietly to herself.

“Figures. Should’ve brought earplugs instead of snacks…” She’s just about to get up when she hears someone approaching—shoes dragging on the pavement.

When she looks up, her breath catches.

He’s here.

But he looks like hell.

Oversized black sleeveless shirt, the kind you'd find in the back of an anime shop—bold kanji and a crimson-eyed character across the chest. His shoulders are bruised, fresh scrapes on one elbow. The old scars crisscrossing his upper arms are unmistakable.

Blue joggers, worn-out trainers.

White hair—unruly, half-fallen over one eye.

No swagger. Just a tired gait and eyes that avoid hers for a moment too long.

Rika (stepping forward): “…What the hell happened?”

Guy (tries to play it off with a faint smile): “Sorry I’m late. Got caught up in… stuff.”

Rika (not buying it): “You look like you wrestled a mailbox and lost.”

Guy (shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck): “Wasn’t the mailbox’s fault.”

She doesn’t laugh. Just stares. He’s expecting judgment. Pity. Something.

Instead—

Rika (quietly): “…You good?”

He finally looks at her—really looks—and the wall he’s holding up cracks just a little. His voice is barely above the engine noise around them.

Guy: “I didn’t think you’d still be here.”

Rika (dryly): “Yeah, well. I’m stubborn. Or dumb. Jury’s out.”

(Pause. Her voice softens.) “…I was kinda worried, y’know.”

He glances away again, ashamed, but she steps closer—close enough that he can see the faint freckle under her eye and the smudge of grease she missed near her collarbone.

She leans in, not touching him, but close enough to be heard without shouting.

Rika (soft but firm): “Whatever happened—whatever this is…” (she gestures vaguely toward the bruises and scars) “…you’re not hiding it as well as you think.”

He tenses.

She shrugs.

Rika (gently, a rare smile tugging at her lips): “But I’m not running off either. So quit looking like you’re about to get left behind.”

Guy (voice catching a little): “You sure? I’m not exactly… good company today.”

Rika (smirks): “I hang out with carburetors that scream at me all day. You’re fine.”

She holds up a plastic bag—two canned sodas and a bag of spicy chips.

Rika: “You wanna sit, or do I gotta drag your mopey ass around the show?”

He finally, finally smiles—wounded, crooked, but real.

They sit together on the barrier, feet brushing pavement, sun beginning to dip behind the horizon. Neither says much at first. The silence isn't awkward—just full of the unspoken.

Rika doesn't push.

She just passes him a soda and leans back, arms brushing his for the first time.

And when she feels how tense he is—how even this small contact rattles him—she stays there anyway.

Scene: “Drag Me to Hell (Or the Car Show)” Still at the Riverfront Car Show. Sun dipping low. The engines are loud, the food trucks smell like fried heaven, and the crowd is thick with streetwear, grease, and smoke.

Rika cracks her soda and downs half of it like she’s trying to cool down something that isn’t heat. She glances over at him again—he’s sitting there, trying to shrink into himself, arms crossed like a shield, eyes flicking anywhere but at people.

She watches two passing teens whisper as they glance at his arms.

Big mistake.

She immediately stands up, slaps her drink down, and grabs his wrist.

Rika: “C’mon. We’re walking.”

Guy: “What—?”

Rika (already tugging him into the crowd): “You think I brought you here just to let you sit and marinate in your own anxiety stew? Wrong answer.”

He stumbles a bit trying to keep up. She’s not pulling hard, but she’s got that I’ll plow through a crowd if I need to kind of stride.

They pass another cluster of people, and again, a sideways glance lingers too long on his arms.

Rika stops.

Turns.

Rika (loudly): “You wanna take a picture or are you just built rude?”

The guy staring flinches, mutters an apology, and scurries off.

She doesn't look back at him—just keeps walking, still holding his wrist loosely.

Guy (half whispering, shaken): “…You didn’t have to do that.”

Rika (not looking at him): “I did.” (She finally glances back, eyes sharp.) “They look, they judge, they say something—I end them. Got it?”

He opens his mouth to argue, but the fire in her eyes says don't.

So he swallows whatever pride or fear was rising, and just… nods.

Rika (after a beat, softer): “…You don’t need to hide them around me.”

She lets go of his wrist and shoves her hands in her hoodie pocket.

Rika (trying to sound casual): “Scars don’t scare me. I got a socket burn on my hip from when I was thirteen—thing sparked when I was changing a starter. I cried like a baby. Still have the mark.”

He chuckles despite himself.

Guy: “Doesn’t sound like the same thing.”

Rika (shrugs): “No, but pain is pain. Stupid scars, old or fresh… They’re just proof you lived through it. And you’re still here.”

They stop near an old black RX-7 with its hood popped and engine gleaming like chrome jewelry. Rika leans in, suddenly distracted by the craftsmanship.

Rika (low whistle): “…Now that is clean.”

Guy (quietly, still watching her): “You always like this?”

Rika (without looking back): “Like what?”

Guy: “Tough first, soft second.”

She smirks.

Rika (finally glancing back): “Reverse-engineered, baby. Built to last.”

She tosses him a chip from the snack bag in her hoodie pocket like it’s no big deal and strolls ahead again. He watches her go, the sound of her boots on pavement steady and solid.

And for the first time in a long time… He doesn’t feel like hiding.

Scene: “Not My Usual Look” It’s late afternoon. Rika’s outside her place, leaning against the rail, sipping from a can of iced coffee. She’s dressed casually in joggers, a tank, flannel tied around her waist—classic comfy, oil-smudged Rika, post-work. She looks at her phone, scowling slightly.

Rika (muttering to herself): “If he flaked again, I swear to god—”

The apartment gate creaks open.

She looks up.

And freezes.

There he is—walking in. Hoodie zipped up halfway. A plain, charcoal-gray T-shirt underneath. Clean joggers, no rips, no edgy anime logos, no obvious bloodstains. His white hair is brushed a little neater than usual. And his arms?

Covered.

With sleeves.

Rika: “…Holy crap.”

Guy (awkward): “Uh. Yeah. This is… not my usual look.”

He gives a nervous little shrug, glancing down at himself like he expects her to laugh or call him a poser.

But she doesn’t.

She just stares at him for a second too long.

Then she pushes off the railing, crossing the small gap between them.

Rika (quietly): “You look… actually kinda hot like this. Not gonna lie.”

Guy (blushing hard): “Don’t say that out loud.”

Rika (grinning now): “I will say it louder. You clean up scary well.”

She tugs at his hoodie drawstring gently, tilting her head.

Rika: “What’s the occasion, Kaneki?”

Guy (shrugs): “You said you liked guys who ‘don’t look like they spawned out of a Hot Topic dumpster fire’...”

Rika (snorting): “That was a joke.”

Guy: “I know. But I figured... you always try for me. Even wore a dress once. So... I thought I’d return the favor.”

She stares at him, suddenly quiet again.

Then she mutters something under her breath and turns away quickly.

Guy (concerned): “What?”

Rika (gruffly, not looking at him): “Shut up. Just—don't be nice to me like that. It short-circuits my brain.”

He laughs. Really laughs. The sound makes her flinch, then smile in spite of herself.

Guy (teasing): “Not my fault you have a weakness for emotionally available guys in neutral color palettes.”

Rika: “Neutral my ass. You look like you’re about to ask me to invest in crypto.”

They both laugh now, the tension broken.

Then, after a second:

Rika (softer): “…But seriously. You look good. Thanks.”

She slips her arm through his, casually but purposefully.

Rika: “Now c’mon. I’m hungry. If you’re gonna be boyfriend material today, you’re buying.”

Guy (grinning): “Wait, so this counts as a date now?”

Rika (leaning in): “Dress like that again and it might count for two.”

Scene: “Meet the Sister (Against His Will)” Location: Emi’s cozy apartment. Plants, fairy lights, maybe some soft lofi playing. Everything smells like vanilla and calm.

Rika is knocking on the door like she’s bracing for war. He is standing beside her, arms crossed tightly, hood up, already regretting all his life choices.

Guy: “I still think this is a bad idea.”

Rika (deadpan): “You said that fifteen times on the walk here.”

Guy: “I’m just making sure my voice is heard.”

Rika (smirking): “Too bad, you’re already trapped. No exit but through.”

Guy (muttering): “I hate people.”

Rika: “She’s one person. And technically my parole officer when it comes to emotional development.”

Guy (tilting his head): “That explains a lot, actually.”

Rika: “Don’t push your luck.”

The door swings open. Emi beams.

She’s in a sundress, hair in a half-up twist, and wearing the kind of warm smile that could kill someone with social anxiety.

Emi: “Oh my GOD—he’s real?!”

Guy (under his breath): “I regret everything.”

Rika pushes him forward a little like a hostage being presented.

Rika: “Emi, this is the dude. Dude, this is Emi.”

Guy (quietly): “…Hey.”

Emi: “Awww, he’s shy! I love it. Come in, you two!”

He moves slowly, stiffly, like he’s about to get jumped by affection. Rika follows behind, arms crossed, watching him with an amused glint.

They sit. Well, Rika flops on the couch. He perches on the edge of a chair like it might bite him. Emi brings out tea and cookies like this is Pride & Prejudice.

Emi (sweetly): “So! You work on cars, and he… broods?”

Rika (grinning): “Professionally.”

Guy (muttering into his tea): “I didn’t sign a contract.”

Emi: “You’re adorable.”

He freezes.

Rika: “Don’t compliment him too hard, he’ll fold into himself like a dying spider.”

Guy (genuinely considering it): “Not off the table.”

There’s a pause. Emi tilts her head, studying him—not in a judgmental way, more like she’s trying to figure out how someone like him ended up next to her oil-stained, emotionally-stunted sister.

Emi: “…So what do you like about my sister?”

Rika instantly chokes on her tea.

Rika: “Emi—!”

Emi (innocently): “What? I’m allowed to ask. Big Sister Rules.”

He blinks. Looks at Rika. Then back at Emi. Finally, he shrugs.

Guy (quietly): “She doesn’t make me feel broken.”

Silence.

Rika looks at him like he just short-circuited her heart. Emi goes still—then smiles, soft and genuinely approving now.

Emi: “…Okay. I like you.”

Guy (looking at Rika, then Emi): “…Still hate people.”

Emi: “You’ll hate me less over time.”

Rika (grumbling): “You two better not start teaming up.”

Emi (grinning): “Oh honey. It’s already happening.”

Scene: “More Tea (and a Reality Check)” Emi’s apartment – a soft glow from the fairy lights. The tea’s half-gone, the cookies untouched. Conversation has stalled.

He’s sitting on the edge of the couch now—slouched, staring at nothing. His fingers pick at the hem of his sleeve like he’s unraveling a thread, eyes vacant, like he’s left the room mentally without moving.

Emi notices. Shoots a quick glance at Rika. Rika notices too—but tries not to look like she does.

Emi (sweetly): “Hey Rika? Help me in the kitchen real quick.”

Rika (blinking): “I—what? Why? We still have tea.”

Emi (grabbing her arm): “More. Tea.”

Cut to the kitchen.

Rika leans against the counter, arms crossed, expression defensive. Emi is already fussing with teabags she doesn’t need.

Rika: “Okay. What?”

Emi (calmly stirring nothing): “You like him.”

Rika (immediate): “No, I—”

Emi (not looking up): “You really like him.”

Rika (gritting her teeth): “I dragged him here, didn’t I?”

Emi: “Yeah, but you also checked your hair three times on the way in.”

Rika (low): “That means nothing. I had… oil in it.”

Emi (finally turning): “Rika. You look at him like he’s a stray dog you want to punch and protect at the same time.”

Rika: “…That’s accurate.”

Emi (softer now): “He spaces out a lot, huh?”

Rika doesn’t answer right away.

They both glance out the doorway. He’s still in the same position—leaning forward, elbows on knees, eyes somewhere far away. He’s not fidgeting anymore. Just… still.

Like someone hit pause on him.

Rika (quietly): “Yeah. Sometimes he just… leaves like that. You say his name and he doesn't hear it right away.”

Emi: “And you stick around?”

Rika (staring): “I don’t know how not to.”

Emi watches her sister for a beat—how tightly she crosses her arms, like she’s holding herself together.

Emi (gently): “You’ve got that look.”

Rika (not looking at her): “What look?”

Emi: “The ‘if anyone ever hurts him again, I will personally break their legs with a tire iron’ look.”

Rika lets out a sharp breath, somewhere between a laugh and a sigh.

Rika (dry): “Don’t tell me I’m in love. I’ll vomit.”

Emi (smiling): “I won’t say it. But… I think you’ve picked your person.”

Rika (quiet): “…I think he doesn’t even know he deserves someone picking him.”

They both go quiet again.

Emi (soft): “Then it’s good he’s got someone who’s stubborn enough to do it anyway.”

Rika nods once. Sharp. Like that settles it.

Then she heads back to the living room—cups in hand, boots solid on the floor, heart thudding in her chest.

Scene: “Still Here” Living room. The lights are warm, soft. He’s still in that fog, slumped forward, head tilted slightly like he’s listening to something no one else can hear. His fingers are still. Eyes dim.

Rika comes back in with the tea but pauses when she sees him like that.

She doesn’t speak. Doesn’t clear her throat.

She just sits down beside him slowly, not touching, not crowding—just close enough to be there if he wants to remember where here is.

She sets his mug on the table, untouched.

Waits.

A beat. Another.

Then, quietly, she pulls her knees up, rests her arms across them, and leans her shoulder against his—lightly. Just enough to say “I see you.”

At first, nothing.

Then, the smallest twitch of his fingers.

He blinks once. Slow. Like surfacing from somewhere deep.

Then again.

Rika (not looking at him): “Hey.”

He doesn’t answer right away. His throat works, but no sound.

Rika (still soft): “You don’t have to say anything. I’m just... here.”

Another pause. Then he exhales—one of those deep, tired ones that carries too many things.

Finally, he leans just barely into her shoulder. Not fully. Just enough to show he knows she’s real. That she’s there.

Guy (quietly): “…Did I zone out again?”

Rika (nods slightly): “Yeah. A little.”

He clenches his jaw, shame creeping into the edges of his voice.

Guy: “Sorry. It’s just—when it’s too quiet, sometimes it gets loud in my head.”

She finally turns to look at him.

Rika: “Then let’s make sure it’s never quiet.”

She shifts, kicks the coffee table gently with her boot.

Rika (casual): “We can start with me ranting about how your tea preferences are a personal offense to humanity. You like your tea sweetened with syrup, are you a war criminal?”

A weak laugh escapes him before he can help it.

Guy: “I like sugar.”

Rika (mock scandalized): “You like liquid candy. It’s disgusting. I should file a police report.”

He’s still leaning on her, but now she feels him breathe—really breathe.

Not fixed. Not cured. But here.

And that’s enough.

For now.