Painful Memories

Its the next day and Eriko is at work, Kazuya comes into the break room. "Kazuya-kun!"
Kazuya briefly looks at her and then away, walking over onto the other side of the room he gets some water. "Ishikawa-san…. what is it that you want?"

Eriko falters a bit tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, "W-Well I….I packed you a bento….I wanted to give it to you." She smiles a bit.

He still doesn't look at her, "I don't need it."

The words cause a confused look to emerge on her features, "But…….I always pack you bento…. I-It….I've done it since college….remember?" Eriko crosses over to him, looking into his eyes, giving him a small smile. "ne?"

Go away. I don't know you."

Eriko frowns, "That's a lie."

"Grow up Eriko."

Eriko crosses her arms, "Well it is a lie, you and I know eachother really well! We've dated and we were-" Eriko is cut off by Kazuya.

"You will NOT mention that." His tone causes her to flinch.

"What is your problem, just because of last night… I mean I understood I wasn't upset! It is right for the future but… we still know eachother!"

 "We do not."

Eriko looks at Kazuya. Her voice wavers, her eyes searching for any sign of recgonition "What are you trying to say..."

"You are a stranger to me."

"But I'm not…just cause of my transfer doesn't mean I'm any different." Eriko's voice is breaking a bit.

Kazuya looks into the distance as he sips his water. "So then what did you do to earn Keter?"

"Kazuya!" She tries to place her hand on his shoulder,

"Miss Ishikawa I suggest if you do not want me to report you then you leave me alone. We do not know eachother, you are nothing but a stranger. Please go. If you do not have business here then leave."

Eriko's hand falters and she takes a step back. Looking down she rubs her arms. "I…..I understand Kazuya-kun."

"Don't call me that. Matsura-san will be fine."

Eriko nods, "W-Well then… M-Matsura-san…please excuse me." Eriko leaves the Bento she was going to give there.

Kazuya crosses over to the Bento and looks at it. There is a note, he opens the lid, it was neatly packed and arranged. Almost all of the contents are his known favorite foods cooked the way he likes them.  He looks at the note.

 Kazuya-kun, despite last night know that I love you. <3 ~Eri

He sits down and looks at it before shoving it away and throwing the note in the trash. He places the lid back on and leaves it there. After the work day is done Eriko returns. She finds the untouched bento. That night she had it for dinner since it would be a shame to waste the food she made. She kept it up for weeks until she finally gave up knowing she was irritating him more than helping him.

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The painful memories never seemed to end. No matter where she would go...they were there. Everynight, coming home to an empty place. Saying "I'm home (Tadaima)," To where no one responds, remembering when he would be there smiling or entering with her. Turning on the lights as she slips her shoes off. Sitting down at the table, empty…alone…. eating a bento that she had made for the one who pretended she never even existed. That the last couple of years they had together… wasn't real. All of the foods that reminded her of him.

Not being able to communicate with the family that thought she was dead.

All her friends, coworkers, ignoring her.... keeping their distance lest her bad luck be caught.

Walking down the street and remembering a kiss, or a joke, or a touch brought nothing but a bitter smile and teared up eyes.

The memories, the photos, there was no escaping them. Not until she went to Site 354... and even then in her dreams they wait. They blossom, they fall building up until she wakes up alarmed and upset at her location. Her life isn't the same... it will never be the same.

There is nothing she can do...that will ever restore it.

It's already ended.