Baphomet
Baphomet
Yamako University was a college for the disabled. Not that people here weren't capable and independent, many were. Neither is it one that caters to mental disabilities, though they do help those that struggle to come to terms with their situation. Rikako Kaneko was not one of those that struggled with acceptance. She had suffered from a crash that took her family, as well as a good portion of her upper body, including her right arm. She quickly bounced back, winning the praise of many. She was also gifted in robotics. So much so that she designed her own, the very ones she uses now. She is seemingly impervious to setbacks. At least that's the way it appears.
Yamako is a rather impressive facility. A large main building as well as several auxiliaries. The brick and mortar structure gave is a safe and sturdy feel. It also featured a large park-like area and surrounding forrest. It fit in well with the surrounding wall and wrought iron gates. It felt protected from the judging outside world. Not that that ever bothered Rikako. Nothing ever appeared to bother her. She was a symbol of strength and intelligence. Though, only on the surface. She struggled often. Wrestled with her inner thoughts as she carefully plotted her interactions with others. She always proudly showed off her copper colored prosthetics, rarely ever covering her arms. She would shake hands and high five all who were willing with her metallic arm. It was her way of convincing herself she was strong. The one thing she couldn't hide were her occasional phantom pains. A malady that afflicted many who lost limbs due to trauma.
Rikako began her freshman year a few years after most, due to her recovery time in the hospital. Despite her natural talents for robotics, she was far from a genius, so she could never skip grades, try as she might. She easily made friends with others, and easily tore down those that deserved it. One man had garnered her specific attention though. Yukio. He was a rather shy fellow, but despite his awkward interactions with others, he never hesitated to show kindness or an eager willingness to help people. Rika gave a slight chuckle at the memory of her first sighting. He was helping a girl who had dropped her prosthetic arm after bumping into someone. It was awkward, ridiculous and sweet, and Rikako loved it.
It was this very man that sat across from Rikako right now. A younger, albeit regular freshman aged peer. Her friends questioned why she didn't go for one of the more popular boys, being that she had a cool robot aesthetic and a killer personality. Rika couldn't imagine anyone but Yukio. His scrawny frame and green eyes made her swoon. His shy personality impressed her, for she knew it couldn't be easy to break out of that to help others, which only proved how dedicated he was to helping. A quality that made Rika feel warm and fuzzy inside. Despite those qualities, Yukio had surprised her by being the one to ask her out. It brought a grin from ear to ear when he did. She was planning on asking him, until he blurted out the question. She, of course, could do nothing but accept.
They had already shared many moments together, but one they had still yet to share was their first kiss. This was something Rika was planning on stealing from him, like he stole the first question from her. They were outside, partaking in one of their numerous study dates. They sat, opposite each other, at a park table beneath a beautiful willow tree. A gentle breeze caused the tree to wiggle with delight, much like Rika felt internally. Rikako thought Yukio was more intelligent than she was. Outside of robotics, of course. She shined in that area, and she knew it. Yukio had helped her pass many tests, so it was a rather easy task for her to move from the opposing bench, scooting in right next to him under the guise of needing help with a problem. She sat, painfully aware that her cheeks were getting hot.
"These veins here supply this organ, right?" came the rather dull-toned voice of Rikako as she pointed at her textbook. Of course, she knew the answer. It didn't matter what question she asked, she just needed Yukio to lean in closer. Perhaps it was her heightened senses in the moment, but Rika could smell the cherry blossoms nearby mixing with Yukio's shampoo. She waited patiently for her plan to come to fruition as her cheeks warmed to match the hot summer weather.
Yamako is a rather impressive facility. A large main building as well as several auxiliaries. The brick and mortar structure gave is a safe and sturdy feel. It also featured a large park-like area and surrounding forrest. It fit in well with the surrounding wall and wrought iron gates. It felt protected from the judging outside world. Not that that ever bothered Rikako. Nothing ever appeared to bother her. She was a symbol of strength and intelligence. Though, only on the surface. She struggled often. Wrestled with her inner thoughts as she carefully plotted her interactions with others. She always proudly showed off her copper colored prosthetics, rarely ever covering her arms. She would shake hands and high five all who were willing with her metallic arm. It was her way of convincing herself she was strong. The one thing she couldn't hide were her occasional phantom pains. A malady that afflicted many who lost limbs due to trauma.
Rikako began her freshman year a few years after most, due to her recovery time in the hospital. Despite her natural talents for robotics, she was far from a genius, so she could never skip grades, try as she might. She easily made friends with others, and easily tore down those that deserved it. One man had garnered her specific attention though. Yukio. He was a rather shy fellow, but despite his awkward interactions with others, he never hesitated to show kindness or an eager willingness to help people. Rika gave a slight chuckle at the memory of her first sighting. He was helping a girl who had dropped her prosthetic arm after bumping into someone. It was awkward, ridiculous and sweet, and Rikako loved it.
It was this very man that sat across from Rikako right now. A younger, albeit regular freshman aged peer. Her friends questioned why she didn't go for one of the more popular boys, being that she had a cool robot aesthetic and a killer personality. Rika couldn't imagine anyone but Yukio. His scrawny frame and green eyes made her swoon. His shy personality impressed her, for she knew it couldn't be easy to break out of that to help others, which only proved how dedicated he was to helping. A quality that made Rika feel warm and fuzzy inside. Despite those qualities, Yukio had surprised her by being the one to ask her out. It brought a grin from ear to ear when he did. She was planning on asking him, until he blurted out the question. She, of course, could do nothing but accept.
They had already shared many moments together, but one they had still yet to share was their first kiss. This was something Rika was planning on stealing from him, like he stole the first question from her. They were outside, partaking in one of their numerous study dates. They sat, opposite each other, at a park table beneath a beautiful willow tree. A gentle breeze caused the tree to wiggle with delight, much like Rika felt internally. Rikako thought Yukio was more intelligent than she was. Outside of robotics, of course. She shined in that area, and she knew it. Yukio had helped her pass many tests, so it was a rather easy task for her to move from the opposing bench, scooting in right next to him under the guise of needing help with a problem. She sat, painfully aware that her cheeks were getting hot.
"These veins here supply this organ, right?" came the rather dull-toned voice of Rikako as she pointed at her textbook. Of course, she knew the answer. It didn't matter what question she asked, she just needed Yukio to lean in closer. Perhaps it was her heightened senses in the moment, but Rika could smell the cherry blossoms nearby mixing with Yukio's shampoo. She waited patiently for her plan to come to fruition as her cheeks warmed to match the hot summer weather.
