Once again, spoilers lurk beyond this point, especially in the story-specific sections. You've been warned.
On 'Broken Inside'
- okaasan: 'mother'
- otousan: 'father'
- Ri-chan: can be construed as either 'darling Ri' or 'little Ri'. The shortened
name is used to show affection.
- Rika-san: 'Miss Rika', essentially.
- Rika-sama: 'Lady Rika'. (–sama is a term of deference and
respect.)
I'll admit that Rika took me by surprise. Though I had some idea who she was and what she'd do in 'Blinding White', I found it quite unexpected when she ran out into the school yard in 'First Falls' and started me telling things about herself, in no uncertain terms.
Rika is assertive and a go-getter. Rika likes to believe she can fix anything. She's been raised by her parents to have immense faith and confidence in herself. This, as it turns out, is both a strength and a weakness. But more on that in good time.
Rika is also highly opinionated and doesn't take kindly to being questioned or doubted. I didn't expect her to be like this, but she did inform me (rather snidely, to tell the truth) that she's just a child and she'll darn well act as she pleases! Sensitivity and diplomacy can wait until she's older, as far as she's concerned.
She's running headlong into some very murky territory. I know she's strong, so I'm not worried she won't survive.
But children scar so easily.