Happy Valentine’s Day Minegishi Minami

Kashiwagi Yuki thought and thought and thought some more until her brain almost hurt. She thought about a girl, a fellow member in AKB. She thought about how that girl genuinely felt so lonely despite the number of members and potential friends she was surrounded with. Yukirin could not even begin to comprehend how that was even possible. She had gotten her own share of loneliness due to the fact that she was an only child and thus spent her home free time alone most of the time. True she had two best friends but once she got home, there was only so much one could discuss with their mother. The fact that she grew up with only one parent, her father and mother having divorced while she was still young didn’t help matters any. That all changed though when she was accepted into AKB48. She had made many great friends, closely with Haachan and later Mayuyu. She found that she prayed for some much needed alone time these days which showed just how much her circumstances had changed since joining AKB.

This is why she was so puzzled as to how Minegishi Minami, the girl who was like a neutral seeing as how she got on along very well with almost every AKB member, turn out to be so lonely. Thinking of it now, it all made sense. She had read somewhere that people who seem to be that much friendly; people who seem to get along well with almost everyone are those that are the loneliest. It was either the fact that they didn’t have real best friends and that was why they searched for one everywhere or they were either afraid to get attached to only a specific friend and that was why they seemed that much flexible as far as friendship was concerned. Was Miichan trying to find that one friend after all this time that was the reason she felt so alone?

The way the girl had made this known during the Girls’ Talk episode in Shuukan AKB show left Yukirin with more feelings than she cared to have. Until then, she had never thought about her fellow member’s lives in detail past their career responsibilities. She was not ashamed to admit that she was afraid. She was afraid of knowing what she could not do a thing about. Yukirin didn’t even know that much, if anything at all about Mayuyu’s life outside of AKB. She too hadn’t talked about her personal life with the girl she was supposedly closest to in the whole of AKB. At the end of the filming Yukirin had never felt as ashamed of herself as she had been then. Ever since, thoughts plagued her mind. Thoughts of finally getting over herself and opening up to Mayuyu more occurred to her often. She had yet to go through with those though because she knew Mayuyu might catch on as to the sudden change and know that it was not a genuine act but that Yukirin had done it out of guilt.

And so Yukirin left that train and boarded another that was conducted by one Miichan. She had tried to ignore the ill feelings that crept up her throat every time she would remember the face Miichan had made as she had bared her real self to Yukirin, Sae-chan and Mayuyu. Yukirin even went so far as to dismiss it as Miichan putting on a show but she knew deep down that it wasn’t the case. The more she denied it the more her memories showed evidence to support what she was avoiding. Finally Yukirin gave up on the avoidy. The only way she was going to be over this slump was to face the problem and overcome it. First she needed to lay down her problems then tackle them one by one until everything was alright with her world again. She would handle the root of the problem first. That root was one Minegishi Minami. Yukirin wasn’t mad at her or anything for making her life a little more complicated because now Yukirin was forced to see what she had closed her eyes to before. Really, if anything she was thankful to Miichan for opening said closed eyes.

And so she thought of how to go about helping Miichan. It made her so sad to think that there was a fellow member in AKB that was lonely. Did she just hide it so well that the members the other girl spent most of her time with, Takamina and NyanNyan – fellow members of sub unit group No Sleeves did not notice after all this time? Did they notice but turn a blind eye, scared, like Yukirin had done. How long had it been since Miichan had felt lonely? Surely it couldn’t be since the beginning! That would be just too sad for words seeing as Miichan was one of the first generation members. Yukirin’s chest tightened painfully at that thought.

“What is wrong Yukirin? Why are you crying?”

A concerned voice shocked her back to the world of the living. Yukirin’s vision began to clear and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion when she saw the person sitting across from her, half leaning on the table and watching Yukirin’s face in concern. Yukirin blinked a couple of times to get her bearing and memories straight. She looked at the hot pot in front of her then the chop sticks in her right hand. She couldn’t remember the last time she had hotpot. Remembering that she was not alone and what the person in front of her had said, Yukirin felt at her eyes with her free hand. Her cheeks were indeed wet from tears. She reached for the paper napkin on the side and quickly dubbed away at her face.

“I am sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

She lied. Yukirin knew very well the reason why and that reason was sitting right across from her on a table with a hotpot filled with all kinds of quality foods in one of the back alley restaurant within Akihabara. Really she could have spent some more time thinking of what to do. Here she was, on Valentine’s Day evening enjoying great food with the object of her worries. How exactly was she going to help the other girl to get over her loneliness? Yukirin hadn’t laid out a plan of the evening which was why she had spent a great deal of time blanking out as she tried to come up with what to do for the rest of the night.

“Is the nabe really that good? Then I guess I will just have to make sure you have it more often.”

Yukirin smiled.

“No, it is not the nabe. I mean it is real good but not that good. I was just thinking about…”

She trailed off not finishing the sentence.

“…About?”

Miichan was not going to let it just end there though. If something had upset Yukirin Miichan wanted to know what it was so she could do something about it.

Yukirin set her chop sticks aside, picked up her glass to take a few sips before she gave Miichan her full attention. She took a few silent seconds to study the other girl before her. Minami had dressed up in a very elegant one low-cut dress in colours of purple and blue. She showed off enough cleavage to turn heads but since she had a fluffy coat on her when walking outside, Yukirin guessed it did not matter that much. The dark usually wild traces were tied up in one round bundle on the upper right side of the head. Two wavy bags swayed on either side of the face a cm or two from the end of the eyelashes. She had applied a dark purple shade on her lids that was a half gradient and she had darkened her lashes some. To complete the Dark Exotic look, her lips were also coated in a dark, almost black, lipstick. Yukirin could not help feeling overly underdressed. This hurt quite a bit seeing as she had picked up a date worthy getup. Shaking off the thought Yukirin got her mind back on track.

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to but I was just thinking of what you said last time to Sae-chan, Mayuyu and I during that Shuukan episode. I tried to think of how you would be lonely with so many people around you all day and I couldn’t come up with a valid explanation. So I was wondering if you…you know…”

Yukirin trailed off uncertainly when she saw the transformation Miichan’s feature underwent. The chopsticks that were on their way to the dark lips suddenly stopped in its tracks. A dark look passed over the beautiful face and Yukirin gulped. She watched nervously as Miichan closed her eyes as she exhaled and placed the mushroom back in the pot before she placed the chopsticks to rest on a side plate.

“I was wondering about the sudden get together since like, never! So that was the reason you are doing all this!”

Finally she opened her eyes and Yukirin braced herself for a backlash. She was to be sorely disappointed thought as Miichan only gave her a beaming smile instead.

“I am sorry if I did something unnecessary Miichan but I couldn’t stand the thought that you…”

Yukirin was cut off mid-sentence.

“No please, don’t be. I should be the one apologising to you guys. That wasn’t the right place or time to bring my problems up, was it? I must have made you guys uncomfortable.”

She looked down to her hands and paused for a moment.

“But I guess I just couldn’t hide it anymore. By the time I realised it I had already said too much to play it off. Taking it off my chest helped a great deal though so you really didn’t have to go out of your way for me.”

Those last words were spoken in a very low voice which indicated to the Captain that Miichan meant the exact opposite of what she had said. Yukirin placed her right hand over those of the other girl to get her attention. When Miichan didn’t look up Yukirin applied a little pressure in a grip which succeeded as big brown hurt orbs looked up and met her own pained ones.

“Please don’t feel like you did something wrong Miichan. If anyone here is wrong it is I and maybe the other members for not noticing how you’ve been hurting all this time. We…I needed the wake up call or I might not have noticed. You made me realise that there was a quality I was missing as leader and that was that I hadn’t even tried to get to know the other members past their studio times.”

Yukirin pulled back and took in a deep breath.

“You won’t believe what I have been noticing lately now that I know where and what to look for. It seemed that a lot of us had problems that even affected out performances and yet we had bottomed it all up. It is thanks to you that I managed to come up with a group function to help the team and it is proving to be quite a success. So please, don’t blame yourself. I am not doing this now as a correction of a mistake that we had all missed or out of pity. I want to thank you and genuinely think that you deserve a good friend.”

Miichan stared at the girl before her in wonder. Was Yukirin offering to…She shook her head and decided to not raise up her hopes only to be disappointed. She decided to return to the previously asked question.

“…Thanks Yuki-chan. It started from the very beginning I guess. I remember thinking that I should be someone who was friends with everyone back then. During breaks I would travel from group to group never staying in one circle. I guess that was the catalyst of the spiral. Soon everyone had someone they sat with on the bus or during lunch, someone they always chatted with about personal stuff. When I realised it, I was too neutral to fit in anywhere, too neutral to jump into the middle of conversations. Then when I tried to get closer to the newer members, there seemed to be some kind of senpai wall where it seemed that despite the fact that some were older than I, they had a look that screamed ‘Why is senpai talking to us instead of hanging out with Takamina or Maeda or Mariko-sama’. It was then I realised that it was too late. That I was always going to be the third wheel.”

Miichan finished as she looked into the distance with a melancholic look.

“Surely that isn’t the case with Takahashi and Kojima. You’ve been members of No Sleeves for a while now, right?”

Minegishi gave her a ‘Are you serious’ look in response.

“Believe me, it changes nothing. Think about it this way, now that you are a member of French kiss, do you see yourself in the future closer to either Aki-chan or Mocchi more than you are with Haachan or Mayuyu?”

Yukirin leaned back into her seat and thought about that. She played the future game and saw that there was very little probability she would be closer to her fellow French kiss members than Haachan or Mayuyu for that matter. Her thought train was derailed when a waiter came by their table asking if they needed anything. She realised that they had spend quite a while not eating that the attendees probably thought they were done or needed something. Miichan dismissed the guy politely apologising that they were in the middle of a conversation but that they would be done soon. Yukirin watched the waiter move to another table before turning back to face Miichan.

“You are right. I am sorry I wasn’t thinking. I mean, of course we wouldn’t be here if that was the case.”

Yukirin bowed her head in shame. Was she ever going to do the right thing this evening?

“Don’t mind it. Now, how about we forget this depressing talk for a while and finish up here? The food is getting over cooked.”

Miichan picked up her chopsticks once again and picked up a potato from the bubbling soup before she continued.

“Look at this potato crying because we had neglected it. Well, fear not delicious protein for you are about to be digested. Aah…”

Yukirin couldn’t resist the laugh that bubbled up from her belly. Miichan soon joined her and the conversation turned light through the rest of the meal. They discussed their recent projects out of AKB. Yukirin talked about her Weather Girl work and what had kept her busy these last few weeks seeing as she hadn’t been appearing on AKBINGO. Miichan discussed the TV show she is doing and No Sleeves’ new project. They then went into deep discussion about the two new dramas each giving their own thoughts on their respective characters. And thus their dessert plates were now empty and each had a drink in hand.

“So, what have you planned for our first evening out?”

Miichan asked Yukirin as she sipped casually on her tea cup looking to the entire world like an Ojou-sama. That now explained the looked they had been getting. At first Yukirin had thought that it was because they were recognised by their identities but seeing as no one came up to them asking for autographs, and the fact that now that Yukirin looked, the stares seemed focused not in her direction but Miichan’s, it was the truth. Clearing her throat with a gulp from her glass of vanilla milk Yukirin answered.

“Sorry but it’s a surprise. You will just have to wait.”

Miichan pouted but that was soon replaced with a grin.

“Ooh…Surprises on our first date. I like that.”

Yukirin almost crushed the glass in her suddenly tensed fingers.

“Wh-What? A d-d-date?”

Unnaturally wide eyes stared into amused Miichan’s.

“Tell the whole restaurant, why don’t you?”

Yukirin wished she could fuse with the chair she was sitting in. Her face burnt with embarrassment.

“Well, if they had any doubts before they sure don’t now.”

“What are you talking about?”

Yukirin stammered as she tried to compose herself.

“Oh come on Yuki-chan. Look around you. Today is Valentine’s Day. Everyone is with their sweethearts and in comes you and I dressed like this! Surely you noticed all the looks we’ve been getting since we stepped inside. And I doubt it was because they know we are AKB48.”

Minami chuckled and continued to sip at her tea as she watched Yukirin’s mouth open then close and repeat.

Yukirin finally looked to the side in a sulky pout. In doing so, her eyes caught the time on the wall clock. They had spent more than the planned time on dinner. It was time. She reached for her hand bag and carefully pulled out a small fashion paper carry bag. She held the bottom with both hands in a polite gesture before she presented the gift to Miichan whose eyes widened as she stared at the offered bag.

“I don’t think I will have the time to give this to you later so here you go Miichan.

Happy Valentine’s Day Minegishi Minami.

I hope you will find me suitable enough to be your friend.”
Yukirin bowed her head and pushed the bag a little farther forward. Miichan’s stunned gaze shifted from the black mass of hair then to the bag. She swallowed painfully as she reached for the gift, her fingers trembling.

“T-thank you very much Yuki-chan.”

Miichan went to reach for what was inside but a hand resting on her own stopped her from going father. She gave Yukirin a confused glance.

“Sorry but do you mind opening it when you get home later on? It is kind of another surprise. You will understand when you get home and open it.”

Miichan swallowed her disappointment and put the gift in her own handbag. She got her own gift out but held onto it in her lap as she turned to look at Yukirin.

“I would love to be friends with you Yukirin but don’t you already have enough?”

Yukirin gave a dumb stare. She let out a laugh after a few seconds of disbelief.

“What is it?”

Miichan was puzzled to say the least.

“Sorry Miichan but I couldn’t help myself.”

After she got her laughter under control Yukirin continued.

“You can never have enough friends Miichan and besides, I am talking about a real best friend. I did say that I have been thinking quite a lot lately didn’t I? Well, I thought of my life both the work and the private and I realised that I actually never discussed serious issues of my life with anyone. I have never had a friend to whom I told all my problems, with whom I had a big fight with only to make up the next day or a friend whose shoulder I lay my head as I cried my sorrows away.”

Yukirin let out a pained laugh as she turned to look into Miichan’s eyes. She didn’t even remember when she had turned to look away.

“Would you believe me were I to tell you that I have yet to do either of those things with Haachan? The fact that we are in different teams now also has strained our closeness some and I know that the gap is going to stretch even farther as time passes.”

Miichan took the break as a chance to ask.

“What about Mayuyu then?”

She raised an eyebrow when Yukirin went from sad puppy to an embarrassed kappa.

“My relationship with Mayuyu is…complicated.”

Silence reigned for a few seconds.

“Would I be right to say that it is the kind of relationship that requires advice from a best friend then?”

The amusement in Miichan’s voice didn’t go unnoticed by Yukirin who was trying her best to not get her face any hotter or it was sure to melt.

“You could say that.”

Miichan could not resist the offered apple from Eve.

“So, have you guys like, experimented yet?”

Yukirin was one moment away from ordering a bucket of ice and dunking her whole head in it. Her eyes widened in shock!

“WHAT?! How could you even ask that? Mayuyu has like, just turned 16.”

Miichan gave her a look.

“What?”

Yukirin asked nervously.

“Oh, it’s just that someone in our line of work would have a different default reason than what you gave. Also come on, 16? Really? Girls these days do it way earlier than that.”

Yukirin really needed that bucket of ice like, now!

“A-Anyway, I realised that I never put the effort into this friend gig. I guess you know of my social skills, or lack there of like the text message thing every one talks about. I want to have a true friendship and if you are okay with it, I wanted to try with you. So what do you say?”

Two sets of large brown eyes stared into each other. Miichan raised her hands above the table and presented a small box wrapped with a black silky ribbon.

“Happy Valentine’s Day to you too Kashiwagi Yuki. I would be very pleased to be your friend.”

Yukirin took the small box and inspected it before she looked over to Miichan. The shorter girl gave her a content smile in return. Yukirin placed the box in her own bag without saying a word then stood up from her seat and walked around the table to stand besides Miichan. She raised her arms in an invitation for a hug. Miichan understanding the gesture stood up and the two embraced.

“Thank you very much Miichan. I promise you I am going to be the best friend you deserve.”

Yukirin whispered into the Miichan’s ear. In response, Miichan tightened her hold on the taller girl and the two stayed like that for a while, unaware of the gazes they were receiving. They soon parted and after sharing a smile they got back into their respective seats.

“So, are you ready to officially spend the night away?”

Yukirin asked with a grin as she searched for something in her bag.

“Oh yes, let me get the tab then we will…”

She was cut off as Yukirin motioned for the waiter with a card in hand.

“Oops my card is already out. Guess I am paying.”

Miichan mock pouted.

.
…
……The END……

Mayuki

Mayuki- Picture drabble~

Yukirin POV

Togasaki: Watanabe Mayu Team A

The sound of the crowd turns into a roar. Even Takamina-san and Mariko-sama can’t hide their surprised faces.

Oh…. So they didn’t know..

I guess I was the only one that was kind of expecting it.

Recently Mayuyu had been so busy with jobs such as photo shoots, which would always have the title “Next Generation” on it. 

No matter how many times I see that title it always made me feel that Mayu was becoming a distant person, someone out of my reach..

Slowly and slowly it felt that she was going away…..

————

Mayu: I don’t want to become the centre there’s too much pressure.. And more than anything I don’t want to leave you, Yukirin… How can I go on?

Yukirin: Please don’t cry… I know it’s hard but it’s for AKB… If it wasn’t for AKB, I would have never met you…

Please don’t cry it breaks my heart into pieces when I see you like this…  

I don’t think I can still be fine without you….

All I can do is comfort you. I’m sorry that I can’t do anything for you, Mayu. 

Even though you were always there for me…

Ne Mayu, one day I promise that I’ll make us into the same wonderful team, but until then please wait for me! 

Kimi ga suki dakara, watashi wa ganbareru

~————————~

AN: If anyone is wondering what the last part says it says “Because I love you, I can do my best”

Miichan POV

Miichan POV

Takamina, look this way… I can’t see your face.

I wrap my arms around Takamina and try to make her turn this way. 

“Ne, Takamina? Look at me.”

I can see that you’re looking at me with the corner of your eyes. 

“Takahashi-san please turn your head around and act like you’re about to kiss Minegishi-san” one of the staff call out.

You quickly put your hands around my face.

Now your face is bright tomato red and you don’t want to show me.

“Miichan, suki.” You say.

“I love you too” I whisper to her quietly.

Rappapa: Black IN White - Side Story (GekiBlack)

RAPPAPA: Black IN White, Side story 1

“Gekikara, where are you? Please come home…” I prayed as I touched the cross hanging from my neck.

It’s been a few days since she ran off into the night. I thought she would be back by morning, but I was wrong. This is all my fault and now I can only sit here alone, regretting the choices that I made.

Gekikara…Rena.
She took me in and gave me a place to stay. She comforted me when I needed someone the most. She was always there for me. 

And before I knew it, my heart started to respond to those warm touches and gentle hugs that she only gives when we’re alone. No one would normally think to put Gekikara in the same sentence as gentle and kind, but I know better. The first time she disappeared at night, I woke up missing her warmth, so I went looking, and caught her politely greeting the elderly who visit the park for their morning walks.
The part of her she hides from everyone, the mysterious girl that suddenly appeared in my life, the one that I know nothing about… Rena.

“Rena… what happened to you in the past?” I checked out the window once again, a habit that I have developed since she left. 

I feel so frustrated sitting here alone in this empty apartment. I just want her to come home. I haven’t been able to sleep. It isn’t the same without her here to hold me, to chase away those nightmares that visit me regularly. I finally understand that I want to be with her, but if I have to choose between friendship and love, I would rather just have her by my side.

~~~~~

I made a mistake…

A few days ago, in that half lit tunnel…

I knew I was starting to develop an attraction, a crush for Rena. I tried to hold myself back but I made a big mistake in letting my guard down. She was so irresistible at that moment, and that was all it took for me to surrender to my emotions. 

~~~~~

It has been a few months since we transferred into Majisuka, but I’m still having trouble adjusting to the new environment. Is it still considered a school when books aren’t a part of the curriculum? I just can’t change my old habits of carrying a book in my bag. I was always the perfect student at the top of my class, a proper princess that volunteers at the library after school. Such delinquent acts was never a focus in my life. When I was told attendance is optional and class is just another time for eat, sleep and play, I find it hard to accept. I feel so vulnerable as I became one of the most sought out targets among my peers, my survival only thanks to Gekikara.

Shibuya wasn’t kidding when she said violence was mandatory, but Rena was able to adapt to the new circumstances without losing her step. It was almost like she was born ready and had been waiting for her these dummies to put her skills to the test. Just like the first time we met, and every time after, Gekikara was there to watch over me with those strong arms that shield me from harm, to protect me from those girls looking for trouble. 

*flashback*

“AHAHAHAHAHAHA! Ne Okotteiru?”

The familiar laugh made it’s way through the air as Gekikara admired her handy work. The taste of iron stained her lips as she bit her nails, listening to the moans and grunts of the trash on the ground. Satisfied with her performance, Gekikara turned around to see me with my back against the wall, wearing an altered version of the school’s uniform. I saw her frown while trying to burn the long material with her glare. I remember she once mentioned that it’s a shame to hide my legs behind such boring material after comparing her uniform to mine. I’m not sure what she was thinking, but I definitely can’t complain about her slanted skirt, leaving her soft milky skin exposed for all to see. It’s a pity that Shibuya told her to match it with long boots that covered her legs, but I don’t mind. That luxury I have when we are behind the walls of our home. 

“Are you okay?” Gekikara asked, “You seem to attract this sort of trash.” She added while walking towards me, kicking away a pair of hands that tried to reach out from under a pile of bodies as she closed the distance.

Embarrassed by the sudden invasion of my personal circle, I tried to look away, hoping to find something else to focus on. But I couldn’t stop myself from stealing quick glances at the beautiful sight in front of me. It didn’t matter that blood was splattered all over her uniform and covered her hands. 
Angels can be just as beautiful in red. 

I was trapped with the wall behind me, and no where to run. My heart started to pound heavily on my chest wall, while heat started to rise up my body. I could feel myself slowly turning red, even though it probably wasn’t all that visible from outside. I felt a set of eyes following my every movement, like a hunter watching their prey for the perfect time to strike. I finally looked up to find Gekikara watching me while biting her nails, a magnificent grin on her face andher head tilted at an angle. I believe that’s her thinking pose… Those curious eyes monitored my every movement, like a child wondering what is hidden behind the curtains. 

“Th…anks,” I stuttered, the suddenly attention was making me nervous.

But to make it worse, Gekikara decided to lean closer, until I felt her warm breath on my already hot skin. If anyone else was around, they would’ve told me maybe Red was a better name for me instead of Black. 

My first mistake was trying to look away. My second was choosing to look down. My eyes never wandered any lower after they discovered and focused on those inviting lips. When those exact lips formed the rare pout that I had begged during the nights for her to show me, I knew she was displeased with my silence and lack of response. I’m infected and the disease is far too advance to be saved. I have diagnosed myself with hopelessness. 

And when that tongue of hers peeked out to lick the blood left on her lips, the last of my strings were snapped, overflowing with new emotions and urges. I want… no, I need to taste them.
My hunger took over. 

Without any warning, my hands reached out, pulling her close and sealing her lips before she could protest. I let myself taste the iron as I licked the specks of blood from her soft lips. 

But as suddenly as it started, Gekikara quickly pushed away, shocking me with the flash of panic and fear that flooded into her eyes. This is the first time I’ve seen these emotions on the fearless girl who just took out a mob of gangsters alone. Not even the flash of cold blades could cause her to blink an eye. 

“Rena?” I asked softy, afraid to speak any louder. My hands reached out for her but never made contact as Gekikara turned and ran out of my sight. When my mind finally caught up to the situation, she was already gone. 
~~~~~

“Zutto mae kara, kizukazu ni suki ni natta…..”

I woke up to the ring of my phone, the light vibration in my palms reminded me that I have been waiting for this call.

“Did you find her?” I asked immediately, forgoing any greetings. I’m sure Shibuya will understand. If Dance ever disappeared, I’m sure she would be just as concerned. 

“She’s at the park,” 

“The park? Which one?” I asked, picking myself off the floor, I headed straight for the door, still waiting for a more define location but the answer never came. 

‘Did she just hang up on me?’ I paused for a second to glare holes at my phone hoping that some of the negative energy would be transferred to the caller at the other end. 

‘Park…. WHAT PARK?!?!?! STUPID SHIBUYA!’ My mind screamed, shouted and flipped as I ran out into the night to ‘The Park’.

“Wait… that’s it! Why didn’t I think of it sooner?” I did a 180º turn and ran in the opposite direction towards the park where I first met Gekikara. It slipped from my mind after I stopped visiting that location… I didn’t want to bring back unwanted memories.

‘I DON’T HAVE A DAUGHTER LIKE HER.’
Those words were still fresh wounds in my head. 

~~~~~

*3rd person view*

As Yuki neared the water fountain, she could see a crowd of thugs in a very familiar attire. It’s the same group of gangsters from that time, but why are they here? She came here to find Rena, not a rendezvous of stupid mob heads. A slight shift in bodies standing in the circle, and she got a clear view of what attracted the crowd.

“Look at those eyes! Haha, let see how much longer you can keep it up!” Shinjiro smirked as he signaled for his men to lift the beaten girl closer. He lifted his leg to kick her square in the stomach, to get revenge for the humiliation they suffered that night. Gekikara flew back into the cement from the force of the kick, but she refused to satisfy them with a cry of pain.

“I told you to hold tight!” he shouted at the two who were supposed to be holding the girl, frustrated that he can’t even break her. She is suppose to be on her hands and knees, pleading with tears for them to let her go, so why isn’t she doing it?! He moved forward to kick her again while she wass still on the ground. 

“GEKIKARA!” 

“AHHH!” Shouts of pain echoed among the crowd as bodies got thrown aside, opening a path for the grand entrance of the missing half of the pair.

“Oh, look who’s here. I really missed having your body under mine, your silky smooth skin.” Shinjiro laughed, sporting a perverted smirk.

He took a look around at the men he brought with him tonight, and felt confident that they could deal with the two girls, since one of them is already down.
“You won’t be able to get awa-” he stopped mid sentence as the girl disappeared from where she was just seconds ago.

“Gekikara, are you okay?” Yuki asked while crouching over the fallen girl, checking her to make sure she isn’t in any immediate danger.

“Black?” The word came out weakly, but the owner appeared to be quickly recovering from the earlier abuse at the presence of her shadow.

“Come on, let’s show them how it’s done properly.” Yuki stood up and held out her hand for Gekikara to take.

They stood back to back gauging their opponents, preparing themselves for what is to come. This battle will be more difficult seeing that they have a greater number of enemies, but soon all that would be swept away by darkness and chaos. After a quick stretch of her muscles, Gekikara graced the men with her voice.
But it wasn’t what Shinjiro had in mind.

“AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Tasty.” Gekikara licked the blood off of her lips as she smirked at them.

~~~~~

It didn’t take us long to take down those bastards, but it wasn’t without a price as I rubbed my sore knuckles. I would be surprised if I didn’t develop any bruises tomorrow. I was so occupied with relieving the numbness that I didn’t notice you until your hands were on mine, stopping me from what I was doing. Your soft hands worked on mine with precise pressure, massaging them with delicate touches.

I was frozen on the spot, my nerves all jumbled up confused, lost and surprised but her actions. I didn’t know how to react.

“Reaction queen.” I heard you whisper in my ear, giggling at my priceless expression of shock and surprise magnified by 100%. I really missed your presence.

My brain visited the clouds as my memory failed to recall the blacked out gaps. Thinking back again and again, I couldn’t remember how we made it to the hills. Were we holding hands the whole way? I can’t remember if it was you or me that led us there, but the next memory for me was us lying on the grass glazing at the stars.

It was a lovely night, with the gentle breezes rustling leaves, and the clear skies covered with speckles of light. We laid there enjoying the moment of silence, no words were exchanged between us as you held onto my hand. I was afraid to move, afraid that it might scare you away. I was afraid you would let me go but I knew from the looks in your eyes. I already understand.

I turned over to admire you under the moonlight, so peaceful with one arm supporting your head as you laid on the grass with one leg propped up comfortably. With your eyes closed, I couldn’t tell if you had fallen asleep, but I guess you felt my shift because you lips curved into a smile.

Making up my mind, I sat up and leaned over until I hovered above you, our hands still connected when I reached over to support myself. I moved slowly, praying that you won’t push me away, before our lips connected once again. I immediately noticed a familiar copper taste, but this time it held a tinge of sweetness. And even though I felt the slight return of a kiss you put behind your lips, I already knew. The passion is there but the sparks are missing.

I kept my eyes closed when I broke the kiss, coming apart only for a second before leaning in until our foreheads touched. I felt your shallow breath on my skin as you waited in silence, giving me time to gather my thoughts.

“Sorry.” I heard you whisper after you knew I was ready.

I opened my eyes and slowly withdrew, our eyes sending messages between us. After seeing that we both understood, I sat up with a smile to match yours.
We have come to a conclusion.

“Let’s go home.” I said, sighing into the air. The weight on my chest has now been lifted as everything had been resolved.

We walked side by side.
At least, I know I will always hold a special spot in your heart just as you hold a piece of mine.

“Yuki, I want ramen… with melon pan,” You said casually when your stomach growled like a beast, disturbing the peace.

“….. we only have ramen at home…” I answered, still wondering about your taste for that odd combination. I don’t think I can ever get use to it.

~~~~~

The next morning, the two were greeted with a sight of bodies littered across the field. Looking closely, they were all students of Majisuka, beaten by a group of thirty unknown girls from one of their rival schools. It seems that they missed a lot after skipping school for a few days and now they are being raided?

“Hey look, isn’t that the famous princess bookworm and her pet?”

“I heard Maji was so desperate that they started accepting weaklings like her?”

“Why don’t you just go back to your goodie school and be the teacher’s slut.”

“You should join the rest of your classmates.”

Taunts were thrown at the two girls as they watched the group in grey uniforms think hard to come up with more provoking words. Sometimes they wondered, why these girls bothered trying to think, when in the end, they only result in using their fists anyways. It just makes them look like idiots pausing in between insults to think.

“Gekikara, I think I need to work out some of my stress.” Yuki spoke up only for Gekikara to hear. “I was rejected last night you know, for the first time ever.”

“It must’ve hurt.” Gekikara replied with a smile.

She watched Yuki reach into her bag to pull out her signature textbook and with the speed of light that book was whipped across the field into the face of the ugliest girl in grey. Pages scattered into the air as the binding broke under the intense pressure of it’s impact.

“May you rest well in the hands of the shadows, darkness has arrived and there is nowhere for you to run.” Yuki- no, Black lifted her hand to touch the cross hanging around her neck. “I am Black, remember that name.”  

“HAHAHAHAHAHAAA, Ne Okotteiru?” Gekikara asked from the side before joining Black in the field to avenge their fallen school mates.

“Hey don’t go and have fun without me!” Shibuya shouted, sporting a smile as she ran out from the school building. Dance had just told her that Black and Gekikara returned.

~~~~~

“Yuko-san.” Sado finally spoke up as she watched the scene play out below.

“Mieta.” Torigoya said playfully with her head slightly tilted to the side grinning, both hands tucked in the pockets of her signature jacket while her eyes focused on their leader.

“Let’s go.” Out of habit, Yuko’s hands went to comb through her hair. She has finally found their missing pieces of the puzzle. Rappapa will finally be complete.