it's been more than a month since my last update.. many things had happened lately that's why
hontou ni gomenasai minna-san
but as promised I will keep on going back to finish the story
@Ruka Kikuchi: senpai, it's been a while ne.. hope you're doing good
@no-chan: august is too soon! rena's graduation is coming so fast.. i'm crying
@Raizel: there'd be more thorns in the second half.. believe me i do wanted to end this story already.. i even hoped to finish the story before she graduates this august.. but that's impossible for me
@yuuri14: the thought of having no wmatsui in ske48 anymore.. makes me want to cry a river
@niineechan: you're welcome dear reader.. i'm sorry if my update took long.. the other day was rena-chan's bday.. it reminded me that i have an unfinished story here
@blackcold: hi, hope you're not mad about my absence.. i'm going to try not to skip a month this time.. since the real drama now arrives.. i'm wishing that i can write it exactly the way how i imagined it
@kuro_black29: promises are made to be broken you say.. but sometimes that makes bond even stronger.. or perhaps the other way around
@sastio13: rena!!! i'm going to see her future movies and dramas!!! i'm still crying here
@Archer1992: hi there.. it's funny that i'm already on going with my update when you posted a comment earlier.. thanks for the push! so here's the next chapter
The Forbidden DanceChapter 13Ugh... Where am I...I tried to look around. This place is somewhat very familiar to me. Ah, I can see from this place that the sun is already setting...
Eh?I then realized that I'm standing right infront of our school gate... But how did I get here?
I suddenly heard someone coming.
"...please stop treating me like your younger sister!"
A girl from afar shouted. And she's running after another girl... that looks a lot like...
M-Mayu-chan?? Why is she still wearing our highschool uniform? And who is she running from?"Mayu-chan, I suffered enough when you left me. So, please... I beg you... don't ever leave me behind again!!!" The girl said.
Eh??! Wait... is that... ME??? What's going on here..."Baka... I'm one year ahead of you. Ofcourse, I'd still graduate first!"
"How about you flunk your subjects and repeat another year?"
Mayu-chan pinches both my cheeks hard.
"I-IIITAI!!!! I'm just joking!!!! Stop it... my face hurts..."
I remember now. This scenario actually happened two years ago when I was a freshman."If I leave you behind once more... will you come and follow me again?" Mayu-chan asked staring at me. "Because... I'm willing to pause my time and wait for you to catch up."
"I'll grow up fast! Just wait! I'll soon catch up and we'll be together!" I confidently answered.
"What if you stopped and get tired of coming after me?" She paused. "Then maybe... I'll turn around and come back for you. I wonder if you'll be able to wait for me."
"Mayu-chan... why do you always think of complicated things? You just have to trust in me. It's just as simple as that. I will wait for you no matter what..."
I smile looking back at our old selves. Then I realized that the past will now just remain as a mere happy memory."If you won't come back, then I'll hunt you down! I swear to find you wherever you are!" I warned her.
"I don't know if that sounds romantic or creepy..." Mayu-chan giggled.
"Ofcourse, it's romantic!" Then we both laughed while walking side by side.
As they're slowly approaching my direction, my old self then disappeared. The present me and Mayu-chan were only the ones left. She's now standing right infront of me and we're looking deeply at each other's eyes.
I already knew that this is only a dream and everything here is unreal. Except for the pain that still remains real inside of me. The truth is... I wanted to take my chance to feel her once more.
"Mayu-chan..." Tears started to flow down my cheeks again as I called her name. "Even for the last time..."
She then gently touches my face and wiped off my tears. The warmth and softness of her touch unbelievably seemed so real, too. And with that, I'm about to lose myself. I reached for her and held her, slowly closing the gaps between our lips.
I tried to open my eyes. I feel like I'm really holding someone next to me. And then...
R-R-Rena-chan!!?
Kyaaa~ Our faces were too close!!! I immediately jump out of my bed. She seems also startled. Her usual pale face looks bright red upto the tip of her ears.
Ah, right. I remember she stayed on my bed last night because she was comforting me. And yet now, I almost kissed her! This is so embarassing.
"I-I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean... uhm... to..." I sincerely apologized.
"No worries." She calmly answered. "You we're talking in your sleep."
I was probably calling Mayu-chan's name again. Now, I'm even more embarassed.
Rena-chan quietly gets up, took her personal things and went ahead to the bathroom.
I faced palm. This is so awkward. I hope she doesn't think that I'm doing weird things in my dream. I then noticed that my eyes are wet. Maybe I was also crying earlier while sleeping. But why are my cheeks dry?
Oh! What time is it already by the way?
I immediately checked the time. Today's our championship! I better hurry and prepare myself, too.
-
After Rena-chan and I were done fixing ourselves, we are now ready to go. I opened our hotel room's door and saw Churi and Airin already outside also about to leave.
"Churi!" I called. "Ano... about yesterday..."
"We'll talk later after the championship is done." She immediately told me. "I might not forgive you if we lose this, so make sure you do your best today."
She sounded a bit cold, but her words gave me a relief. I knew she already calmed down.
"Ofcourse!" I smiled answering her.
The four of us later then arrived at the final venue. So many people came to watch the final event. Unfortunately, Sakippe-sensei didn't come back. But she didn't actually neglect her responsibility as our club adviser, because she already set ahead everything for us here. Maybe she was called back to school, or something urgent happened.
While waiting for our group's turn to perform onstage, I noticed that Rena-chan is still quiet. Does she feel nervous? Or maybe she's still thinking about what happened this morning...
"Nani?" She caught me staring at her.
"N-Nothing... It's just that... you've been quiet since earlier... I was thinking maybe you're nervous or something..."
She didn't answer but instead she stared back at me with those eyes that I cannot read.
"Jurina-san." She said my name. "I wanted us to win, that's why I promise to do my best. I wanted to be remembered that I did something that made you happy. Even at least in this way."
"Mou.. why do you sound like this will be your last dance?" I asked. "Win or lose, what's important to me is that we're all in this together. You already made me happy right since you started to dance with me, and I'd be happier if we'll share a lot of more dances together."
I saw Rena-chan blushed. She faced away from me and looked down the ground.
"Juritan, don't forget that we're about to graduate soon. Maybe what Rena-san means is that she wanted to make good memories." Airin joined the conversation.
Memories. Good or bad, they always makes me sad. It feels like they only exist in the past and will never happen again.
"What's with those sad faces? We're next!" Churi tried to refresh the group's mood. "It's our turn now! Let's go and have fun out there!"
One by one we step on stage and positioned ourselves. The lights turned on and our music started to play. We move exactly the way how we practiced it. But there's something more to it. If there's one thing different in our group from the others, it's that we're all friends to begin with. That's why we always enjoy dancing together. No pressure at all.
Well yes, I once had a particular reason why we have to win this competition, but now that's irrelevant anymore. Because I knew that my friends always have been a big part of my reason. I wanted to win for them, to repay everyone's hardwork, and to see them all happy.
Oh, here comes the part where we go into pairs and where my partner is Rena-chan.
DOKI.. DOKI...What was that?
DOKI... DOKI...Rena-chan... Her moves... Sugoi~
When did her dance becomes this so breath taking? Why does my heart reacts to her like this?
Her eyes are locked on mine. Then I remember how she looked at me last night. I saw in her eyes how she truly worried for me. She was only there, silently listening to me and I didn't hear her utter a single word. But when she held me tightly in her arms, I felt how she wanted to tell me that she cares for me. She was like a different person last night.
Maybe that explains why this dance between us seems so different from the previous ones we've had. Because after last night, I feel like our closeness have grown much deeper.
But I think there's something more to her dance now. Rena-chan has transformed into like the loveliest butterfly I have ever seen. She already amazed me the first time I saw her dance. I witnessed how she worked hard to catch up with the group. And now she's glowing... even more radiating.
Is this what she meant when she said she will do her best? She's putting everything to her dance like there's no tomorrow. She dances like it's her last dance with me.
But I don't want to think that this might be our last dance. I wanted to dance with her more. This is the first time I felt this way with my dance partner. When I dance with her, I feel like our souls are being connected together.
Is it even possible that sisters can also be soulmates? Ah, it doesn't matter. All I know is that I don't want our dance to end.
And then Rena-san stopped moving. W-Why did she stop??
Then a loud applause from the audience filled the whole place. It only means that our number has ended even before I knew it. It's weird that I felt a little disappointed because the time was not enough. My body is still craving to dance with her more.
After all the finalists' performance, it's now time to wait for the announcement of the winner. Everyone, ofcourse, was excited to know which dance group is the champion. Rena-chan suddenly held my hand. Woah, her hand is as cold as ice. I guess she's a lot more nervous now than earlier before we performed. I clasped my hand with her, entwining our fingers.
And then the judges finally called the name of the champion.
"T-They called our school!" Churi shouted.
"We won..." Airin said almost in tears of joy.
Me... I only stood still. Things are not yet sinking. I can't still believe it's happening. Then Rena-chan hugged me out of her excitement.
"We made it... Jurina-san..." She said near my ear, tightening her arms around me.
The four of us climbed up the stage together to receive the award. It's the fruit of our hardwork. The happiness on my friends' faces are priceless. Their smile is way much valuable than any gold medal or trophy that we can get. And then I thought, this is only the very first competition that we tried to join. If this is how good the feeling is everytime we can win together, then maybe, this is only the start for more to come.
-
Later after the event, we received a reservation invite from a fine-dining restaurant near the hotel. So, we decided to spend our dinner there to celebrate our victory.
"Too bad, Sakippe-sensei's not here to celebrate with us." Churi said.
"I admire her over-preparedness, though." Airin added. "She even expected the we'll going to be champions that she already reserved this restaurant in advance for our celebration."
We finished our dinner and went back to the hotel. As we reached the hotel's lobby, Rena-chan suddenly paused right before we enter the elevator.
"Airi-san, do you have a minute?" Rena-chan asked Airin and she only nodded.
"Jurina-san, please go ahead." She turned to me. "I'll go up later shortly."
"S-Sure... Take your time." I answered her.
Churi and I took the elevator alone. Rena-chan and Airin? I wonder what they will talk about.
"When did those two became close? They seem like they'll about to talk something serious." Churi curiously said.
Churi's right, they both sure look serious.
"I have no idea. But I think that's a good thing though, that Rena-chan's starting to open up herself to others." I answered.
"Rena-chan's a bit quiet earlier at the dinner, wasn't she?" Churi added. "I know she's the quiet type, but I just thought that maybe something's bothering her."
Bothering her? I suddenly remembered what happened this morning. I really hope it's not about that.
"Something happened, isn't it? It's written all over your face." Churi asked staring at me. "Come on, spill it."
"I-I'm not sure of this but... it might be possible that it's because of what happened earlier this morning." I started to explain. "Last night I had a dream about Mayu-chan... and when I was about to kiss her... I woke up and saw Rena-chan's face close to mine..."
"Hahaha!" Churi laughed at me. "That's funny! So, you almost kissed your own sister!"
"Hey... keep it down..." I said in an embarassed voice.
"Jurina-chan's a pervert! You probably creeped her out!" She kept on laughing.
The elevator opened and we both got off as we reached our floor.
"Then... dreaming of her only means you're still not over with Watanabe-san." Churi concluded. "Arghh!! I swear I'm going to break the neck of whoever will dare to hurt you again."
I gave her a smile. I knew Churi only worries for me.
"So, what do you plan to do next? Now that she's out of the picture?" She asked as we walk to our rooms.
"I... honestly still don't know yet..." I answered.
"I see. But I'm surprised that you look better now. I was expecting that you'll mourn for few more weeks!" She giggled.
"Thanks to Rena-chan, she helped me get better."
"Well, she should. You're sisters after all." She said reaching our doors. "Do you want me to keep you company tonight? You're free to take advantages if you want..."
"Nah... I'll just wait for Rena-chan to come back."
"Haha! I'm just kidding though. Oyasumi!" She bids goodnight.
"Oyasumi." We entered our own rooms and closed the doors behind us.
I laid on my bed straight. Geez, I'm so tired that I can't move anymore. I guess, I'll just fix my baggages first thing tomorrow before we come home.
I stared at the ceiling. Now that the competition is done, what will I do next? I'll probably go back to school, take final exams, graduate highschool... and then what?
How about I accept Grandfather's proposal? It will surely make Rena-chan happy. Then we can be together and will never be separated from each other. That's right! I'm decided! I'm going to tell her as soon as she comes back!
Ah, but I'm so sleepy. What's keeping her so long? I think I should go ahead and take a short nap.
-
I opened my eyes. It's a bit brighter now. Eh? It's morning already?
I searched for Rena-chan's bed. Her pillows and sheet are neatly placed. I can't see her personal things inside the room either.
"Rena-chan?" I called her but no one's answering.
I ran to the next room and knocked continuously.
"Airin, have you seen Rena-chan?" I immediately asked as she opened the door.
"She already left. Her family's private car came to pick her up earlier this morning." She answered.
"Oh... We didn't even had a chance to say goodbye. I dozed off too early last night. I guess, we'll just meet again on school." I said in a sad voice.
-
We're all now about to go home and leave Sapporo. Too many things had happened in this city. I know that a part of me will forever stay here, but I'll take my heart with me as I go.
"Goodbye, Mayu-chan." I softly whispered.
The moment I leave this place, I knew that a new beginning awaits for me.
We took a train for hours, going back to our hometown. Churi reached her station first and then mine is next. I get off the train as we arrived my station.
"See you at school!" I waved goodbye at Airin as she was left inside the train.
-
"Tadaima!" I excitedly greeted as I arrived home. "Okaasan, I'm back!"
I entered our house and continued to look for her inside.
"Okaasan?"
No one's home? I wonder where my mother went...
*Phone ringing*
An unknown number is suddenly calling my mobile phone. I picked it up.
"Matsui Jurina." A deep voice spoke my name.
"Who's this?" I answered.
"If you want to see your mother safe. Come alone to the address that I will send you." The voice instructed.
"W-What did you do to Okaasan!!? WAIT!!!"
But the caller immediately hung up after speaking. Then I received a text message containing an address.
Okaasan...
My body is shaking. I don't know what's going on. I've never been scared like this before, but I have to do what they wanted. I will go alone and save my mother... even if it costs my own life.
つづくstart of the second half finally
please bear with me
thanks for reading!