Chapter 6 @SBK: That poor monkey-wunky emoticon looks so terrified
@Shiichan: Eri's gonna try and fix things with Sayumi. Will it be too late?
@JFC: I think a golfing umbrella might make for better protection
@Lolli: LOL, kill Ai off? So early into the story?
@Sukoshi-chan: What's hidoi? Well it is a merrygoround so Reina has to like someone
@ringo-hime: When you said exploding Sayumi the image of her going off into tiny pieces flashed in my mind
Chapter 7@Shiichan: Did I tell you I liked your little relationship chart?
@Sukoshi-chan:
I agree no one can yell at Eri but then again, we're fans aren't we? You thought I was gonna pull a cab thingy didn't you?
Maybe I shouldn't have used 4 hours. It does seem a little too lengthy? LOL at the 07 in your mind.
@Kuji:I like your avatar! The bunny is so cute in it
Your comment gets the award for inducing the most smiles on a particular piece of ham. I have to say Sayu is cuter than Reina so the yankii would probably have to try other ways besides falunting her kawaii-ness to get subleader.
@KK: You'll get some elements of happy Ai x Eri in chapter 8
@ringo-hime: No dating of Ron till Sunday evening I think. I'm gonna be out at sea. But I don't wanna go
@JFC: I surprised you with that last line didn't I? *guesses from 3 monkies spewing stuff from their mouths*
@SBK: Their matching jackets was all I could notice during the Cinderella rehearsals. That and gorgeous Risa in that low pony-tail of course
Me too! I wanted to read some TanaGaki for the longest time. When you can't find it, write it
@Junkie: Don't worry about leaving fics unfinished, when the spark comes you'll start to it again
I'm pretty slow with my updates as well.
@AuburnChicken: Awww thank you for liking, reading and commenting on this fic. I really appreciate it. I like how you put in words Ai's situation - she's taking up more than her fair share of hearts
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Chapter 8“Sayu!”
Michishige Sayumi had just stepped in through the double glass sliding doors after swiping her access card in the device attached to the building wall when she heard a familiar voice calling her name. Turning her head in the direction of the sound, she saw a harried looking Eri literally springing from her seat in the lobby's lounge. Racing towards her, the older girl was at her side within three large steps.
“Ohayo.”
Forcing out a small smile, Sayumi greeted the person who had obviously been waiting for her before continuing towards the elevators. Sensing that her best friend in Morning Musume wasn't going to speak further, Eri took the initiative to start a conversation.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"Um."
"I was going to text you but..."
Now inside the moving cubicle, Eri watched with furrowed brows at Sayumi who was jabbing at the elevator's button impatiently. It was evident from the younger woman's behavior that she was uncomfortable about sharing the same space as the turtle-like girl. Drawing a deep breath, Eri mentally prepared herself for any scolding or grouses that Sayumi might lash at her. Unexpectedly, the first person who spoke wasn't herself.
"I'm not mad you know."
"Really? That's great! I was so worried that you’re still upset. Why don't we visit DisneySea on Saturday? You mentioned wanting to go."
Remembering that she had agreed to accompany Sayumi to the popular attraction many times before but had to this day not fulfilled her promise, Eri suggested the idea so they could spend some time together. It was true that she had been neglecting Sayumi after getting together with Ai.
A soft ding was heard announcing the arrival of the lift at the designated level prior to the doors sliding open. With a soft tone, Sayumi uttered.
"I thought you would have made plans with Ai. I already asked someone else."
The doors came together again as a lone figure walked out leaving just one member of the pair behind. Without a new destination selected, the motor slowed to a halt and the lift grew silent.
“Sayu…”
-----
The usually noisy dressing room was so tranquil one could hear a pin drop. In fact, Risa could distinctively hear the low rhythmic ticking sound of the watch strapped on her wrist. Twisting her arm to check the analogue face for the twenty-seventh time that morning, she was getting increasingly restless. As someone who was always prompt for any appointment, she had habitually arrived for the day’s Platinum 9 Disco concert dance rehearsal 30 minutes early.
She would typically pass time by texting Eri to talk about random things. However, after the previous day’s tense situation, Risa wasn’t so sure it would be appropriate for her to contact her kouhai. What if pokepokepu was angry with her?
Heaving a resigned sigh at her predicament, Risa leaned back and sank into the cushy surface of the sofa. Closing her eyes, she considered her options. She could 1) head to the nearby convenience store and see what she could pick up, 2) buy a can drink from the vending machine standing in the corridor or 3) take a leisurely climb up to the rooftop and admire the view and try clearing her mind.
After pondering for a moment, the sub-leader decided to pick option 3.
-----
Funny, why is the door ajar?Pushing it further open, Risa slipped past the narrow space cautiously. Panning her eyes around the area, she spotted a lone figure standing near the railings which surrounded the edge of the rooftop. From the back, she seemed small in size, petite to the extent of being scrawny. Dangling from her fingers was a thin lighted cigarette. A trail of smoke rose from the burning end and circled in the air above it.
Risa fought back the urge to charge towards the girl and shake some sense into her. What was she thinking indulging in such an unwanted act? Smoking not only caused fatal health issues, it also affected the vocal chords and decreased one’s stamina. As a singer cum entertainer, they could not afford to let such problems plague them.
With one hand gripping tightly on the wooden door structure, Risa willed herself to calm down. Instead of confronting her teammate at this juncture, she decided it would be more appropriate to discuss things over with the leader and determine how they should go about persuading her to quit the addiction.
Wait for me. I’ll help you. -----
Everyone's eyes were fixated on Eri as she ran through her routine of her solo dance in the middle of the studio. Forming a semi circle around her, all of the juniors in the group were clearly in awe of the fluid manner by which Eri executed her moves. Every twist, wriggle and turn. It was perfect from beginning to end.
Sayumi’s body was angled such that it was impossible for her to observe Eri directly. In addition to that, she was standing, or rather hiding in a corner which had a baby grand piano located a few feet away. The musical instrument conveniently obstructed her line of sight of the dancing girl and she tried hard to not lift her eyes to gawk at Eri’s reflection in the wall of mirrors.
Sayumi knew that Eri was an exceedingly competent dancer. She had secretly stared at her far too many times to not be certain of that fact. It was precisely this talent which repeatedly drew the bunny’s admiring gaze. Yet she knew she could no longer obsess about the feelings she had for Eri. The object of her affections was blissfully in love with their leader and deep down inside, Sayumi knew that Ai was better than her in every aspect.
There was no way in a million years Eri would for even a moment glance her way. Michishige Sayumi was a terrible singer, clumsy dancer and a narcissist to boot. She had absolutely no quality that would make anyone fall in love with her. This was what she thought for the nineteen year old’s confidence level was at an all time low.
Eririn will never like me. No one will ever love me.She didn’t know that the tears previously brimming in her eyes had started to fall. As they slid down from the ends of her midnight dark orbs, a hand brushed at her cheek to halt their descent.
“Didn’t you tell me to live for myself? Why are you tormenting yourself like this?”
Recognizing the soothing voice of the person who was just as hurt if not more wounded, Sayumi covered Risa’s hand with her own. Squeezing on the limp, she dug her nails into the flesh to release the pent up frustration coursing through her body. Thankfully her preference for short and neat nails meant the pressure generated was still bearable.
“I want her to love me Gaki-san. I
want to be loved.”
Sayumi’s shoulders shook and her knees buckled. She would have hit the floor with a thud if not for Risa who clung on to her waist with both of her arms. Embracing the taller girl in a firm hold, she vowed in a voice which soared above the music which had coincidently ended at this moment.
“I’ll love you. Even if it costs me my life, I won’t let any harm come to you.”
The aching of her heart diminished when she heard Risa’s assuring words. Her body and actions seemed to take over instinctively and before Sayumi knew what she was doing, she had leaned in to graze pass Risa’s lips. It was tentative at first as she was unsure of how Risa would react. Seeing that she didn’t push her away, Sayumi pressed forward, bringing one hand to Risa’s slender neck and cupping it tenderly.
Her pulse jumped and the intensity with which desire came over her took Sayumi by surprise. It was nothing she had ever experience before and she knew she should stop. Playing with fire was dangerous and she could end up hurting someone who didn’t deserve such cruelty. Nevertheless Sayumi was weak, too weak to resist the strange pull that made her body flush with heat. This sensation resulting from their kiss was intoxicating. It felt so good that she almost didn’t want it to end.
Was it bad for her to feel like this? To crave the intimacy which came when her body was snuggled against Risa’s? The closeness made her feel safe, secure and most of all, loved.
“Don’t leave me, Risa.”
She had called her Risa in place of Gaki-san and the entire room had heard the words bounce off the sound proof walls. Were Niigaki and Michishige-san dating? When did it start and more importantly, when? Koharu, Aika and the pandas were gaping in shock at the astonishing events playing out in front of their eyes and none of them knew what to do. Among the seniors, Ai's expression was unreadable as her face remained stony, her lips pulled in a tight line. Eri had both hands covering her mouth and a storm of emotion was stirring in her eyes.
The last member of the girl group had seen enough. Clenching her fists into balls, she trudged up to the pair still lost in the kiss. Grabbing onto Sayumi’s arm, she wrenched at it forcefully to detach it from resting contentedly on Risa’s abdomen.
“Don’t use Gaki-san as a replacement. She deserves to be cherished wholeheartedly by a person who truly loves her!”
Topic: Merry Go Round - Chapter 23 (110615) (Read 70353 times)