CHAPTER 16
Jurina watches her reflection in the large mirror of the dancing room as her hands form circles in the air and her legs move in rhythm with the song. Just as she's about to spin around her feet don't end up quite where they are supposed to and she stops immediately. It's always the same step that causes a problem and she sighs, her fingers brushing her hair in frustration.
She stares at herself and tries to catch her breath. She arrived quite early this morning to rehearse the choreography, and she's kind of glad to be alone in the dancing room, as she doesn't want anyone to witness her current inefficiency.
She suddenly turns on her heels and her index swiftly stops the energetic music that's echoing loudly in the room. She gazes furiously at the black device for a few seconds, muttering under her breath, before lifting her hand to wipe the sweat off her forehead. She has to participate in a huge AKB concert in a week, and of course, that's precisely when management has decided to release a new song.
Bending down, she grabs the bottle of water that's laying near her bag, and she takes a mouthful of it, appreciating the feel of the liquid against her dehydrated throat. When her thirst has finally been quenched she lowers it and exhales deeply in satisfaction. Reflecting upon her mistake she repeats the moves in her head again, trying to understand what she's doing wrong. After putting the water aside she hits the CD player's button, and turns to the mirror in renewed determination.
Her feet are in perfect synchronization as the songs starts again, but she can't help but be concerned as the second chorus approaches. She spins around again, and a smile grazes her lips when she manages to do the move correctly this time. However, her joy doesn't last, and she winces at the sudden sharp pain in her left ankle. She freezes at the unexpected turn of events and hesitantly tries to move, before grimacing in pain.
Her eyes widen in horror and she lowers her gaze to the culprit, before clumsily hoping to the nearest chair and slumping on it. A few whimpers escape her lips as she tries desperately not to let her left feet touch the ground, and she ponders her options for a few seconds, before releasing a defeated sigh.
She bends down to grab her bag at her feet when the door suddenly opens on Masana who looks at her, surprised to see her writhing in pain.
"Jurina? What happened?"
Jurina who's sitting on the side of her hospital's bed observes the bandage that's wrapped around her left ankle, wondering what on earth she did to deserve that. Just when she finally managed to master the new AKB's choreography, her body had to fail her. Fate was playing a cruel game on her. She was sure of that.
The younger Matsui raises her eyes and stares at the bottle of water that's standing on a small table unfortunately out of reach and she slowly lifts herself up, clumsily trying to hop towards it.
"Trying to flee again?"
Jurina tilts her head in surprise at the feminine voice, and her eyes widen at the view of the familiar nurse who's standing at her bedroom's doorstep. It's the same one who took care of her when she fainted before the Nagoya Dome concert.
Jurina slowly gets back into bed as she sees the nurse approaching and she lifts her index, pointing at the needed object.
"I was thirsty," Jurina explains, leaning her head against the headboard and pulling the bedcover over her when she knows her request has been understood.
The woman nods and moves forward, pouring water in a glass, before stretching her hand and offering it to the younger Matsui.
"Thank you," Jurina says and brings the glass to her lips, taking little sips, before giving it back once it's empty.
Jurina watches as the nurse puts it back on the table and checks up on her, before asking the question that has been nagging her all morning. "Do you know when I'll be out?"
The woman raises her eyes at her words, and her disapproving look unsettles Jurina.
"You can't wait to get out of here, can you?" the woman notes, before continuing, "You'll have to wait for the doctor. He'll be the one to tell you the results of your blood test and x-ray."
Jurina nods, feeling a bit disappointed with the vague answer. She almost had forgotten that the doctor also requested to do a blood test. Apparently, she looked a bit weak when she arrived at the hospital.
"I'm done here. You should have some rest. You look tired, and the doctor won't be here until a couple of hours," the nurse suggests, already turning on her heels.
Jurina watches her as she leaves the bedroom and closes the door behind her, and she exhales deeply when silence engulfs her anew. The nurse's words flow her mind but she stubbornly refuses to sleep at first, before feeling her eyelids getting heavier and heavier as the minutes go by. When she knows fighting her weariness is useless she leans forward a little to grab the pillow behind her back and lays down, staring absently at the ceiling for a few minutes, before finally closing her eyes.
Rena sighs in relief when her eyes finally catch Jurina's room number. When she heard what happened to the younger girl she had rushed to the hospital as soon as she could, her heart pounding hard in her chest at the news. Her concern for the girl probably explained why she had absent-mindedly listened to the front-desk woman, got out of the elevator at the wrong floor a few seconds later, and took a few bad turns on her way here.
As her heart finally slows down, she lifts her hand and knocks. She patiently waits for an answer, and turns the doorknob when none comes a few seconds later.
"Jurina?"
Rena slowly pushes the door and takes a peek inside the white room, immediately noticing the sleeping girl. Her steps lead her to the bed and she stops when she's finally at Jurina's side, watching as a constant breath leaves her lips. As she takes a step back her legs meet a chair and she turns around in surprise before choosing to sit down, her handbag sliding at her side. Her eyes spot Jurina's left hand and she stretches her fingers to take it, her thumb caressing it gently.
"What did you do again?"
A small sigh escapes her mouth as her question stays unanswered, and her eyes linger on the girl's tired features, before falling on her lips. The
Kiss Datte Hidarikiki incident suddenly flashes in her mind and she freezes, wondering why on earth she's thinking about that right now.
To be honest, she's been remembering this short moment way too much lately. She doesn't even know how she managed to stay so calm after the performance. The kiss couldn't stop playing in her head when she sang
Kareha no Station.
Rena avert her eyes sheepishly, but her gaze falls back on the girl's lips a few seconds later, the memory of the kiss still vivid. When she just can't look away she takes a drastic decision and shuts her eyes, exhaling deeply.
"What's wrong with me?"
Unintentionally, her hand squeezes a little harder Jurina's, and a small sound escapes the younger girl's lips as she slowly wakes up.
Jurina's eyes widen when she notices Rena who's sitting near her bed, eyes closed, and she momentarily wonders if she's fallen asleep.
"Rena?"
The older Matsui quickly opens her eyes at the sound of her voice and a smile moves to her lips, before she raises an eyebrow in concern.
"Jurina! Are you alright?"
The younger girl nods sleepily, stifling a small yawn, before lowering her gaze to their joined hands. Rena notices the action and squeezes the girl's hand softly, before setting her eyes on her again.
"What happened? Did you faint again?"
Jurina waves her free hand at the scolding look she's receiving, and swiftly defends herself.
"No. It's my ankle. I have to wait for the doctor to know if it's broken or not."
As to prove her point she moves the bedcover aside, and Rena stares at the large bandage.
"Let's hope not."
"Yes, I don't want to miss another concert."
"Jurina, your health is more important than anything else."
Jurina is about to answer when there's a sudden knock on the door, and both girls tilt their heads in surprise.
"Hello Miss Matsui, I'm Doctor Shimazu."
A short dark-haired man enters and approaches, stretching his hand to Jurina who shakes it. When he notices Rena who's now standing up and moving aside, he turns to her curiously.
"Are you a member of the family?"
"No, I'm... a friend."
Rena frowns at her slight moment of hesitation, before widening her eyes when the doctor is still gazing at her.
"Do I need to leave?"
"No, it's fine."
The doctor shoots her a small smile, before getting back to the injured girl.
"I have good news. Your ankle is not broken, it's just a sprain. It should be healed in a few days."
"Thank you doctor."
"However, your blood result is not so good. You're obviously overdoing yourself. I advise you to rest for a week."
"When can I leave?"
The doctor arches an eyebrow at the girl's sudden question, obviously not caring much about his recommendation.
"You just have a few papers to sign and you're good to go. Do you have any question?"
"No, I'm fine."
The doctor nods and shoots her a small smile, before making his way out.
"Two days at home and I'll be back on my feet in no time."
Jurina smiles in amusement, quite pleased with her little pun, before raising her eyes to the clock on the wall, now eager to leave this aseptic room. A small gasp erupts beside her and she tilts her head to the older girl who's staring at her in disbelief.
"Two days? The doctor said you needed to rest for a week!"
"It's just a sprained ankle, Rena. You don't have to worry so much."
"Well, I still do. I care about you."
Jurina listens to the girl's words but chooses not to answer, laying her head against her pillow and closing her eyes instead. How she wishes the girl would stop acting this way. It's making it way harder for her to move on. A small sigh escapes her lips, and she can't help the bitterness out of her voice as she speaks up again.
"I know, like an older sister."
"Why do you keep saying that?"
Jurina's eyes widen at the girl's sudden outburst and she stares at Rena in surprise, taken aback by the angry look she's giving her. She averts her eyes nervously, wondering why the older girl is acting this way when she's saying nothing but the truth.
"That's what you said last time."
"What do you mean?"
"When I fainted on stage before the Nagoya Dome concert and ended up at the hospital, you told me I was like a little sister to you."
Jurina can almost see the gears turning in Rena's head as the girl answers, confusion evident in her voice.
"I... don't remember."
Jurina nods and exhales deeply.
"I figured," she pauses, before speaking up again, "Unfortunately, I do."
Rena is momentarily speechless as she notices the girl's sadness, and she wishes she could remember those words who not only unnerve her, but also seem to affect the younger girl. Silence engulfs them as none of them say anything, before Rena speaks up again in determination.
"Well, I wish you would stop believing that."
"Why?"
"Because it's not true."
Jurina doesn't know want to make of Rena's words and she looks at her carefully, trying to decrypt her expression. The older girl avert her eyes nervously at the girl's scrutinizing and Jurina watches as Rena's mouth opens and closes a few times, as if she's trying to say something, but is struggling to find the right words.
A soft knock on the door suddenly breaks the silence and both girls tilt their head, watching as a smiling Akane enters the room.
"Hi!"
"Hi Churi."
"Hello Akane."
Churi looks back and forth between them, somehow sensing the awkward tension.
"Did I interrupt something?"
"Not at all, I was about to leave."
Jurina frowns at Rena's obvious lie and almost wishes Churi wouldn't have interrupted her. Now she's left to wonder what the girl was trying so desperately to say, and she watches in confusion as Rena gets up from the chair, her eyes meeting shyly Churi's for a second, before stepping back to let the girl pass.
"You," Churi says, pointing an accusing finger at Jurina, "I don't know if I want to hug you or slap you."
"I don't think it's very appropriate to hit an injured girl."
Churi rolls her eyes at the girl's cheeky tone and moves forward, wrapping her hands around her neck. Jurina slips hers around her waist and smiles, her eyes closing when she feels Churi's digits gently caressing her hair.
As she opens them again she notices Rena who's still standing by the chair, and she frowns at the older girl who's fidgeting and looking anywhere but at the two friends. When Churi retreats from the embrace she follows Jurina's gaze, and tilts her head curiously to Rena. Noticing that both girls' attention is now on her, the older Matsui speaks up again in a small hesitant voice.
"Can I do something to help you? Is someone coming to pick you up?"
"No, it's fine. Churi already volunteered."
"Okay."
Jurina hears a hint of disappointment in her tone and she arches an eyebrow, puzzled, as Rena slowly nods and turns on her heels. When she's at the doorstep she halts a few seconds, before turning and locking eyes with Akane.
"Please take good care of Jurina."
"Of course."
Rena's mouth tugs into a faint smile at the swift answer and she briefly glances a last time at Jurina, before heading out and carefully closing the door behind her. The younger Matsui stares at the closed door for a few seconds, wondering where Rena's odd behavior suddenly came from.
"So, are you ready to go home?"
Jurina tilts her head as Churi suddenly interrupts her musing and she nods, a small smile grazing her lips.
"Yes, let's go."
Rena, now standing not far from the entrance of the hospital, shuts her eyes in displeasure as the cold wind hits her hard. She shudders and swiftly hides her nose in her warm scarf, while her hands slide in her pockets. Looking around her, she scans the street in the hope of finding the taxi she ordered a few minutes ago, before releasing a defeated sigh when it hasn't arrived yet.
Her phone suddenly starts buzzing and she rummages through her bag, before grabbing the white device.
"Hello Airin."
"Hi! I was calling to know if you wanted to go to the cinema tonight."
There's a slight pause, and Airi momentarily wonders if the girl is still on the other side of the line, before Rena speaks up again.
"I prefer not, I have to wake up early tomorrow morning. Can we go another time?"
"Sure."
Rena suddenly gets distracted when she hears familiar voices and she raises her eyes, spotting Jurina and Churi who are leaving the hospital and moving towards a taxi.
"Are you alright?"
Her attention gets back to the phone when she hears Airi's voice, and her eyes still follow the two friends as she answers.
"Yes, why?"
"I don't know, you seem a bit... off."
Rena releases a small sigh at Airi's perceptiveness. Apparently, even on the phone, her troubled mind doesn't go unnoticed.
"I'm feeling a bit tired. Can we talk another time?"
"Of course."
She knows she's not saying the complete truth, but she doesn't feel like confiding in the girl right now. She's not even sure she would know what to say to explain her current troubled state. She should be happy Jurina has such a dear friend to take care of her, so why does it bother her so much when she sees them together?
Jurina flips through the pages of her book, before putting it down when she reaches the end. She gazes at the magazines scattered on the living room's table, before exhaling deeply. It's already the fourth day of her forced convalescence, and she pretty much went through every book and game she has. She had watched the television a bit during the afternoon, but had pretty quickly got bored of the old movies and silly programs.
She lowers her gaze to look angrily at her bandaged ankle responsible for her current state, before sighing when she knows staring at it is not going to change anything. Carefully laying down on the sofa, she stares pensively at the ceiling, before closing her eyes. She's living a nightmare.
At a sudden knock on the door she lifts herself up in surprise, wondering who could be visiting at this time of the day. It's already 7 PM, and her parents are currently away and won't be back until tomorrow morning. She hops off carefully to grab the crutches against the wall and makes her way to the entrance, before opening the door. A smiling Churi is standing on her doorstep, and Jurina widens her eyes in surprise.
"Churi? What are you doing here?"
"I knew you were alone, so I came to see you."
"What?"
Jurina steps aside as the older girl moves forward, removes her coat and hangs it in the hall.
"How did you know?"
"I texted your mother to know how you were doing, and she told me you were alone tonight."
"You could have texted me."
"I did. You didn't reply."
Jurina frowns at the girl's words, before remembering putting her phone on charger an hour ago. Churi suddenly moves to the kitchen and looks around, before turning again to the younger girl.
"So, what do you want to eat tonight?"
"You're really serious."
"Of course I am."
Jurina watches carefully her friend, pondering her options, before releasing a defeated sigh when she knows at her persistent look that she's not going to be able to change her mind.
"There's minced beef in the fridge."
"Great! Then minced beef and spaghetti it is. Go and sit down. It will soon be ready."
Jurina watches as Churi puts an apron on, opens the fridge and grabs a plate inside, before closing the door again. When the older girl notices from the corner of her eye Jurina who hasn't moved an inch, she turns in surprise, before pointing her index to the sofa.
"Come on, go and rest."
Jurina rolls her eyes at the girl's commanding tone and nods, grabbing her crutches and moving to the living room, before sitting in front of the television. Her digits grab the remote control and she flicks through the channels, before stopping at a music one. Her eyes follow absent-mindedly the beginning of the
Every Little Thing 2000' concert before she hears a soft noise behind her and she tilts her head in curiosity. She smiles in amusement at Churi who's preparing dinner, while humming and moving her left hand in rhythm with
Pray. Jurina progressively feels her heart warming up at the view of the cheerful girl, in the end thankful not to spend the evening alone.
Both girls are now watching a comedy on the sofa and Jurina suddenly chuckles and claps into her hands at a funny scene.
"Stop wriggling so much. You're going to hurt yourself."
Jurina's smile disappears immediately and she growls at Churi's disapproving tone.
"Sometimes, you sound just like Rena."
Churi raises an eyebrow, before getting lost in her musing. There is something that has been nagging her for a while now, and the mention of the older Matsui is all she needs to voice her thoughts out loud.
"I've been wondering why Rena is always acting weird around me."
"I told you, you're over thinking."
"I know you did, but I'm not so sure. I don't understand how you can't see it."
Churi pauses and watches Jurina whose attention is still on the screen.
"It's the way she acts when we're together. I think she's jealous."
Jurina tilts her head at Churi's sudden words, and she stares at her in surprise.
"Jealous? Of who?"
"Me."
"That's ridiculous. Rena is the most selfless person I know."
Churi chuckles at Jurina's statement, and the younger girl frowns at her reaction.
"What are you saying? That she's a robot with no feelings?"
"Of course not. She cares about a lot of people, and she loves Airi."
"She loves her as a friend. They're not dating."
"I know. She told me."
"She did?"
Churi's mouth tugs into a smile and a soft laugh escapes her lips, surprising Jurina.
"What?"
"Nothing. I just find it curious that she found it necessary to inform you. Come to think of it, she wasn't mad about the kiss. Maybe she... enjoyed it."
Jurina's eyes widen at her statement, before she cocks an eyebrow in amusement.
"Sure."
Churi stares in surprise at the younger girl who's now chuckling and shaking her head in disbelief. When Jurina finally calms down she leans her head on Churi's shoulder, and releases a sigh.
"Thank you Churi. I was starting to depress for being cooped up at home for so long. I really needed to have a laugh."
Churi is about to retort that she's being very serious but refrains at the last minute, somehow sensing the girl is not going to believe her, no matter what she says. She frowns at Jurina's attitude and diverts her attention to the screen again, watching absent-mindedly the funny fighting scene that's unfolding in front of her. For a second, she wonders if she hasn't been imagining Rena's odd behavior. After all, if Jurina isn't seeing anything, maybe it's all in her head? The recent strange events flow her mind and after reviewing them one by one, she can't help but shake the feeling that she's not wrong. Her friend may seem oblivious to what's happening under her nose, one thing is for sure: Rena has been acting very differently lately.
TO BE CONTINUED