First and foremost. Merry Christmas! As a present, I have been scrambling to get this chapter done in time. Hopefully you guys will enjoy it.
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Ch. 4
A soft creak echoed from Yossi’s chair as she leaned back, stretching her arms and letting a quiet yawn escape her lips. Just as the knots in her body began to work themselves out, her body jerked forward the moment someone drew a finger across her stomach. Yossi glared at the grinning Rika.
“Think your funny?” Yossi questioned.
“Actually…yes I do,” Rika disclosed.
Yossi was at a loss for words at Rika’s riposte. Rika exuberantly threw both of her hands into the air, declaring her victory. As everyone knew Yossi was a sore loser. The defeated girl reached forward and discreetly took an ice cube from her glass of water and slipped it into her hand. As Rika bounced up and down on Yossi’s lap, continuing to bask in her victory, Yossi waited for an opportune moment to strike. In a quick flash, Yossi snaked her hand underneath the hem of Rika’s shirt and bore down on Rika’s trim stomach with her icy palm.
Rika’s bouncing halted under Yossi’s chilling embrace. A shrill cry roared through the cafeteria as Rika tried to tear Yossi's polar palm away from her stomach. Yaguchi slammed her hands down on the table, in an attempt to steady the teetering table while Rika was kicking furiously trying to wriggle out of her grips, but Yossi's grasp was unrelenting and firm.
At a neighboring table, the gokkies and rokkies were enjoying a peaceful lunch, that is, until it was disrupted by Rika and Yossi's lunchtime shenanigans. The group of girls refocused their attention from their lunches to the rather loud pair of girls at the other table.
The ever daring Risa stood up and shouted “Hey you two...get a room!”
“Yeah, were trying to eat here,” Sayumi added
Splash.
“OH MY GAH! Why did you do that?” Yossi and Rika shouted.
The wild chattering that filled the cafeteria came to an abrupt halt. All eyes moved from Yossi and Rika to Yaguchi, who had climbed onto the table, standing tall clenching a now empty glass.
Yaguchi took a deep breath before shouting at the two girls, “Okay you two cool off. You know things are getting out of hands when even the gokkies and rokkies are saying something!”
“Did she really just?” Konno whispered.
Kamei looked over to the other table, “Yup. She really did empty a cup of water on Yoshizawa and Ishikawa sempai.”
Makoto leaned back in her chair, “Wow. That’s pretty gutsy. I hope she knows what she is doing. Yossi can get pretty out of control sometimes,”
“Yossi? When did you guys get so familiar?” Risa whispered inquisitively as she leaned closer to Makoto, prodding Makoto's side with her elbow.
“Uh...I don't know. Well anyways, I hope they don't get in a fight,” Makoto said nervously.
“Okay, I'll let it go this time, but sooner or later were going to have a talk.”
Suddenly, A finger entered their field of vision, pointing in the direction of the quarreling sempais. Risa and Makoto traced the finger back and looked upon their wonky-eyed companion.
“Look, I think something is about to happen,” Reina interjected.
Yossi pulled her hands from underneath Rika's shirt and gently helped Rika out of her lap. Yossi pushed her chair back and slowly stood up. She looked down at her wet clothes and shook her head slightly. Then she tilted her head up to meet the face of her mentor and ran a hand through her damp hair.
Yossi clenched her fists tightly and brought her face closer to Yaguchi's. Yaguchi was unphased by Yoshizawa's threatening advances. Yaguchi took a deep breath and puffed out her cheeks and chest.
The gokkies and rokkies froze in terror, wincing only at the hollow sounds of Yossi's cracking knuckles. Yaguchi stood firm and beat her chest with open palms, inviting Yossi's threat. The fifth and sixth generation girl's held a heavy breath as Yossi pulled her fist back and hurled it towards Yaguchi. Just before contact, the forthcoming fist stopped and unraveled. Yossi's vicious glare softened into a warm smile as she pressed on her mentor's nose with her index finger.
“I guess we can get a little out of control sometimes.” Yossi admitted.
“HUH?!?” The collective gokkies and rokkies yelled.
Yaguchi hopped off the table and stood beside Yossi, holding up the empty glass,” That’s right you can. Anyways, I'll go get you another glass of water.”
“Oh, I'll go up with you, I want some melon bread.” Yossi stated as the two girls made their way to the other end of the cafeteria.
“Hey! Don't forget me guys! I'm coming too, I want a parfait.” Rika shouted running after the other two girls.
The gokkies and rokkies looked at each other in silent disbelief.
“What just happened?” Risa asked aloud.
With no answers to offer, the gokkies and rokkies sat silently wondering what they had just witnessed.
“Don't worry about it.” A familiar voice called out.
Risa and Konno looked over their shoulder, “What do you mean Nakazawa sempai?”
The other girls turned around and faced the veterans’ table. Most if not all of Hello!Pro knew of the famed veterans table, the table where the five mistresses of Hello!Pro congregate to eat lunch. Even with a missing Yaguchi, the others four continued their normal lunchtime rituals.
“Don't worry to much about it, it happens more often than you think,” Yuuko announced while continuing to read her newspaper.
Kei rested her teacup on the table and faced the younger girls, “Yeah. Mari and Yossi is, to say the very least, an interesting pair.”
Iida surveyed the table, “It's true, and they have been like that for as long as I remember. Hey Nacci, can you pass the salt?”
Abe picked up the salt shaker and shook her head,” Don't worry too much about it, those two may bicker sometimes but they never fight, they love each other too much to hurt the other. Iida, we all know that miso is best for ramen, not salt.”
Abe slid the salt shaker across the table to the waiting hands of Iida,” Not this again.”
“So what you guys are saying, is that what just happened...is normal?” Sayumi asked.
“Yup.”
“Sounds about right.”
“There is no normal in the world of Hello!Pro, but yes.”
Yuuko only nodded as she continued to read her paper.
The younger girl shrugged and returned to their meals, deciding it was better not to think about it.
“That is so strange, how can two people be at each other throats and then just act like nothing happened?” Sayumi petitioned before sinking her teeth into the rather large hamburger she held in her hands.
“Beats me, but it seems like the commotion will die down a little,” Konno added as she sipped at her glass of juice.
Risa sat up and gave Konno a puzzled look “Why do you say that?”
Konno pointed to the entrance of the cafeteria.
“I can't believe that sensei is calling a make-up rehearsal,” Rika whined.
“No one ever said the life of an idol was easy, you got to be tough. FIGHT!” Yaguchi shouted as she began to punch the empty space in front of her.
Yossi patted the top of Yaguchi's head, “Calm down there killer. We all know your tough, you don't have to remind us.”
Yaguchi looked up at Yossi with a beaming face and latched her arms around Yossi's waist.
“But Mari has a point. And besides, you can't really say no to sensei.” Yossi pointed out.
Rika pouted. “True...but I wanted more time with you.”
“I know. I wanted to spend more time with you too, but what are you going to do?” Yossi added.
The sweet moment was interrupted by the fake gagging sounds that emanated from Yaguchi. Yossi sighed and gave Yaguchi a soft knock on the head.
“Ouch!” Yaguchi squeaked.
“I get it, you don't have to be a pain about it Mari.”
Rika giggled watching Yossi and Yaguchi.
“I figured that you guys might of forgotten that I was here. Speaking of forgetting,” Yaguchi pulled away from Yossi and looked down at her damp clothes,” I forgot your clothes were wet.”
“I guess we should go change before we catch a cold,” Rika suggested.
Yossi slid next to Rika and rested a hand on her shoulder, “Oh I insist on helping you out of those wet clothes Rika.”
“Nope! I don't think so! Not going to happen!” Yaguchi uttered as she pushed the furiously blushing Rika out of the cafeteria.
“It was just a joke Mari,” Yossi shouted down the hall.
“Yeah right. And I'm tall,” Yaguchi rebutted.
Yossi smiled to herself and snapped her fingers.
You foiled my plans again Mari. You'll get yours. Yossi broke from her inner dialog, noticing the sudden draftiness of the cafeteria.
Guess I should go change.“Guess the lunch time theater is over. Too bad, right Ai-chan?” Risa asked looking to her side, finding nothing more than an empty seat.
Reina looked over at the puzzled Risa, “Did Ai-san disappear again?”
“Seems like it,” Risa answered.
“Seems like she is disappearing more and more, do you know what that is about Risa?” Makoto asked as she took a bite of her pasta.
“Nope. We don't talk much nowadays. Well I try to talk to her but she either gives me generic one line responses or avoids me all together. “
“Really? But you two are such good friends,” Kamei declared.
“Were good friends. I want to know what’s wrong but she won't talk to me about it,” Risa grumbled.
“Did you do something to make her mad?” Sayumi questioned.
Risa shook her head, “At least I don't think I did...”
Yossi leisurely made her way back to her dressing room. Little did she know the trouble and pain that awaited her in the dressing room. Yossi wrestled with the situation for what seemed to be hours, doubt and concerns filling her thoughts as she struggled to make a decision.
“Jeans,” Yossi looked to the other hanger,” or sweatpants.”
Deciding that comfort was of the utmost importance, “I don't have any more filming today, so I think I can get away with sweatpants.”
After coming to a decision, it took no more than a few seconds for Yossi to peel the wet top from her back and wriggle out of the damp denim that clung to her hips. Yossi always felt more like herself when she was in sweats. No constrictions or restraints only freedom, in the form of sweatpants and a loose fitting t-shirt. Yossi felt refresh after changing clothes.
“Hmm I should go back to the cafeteria and finish my lunch. I don't want all that food to go to waste,” Yossi declared as she patted her stomach.
Just as she reached for the door, Yossi heard a knock.
“Who is it?”
“Takahashi.”
“Ai-chun? What do you need?” Yossi asked as she opened the door, to a rather pensive looking Takahashi.
“May I come in?” Takahashi asked softly.
“Of course Ai-chun.”
Takahashi quickly stepped into the room and silent as Yossi closed the door behind her.
“What’s with this heavy atmosphere around you Ai-chun? Sit down and tell me what’s wrong.”
Takahashi let out a sigh and took a seat on the couch, “Ai-chun...it has been forever since that sparrow skit Yoshizawa-san, yet you’re the only one who still calls me by that name.”
“That's only because you and the rest of the other gokkies and rokkies, minus Makoto, still call me 'Yoshizawa-san.' I'm not that much older than you guys you know. I'd prefer being called Yossi over Yoshizawa-san.”
“Okay, so if I stop calling you Yoshizawa-san you will stop calling me Ai-chun?”
“You are correct Ai-chun,” Yossi answered with a rather smug expression on her face.
“Fine. Then I will start calling you Yossi.”
“Good. Good. Anyways, what is the matter Ai-chan?” Yossi asked.
“It involves Risa...”
“I figured as much,” Yossi affirmed.
“How did you know?” Takahashi inquired.
“Well I am Hitomi Yoshizawa. But I noticed that you don't talk as much as you used to and you purposely avoid her sometimes.'
“Is it really that obvious? I am so stupid for thinking I could play it off,” Takahashi sighed
“So how long have you seen Risa as more than just a friend?” Yossi deadpanned
“About two years now...hey wait,” Takahashi slowly turned her head, meeting with an impishly grinning Yossi.
Takahashi puckered her lips, hoping that is she closed them tight enough she would be able to take back her statement. Takahashi's body tensed, frozen on the couch as her face became increasingly red and flustered.
“H...How d did you k know? Do oes thi thi this ma mean she kn knows? ” Takahashi stuttered.
Yossi walked over to the couch and sat down next to the anxious Takahashi and placed her hand on the girl's head.
“Calm down Ai-chan. I am pretty confident that I am the only one who knows,” Yossi reassured.
Takahashi took several long deep breathes, “But how?”
“Lets just say that I went through a similar phase with Rika,” Yossi explained.
Takahashi turned to face Yossi with a bewildered look on her face, “With Ishikawa-san? I would of never guessed. I never noticed you acting that way at all.”
Yossie scoffed,” Of course not, I was very good at hiding it. And it only last about two days.”
Takahashi's eyes widened, ”Two days? I have been tormenting myself for two years and it took you only two days? I am pathetic.”
Yossi let out a sigh and patted Takahashi's head., “Don't beat yourself up over this Ai-chan, you're not pathetic. The only reason why it took me only two days, is because I am impatient and impulsive.”
Takahashi raised her arm and pushed Yossi's hand from her head,” But two years Yossi...TWO YEARS! Don't you think that is a bit much.”
“That is a good bit of time but at the same time, you guys are still young and its not like there is a manual or something that can guide you through what your feeling right now,” Yossi rationalized..
“So Takahashi...answer my next question truthfully. Do you love Risa?”
Takahashi looked down and folded her hands together, nervously twiddling her thumbs as she analyzes the question,” Well, I enjoy spending time with her and cherish everything that...”
“Too long,” Yossi interjected.
“Eh?”
“Your answer is too long. Even though many people would disagree with me, I believe that love is simple and you should know if you are in love. It only takes three or four words.” Yossi explained.
“Three or four words?” Takahashi questioned.
Yossi nodded her head and raised three fingers, “You love her,” Yossi raises a fourth finger, “Or you don't love her. Simple as that.”
Takahashi's mind began to race.
Is it really that simple? I love her...I don't love her...it can't be that simple. How am I supposed to sort out all of these feelings? I can't imagine a day without her and she is always there when I need her...but isn't that friendship? Does she feel as confused as I am? Every time I see her, I can feel my heart race. What is this feeling? Can it be love? It can't be. Maybe...I just don't know...Takahashi threw her hands over her face and screamed into her palms. As Takahashi's muffled cry died out, the confused girl looked up at her senior, and came to a revlation.
“Kiss me,” Takahashi demanded.
“What?!? What are you saying Ai-chan,” Yossi questioned as she took a step back.
Takahashi stood up and looked at Yossi with pleading eyes,” Please Yossi. I need to know something.”
“I don't know what this is about, but if you really want to,” Yossi pursed her lips.
Takahashi gulped roughly as she traced Yossi's pucked lips. As Takahashi leaned into Yossi, An image flashed in her mind. Takahashi shook her head of the image and continued to approach Yossi's lips. The closer she got to Yossi, the more her mind filled with memories of her and Risa; the laughs they shared the tears they had shed together.
Takahashi jumped back,” Risa!”
Yossi let out a sigh and wiped the small beads of sweat from her forehead,” That was close, I am glad that you stopped before I had to.”
“What? If you were going to stop me, why didn't you just say no to me in the first place?” Takahashi asked.
“I needed you to realize your own feelings,” Yossi explained.
“But what if it didn't work and I ended up kissing you?”
“I would of stopped it of course. I am with Rika, and I will do everything in my power to keep her by my side,” Yossi declared.
“Yossi...if I tell Risa and she rejects me,I don't know what I would do with myself. I want to be like you and Ishikawa-san.”
“That is impossible,” Yossi deadpanned.
Takahashi looked up, Yossi's image blurred by the impending tears that formed on the corner of her eyes.
“It is impossible, because you are Ai-chan. Ai-chan and Risa are Ai-chan and Risa, not Yossi and Rika. Even if you are rejected and she doesn't return your feeling, it is better to know that there was nothing rather than guessing for the rest of your life,” Yossi added as she wiped away a few of Takahashi's tears with her thumb.
Takahashi nestled into Yossi's palm slightly as she let out a sigh.
“This isn't going to be easy is it?” Takahashi probed.
“It never is,” Yossi replied.
Takahashi took another deep breath and stood up, wiping away the remaining tears from her face. Without a word she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Yossi's waist in a tight embrace. Takahashi rested her head on Yossi's chest and let out another sigh.
“I'm so lucky to have you as a sempai. Thank you for listening to a silly girl's problem,” Takahashi stated gratefully.
Yossi leaned in and whispered into Takahashi's ear, “Anytime you need me, I will be here for you. Now go find Risa.”
Takahashi gave her sempai another quick squeeze before unwrapping her arms from Yossi's waist and making a run for the door. Just as she reached for the handle, Takahashi looked back at Yossi.
“Ai-chan, lets keep this almost kissing thing between you and me, I don't want Rika finding out and then going on a rampage, ”Yossi requested.
Takahashi smiled and nodded, “Yossi...you can call me Ai-chun.”
With that, Takahashi disappeared from the room. Yossi stood alone and chuckled to herself. She looked to the closed door ...
“Ai-chun...good luck.”