JPHiP Forum

The Hello! Project Fanfics => H!P Fanfics => Topic started by: SarangAi on February 10, 2012, 08:03:30 AM

Title: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 22 - (10/28)]
Post by: SarangAi on February 10, 2012, 08:03:30 AM
CONTENTS

A. Mitsui Aika Trailer (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1001151#msg1001151)
B. Kamei Eri Trailer (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1001465#msg1001465)
C. Tanaka Reina Trailer (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1001573#msg1001573)
D. Michishige Sayumi Trailer (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1001812#msg1001812)
E. Takahashi Ai Trailer (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1002016#msg1002016)
F. Niigaki Risa Trailer (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1002437#msg1002437)

G. Chapter 19 Trailer (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1144318#msg1144318)

Chapter 1 - "Once Upon a Time..." (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1009176#msg1009176)
Chapter 2 - "Cinderella Had a Mean Ugly Stepsister" (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1012352#msg1012352)
Chapter 3 - "Juliet was Unhappy But... Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1013792#msg1013792)
Chapter 4 - "And The Ball Began" (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1015957#msg1015957)
Chapter 5 – “Cinderella left her glass slipper behind” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1020524#msg1020524)
Chapter 6 – “But the glass slipper did not fit the Stepsister” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1024532#msg1024532)
Chapter 7 – “Paris fell in love at first sight with the Unsuspecting Juliet” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1030825#msg1030825)
Chapter 8 – “The love reunited yet their troubles were far from over” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1043795#msg1043795)
Chapter 9 – “Why did Juliet have to be more lovely, more temperate?” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1055659#msg1055659)
Chapter 10 – “Juliet and Cinderella were happy… but the rest were not.” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1058935#msg1058935)
Chapter 11 – “Because under the rags, Cinderella was beautiful” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1062653#msg1062653)
Chapter 12 – “No one can resist when fate is in play.” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1067447#msg1067447)
Chapter 13 – “Many fought for Juliet’s hand” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1082121#msg1082121)
Chapter 14 – “O Cinderella, Cinderella, wherefore art thou Cinderella?” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1132289#msg1132289)
Chapter 15 – “The Stepsister hated Cinderella… Or did she?” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1135707#msg1135707)
Chapter 16 – “Cinderella was weak and powerless… and she hated it” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1138401#msg1138401)
Chapter 17 – “It was a sleepless night for all” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1142332#msg1142332)
Chapter 18 – “Simply put, Juliet and Cinderella were the most idiotic lovers in history” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1143689#msg1143689)
Chapter 19 – “Since some time, Paris has started to love Juliet” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1144445#msg1144445)
Chapter 20 – “Juliet was truly frightened of Cinderella” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1145512#msg1145512)
Chapter 21 – “Cinderella could never do as much as Paris could do for Juliet” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1146450#msg1146450)
Chapter 22 – “Paris made his brave proposal to Juliet” (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=31928.msg1235771#msg1235771)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And.... I'm BACK!  XD

Back and ready to roll!  Aw yeah!  :D

As you probably already noticed, I have decided to write.... JULIET AND CINDERELLA!  :twothumbs
It wasn't gonna be the title but... my creativity just ran away from me  XD

and YES, for this story, you're gonna have to know a bit about how Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella goes... so read up if you don't know!  XD

I'm still not going to tell you guys much about it, like who are the couples and stuff, but it'll naturally be revealed really soon so don't worry too much about it  :D

So here's a REALLY bad and vague SUMMARY:

A modern day drama where the greatest tragedy and the sweetest fairy tale cross together. The truth behind various classic characters get revealed throughout this painful love story. The story of Juliet and Cinderella that you knew are no longer...


And as usual, before I post a chapter... I post a trailer!  :cow:

But THIS TIME, it's a little different.

I'm going to be posting SIX (yes, 6) mini character trailers.  Each one will focus on one of the 6 main characters. 
The song lyrics really channel their feelings, I think.  So later on, as you're reading, I think you'll be able to see why I used the songs I use :)

So first up out of the 6 is... MITSUI AIKA!  :twothumbs

 [Trailer] Juliet and Cinderella (Mitsui Aika ver.) ~Morning Musume Fanfiction~ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEWbOgMR0ng)

Song: "Kono Mama Zutto" by Aoyama Thelma


I'll post another one tomorrow!  If I feel like it, i'll post two  :lol:

Please look forward to it~~ :twothumbs
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [START - Trailer 1/6 ft. Mitsui Aika - (2/10)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on February 10, 2012, 08:26:12 AM
YES!!!!!! Holy crap, yay!

Wait, wait, I'll be coherent in a moment.

*sigh*

Ha~ I can't wait for this to get going!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [START - Trailer 1/6 ft. Mitsui Aika - (2/10)]
Post by: Shiawase_Honoo on February 10, 2012, 08:33:37 AM
Oh~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AiAi!!!!
You've got Aika in this fic!!!! :mon angel: :mon angel: :mon angel:
I can't wait to read this :mon crazyinlove:

Love you!!! :mon kissy:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [START - Trailer 1/6 ft. Mitsui Aika - (2/10)]
Post by: arisa03 on February 10, 2012, 09:14:51 AM
Awesome! ;A;!!

if there are six main characters... would I see some sort of Takagaki, MittsiReina, and KameShige?! <OAO>!! But that might be my speculations OTL.

It's an Aika! ;A;! I look forward for more! ;A;!!! *Fleez somewhere
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [START - Trailer 1/6 ft. Mitsui Aika - (2/10)]
Post by: risa_ai on February 10, 2012, 09:20:50 AM
Interesting!! A fic with aika in it... GO GO GO! I'll be supporting you, ne?
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [START - Trailer 1/6 ft. Mitsui Aika - (2/10)]
Post by: Sora-chan on February 10, 2012, 01:40:04 PM
I think that's what the couples are gonna be too. Takagaki, Reika, and Kameshige. (although i despise Kameshige. *sorry Kameshige fans*)
Somewhereeeeee along that, Or i could be completely wrong ahhh idk i'll wait to see.

Im glad your back in action so fast!! ^.^ I was kinda missing your fan fictions already  ^^;

Aika's Trailer was interesting.. Just guessing but, Shes getting hurt because she loves someone? Like, is that person cheating on her or treating her badly (Which i can understand Reina being her lover in that case.. XD haha)...

I cant wait for the next one!! ~
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [START - Trailer 1/6 ft. Mitsui Aika - (2/10)]
Post by: Kikk4r on February 10, 2012, 04:11:40 PM
this fast!  :hehehe:

sorry i didnt comment on the last chp on chigatte mo lin da yo  :sweat: i have disapponted you ....  :mon POd:

Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [START - Trailer 1/6 ft. Mitsui Aika - (2/10)]
Post by: kawaii beam on February 10, 2012, 04:19:41 PM
 :panic:

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAAYAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY~

i cant wait~! >3< and :deco:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [START - Trailer 1/6 ft. Mitsui Aika - (2/10)]
Post by: mochi.rini on February 10, 2012, 04:53:20 PM
I got chills after watching that mini trailer~  GOOD CHILLS~ :D  I'm excited to see who the 6 characters are.  Hopefully...TakaGaki  8)2  Nuff said lol~  Can't wait for more~  Your break wasn't as long as I expected it to be, though that's not a bad thing (especially for the readers :D)  Take care~  I'm excited for more, but I won't hound you...not yet anyways XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [START - Trailer 1/6 ft. Mitsui Aika - (2/10)]
Post by: SarangAi on February 10, 2012, 11:43:45 PM
@rndmnwierd: HOLLA~~ get excited~~~  XD XD

@Shiawase_Honoo: I was THIS close to taking her out, but then I thought of you.  (y)  :lol:

@arisa03: lol feel free to speculate.. but i'm still not gonna say anything :twisted:

@risa_ai: yes! i'm going!  :D

@Sora-chan: hehehehehe..... all will be revealed in due time...  :twisted:

@nora_nora: yes i'm back! haha!  XD

@Kikk4r: GOSH HOW COULD YOU :cry:  lol it's okay!  well, you commented on my first post in this thread so...  :lol:

@kawaii beam: LOL quite the glomp there.  :deco:

@mochi.rini: lol usually, my breaks aren't that long.   XD


Thank you so much for the excitement/interest/curiosity!  Wow, one trailer and already this many comments!  :twothumbs

So continuing on with that streak.... the next trailer!

Featuring.... KAMEI ERI!

 [Trailer] Juliet and Cinderella (Kamei Eri ver.) ~Morning Musume Fanfiction~ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PuPkMA2ftY&feature=youtu.be)

Song: "Nee,,," by Goto Maki
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 2nd Trailer ft. Kamei Eri - (2/10)]
Post by: kawaii beam on February 11, 2012, 12:00:35 AM
yes~ i glop you cus i give you love~~~~>3<

anyway~ yay for trailer number 2~! 1st we got a nurse and now a fairy? oh snap lol it seems like eri's gonna be a supporter for someone...well thats all im guessing form the quote u used and the song ^^; cant wait for whose next~ :deco: lol aiai's getting me hyped~
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 2nd Trailer ft. Kamei Eri - (2/10)]
Post by: Shiawase_Honoo on February 11, 2012, 12:04:24 AM
Ahahaha :lol:
Anyway, you've got me :lol:
2nd is our aho turtle... :inlove:

Maybe these classic fairytales would be another version I knew... :?
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 2nd Trailer ft. Kamei Eri - (2/10)]
Post by: Sora-chan on February 11, 2012, 12:18:21 AM
Woot Woot ERI!!!~  :yossi: :shakeit:

Awww... this is just making me more anxious!!! lol Im wayy to excited for this new story haha.. :nervous ^^;

um.. heres a question.. that i have had since i saw the title of this story if its like Juliet and Cinderella, Juliet had forbidden love and also death.. is there gonna be a death in this fan fiction? lol a part of my brain thinks you arent gonna answer

But then again in the summary it said the story of Juliet and Cinderella we once kn-- ahhh forget it, i'll shut up now haha.. :nervous ..

I have to many questions they get crossed over with each other n i stumble and forget on what to type. lol XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 2nd Trailer ft. Kamei Eri - (2/10)]
Post by: risa_ai on February 11, 2012, 02:37:55 AM
*dances around
YEAH! Another trailer~ XD
Eri's a fairy? Woah!! *depressed
I have to wait for another 4 days before the rest of the trailers are out... *pouts
I bet this fanfic's gonna get to 320 pages again!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 2nd Trailer ft. Kamei Eri - (2/10)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on February 11, 2012, 04:30:53 AM
Gosh, I can already see by the time the last trailer comes out, I'll be dying from anticipation. XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 2nd Trailer ft. Kamei Eri - (2/10)]
Post by: SarangAi on February 11, 2012, 05:40:06 AM
@kawaii beam: hehehe.... just remember, everything is still supposed to be very vague!   :D

@Shiawase_Honoo: lol well, it's certainly my-style which is kinda shoujo/k-drama-esque  XD

@Sora-chan: your brain thinks right!  I'm not giving you the answer!  MWA HA HA :twisted: 

@nora_nora: lol stay patient a little while longer!  XD

@risa_ai: lol i certainly hope not!  I don't know if I have the courage to write that much again..  :nervous

@rndmnwierd: lol keeping you on your toes, i am :D


I am SO happy to see all the hype here! yay~  :twothumbs

So to keep up with that... I'll give you guys another trailer! (fast, wasn't it?)  :lol:

And this time, it features... TANAKA REINA!

 [Trailer] Juliet and Cinderella (Tanaka Reina ver.) ~Morning Musume Fanfiction~ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DEP-IphJs4k)

Song: "ReAct" by Vocaloid


3 down... 3 left to go! :D
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 2nd Trailer ft. Kamei Eri - (2/10)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on February 11, 2012, 05:48:30 AM
I can't wait for more~!~!  XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 2nd Trailer ft. Kamei Eri - (2/10)]
Post by: kawaii beam on February 11, 2012, 05:50:44 AM
gah~ its not even midnight yet...does that mean another one will be comming tomorrow??? XDD *rolls around in impatience*

THE VAGENESS~ IT KILLS MEH
 :panic: :panic: :panic:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 3rd Trailer ft. Tanaka Reina - (2/11)]
Post by: Sora-chan on February 11, 2012, 07:39:13 AM
Quote
@Sora-chan: your brain thinks right!  I'm not giving you the answer!  MWA HA HA
C'mooooonnnnn dont be mean  :mon cute: :mon hanky: lol!!

3 one already!?! WAH YOUR ON A ROLE

Reina's is.... gahhhh
*starts spazzing out* :bleed eyes:


I guess Ai, Risa, and Sayu next... I cant wait eep! :mon XD:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 3rd Trailer ft. Tanaka Reina - (2/11)]
Post by: risa_ai on February 11, 2012, 09:46:11 AM
That's it. You just took away my soul. This is gonna be a sad~~~ Story.... Broken hearts..... AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :tantrum: :tantrum: :tantrum: :tantrum: I WANT THE OTHER TRAILERS NOW!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S KILLING ME SO BADLY!!!!!!!! But then... as they say... Good things take time...  :frustrated: :frustrated: :frustrated:
GIVE IT HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE NEXT 100 CHAPTERS  :on comhere: :on comhere: :on comhere: Must have patience..... Ill wait for another 1.5 years before the last chapter is out and one of your brilliant fics start again. XD I'll be on standby.... Doing this------  :prayers: :prayers: :prayers: :prayers:
Lurks off to power saving mode***  :on crazygran: :on crazygran: :on crazygran: :on crazygran: :on crazygran:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 3rd Trailer ft. Tanaka Reina - (2/11)]
Post by: Kikk4r on February 11, 2012, 01:40:21 PM
OMG I AM EXCITED!  :mon star:

i wonder who will be next but i think it`s either Risa or Ai :on drink: (i didnt know what to put there xD)

don`t say anything i wanna find out myself :ding:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 3rd Trailer ft. Tanaka Reina - (2/11)]
Post by: Nichiyobi on February 11, 2012, 05:56:58 PM
Wait ... wait ... wait ... wait ... WHAT!?
Ah, I wasn't online for a few days and now there are already three new mini character trailers for your new fanfic!
You can't imagine how excited I got when I read the title "Juliet and Chinderella" in the fanfics thread lol
I really can't wait for the next trailer!
I think we can be pretty sure that two of them contains Risa and Ai ... and the other one probably Sayumi!? I wonder who do you've choosed for the story (^_^)
And the couples ... I can't wait for the couples!

Ah~ I really can't wait for the beginning of "Juliet and Cinderella"  :heart:

But first of all; Next trailer, come on ... please! xD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 3rd Trailer ft. Tanaka Reina - (2/11)]
Post by: arisa03 on February 11, 2012, 06:07:51 PM
I sorta have a vague idea of how it is going to be... in ways of feelings and delivery or something? forever not making sense here. but I can't wait for the other trailers! ;A;!!!! (I missed the Turtle Party ;___; no matter how slow it was I missed it. ;___;)
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 3rd Trailer ft. Tanaka Reina - (2/11)]
Post by: SarangAi on February 11, 2012, 06:51:58 PM
@rndmnwierd: yeee~ it'll never end  :lol:

@kawaii beam: HAHAHA of course!  XD

@Sora-chan: lol i haven't made videos in such a long time, i'm having so much fun~  :D

@risa_ai: MAN i really hope this doesn't go to 100 chapters!  gotta rein in my imagination...  :nervous

@Kikk4r: lol wasn't going to anyways~ you know me  :P

@Nichiyoubi: hehehe welcome to the party!  keep checking!  XD

@arisa03: lol i mean, there's only so many atmospheres i can establish with my writing...  :lol:


Thank you for all the comments/thanks~  :D

Continuing on... next is... MICHISHIGE SAYUMI!

 [Trailer] Juliet and Cinderella (Michishige Sayumi ver.) ~Morning Musume Fanfiction~ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Voe-QuP85vU)

Song: "Cry Cry (Ballad ver.)" by T-ara


Only two more!  You can probably guess who they are :twothumbs
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 4th Trailer ft. Michishige Sayumi - (2/11)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on February 11, 2012, 07:06:13 PM
Yay! I can't wait for the next two!!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 4th Trailer ft. Michishige Sayumi - (2/11)]
Post by: Sora-chan on February 11, 2012, 07:29:35 PM
Lol seeing Sayu's my guesses on the couples are CONFIRMED Its Takagaki, Reika, and KameShige..
I just think the trailers are going in the order of the couples and maybe their importance in the story??

Like Aika first then Reina its a sign of Reika, Eri then Sayu it shows KameShige, thennnn its kinda bound that Risa is next and Ai is last.. which of course is the lovely TakaGaki to wrap it up. But then again.. I have no clue just guesses... :P

I trust that if there is Kameshige, you change the way i feel about them within time, so i can fully enjoy the fan fiction. Cus your writing is just that awesome.

im so anxious!~~~~ XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 4th Trailer ft. Michishige Sayumi - (2/11)]
Post by: Kikk4r on February 11, 2012, 10:09:25 PM
i am sure your gonna make a takagaki couple >:D even if it was a different fic >:D am i right  :ding:

yeah i know .... even if i don`t really know you :mon lol:

btw sorry for always making so short comments XD :nervous
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 4th Trailer ft. Michishige Sayumi - (2/11)]
Post by: aussie on February 11, 2012, 11:32:46 PM
Wow, it's been a while since I commented on your fic :nervous

I wonder, would this one also be a long run almost reaching 100 chapters? :lol: Not that I would mind. I remember you saying you wanted to experiment with new pairings in your new fic, so I'm kind of hoping TakaGaki is not the last pairing. Looking at the short messages in each of the clips so far, I can see KameShige, as Eri is a fairy who look out for whoever it is, and Sayu is despondent not knowing what to do as she lacks confidence. I can also see ReiKa. I was kind of hoping for TanaShige or RenAi if TanaKame wasn't going to be a pairing in this fic, but we'll have to see how it goes huh? :D
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 4th Trailer ft. Michishige Sayumi - (2/11)]
Post by: mochi.rini on February 12, 2012, 01:06:52 AM
ye~eeeah other two characters~ :D  <3  It's TakaGaki right?  I'd hate to be trolled at this point lol~

I haven't seen much Reika much, and since I love it, I hope it's true~  Same for KameShige!!  I hope TakaGaki is the most important since I'm so biased hehe~  Can't wait for more!

I would also like to mention that your music taste is awesome :D  -ends up liking every song you've used on the trailers-  :twothumbs
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 4th Trailer ft. Michishige Sayumi - (2/11)]
Post by: kawaii beam on February 12, 2012, 02:18:30 AM
ah~! now its sayu~ ;3;

lol i think we all know who's next XD unless ur gonna troll us lol
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 4th Trailer ft. Michishige Sayumi - (2/11)
Post by: risa_ai on February 12, 2012, 04:43:54 AM
Next two are ai-chan and risa, right?
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 4th Trailer ft. Michishige Sayumi - (2/11)]
Post by: SarangAi on February 12, 2012, 05:25:03 AM
@rndmnwierd: wait no longer! :lol:

@Sora-chan: Actually, I posted Eri's pv after Aika's, and then Reina, and then Sayu..  :P but then again, it could not mean anything at all.  HAHA.  :twisted:

@Kikk4r: nopee~ actually, one of the fic out of the choices i gave was tanagaki main, another was gakikame, another was tanashige.  But I just chose this one which is.... *insert couple here, since i'm not gonna tell you*  :twisted:

@aussie: lol I'm trying to answer your comment, but I'm gonna end up revealing something no matter how I word it.... so I can't answer anything!  But i WILL give explanations later after I do reveal stuff!  :nervous

@mochi.rini: lol yay~ all of these are like, my favorite songs  :lol:

@kawaii beam: lol should totally troll and just throw in... I don't know, Kikka or something.  TROLL  :twisted: :twisted: XD

@risa_ai: i don't know~  :P


Thanks for commenting~~  :twothumbs

I love reading all this speculation~ I'm dying to clear up some stuff, but I'm gonna hold back.  I want natural reactions when I start writing the story.  Think of it as watching a drama or a movie and not knowing who's who and what's gonna happen.   :lol:


Here's the second to last one~~ featuring TAKAHASHI AI!


[Trailer] Juliet and Cinderella (Takahashi Ai ver.) ~Morning Musume Fanfiction~ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p56SeW8UUnA)

Song: "The Story Only I Didn't Know" by IU


I've started writing the actual thing now~ I hope my brain doesn't stop  XD XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 5th Trailer ft. Takahashi Ai - (2/12)]
Post by: kawaii beam on February 12, 2012, 05:31:10 AM
agsvc  behgeb lol kikka would be random xDDD

and now we have crying ai-chan aka cinidrella D: does that mean she's juliet too?  and does that mean romeo is................AHHHHHH~
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 5th Trailer ft. Takahashi Ai - (2/12)]
Post by: risa_ai on February 12, 2012, 06:02:24 AM
I think I just killed myself. Watching ai cry... Damn! It breaks my heart.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 5th Trailer ft. Takahashi Ai - (2/12)]
Post by: arisa03 on February 12, 2012, 03:09:30 PM
Main Character Gaki-san! I can't wait for her trailer now. lkajsdklasjdkals ALL AI-CHAN'S TEARS jkasdjkasdas

Sayumin as the stepsister... will she be a good step sister or not? o A o I shall await!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 5th Trailer ft. Takahashi Ai - (2/12)]
Post by: all6th on February 12, 2012, 03:28:38 PM
TANASHIGE PLEEEEAAAASEEEE  :bow:

LOL.. kidding, yeah., I do love tanashige, but you can do whatever you want and I'll still read it no matter what... but look., you need to reveal it fast or you MIGHT kill me, emm, I mean US, you might kill us.. you know, I love your story, keep it up  :twothumbs
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 5th Trailer ft. Takahashi Ai - (2/12)]
Post by: Sora-chan on February 12, 2012, 04:44:25 PM
Ah~ right, it was Eri after her, huh I was caught in the moment for a second there excuse me....  :oops:
(slightly embarrassed) hahaha :mon sweat:

Gahhhh Is Ai-chan Juliet? Gaki-san's the main character? :mon XD:

IM SO READY FOR THIS TO START IM GOING CRAZY OVER HERE!!!! :panic: :panic: :panic: :imdead:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 5th Trailer ft. Takahashi Ai - (2/12)]
Post by: nighell on February 12, 2012, 05:10:53 PM
Soon... soon...
intrigue, mystery, assumptions... what will be? Need wait a little *walking in circles* :smoke:
Suddenly. I want a  tanagaki *says with herself* :shy2:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 5th Trailer ft. Takahashi Ai - (2/12)]
Post by: Nichiyobi on February 12, 2012, 07:34:56 PM
Eh!? Already the 4th and 5th Trailer!?
You're spoiling us too much SarangAi ... but I don't mind! xD

I really can't wait for Risa's trailer~ <3

Also I'm goign crazy about the couples lol Somehow I'm afraid that you'll troll us TakaGaki shippers and there will be no AiGaki, which would make me sad lol ... but your stories are too good to not to read because of such an 'little' thing x'D

I wonder how the story will be~ I can't wait any longer~ lol

Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 5th Trailer ft. Takahashi Ai - (2/12)]
Post by: Kikk4r on February 12, 2012, 07:55:05 PM
oh~ so i think i have an idea for what will be the couples though but it can be really different too so i am not going to tell you :P close enough XD

so Gaki won`t be in it? then .... hm i need do brainstorm

i will probably be lurking for some time  :kekeke: cuz i am lazy :err:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 5th Trailer ft. Takahashi Ai - (2/12)]
Post by: SarangAi on February 13, 2012, 05:00:02 AM
@kawaii beam: AHHHHH~~~~~  :lol:

@risa_ai: imagine my heart making that thing :cry:

@arisa03: hehehe.... if i try to answer your comment, i'm gonna give something away... so.... yup.  :nervous

@all6th: lolll i'll work as speedily as possible :D

@Sora-chan: ... the trailer said Ai-chan is cinderella....  :nervous

@nighell: lollll you can only speculate :P

@nora_nora: thank you~  :)

@Nichiyoubi: i know, i'm spoiling you guys~ the chapters probably won't come this quickly but.... yeah :nervous

@Kikk4r: lol that's it, just don't even say it!  just think and speculate~ you'll know the truth soon anyways  :lol:


woot~ thank you again~ lol it's all i say, huh?  :cow:


Here's the last one~~ featuring NIIGAKI RISA!  (yeah you guys didn't see that coming) :P


[Trailer] Juliet and Cinderella (Niigaki Risa ver.) ~Morning Musume Fanfiction~ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUnGo2iCsTE)

Song: "A Good Day to Confess" by Younha


And that is the end of this 6-part series of trailers~  :lol:

I don't know when I'll post the first chapter... I'm probably going to be a bit busy this week, but I'll do my best!  :)

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: kawaii beam on February 13, 2012, 05:27:49 AM
GAH~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ why u do this to me????????? D: :panic:

im even more lost and confused ad want to know what's going on here!!! D:  :cry:

lol i think aiai needs to make more tralers for everything in life ;3; thats all imma say to keep myself calm
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on February 13, 2012, 05:32:32 AM
Takagaki centric yayyay! Where is that line from Gaki's? "But she was always crying by my side." It sounds like she's choking back her own tears.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: miglop on February 13, 2012, 07:16:24 AM
^ Indeed Kamei Eri graduation Memorial part 4/6 HD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M46oKnK5dNE#ws) ~ 5:20

I can't stand it anymore, so....Delurking!  :P

the whole of your work is awesome, SarangAi  :twothumbs

Yet another TakaGaki shipper, so count me in!  :)
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: risa_ai on February 13, 2012, 09:09:54 AM
You've got no idea how much that hurt me. Gaki saying things like that... Takagaki? Then i'm in. :p definitely.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: arisa03 on February 13, 2012, 09:10:21 AM
rlkajsdkljsadksajdalkjkldssa, TakaGaki. KameShige. and ReiKa. OH YEAH. klajsdklsadjs I can't wait now! Please don't torture us too much! OTL.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: black_inu09 on February 13, 2012, 02:55:40 PM
Write now, I want to read it already...
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: mochi.rini on February 13, 2012, 07:21:42 PM
Amazing Risa trailer SarangAi :D  I'm so pumped to read this new fic that it's not even funny!~ <3  And your trailers are so wonderful~  I bet you could totally just find random clips and make a video fanfic lol XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: Koei on February 18, 2012, 01:18:05 AM
SarangAi it's truly an honor to begin reading one of your stories... ummm... should I deem it LIVE?? I've read the previous ones but, one of them was already finished and the other was in the process of being made. It is really exciting to witness the birth of one of your creations LIVE.
Thank you for your stories!  :bow:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: starbreeze81 on February 19, 2012, 09:30:03 PM
I cannot wait to start reading this one. I love your writing style :D So, I will be checking here everyday for that first chapter!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: Kikk4r on February 21, 2012, 08:26:56 PM
it seems like you are just waiting for me to comment :hehehe: am i right

btw i think you choose the same couples whichever fic that got choosen lol (i am probably wrong)

and yes i won`t say it cuz you would`nt tell me ....  :mon waterworks: (sorry for being so childish :mon sweat:)

don`t take to long with it  :hee: (meh, just take your time and make it awesome lol)
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: sakura_drop_ on February 23, 2012, 10:56:46 AM
I'm so eagerly waiting for this story to finally begin... I somehow think, that this is not Takagaki, though I might be wrong... We'll see, we'll see  :dunno: :hehehe:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on February 23, 2012, 03:45:00 PM
Well, here i am! Late to the party as always!  :panic:
I will go check out the trailers now! I am so excited! Thanks again for all your work!  :oops:

*edit*

OMG! I just watched the trailers! I admit i was disappointed when i saw Aika first because i don't care for her at all.  Then Eri's trailer was kind of happy, then Reina's was kind of emo... At Sayu i started to get more interested because i didn't expect another depressed character! Then i watched Ai's trailer!!!!!!! OMG! That trailer was so cool!  I can't wait to read this fic! Risa's was also very good! Great work, as always!!!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: KirikomoriHime on February 24, 2012, 05:41:32 AM
You started with Aika. You have no idea how HAPPY that makes me.  :cow: :cow: :cow:

I think the two I'm most interested in are Shige-san's and Gaki's stories. Shige's was put together beautifully and Gaki's really caught my attention with the opening speaking line.

I can't wait for this <3
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: SarangAi on February 26, 2012, 06:07:40 AM
@kawaii beam: lol i seriously wish I had more time to make more videos!  dammit sony vegas, why you so addicting???  XD

@rndmnwierd: miglop got it right~  :lol:

@miglop: YES DELURKER  :otomerika: :yossi: :cow: the story technically didn't even start yet...  :lol: thanks so much!

@risa_ai: come on, i'm the one who had to make it :cry:

@arisa03: i think i already did... i'm sorry :cry:

@black_inu09: haha i'm trying..  :nervous

@mochi.rini: i've totally thought of doing that!  i don't know if i ever will but...i really wanna try XD

@Koei: new person~~  :otomerika: :yossi: :cow: lol yup, if you stick around, you'll read it live  :lol:

@starbreeze81: new person!!!  :otomerika: :yossi: :cow: aww, thanks so much!  :D

@Kikk4r: mehehe, yeah i totally just stalk for your comments  :lol:

@sakura_drop_: new person~~  :cow: :yossi: :otomerika:  hehehe you'll see, you'll see..  :lol:

@Tian_Yuan: omg that is TOTALLY my new mission now: to make you care for Aika, at least!  I've learned to really like her for an unknown reason, and I hope i can spark and interest for her in you, too!  XD  if i fail... oh well.. hehe  XD

@KirikomoriHime: yay~ yeah, aika needed just a bit more love..  :lol:




Thank you SO MUCH for all the comments~~  :twothumbs
and i'm so happy to see unfamiliar names here too~~ welcome!  :welcome XD

but omg... you guys are gonna KILL me... cuz this is not an update  :bleed eyes:
I'm so sorry this is taking so long.... 

Truth is, a lot of things have happened to me during the past week or so, and I just needed a lot of time to organize my thoughts and stuff.
And then my family thought it'd be a good idea to get away from life and go on vacation to georgia (why georgia of all places, i will never know) and i've kinda been away from civilization.

For a couple days, I thought of discontinuing this story since life is kinda being tough on me at the moment, but I honestly thought that I wouldn't be able to stay away.  I'm addicted to fanfics + your comments too  :nervous

So yeah, i've been getting stuff done little by little and i am ALMOST done with the first chapter.  I've changed a couple things around in the plot that I had planned, but not much has changed.  I REALLY hope i can post it soon, so keep your fingers crossed! :twothumbs


yeah, and don't kill me... meh i'm sorry! :cry:


oh and btw... i have NEVER said who the couples are in the story yet.  ever. :D
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: kawaii beam on February 26, 2012, 06:15:38 AM
darn got all hyped ;3; i'll kill u but with love since im happy you're still gonna write! *huggles* i hope that everything's gotten straightened out in your rl life and all! i shall forever wait paitiently for this~ :deco:
>3<
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: SarangAi on February 26, 2012, 06:26:49 AM
Awww~ kiwi~~~  :wub: :wub: i wubs you~  XD

don't worry, you won't have to wait forever.... probably  :P
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: Koei on February 26, 2012, 06:39:20 AM
I literally just yelled 'USO YES!! THE FIRST CHAPPIE!'! and my dog gave me a weird look  :lol:  but hey! don't worry life happens and well; it may slow down that creative process of writing.
It's perfectly normal and I think if a reader does kill you its probably because they got so excited reading something from a story that they yelled in the middle of a room and had everyone look strangely at them.
And mind you I have done crazy things whilst reading your fics that has gotten me quite the strange looks
(as of right now my dog is probably thinking I've gone nuts  XD)
So ganbare~ People People Party Party :cow: ! :P
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: risa_ai on February 26, 2012, 07:38:36 AM
I'll be waiting~ take your time!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: KirikomoriHime on February 26, 2012, 07:41:37 AM
Mittsi love is rather rare as of late so I always freak out whenever I see it xDD and don't worry! go ahead, take your time :) I'll be right here waiting! -curls up in corner of SarangAi's room and starts to twiddle thumbs-
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: Kikk4r on February 26, 2012, 02:04:57 PM
i knew it :mon geek:, you are stalking people who are stalking your fics and lurk around cuz they are too lazy to comment :shock:  (btw the stalking lurking lazy person is me)
 
take your time i`ll be waiting  :kekeke:  :wahaha:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: all6th on February 26, 2012, 03:55:44 PM
pleaseee update soon author-san :) I like your story, I'll be waiting to know the couples btw :)
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: sakura_drop_ on February 26, 2012, 04:12:13 PM
Take your time *waits patiently*  :on drink:


IN REALITY: Where is that kjfbifgbfnadfnsldnfs update?!!!! GAAAAH, N.E.E.D A.N U.P.D.A.T.E N.O.W!!!!! *dies from too much of waiting*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: risa_ai on February 27, 2012, 09:15:21 AM
^hello~ I gotta hand in to you. :D
Saryu-chan~ BRING ON THE UPDATE! Your fic is the only thing that keeps me alive. :p
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: arisa03 on February 27, 2012, 10:15:25 AM
That literally 'little' note over there is scaring me. :S

Anyhoo, enjoy your vacation and we'll be patiently waiting for your update! xD I hope everything gets sorta out soon, scrambled thoughts are the worst of the worst OTL.

Have a safe trip!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: nighell on February 27, 2012, 10:22:48 PM
Oh this sweet word vacation :D This is definitely will positively affect the muse.
New impressions and bright emotions for you, and I'll dream of updating.
God, I never so much did not waiting my favorite movie, like wait the first chapter. oh, i'm aho...
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: SarangAi on February 28, 2012, 04:09:24 AM
@Koei: LOL i've gotten a lot of that throughout my writing career(?)  XD

@risa_ai: arigatou~  :D

@KirikomoriHime: I know, right!  Man, I hope I bring some fans through this fic..  :D

@Kikk4r: lol i stalk my own fic.  yes, i'm cool.  :lol:

@all6th: yay~ thank you :D

@sakura_drop_: arghhh i'm sorry!!!!  :bleed eyes: XD

@arisa03: OTL is correct  :smhid  mehehe don't be scared :P

@nighell: hehe dream no longer!  :D


Thank you for waiting so patiently everyone!  :twothumbs
And now... here it is... the moment you've been waiting for~~  XD

It's uber long to make up for the time lost  :lol:

Read carefully though, there's a LOT of information in here that sets up everything :D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 1 - "Once Upon a Time..."

   It was a day just like any other day. 

   The downtown streets were filled with people, trying to get to their respective destinations.  It seemed like a perfect day to be outside as the sun shined brightly on the wide sidewalks, heating up the area, yet the gentle breeze was enough to prevent sweating.  Amidst the people of various shapes and sizes was a young lady in her twenties, walking with ease.  She wore a pair of jean shorts along with a brown knit-sweater that clung snugly onto her slim body.  She ruffled her short hair as she let the wind comb through the strands, allowing her to close her eyes to enjoy the climate.  No one would notice at first sight, but upon a closer look, one would see that she was quite the beauty.  For someone in her twenties, her looks defied her age. 

   Soon, the lady arrived at her destination.  The glass door hit the bell hung on the ceiling as it opened, allowing a clear jingle to ring throughout the shop.  She looked around the familiar room, filled with various clothes and dresses and, of course, the mannequins.  The shop was set up quite nicely; the walls had been hand-decorated with streamers and little cut-outs of fashion magazines.  The light pastel stripes and polka-dots painted on the white wall gave off a playful energy.  The lady continued to walk slowly into the store when a voice came from behind the counter by the far wall.

   “I’m sorry, okyaku-sama, we’re not open yet—”

   A young woman in her twenties popped out from underneath the counter, holding a wad of coins in her hand.  She had wavy brown hair that reached her shoulders, which was a bit ruffled at the moment from whatever work she had been doing.  She wore a long-sleeved white blouse which matched with a similarly styled skirt, presenting a lady-like image.  She gasped as her eyes widened at the sight of the visitor.

   “Ai-chan!” she called out.  She quickly put the coins down on the counter and ran out to meet her friend.  “What are you doing here so early in the morning?”

   “I came to help you open,” the short-haired woman smiled.  “Is there something I can do?”

   “But… it’s your day off,” the shop owner hesitated.  “You didn’t have to come in today.”

   “Oh come on, Eri,” Ai laughed.  “Tresor may only be a small clothing boutique, but you still can’t do all the work around here.  And every time I leave you alone, you never open on time.”

   The turtle’s face went from agreement to realization to confusion, as though she was unable to determine whether she should be offended by her friend’s statement or not.  Deciding otherwise, she turned to follow Ai who had already placed her bag on the counter and rolled up her sleeves.

   “Alright, what should I do first?” the older girl asked.  She looked at the pile of coins on the counter and frowned.  “What’s up with the loose change?”

   “Oh, I unearthed them from underneath the counter,” Eri answered.  “Turns out there was a gap in the cash register where money could fall out.  I’ll have to get a new one.”

   “Okay, I’ll start by putting these away, then.” 
With a grin, Ai skittered towards the cash register and tapped on the keyboard, allowing the cash drawer to pop out.  She scooped up the coins and started to drop them back into their respective compartments.  Eri watched her friend intently as placed her elbows on the counter and balanced her chin on her hands.

   “Nee, Ai-chan,” she said, “didn’t you say you’re starting your new job today?  That’s why I gave you a day off…”

   “Yes, I am,” Ai answered, “which is why I’m only going to help you prepare for opening.  I’m not staying throughout the day.”

   “Sou ka…”  The turtle nodded to herself as she continued to stare at her friend with curiosity.  “Nee, nee… where did you say your second job was again?”

   “Bijou Company building,” the older girl replied, closing the cash register.  “You know, Bijou cosmetics?”

   “That big fashion company, right?” Eri grinned.  “The place that sells everything from clothes to make-up to manicure to skincare…”
“Yup, that’s the one,” Ai smiled.  “I’m taking the evening shift as one of the janitors there.  I’m just going in during the day shift today so they can show me around and stuff.”

   “Right, right… I remember…”

   The turtle nodded slowly as she tapped her fingers on the counter.  She continued to stare at her friend as though she was contemplating something, and then opened her mouth again.

   “Nee, Ai-chan,” she said in a quiet voice, “isn’t it kind of… embarrassing to work as a janitor?  I mean, you’re a 25-year-old city girl; most people like you wouldn’t want to work as a janitor…”

   “Yeah, I know,” Ai sighed, shrugging.  “But what choice do I have?  I need the money, and the wage isn’t all that bad so… I took the job.”

   “I told you, I don’t mind giving you a raise!” Eri insisted.  “Tresor wouldn’t be where it is right now if you hadn’t helped me start this shop in the first place.  I owe you a lot more than what I pay you right now.  I’ll give you a raise, so don’t take that job, nee?  We’re friends, aren’t we?  I should at least be able to do that much for you.”

   Ai smiled a little to herself, pleased by her friend’s kindness.  Indeed, the two were friends and very good ones at that.  Ever since they met each other back in college when Eri first entered as a freshman while Ai was a junior, the two had been inseparable.  They would have endless conversations with each other about fashion and constantly have meals together.  At some point, Eri had even stayed at Ai’s apartment for a week or so when the freshman dorms flooded because of a plumbing problem.  So naturally, after years of mutual friendship, Ai had helped Eri start her own clothing boutique after she graduated college, and Eri had employed the older girl in return so that she could quit her minimum wage job at a fast food place.  After a year, Tresor had finally gained some regular customers who frequently visited, yet Ai had discovered that the rising economy prevented her from living off of just her current wage.  So she had to find another job, and the best she could do was be a evening janitor at a huge fashion company building. 

   “Yes, we are friends,” Ai nodded, “which is precisely why I can’t let you do that, Eri.”  She went around the counter, passed her friend and walked towards a mannequin to adjust its hat.  “Tresor may be getting more business these days, but it’s still a private boutique, not a chain store.  You don’t have the leeway to give me a raise.”

   “But—”

   “Don’t worry about me, I can handle the extra work,” Ai grinned, pulling on the mannequin’s dress.  “You should worry about providing for yourself, too.  You live alone in the flat above this store.  At least I have a housemate.”

   “Well, it’s not like she does anything to help you, though…” Eri mumbled, dropping her head to the floor.

   Ai smiled at her friend again, grateful for the concern she was showing.  It was true; although Ai used to live alone in her apartment, she had been living together with her stepsister for the past three years, ever since she moved in after high school graduation.  Her younger stepsister was the daughter of Ai’s late father’s new wife who had joined the family with her mother back when she was still just a kid.  Ai had already been in middle school by then so she had tried to get alone with her new sibling, but the stepsister was a brat who never showed a kind heart to her new older sister.  Still, Ai had never treated her stepsister in any manner other than pure warmth, for she valued family no matter how horrible they were.

   And the very epitome of horror, indeed.  Her stepmother was simply not a kind woman, and after her loving father had passed away by a car accident, her treatment of little Ai only got worse.  She never failed to continuously enslave Ai with chores and work to do, until she entered college and moved out to Tokyo by herself.  Even so, Ai’s stepmother did little to pay for her stepdaughter’s tuition or anything else she needed while she paid fully for her daughter’s expenses in living at Tokyo.  That daughter was no different from her mother as she treated her older sister like a servant as well, all the while only caring for herself selfishly.  She had claimed that the only reason she decided to live in the same home as Ai was so that she wouldn’t have to do the housework herself.  But Ai did not show any distaste at this, for she decided that there was nothing wrong with herself being the only person to take care of her own home.  It was as though her stepsister was a guest and she was to be treated as such.

   “I don’t understand how you can put up with her all the time,” Eri sighed.  “I mean, it’s not like she has a job in Tokyo or anything.  She’s just living here for the same of living in a city.  Why doesn’t she get her own place?”

   “Don’t say that, Eri,” Ai scolded, rolling her eyes.  “She’s my sister.”

   “Stepsister,” the turtle corrected.

   “Nevertheless, my sister,” Ai insisted.  “She’s family.  There’s nothing wrong with us living together.”

   Just then, the sound of k-pop music blasted out of Ai’s purse.  As the older girl turned towards the counter, the turtle dashed ahead towards her friend’s bag and took out her cell phone.  She checked the caller ID and shot a sarcastic smile towards Ai. 

   “Speak of the devil.”

   Eri tossed the phone to her friend who caught it and checked the ID herself.  She smiled a little at her friend as she shook her head and picked up the call.

   “Moshi-moshi?” she answered.  “Sayu?”

   “You’re so slow, Onee-chan!” a piercing voice yelled through the phone.  “It took you five rings to pick up!”

   “Gomen ne,” Ai laughed softly.  “I was working a little in Tresor… I left a note for you on the fridge because you were still sleeping.  Did you see it?”

   “Yeah, I saw it,” Sayumi said coldly.  “But what am I supposed to eat for breakfast?  You know I don’t cook.”

   “Ah, gomen!” Ai gasped.  “I forgot to tell you.  I made some omelets before I left.  It’s wrapped up inside the bottom shelf of the fridge.  Just put it in the microwave and press reheat.  Okay?”

   “You’re always so forgetful,” the stepsister muttered, irritation obvious in her tone.

   “Gomen ne,” Ai apologized again, chuckling to herself.  “Ah, and just a reminder: I’m going to be a little late today since I’m starting work at the Bijou company building.  You remember, right?”

   “Of course, I remember,” Sayumi spat out.  “I’m not a scatterbrained baka like you!”

   The phone clicked and a dial tone followed.  Ai sighed as she hung up her cell phone.  She walked back to the counter to put it away in her purse as Eri raised an eyebrow.

   “Great family~” she said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.  “Really felt the sisterly love when I heard her scream through the phone.”

   “Give her a break,” Ai chuckled.  “She’s just not used to taking care of herself.  Sayu really isn’t all that bad; she has her nice moments.  So play nice.”

   “Hey, when have I ever not played nice with her?” Eri said.  “I’ve never been mean to her, no matter how rude she was to you and me.  For the past four years, ever since I first met her when she was fresh out of high school, I have been nothing but a sweet angel.”

   “Yeah, I know,” Ai grinned.  “And I appreciate it.”

   “There’s nothing to appreciate,” Eri shrugged.  “If my you, my best friend, insist that she’s your precious stepsister and family… well then, I consider Sayu my friend as well.  No matter how spoiled she is.  I care enough about her to put up with her more-often-than-not evilness.”

   “Well, I’m sure Sayu is glad to have you, too,” Ai claimed.  “She just doesn’t know how to show it.”

   “Yeah, yeah, okay,” Eri said nonchalantly before laughing with her friend.  “Nee, it’s almost time to open.  Shouldn’t you get going?”

   “Ah.  Sou da.”

   As she quickly checked the clock on the wall, the older girl slung her bag over her shoulder.  Just then, the turtle gasped as though she remembered something and quickly skittered behind the counter.  She dug through the hidden shelves for a while before popping back up with a stack of flyers, which she placed on the counter beside the cash register.

   “Ai-chan, could you just tack one of these on the door on your way out?” Eri asked, handing a flyer to her friend. 

   “Sure, no problem.”  Ai received the flashy advertisement and read the words aloud.  “‘Club Romeo… Ladies Night’?  What’s this for?”

   “I don’t know, some club a couple blocks down is having a promotion thing,” Eri shrugged.  “Free admission for ladies tonight, apparently.  Manager-san gave them to me to distribute to costumers.  All the stores on this street are handing out the flyers.”

   “Eh… so they do promotions like this… Ladies Night?” Ai mumbled to herself.  “Are you going, Eri?”

   “I don’t know,” the turtle sighed.  “I kind of want to check it out; it’s been a while since I’ve gone clubbing.  But then again, I don’t want to be there by myself so…”  Suddenly, Eri gasped again before a wide grin spread across her lips.  “Nee, Ai-chan… let’s go together!”

   “Eh~?!  Zettai muri da yo~” Ai disapproved, shaking her head.  “That’s impossible.  I haven’t gone clubbing since college…”

   “Which is precisely why we should go!” Eri persisted.  “Come on, Ai-chan, you’re always working and busily working through life.  You should just drop everything for one night and relax.  We have to party while we’re still young, right?”

   “Even so…”

   “Daijoubu~” Eri smiled.  “It’ll be good for you to have some fun.  We’ll have a girls’ night out, just the two of us.  How about it?”

   “Well… it has been a while since I took a break…” Ai said slowly.

   “That’s the attitude!” the turtle cheered, clapping her hands together.  “I’ll meet you at your apartment, 9 o’clock?”

   “Alright, then,” the older woman chuckled.  “Mata ne.”

   As her friend waved goodbye, Ai turned and walked towards the exit.  Truth be told, this club party sounded pretty good to her at the moment.  She had always been so focused on work and money that she rarely got time to take a breather.  So since this party was free… why not go, right?

**  **  ** 

   A single taxi pulled into a fairly quiet apartment complex.  The children playing in the parking lot stopped what they were doing and watched a short-haired girl get out of the cab.  They immediately knew she was not from around their area; not many people lived in the complex so everybody knew everyone, and the children had never seen this girl before.  The apartments were only four stories high, and there were not many buildings clustered together in the first place, so it was a rather small neighborhood. 

   The visitor quickly walked towards the open trunk and took out her luggage.  She closed the trunk and gently tapped on it to let the driver know everything was clear, and the cab drove off.  The girl looked around a little, observing her surroundings, and caught some of the children staring at her.  She smiled brightly and beckoned with her hands for them to come over. 

   The children looked at each other for a while, each one remembering their mother’s warning to never follow a stranger.  But this girl’s smile was so sweet and reassuring that she couldn’t possibly be a bad person.  Plus, they were just going to go talk to her; it wasn’t technically “following”.  When she started to offer them candy and lure them into a car, then they would start to worry.

   So the children slowly walked over to the older girl who was still smiling pleasantly at them.  Her straight light brown hair was cut up to her narrow shoulders which accentuated her thinness even more.  She wore a one-piece that looked like a large t-shirt but was actually a casual dress that had an English logo written on it.  When the children approached her, she bent down to get eye-level with them.

   “Nee, nee,” she started, her voice surprisingly low-pitched in comparison to her cute face, “do you kids maybe know where Niigaki Risa lives?”

   “Ah, Niigaki-san?” one girl exclaimed in a squeaky voice.  “I know where she lives!”

   “Baka, don’t just tell her that!” another girl with an extremely husky voice interjected.  “She’s a stranger!”  This girl was shorter than the other girl, yet she seemed to be the leader out of all the kids. 

   “But—”

   “Just stay quiet, Maa-chan,” the husky-voiced girl ordered.  She turned to the older girl and crossed her arms across her chest as she straightened her back, as though she was an intimidating adult.  She shot the older girl a doubtful look and spoke with a certain charisma and attitude.  “Who wants to know?”

   The older girl smiled.  “Oh, don’t worry, I’m a friend.  In fact, I’m going to be living with Niigaki-san from now on.  So you might as well get used to me.”

   The leader-girl narrowed her eyes at the older girl with the unfaltering smile.  The squeaky-voiced girl pulled on her friend’s sleeve gently.

   “Kuduu, just tell her,” she mumbled.  “She’s not a bad person.  I can tell.”

   “… Fine,” the girl called Kuduu muttered.  “Niigaki-san lives on the second floor in that building.  201.”

   “Arigatou na~”

   As the squeaky-voiced girl called Maa-chan waved at her happily, the older girl smiled one last time and grabbed a hold of her luggage again to roll it out of the parking lot and onto the sidewalk.  She continued into the apartment building in front of her and pressed the elevator button.  As it was only one flight up, it took her very little time to arrive at her destination.  Taking a deep breath of preparation, the girl pushed the door bell to home 201.  A muffled voice came from behind the door followed by the sound of rushing footsteps. 

   Then, the door creaked open to reveal a short woman with ruffled dark brown hair that had obviously been slept on.  Although her features were aged enough for one to tell she was well past her teenage years, the size of her face that barely filled her palm told otherwise.  She was dressed in jeans and a wrinkled t-shirt, as though she had been in the process of changing out of her pajamas.  As she set her eyes upon her visitor, the woman’s eyes widened as a huge grin spread across her lips.

   “Aika!” she exclaimed, rushing forward to hug her arrived friend.  “Oshisashiburi!”

   “Oshisashiburi, Gaki-san!” the younger girl laughed, embracing her friend back.  “It’s so good to finally see you!”

   “Look at you!” Risa cooed¸ leaning back to take a good look at her visitor.  “The last time I saw you, you were still only this tall!”  She put her hand out below her chest and laughed.  Aika pouted.

   “Mou, Gaki-san… That was five years ago!” she moaned.  “I was only 14 back then.  Of course I got taller.”

   “And even then, you were still quite the adult,” the bean grinned.  “I was supposed to be your babysitter but I think our roles were kind of flipped most of the time, don’t you think?”

   “Stop making fun of me and help get this in,” Aika grumbled, rolling her eyes.  She struggled to drag her luggage into her friend’s home as Risa reached out and helped her pull it in. 

   “This is all you brought?” the older girl questioned, raising an eyebrow.  “You’re moving in permanently, not taking a short vacation.”

   “I don’t need much to get by,” the younger girl shrugged.  “Besides, I couldn’t very well bring all my belongings up to Tokyo from Shiga.  If I need something, I’ll just buy it here.”

   When the luggage was parked in the living room, the bean went into the kitchen as the younger girl followed.  Risa turned on the faucet to wash her hands and yelled over the running water.

   “You’re kind of here early,” she said.  “I wasn’t expecting you until noon.”

   “Yeah, I ended up taking an earlier train,” Aika replied, taking a seat at the small table.  “I thought of calling to let you know but I wanted to surprise you!”

   “You should’ve called!  What if you had gotten lost?”  Risa turned the water off and wiped her hands dry on a paper towel.  “Tokyo is a big place: you can easily get lost.”

   “It’s fine, Gaki-san,” the younger girl reassured.  “I used a map, I asked around, I took a cab, and a couple of kids in the parking lot helped me out.”

   “Kids?”

   “They called each other ‘Maa-chan’ and ‘Kuduu’…” Aika reminisced.  “The one with the husky-voice acted all big like an adult.  You know them?”

   “Ah~ You’re talking about Satou Masaki-chan and Kudou Haruka-chan,” Risa grinned.  “They’re just kids who live in the neighborhood.  Kudou actually kind of reminds me of you: it’s like a tiny grown-up lives inside of a child’s body.”

   “Mou, you’re making fun of me again…” Aika muttered, putting her elbows on the table and balancing her chin on her hands. 

   “Well, look at you now,” Risa continued, taking a seat across her friend.  “19 years old and all grown up.  I can’t believe you’re already going to college.”

   “You better believe it since that’s the reason why I’m here,” Aika smiled.  “Thanks again for letting me live in your place, Gaki-san.  College tuition made my parents cut back a lot and boarding fees in Tokyo definitely wouldn’t have helped the cause… You really saved me.”

   “Hey, we’ve known each other for over ten years,” Risa replied, giving a warm smile.  “You may be five years younger than me, but you’re one of my closest friends.  It’s the least I can do for you.”

   “I’m glad you feel that way,” the younger girl smiled brightly.  “You don’t have to worry about anything: my parents will still pay for half the electricity bills and stuff like that.  And I’ll commute to school daily on the bus.  You’ll barely notice I’m here.”

   “Hey, that’s not what I want!” Risa chuckled.  “I’m happy you’re here, Aika.  I’ve been living alone for a while now, ever since I moved out, and it’s been getting kind of lonely.  It’s nice to have company.”

   “… Arigatou.”  The younger girl grinned before exclaiming, “Gaki-san, saikou!  Daisuki da yo!”

   “Watashi mo!” Risa replied.  The two friends laughed together some more before the older girl stood up and walked over to the pantry to see what was in there.  Aika watched her as she spoke up again.

   “Nee, Gaki-san… don’t you have work today?”

   “Oh, didn’t I tell you?” the bean answered, taking out a box of cereal from the pantry.  “I quit my job at the nail salon.  I’m starting a new job tomorrow.”

   “Really?  Where?”

   “Wait for it… wait for it…”  Risa grinned as she attempted to build up the suspense, taking slow steps towards the younger girl.  “Bijou cosmetics!”

   The sound of a mouth dropping open with a pop resonated in the kitchen.  Aika blinked furiously as she stared at the bean.

   “Bijou cosmetics?!” she shrilled.  “That huge fashion company?  Are you serious?!  You landed a job in BIJOU COSMETICS?!”

   “Well, it’s still only a paid intern job,” Risa laughed.  “Technically, I’m not a full employee yet.  They want to watch me for a couple weeks before making the final decision to hire me or not.”  Then, she held up the box of cereal in her hand and shook it a little.  “Did you have breakfast yet?  Do you want some?”

   “Breakfast is not the important thing here, Gaki-san!” Aika yelled, still in awe of the news.

   “I guess that means you’re not hungry…” Risa mumbled under her breath, chuckling.

   “This is incredible, Gaki-san!” Aika exclaimed, ignoring her older friend’s side comment.  “It’s always been your dream to work in the fashion industry.  And Bijou cosmetics is huge, too: they handle everything from fashion to make-up to nails… This could be your big break!”

   “Hey, I’m just happy to be finally given the chance to do what I want to do,” Risa laughed.  “I’m going to do my best so I can get hired.”

   “I’m sure you can do it!” Aika said energetically.  “Ganbatte ne!  I’ll be rooting for you!”

   “Arigatou,” Risa chuckled.  “Now if you’ll excuse me… I really need some breakfast.”
After placing the box of corn flakes on the table, the bean went back to the dish rack to take out a bowl and a spoon.  She continued on to the refrigerator to grab a carton of milk and came back to the kitchen table.  As she sat down and started to fix herself a bowl of cold cereal, the younger girl watched her intently, chewing on her lips, as though she had something to say.  Seeming to come upon a decision, Aika dug into her shirt pocket and took out a piece of paper.

   “Nee, nee, Gaki-san,” she said in a low voice, “I have a favor to ask!”

   Risa looked up and narrowed her eyes.  “I know that look,” she said slowly, ceasing to pour her milk midway.  “Don’t get mischievous with me.”

   “It’s nothing like that!” Aika insisted.  “Just a quick favor… as a friend?”

   Risa sighed, a worrisome expression evident on her face.  “Alright, what is it?”

   A huge grin appeared on Aika’s face as she quickly unfolded the piece of paper in her hand and laid it out on the table for the older girl to see.  It was an advertisement for a club, promoting a free-entry night for ladies only.  Risa raised an eyebrow as she read the words aloud.

   “Club Romeo?” she inquired.  “Where did you find this?”

   “It was posted all over the train station and the stores I passed by on the way here,” Aika answered.  “It’s a Ladies Night tonight, so it’s free for all girls!”

   “And your point…?

   Aika suddenly jumped forward to lean in close to Risa with a pleading expression.  The bean almost fell back in her seat in reaction as her eyes widened in shock.  “Can we PLEASE go tonight?  Please, please, please?”

   “Chotto matte yo, Aika…” Risa groaned, frustrated that her prediction was correct.  “Aren’t you still underage?”

   “Only by a year!” Aika argued.  “Besides, people tell me I look and sound old for my age.  They’ll never notice!”

   “Mitsui Aika, I am NOT letting you do this,” Risa said firmly.  “How am I supposed to face your mother if I let you go clubbing when you’re not even a legal adult yet?”

   “Come on, Gaki-san~” the younger girl whined.  “It’s not uncommon for girls my age to sneak into a club.  I just want a small taste of freedom since I’m independent now.  So give me a break, just tonight.  Please, please, pretty please with cherry on top?  Onegai!”

   Aika clapped her hands together and bowed her head in desperation, begging her older friend to approve of her desires.  Risa clicked her tongue as she tapped her fingers on the kitchen table, deep in thought.  She actually didn’t mind so much that Aika wanted to go clubbing; like she said, it was perfectly natural for girls her age to want a taste of what the adult world was like.  The bean still remembered when she had graduated high school herself and had wanted to try alcohol before she was legal.  And since this was Aika she was thinking about… she had no doubt that the girl was capable of taking care of herself.  No, that was not the issue at hand.  The issue was that Risa wasn’t sure if she herself wanted to go clubbing.  She occasionally did enjoy parties, but for some reason, clubbing had never really been one of her favorite activities.  It was just never interesting enough for her. 

   “… I still don’t know, Aika,” Risa sighed.  “I know you can behave yourself and all that but… I’m starting my new job tomorrow too.  I don’t want to stay out too late.”

   “Don’t worry, you won’t,” the puppy quickly replied.  “We’ll just hang around for a little while.  I just want to see what it’s like.  Nee?  Nee?  Gaki-san~”

   Risa pursed her lips together before exhaling deeply in surrender.  Silently, she went back to pouring milk into her half-soggy cereal and started to munch down her breakfast.  Taking this as a sign of approval, Aika silently celebrated her success by clapping her hands gently and grinning.  As she watched her friend from the corner of her eyes, Risa smiled a little and shook her head at how helpless she was when it came to her childhood friend. 

   Maybe one party wouldn’t be so bad.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you caught all the "Romeo and Juliet" and "Cinderella" references?   XD
Check the trailers again if you want to see who correlates with this character and stuff :D

Here's to the start of a successful fanfic!  :omamori: :prayers: :D

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on February 28, 2012, 04:47:05 AM
Ai-chan is ... Cinderella! The Romeo and Juliet references were much more subtle, lol.

So, I'm totally looking forward to this. I can't wait to see what you have planned, especially since we're missing a kitten's intro, lol. I wonder what the pairings will be...?
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: KirikomoriHime on February 28, 2012, 07:34:59 AM
I'm going to try doing these kind of reviews from now on... :3

   “Oh come on, Eri,” Ai laughed.  “Tresor may only be a small clothing boutique, but you still can’t do all the work around here.  And every time I leave you alone, you never open on time.”
Kame the fashion designer? ちょっと懐かしい、な? -thinks back to another SarangAi story-

   Ai smiled at her friend again, grateful for the concern she was showing.  It was true; although Ai used to live alone in her apartment, she had been living together with her stepsister for the past three years, ever since she moved in after high school graduation.  Her younger stepsister was the daughter of Ai’s late father’s new wife who had joined the family with her mother back when she was still just a kid.  Ai had already been in middle school by then so she had tried to get alone with her new sibling, but the stepsister was a brat who never showed a kind heart to her new older sister.  Still, Ai had never treated her stepsister in any manner other than pure warmth, for she valued family no matter how horrible they were.
... Reina? Sayu? :x  :? Not sure if important character or.... -maimed-

   And the very epitome of horror, indeed.  Her stepmother was simply not a kind woman, and after her loving father had passed away by a car accident, her treatment of little Ai only got worse.  She never failed to continuously enslave Ai with chores and work to do, until she entered college and moved out to Tokyo by herself.  Even so, Ai’s stepmother did little to pay for her stepdaughter’s tuition or anything else she needed while she paid fully for her daughter’s expenses in living at Tokyo.  That daughter was no different from her mother as she treated her older sister like a servant as well, all the while only caring for herself selfishly.  She had claimed that the only reason she decided to live in the same home as Ai was so that she wouldn’t have to do the housework herself.  But Ai did not show any distaste at this, for she decided that there was nothing wrong with herself being the only person to take care of her own home.  It was as though her stepsister was a guest and she was to be treated as such.
I hope it's not Reina or Sayu!!  :angry: :angry: :angry:

   “Speak of the devil.”
Don't tell me...

   “Moshi-moshi?” she answered.  “Sayu?”
:doh: Oh Sayu...

   “Which is precisely why we should go!” Eri persisted.  “Come on, Ai-chan, you’re always working and busily working through life.  You should just drop everything for one night and relax.  We have to party while we’re still young, right?”
She's right, Ai-chan!! Go party!! Go dance!! Get drunk!! -brings out camera-  :cow:

   The children looked at each other for a while, each one remembering their mother’s warning to never follow a stranger.  But this girl’s smile was so sweet and reassuring that she couldn’t possibly be a bad person.  Plus, they were just going to go talk to her; it wasn’t technically “following”.  When she started to offer them candy and lure them into a car, then they would start to worry.
I loled

   So the children slowly walked over to the older girl who was still smiling pleasantly at them.  Her straight light brown hair was cut up to her narrow shoulders which accentuated her thinness even more.  She wore a one-piece that looked like a large t-shirt but was actually a casual dress that had an English logo written on it.  When the children approached her, she bent down to get eye-level with them.
A~i~KAAAAAAAA >D

   “Baka, don’t just tell her that!” another girl with an extremely husky voice interjected.  “She’s a stranger!”  This girl was shorter than the other girl, yet she seemed to be the leader out of all the kids.
Jyuukies? Cameo? Squeaky voice is MASAKI <3 Masaki and Aika together, even if just for a short time... やっぱり、これが幸せだな~ :cathappy:

   She turned to the older girl and crossed her arms across her chest as she straightened her back, as though she was an intimidating adult.  She shot the older girl a doubtful look and spoke with a certain charisma and attitude.
Haruka down to a T... lol

“Ah~ You’re talking about Satou Masaki-chan and Kudou Haruka-chan,” Risa grinned.  “They’re just kids who live in the neighborhood.  Kudou actually kind of reminds me of you: it’s like a tiny grown-up lives inside of a child’s body.”
Ma~sa~ki~<3 -ignore me, I'm happy...- :wub: Kudou actually is a lot like Aika now that I think about it xD


   “Wait for it… wait for it…”  Risa grinned as she attempted to build up the suspense, taking slow steps towards the younger girl.  “Bijou cosmetics!”
Yup, TakaGaki xD And to think I even considered thinking it was anything else xD (<3)

Aika suddenly jumped forward to lean in close to Risa with a pleading expression.  The bean almost fell back in her seat in reaction as her eyes widened in shock.  “Can we PLEASE go tonight?  Please, please, please?”
Yes!! Please, please, pleeeeease?

   Maybe one party wouldn’t be so bad.
Now that's the spirit!



I don't think I'm really cut out for these types of reviews -just types what passes through her head while she reads it-
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: risa_ai on February 28, 2012, 09:16:31 AM
Ahh!! Chapter 1 was uploaded!! *dances around
Wait, ai-chan's a janitor? And she's working with risa? *gives hopeful eyes
Is that takagaki? :p i'm interested. :D
TAKAGAKI! Hopefully, it is, though. I've been missing loads on takagaki!~
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: sakura_drop_ on February 28, 2012, 11:58:12 AM
So it's TakaGaki after all, hehe

Though I still expect Gaki to be with her ReinaRomeo


Love the story so far, keep it up!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: Kikk4r on February 28, 2012, 04:32:33 PM
YES! so .... it`s TakaGaki again nee~?

i know you it, you can`t fool me

yeah you are very cool :P but i don`t know who eri is and what about Reina is she the host for the club or something?
lol i only ask questions i will found out

and ya proud for me commenting again xD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on February 28, 2012, 10:35:59 PM
I hope everything is okay with you! I read your post and now i see chapter 1 is already up. I am glad u like writig the fics as much as we enjoy reading them. I just want to say i don't mind to wait as long as it means i will eventually get to read more of your work!

Since chapter 1 is long~ i will read it tonight on the pc! Can't wait! And as always thank you! :twothumbs
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: Shiawase_Honoo on February 29, 2012, 09:38:59 AM
You made me scream in the morning, the day I had a final exam in the morning :bleed eyes:
I waited too long, really.
Finally you'd got a chappie.
Aichan and evil(?) bunny stepsister with a turtle as fashion designer :heart:
It's look like your first fiction...Maybe I'm wrong :nervous
Another part, you have Aika with Gaki-han :inlove: :wub:
On the other hand, you have Maa-chan and little Kuduu be the neighbor, my favorite 10ki :inlove: :inlove:

Thanks for your hard working, waiting for the next chap likes always. :inlove:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: all6th on February 29, 2012, 10:06:53 PM
woaaahhh, a very good start author-san  XD I love it!!! so, TAKAGAKI huh? Great, I loved those two  :thumbsup

But, but..

You put Sayu as a bad stepsister??  :cry: Hopefully she ain't that bad, I meant, she's actually a good girl but acting cold because of one or another reason..  :bow:

another chapter pleaseeeeee.. and please put a hint to another couple  :otomerika:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on March 01, 2012, 01:39:45 AM
love the 10th gen cameo! What an awesome first chapter! I am glad the couples are going to be different this time~ I have my suspicions after reading the chapter and rewatching the trailers.. but I am not sure  :nervous

I am curious about Reina since she wasn't in the first chapter... @.@ I love having Sayu be the mean one~ Ai and Eri as friends is also really good.. Not sure about Aika yet.. Let's see if you can win me over! thanks!  :lol:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: mochi.rini on March 01, 2012, 07:13:46 AM
Oi~iiiiii!~  You make my day better SarangAi! TakaGaki ftw!~ :D  Sayu as the evil stepsister...with that cursed poison tongue of hers!  I'm surprised Ai's been able to deal with her!  I'd want to kick her (and kick her out) within a few minutes!~

So they're gonna go clubbing huh?  Alcohol? XD  Just kidding.  Aichan is our Cindy-relly huh? 

I hope we don't go all Romeo and Juliet and have everyone die in the end XD  That would su~uuuuuck. Hope I didn't spoil anyone who hasn't read Romeo and Juliet XD

I cheered when I saw an update.  And I cheered loudly.  I CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE~

P.S:  Thank you for including Tresor!  I wish it were real~
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: sakura_drop_ on March 01, 2012, 07:23:15 AM
^ your comment about RoxJu made me laugh  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Yeah, I hope the ending won't be bad.. Oops, a spoiler  :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: XxRoByNxX78 on March 01, 2012, 06:00:00 PM
i loved this chapter loads i am sort of hoping for Renia and Sayu couple and i am routing for takagaki i cant wait till your next update thanks for this chapter you have loads of talent and i cant wait till the next update when you can  :thumbsup
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - 6th Trailer ft. Niigaki Risa - (2/13)]
Post by: nighell on March 01, 2012, 09:50:22 PM
hehe dream no longer!  :D
i'm lucky  8)2
The first chapter ended. So much food for thought. The main pairing - here everything is clear, though not 100% guarantee. I have thoughts on this subject :glasses:
What will happen with the other pairing ... I will be hope fingers crossed 
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: all6th on March 03, 2012, 01:52:17 AM
i loved this chapter loads i am sort of hoping for Renia and Sayu couple and i am routing for takagaki i cant wait till your next update thanks for this chapter you have loads of talent and i cant wait till the next update when you can  :thumbsup

yeahhh, I'm hoping for Sayu and Reina couple too :D
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: Kuji on March 07, 2012, 07:50:57 PM
Oh, I'm really interested in this one.
I really like Sayu's evil sister character. Also feels a little like her role in 'Kare wa imouto no koibito'.
I'm fascinated.

Also Kuduuu and Maachan. My 2 favourite 10th gen babies. :wub:

Looking forward to reading more.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: kawaii beam on March 07, 2012, 08:07:28 PM
everytime i see an update i get so hyped lol but then again i think math work made u dissapear for a while nee? lol then again i did go all mama mode on u so it makes snese nee? ^^;
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: SarangAi on March 08, 2012, 06:39:01 AM
@rndmnwierd: yup! bingo!  :lol:  mehehe i have LOTS of things planned...  XD

@KirikomoriHime: oh god i LOVE those kind of replies  :inlove: well, technically, Eri's not a designer, she just owns a clothing shop...  XD

@risa_ai: lol can never get enough of takagaki XD

@sakura_drop: lol nothing is too far-fetched, huh?  :lol:

@Kikk4r: SO PROUD i'm crying XD

@Tian_Yuan: aww~ thank you!  I'll work my hardest!  :D  and yes, i do aim to win you over with Aika!  :D

@nora_nora: OHH YEAH~ i actually really loved that play :D

@Shiawase_Honoo: lol now that you mention it... it kinda turned out like Kokoro no Uta, huh?  :lol: but trust me, this'll be different  :D

@all6th: mehehehe not yet! :P

@mochi.rini: how i wish Tresor was real~ and yeh, i hope everyone read romeo and juliet, cuz you'll need to know it for this fic :nervous

@XxRoByNxX78: aww that's so sweet of you! thanks!  :D

@nighell: hehe keep them crossed for whoever you're rooting for!  XD

@Kuji: aww i love that little cellphone drama XD

@kawaii beam: yeah it's your fault.  I'm blaming you.  cuz i've actually been working kinda hard now.  :lol:



Thank you so much for all the comments~~ I'm so happy that there's a lot of people interested  :twothumbs

So without further ado... the next chapter!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 2 - "Cinderella Had a Mean Ugly Stepsister"

   A consistent tapping of fingers on the coffee table resounded in the apartment home.  The volume of the television was turned up to the maximum level although no one was watching or listening.  It was just one of the many habits Michishige Sayumi had developed since little.  The girl hated nothing more than undisturbed silence while being alone; she didn’t feel comfortable unless there was some sort of noise, as though she had an invisible companion.  It was quite ironic, actually, considering the fact that she was always the one who told people to stay quiet because her head hurt.  It was just one of the many things that Sayumi would say that was the opposite of what she meant.

   The black-haired beauty turned towards the clock on the wall again as she rolled up into a ball, hugging her knees.  Just another five minutes and her sister would be back home.  Then, she would finally be able to have some dinner.

   Of course, she could have dinner right at the moment if she wanted.  She always complained about how she was terrible at cooking and how she was scared of using the stove, the knife, the microwave, and other various kitchen tools, but none of it was true anyway.  She wasn’t the best cook, but she could hold her own in the kitchen.  In fact, she could easily make her own dinner and feed herself if she wished.  But for some reason, she preferred to wait for her stepsister to come and cook dinner for her.  It wasn’t that she was lazy to cook…  Somehow, food just tasted better when her Onee-chan made it for her.  So she would always wait to be fed, no matter how hungry she was.  Perhaps it was another habit she picked up as a spoiled child. 

   Alas, the door clicked as the sound of key turning in the lock resonated.  Sayumi gasped as she quickly got up from the couch and dashed towards the door.  Before she could reach it, however, the older sister let herself in the house and closed the door behind her.  She looked up at the awaiting bunny with a slightly surprised expression before grinning.

   “Nanda yo, Sayu~” Ai laughed.  “You’re coming out to meet me?  You didn’t miss me that much, did you?”

   “You’re late!” Sayumi retorted back, crossing her arms.  “It’s well past dinner time; I’m hungry!”

   “I told you I was going to be a little late today,” Ai said, taking her shoes off and dropping her bag at the entrance.  “Bijou company building is huge!  I can’t believe they actually tried to show me every single room—”

   “Urusai yo!” Sayumi yelled, frowning.  “You’re so loud!  Why should I care about how big that building is or whatever?  I’m hungry; make me dinner!”

   “Okay, okay,” Ai chuckled, heading towards the kitchen while pushing her sleeves up.  “Nee, could you turn the television up a bit more?  I can’t hear it.”

   Sayumi blushed red at her stepsister’s joke.  The television was at its top volume; it was more than loud enough, if not too loud.  Ai was very well aware of the bunny’s little habit that surfaced whenever she was home alone: her little teasing was just another way of telling Sayumi that it was okay to turn off the television now since she was no longer alone.  Marching back to the remote control, Sayumi clicked the television off and tossed the device on to the sofa.  Ai silently smiled as her sister stomped into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. 

   “How does pasta sound?” Ai asked, washing her hands in the sink.  “I have the sauce made so all I have to do is cook it.  It’ll take less time, since you’re hungry.”

   “Whatever is fine,” Sayumi said flatly.  “Just make it quick.”

   “Roger that,” the older woman grinned.

   After drying her hands, Ai walked to the refrigerator and took out a bowl with a plastic wrap over it.  She poured the contents into a pot that was already sitting on the stove and turned the fire on.  Taking out another pot from the utensils rack by the sink and placing it on the stove, she poured water in it to simmer.  As she headed towards the pantry to get the pasta, she spoke up again.

   “So Sayu,” she said, “how was your day today?  What’d you do?”

   “None of your business,” the bunny spat out.  “It has nothing to do with Onee-chan.”

   After the harsh words, however, Sayumi stared at her older sister’s back and waited for a response.  It was always like this: she would say one thing, yet hope for another.  Even after refusing to tell Ai anything, Sayumi still hoped that she would ask again.  Ai knew this as well, as she was used to it.  So she smiled silently and let her voice drop into a whining tone.

   “Come on, Sayu~ I want to know~” she begged, slight laughter in her voice.  “Tell me what you did today.  Go on.”

   “… Fine, if you really must know,” Sayumi sighed, as though she had no other choice.  “I went shopping in Akihabara today.  Mama sent some allowance for me and I wanted some new stuff.”

   “That’s good,” Ai nodded as she poured the dry pasta into the simmering water.  “Did you get a lot of things?”

   “Yeah, I got a lot of shoes,” the bunny replied.  Then, she got up and quickly went to her room, and came back out with a plastic bag.  She retook her seat and spoke again.  “I got this jacket, too, but I realized it’s a bit small for me.  Onee-chan can wear it.”

   Sayumi took a dark green jacket out of the plastic bag and tossed it at her stepsister as soon as she turned around to face her.  Ai caught it clumsily and held it up before her.  It was the style of jacket that she had been eyeing recently in town.  She had been trying to save money for it, but she had been thinking about giving up since it was a bit pricey.  The design was slightly different than the one she had seen in Tresor or any other shop in the neighborhood, but this jacket was a lot cuter and, probably, more expensive.  Sayumi’s pockets were quite deep, after all, since her mother filled them up regularly. 

   Ai grinned from ear to ear.  There was no way the jacket didn’t fit Sayumi; she was much taller than Ai but also a lot thinner.  She would easily be able to fit into the jacket.  But the older sister feigned ignorance, wanting to let her younger sister play the charitable do-gooder.

   “Arigatou, Sayu!” she thanked, hugging the jacket.  “It’s actually what I’ve been trying to buy these days.  Are you sure you don’t want to return it and get a new one?  It’s a bit pricey, I’m sure…”

   “I’m too lazy to go back,” the bunny yawned.  “It wasn’t that much money anyway.  Only 9000 yen or so.”

   Ai’s mouth dropped open but she quickly shut it and swallowed hard.  9000 yen… that was enough money to buy six sweaters, and way too much money to spend on a single jacket.  But the textile was quite nice and the quality was rather high so it was probably indeed worth that much.  It seemed Sayumi’s pockets have gotten even deeper… meaning her mother’s pockets had gotten deeper as well.

   “… Arigatou, Sayu,” Ai said warmly again.  “I love it.  Really.”

   “D-don’t be so flattered,” Sayumi mumbled, looking away.  “I just thought it would be a waste to let it grow molds in my closet, so I’m giving it to you.”

   Ai smiled at her seemingly cold stepsister as she slung the jacket over her chair.  Then, she returned to the stove and started to stir the pasta and the sauce at once.  Then, Sayumi slowly faced forward again to stare at Ai’s back.

   “Onee-chan… are you short on money?”

   “Huh?”

   “I-I mean…”  The bunny faltered slightly before she spoke quickly.  “Maybe Eri isn’t paying you enough or something.  Since you got desperate enough to get a second job.  Of all the jobs you could get, why a janitor’s?  I think it’s pathetic.”

   “I appreciate your concern, Sayu,” Ai said, as her sister mumbled something about not being concerned, “but I’m really okay with whatever job I work, as long as I get good pay for it.  The rent isn’t paying itself and I need to be able to provide for myself.”

   Sayumi bit down on her lips as she continued to stare at her sister’s back.  How stupid was she, really?  Hadn’t she ever thought for once that her life was incredibly unfair?  Sayumi was being fully provided for by her real-estate agent mother so that she didn’t need to get employed.  In contrast, Ai had to run two jobs, just to support herself.  She had always had a sense of independence, yet that characteristic of hers was forced to increase tenfold after her father’s death.  After all, her stepmother did absolutely nothing to care for her. 

   “How is Okaa-san, by the way?” Ai asked, taking out bowls from the dish rack to pour the pasta in.  “You called her after getting allowance, right?  You should thank her whenever you get a chance.”

   “She called me,” the bunny answered.  “She’s doing fine.” 
Her voice sounded cold, annoyed by how her older sister had called her mother “Okaa-san”.  The woman had never done anything motherly for Ai, ever, yet she had always called her “Mother”.  It pissed Sayumi off how idiotically pure her stepsister could be at times.  Every now and then, she even wondered why Ai hadn’t broken off her relationship with her step-family yet.  But she preferred not to think about that too much, for fear of it actually becoming reality.

   “… And here is your food!”

   Sayumi looked and blinked a couple times until her eyes focused on the bowl of pasta in front of her, covered with red tomato sauce.  Ai took a seat across from her, clapped her hands together, and mumbled thanks for the food.  She grabbed her fork and started to eat but stopped mid-bite when she saw her sister sitting still.

   “Sayu?” she called.  “You’re food’s gonna get cold.  Eat.”

   Sayumi blinked a couple times again before nodding slowly.  She helped herself to her share of the pasta and chewed slowly.  The rich flavor spread inside her mouth as her empty stomach already started to feel better.

   “Dou?” Ai asked with a hopeful expression.  “How is it?”

   “… It’s not bad,” the bunny answered curtly.  “It’s edible.”

   “And she passes with a flying score!” Ai announced, snapping her fingers. 

   “Baka,” Sayumi muttered.  “It barely makes the cut-off to be considered food.”

   Laughing at her sister’s remark, Ai resumed eating her own pasta.  Although Sayumi had spoken in a less than pleasant tone, the older woman didn’t take much offense in it.  At least it meant that it was worth eating and that she would continue eating it.

   The younger girl blushed at little as she mumbled something about how immature her stepsister was as she popped more pasta noodles into her mouth.  After a couple moments of eating in silence, Ai suddenly clapped her hands together as though she remembered something.

   “Sou da!” she yelled out.  “Nee, Sayu, I’m going out with Eri tonight.  So don’t wait up for me and just go to bed, okay?”

   “What?!  With Eri?” Sayumi shrilled.  A date… It can’t be a date…

   “Yeah, apparently there’s this club a couple blocks away from Tresor; they’re having a ladies night or something, and it’s free for all females.  So Eri told me to go with her.”  Ai forked another noodle into her mouth before her eyes widened with an epiphany.  “Do you want to come too, Sayu?”

   “I… was already going to go!” Sayumi yelled back, putting her fork down.  “But Onee-chan can’t!  You can’t go!”

   “Eh?”  Ai raised an eyebrow.  “Why not?”

   “Because…”  Sayumi bit down on her lip.  “Because you left early today, and came back home late.  You didn’t any of the chores; the laundry still isn’t done, you know!  And the bills… you saw the envelopes on the counter, right?  You have to do them and… and… since I’m going, I don’t want to be seen in a club with a janitor like you!  You can’t go.”

   Silence fell at the dinner table as the black-haired girl glared at her older sister across from her.  She told herself to stop scowling at her like that, but her own body didn’t listen to her.  The short-haired woman blinked a couple times in slight shock before smiling a little with a hint of sadness in her eyes. 

   “Sou yo ne~?” she said lightheartedly, giving a soft laugh.  “I have so many chores that I procrastinated on… I don’t have to go clubbing or whatever.  I’ll stay home, so you go and have fun, Sayu.”

   The bunny opened her mouth to say something, but only cold words came out.  “I intend to.”

   Ai smiled again as she got up from her seat.  She took her empty bowl and placed it in the sink before heading towards her bedroom.  “I’m just gonna go call Eri and tell her I’m not going.  Maybe you guys will see each other there.”

   As soon as the older woman disappeared from view, Sayumi dropped her head down on the table, letting her forehead bang on the wood.  Then, she slowly lifted her head again and let out a deep sigh.  Staring down at her food, Sayumi forked another pasta noodle and took a bite.  She chewed slowly and swallowed.

   Oishii….

**  **  ** 

   The sound of fingers tapping on the keyboard resonated in the dark office.  Although it was night, the lights were all turned off except for a small desk lamp.  The room was decorated very modestly with white walls and a couple black and white sketches of clothing designs hanging here and there, as well as the black leather sofas that were set up on one side of the room with a coffee table in case guests came in.  At the desk on the far inner wall—which technically wasn’t a wall but a large glass window that let the moonlight in—sat a small girl with orange-brown curls who looked much too young for her age, typing away on her computer.  No one would have been able to guess on the first contact that this “girl” was actually the CEO of the biggest fashion company in Japan.

   Yes, 22-year-old Tanaka Reina had often been mistaken as a normal college student by those who met her for the first time.  Not that the ones who made the mistake were to blame, since most girls her age were indeed in college at this point in their lives.  However, Tanaka-Shachou had been put into an inevitable circumstance a couple years ago in which she had no choice but to take the position of President of Bijou Fashions.  Ever since that day, the young lady had immersed herself in her work completely and rarely returned home.  In fact, it was so uncommon for her to actually go back to sleep in her own home at the end of the day that she had had her own room made at the top floor of the company building, like a suite, where she had her own bed, bathroom, and even a kitchen. 

   Despite being at a young age in the harsh world of money and business, Reina took her work incredibly seriously.  She definitely had the talent for it—being a competent fashion designer herself and a very good dresser—which was the sole reason why she was able to even last this long.  There had been many disagreements to her becoming the owner of a big company like Bijou at first; but alas, the fierce kitten was able to prove her worth and protect her title as president.  In today’s fashion world, she was untouchable, and was known as a prodigy who single-handedly managed a business that scraped in money with no effort.  None of this would have been possible without, of course, her natural talents and her workaholic character.

   Tonight was just like any other night: President Tanaka was sitting at her desk, still typing and figuring out some leftover sales data that had been handed to her by her secretary that afternoon.  Once again, it seemed like she would not be returning home before the night was over.

   In the midst of her concentration, Reina almost missed the knock at her door and the entry of a tall figure following it.  This woman had long straight black hair and she wore a blouse with a pencil skirt.  She stopped in front of her boss’s desk as Reina slowly turned her eyes towards her form the computer screen.

   “Shachou,” the woman said, “it’s time to leave now.  You were going to personally go out to research material for next month’s issue of Bijou Styles magazine, right?”

   “Oh, that’s right,” Reina sighed.  “I completely forgot about that.  Arigatou, Junjun.”

   Closing the file that was open on her desk, the president quickly logged off on her computer and stood up while stretching her arms.  She walked around her desk and went out into the hallway past her secretary who followed her closely behind. 

   “I’ve prepared some suitable clothing for your exploration in your suite,” the Chinese girl said.  “Something black and simple to blend in to the club scene.”

   “That’s perfect,” Reina approved.  “I don’t want to be noticed by anyone while I’m at Club Romeo.  I’ll take a couple notes on modern club fashion for next month’s issue, maybe some quick sketches, and I’ll be right back here.”

   “Yes, ma’am,” Junjun nodded.  “Shall I wait for you here?”

   “It’s okay; you can go home today,” the kitten said, shaking her head.  “I’ll just finish analyzing the data after the party.  We’ll take a look at my notes tomorrow.  Send out an email to the chiefs of each department: 10 o’clock meeting in the conference room.”

   “Understood.”

   The young CEO turned her head a little to smile a little at her secretary before continuing her walk down the long hallway.  Yes, the event at the club tonight was a party, just like she said.  However, to Tanaka Reina, this was still work.  She was going there to personally see what young women these days liked to wear while clubbing, and to see whether the trend was changing or not.  To Tanaka Reina, everything was business.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm gonna try to answer as little questions as possible and do as little clarifying as possible so... read, form opinions, predict, and wait, i guess?  :lol:

I won't clarify/answer stuff unless i feel it's absolutely necessary! :D

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on March 08, 2012, 06:52:33 AM
Sayu is so tsundere... Poor Ai, though, being so easily swayed by her words. She should go out! Out! Out, darnit! Lol, she needs a faerie god mother.

And Reina gets an introduction, so I'm happy my top three have made appearances. On with the story!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: risa_ai on March 08, 2012, 07:13:09 AM
FIRST! AWESOME! What?! Ai must go! She has to meet risa and fall in love! *pouts angrily* saryu-chaaan~ *tugs sleeve.* me want takagaki! *pouts again*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: KirikomoriHime on March 08, 2012, 07:16:09 AM
UPPPPDATEEEEE

-Shige-san's little scene-
that's our Princess Sayumin... our little tsundere-chan <3 (increasingly rare nowadays, I usually see tsundeReina

   “Yeah, I got a lot of shoes,” the bunny replied.  Then, she got up and quickly went to her room, and came back out with a plastic bag.  She retook her seat and spoke again.  “I got this jacket, too, but I realized it’s a bit small for me.  Onee-chan can wear it.”

   Sayumi took a dark green jacket out of the plastic bag and tossed it at her stepsister as soon as she turned around to face her.  Ai caught it clumsily and held it up before her.  It was the style of jacket that she had been eyeing recently in town.  She had been trying to save money for it, but she had been thinking about giving up since it was a bit pricey.  The design was slightly different than the one she had seen in Tresor or any other shop in the neighborhood, but this jacket was a lot cuter and, probably, more expensive.  Sayumi’s pockets were quite deep, after all, since her mother filled them up regularly. 
Oh my Sayuuuu :shy2: so cute <3

   “What?!  With Eri?” Sayumi shrilled.  A date… It can’t be a date…
Do I detect jealousy? A crush, Shige-san? :mon misch:
Maybe on Eri? or Ai-chan? xD

   “Sou yo ne~?” she said lightheartedly, giving a soft laugh.  “I have so many chores that I procrastinated on… I don’t have to go clubbing or whatever.  I’ll stay home, so you go and have fun, Sayu.”
Noooo... ;A; what about my pictures? :mon emo:

-short review- D; sorry!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: mochi.rini on March 08, 2012, 07:17:13 AM
Man~  I saw there was a new post, but the date didn't change so I wasn't expecting a chapter! :D  So glad I clicked anways~  You've made the rest of (or the beginning?) of my day a lot better since I failed my chem quiz >w<  I hope I don't fail my test tomorrow hehe

Sayu...her and Aichan have one messed up relationship o.O  Lol she's such a tsundere and Aichan just plays a long...or maybe he's that easy to persuade :P  I smell some familiar plotness coming about :)

President Tanaka Reina...I can see that :D  Good job on Ch 2!~  :twothumbs
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 1 - (2/27)]
Post by: sakura_drop_ on March 08, 2012, 12:33:10 PM
I love tsundereSayu. It makes the character not that bad. You know, if usually stepsisters are bad by nature, here she's not bad, just a tsundere.. It makes her slightly better than those damn real stepsisters.

It was very sweet of her to buy that jacket for Ai. Considering the fact, that Ai has two jobs now, and pays all bills, while Sayu just spends HUGE money on clothing...this was a nice touch... Very heartwarming one.

So as far as I see, she is jealous for Eri. I mean, either she loves Ai more than just a stepsister, or she likes Eri a lot, but hides the fact under the dislike mask, coz of her tsundere-ism.

So poor Ai has to stay home and do the stuff she didn't do because of her work..? Cruel Sayu, cruel. But jealousy makes one do things one wouldn't normally do...or at this case, she probably just would have went with Ai, but the word Eri+Ai is not to her liking... So she kinda punishes Ai and makes her stay and do stuff...

Now onto the president. Reina-chan!!!!!!! She's so awesome, at this age being a CEO. I like how you portray her thinking about everything as work. Her workaholic and fashionable character is my favorite as for now. Though I also love JunJun here. I expected her to appear, because...because it's JunJun. She has to be somewhere in this story... Now I'm just thinking about their corresponding characters in one of the stories... Can't think of any...

Anyway, a story is really interesting, looking forward to your updates!

My question is about the corresponding characters of Reina and JunJun... but if you cAn't answer, it's ok. It will be more interesting as the story progresses to guess who they are in RoxJu/Cinde
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 2 - (3/8)]
Post by: all6th on March 08, 2012, 04:18:01 PM
woaaahhh, tsundere sayu??? I like it, really  XD I smell a sense that Sayu like her stepsister while we all now, it's Takagaki  :nervous just let her with someone else  :D (tanashige please)

so everyone (and maybe Ai will go too) will meet at the club huh? Interesting, I want to know how they'll connected one another...  :thumbsup

Another chapter pleaseeeee, I can't get enough of it..  :otomerika:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 2 - (3/8)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on March 08, 2012, 05:48:33 PM
Sayu was so cute! I just wanted to hug her!!!! I am hoping she is in love with Ai, but i guess we will just have to wait and see... Wonder who Reina will fall in love with at the club, haha ~ or who will fall in love with Reina
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 2 - (3/8)]
Post by: Kikk4r on March 08, 2012, 06:36:48 PM
OMG YES!~ Finally

i don`t really like the fact that Reina is like that to me she is always a rebel :nervous

i`ll be waiting for you :twisted:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 2 - (3/8)]
Post by: XxRoByNxX78 on March 08, 2012, 07:21:09 PM
ahhh so good cant wait till you update you have such talent ahhhhh like seriously make a book hahaha i would buy like a 100 coupies hehehe thanks for the update an hurry coz i wanna know who the couples are once again routing for takagaki and Renia Sayu couple!! lol
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 2 - (3/8)]
Post by: xxkaori-kittyxx on March 11, 2012, 11:12:05 PM
Ahhhh Sayu I love you already,

But if Ai really sticks to what she said to Sayu, that leaves our turtle all by her self. But maybe she might find a certain kitty to keep her company  :nervous
Almost sensing/hoping for a Kokoro no Uta relationship between the bunny and the turtle based off of what was said in chapter one.
Doing great!  :twothumbs Can't wait to see what unfolds next!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 2 - (3/8)]
Post by: SarangAi on March 12, 2012, 04:46:59 AM
@rndmnwierd: lol maybe she will get a fairy godmother...  XD

@risa_ai: lol... you missed it by a bit there  :lol:

@KirikomoriHime: lol it's okay!  quote-by-quotes take effort and i appreciate it!  :D

@mochi.rini: LOL yeah, i forgot to change the date...

@sakura_drop: oh I can answer that!  Well, half of it: Junjun actually doesn't correspond to anyone specific, I kinda just threw her in there.. :nervous For Reina, it's going to be naturally revealed soon but you can check her trailer title for a hint :D

@all6th: lol i NEVER let things work out easily  XD

@Tian_Yuan: mehehe... you'll see :D

@Kikk4r: lol well, she's been a rebel twice so far in my fics so this time, i turned it around XD  She's a really stylish CEO though, not an uptight suit-wearing one :lol:

@XxRoByNxX78: lollll that is so sweet of you!  i'm really glad you like my writing so much! :lol:

@xxkaori-kittyxx: lol something will happen  :D



thank you so much for all the comments and thanks!!!  they power me uppppp  :twothumbs

there's a certain reference in the chapter, so when you get to a point where you have a "wth?" moment, scroll down and the explanation will be there.  and then you can continue reading again :D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 3 - "Juliet was Unhappy But... Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo"

     “This is so incredible!  Sugoi!”

   Aika laughed loudly as she beamed with joy.  She quickly marched forward into the large dark room that was lit with many flashing colored lights.  Risa followed behind her closely, a tight smile formed across her lips.  She didn’t seem as ecstatic as her younger friend to be in a club full of hundreds of people.

   But who could blame her?  After all, Aika’s parents had personally asked her to please take good care of their little girl.  Truth be told, Risa had hoped that her friend would be stopped at the entrance of the club and be asked her age, but no such thing had occurred.  In fact, she had been eyed by the other people who were lined up at the door, since she didn’t quite look like her normal 18-year-old self, but rather a very mature and attractive woman.  She had chosen to wear a semi-tight black mini-dress that accentuated her excellent figure with silver bracelets and jewelry.  An hour ago, she had taken special care to do her make-up and her hair, which was now in loose waves.  She wasn’t a Shiga country girl tonight, but a charming city girl who was ready to party at a club.  And Risa did not feel comfortable about it at all.

   It was mental inconvenience that weighed on the bean’s mind about her young friend, but there was also a very literal and physical meaning to it as well.  She wasn’t used to wearing the type of outfit that Aika had picked out for her, which consisted of a loose semi-see-through white shirt matched with a black camisole underneath and a tight black miniskirt.  She even had smoky-eye makeup on, which was also done by her eager childhood friend, and her hair was in loose curls by her shoulders.  Risa appreciated that Aika had put in such effort to turn her into such a glamorous woman for the night, yet the fact that a girl who was five years younger than her knew more about fashion and beauty made the bean feel slightly uneasy inside.

   “Gaki-san, it’s just like I imagined!” Aika yelled happily over the loud music.  “There’s the dance floor, the flashing lights, all these people… oh, and the bar!  Let’s go to the bar!”

   “Uh-uh, no way!” Risa scolded, pulling her friend back by her wrist.  “You are not going anywhere near the bar, and you are not drinking anything here!”

   “Oh… fine,” Aika pouted.  “Then… let’s go dance together!”

   “Ah… that’s okay…” the older girl mumbled slowly, taking a step back.  “I don’t dance.”

   “Come on, Gaki-san, that’s such a lie,” Aika grinned.  “You’re a great dancer; I’ve seen you dance.”

   “Fine, correction: I don’t feel like dancing.”

   “How could you not dance when you’re at a club?” Aika insisted.  “Come on, it’ll be fun.  Dance with me!”

   In an instant, Risa found herself pulled into the crowd of people on the center dance floor.  She noticed that most of the clubbers were female, and they were all just dancing with each other.  Some were doing a bit more than just dancing but Risa tried to turn her head away so as not to stare at them.  She even saw a girl being hit on by other women, who verbally and physically refused them.  The girl was quite cute though, after all, with a face of a doll, white skin, and long black curls that hung down her back.  She said something to the women hitting on her, frowning, and eventually stepped off the dance floor and sat down. 

   When Risa turned her attention back to her friend, Aika was starting to bob her head up and down to the beat of the music before she started to move her body along as well.  Sighing, the older girl modestly joined in and danced along as well.  Since Aika was here anyway, despite being underage, maybe she ought to have fun as much as she could.  After all, it was her first night of many in Tokyo, so perhaps this would serve as a form of celebration of her new life.   

   Smiling, Risa started to move her body a little more as Aika laughed and danced full out in front of her, even placing her hand on the bean’s shoulder.  The older girl couldn’t exactly say she was enjoying the party, but she would do her best to match up to Aika’s energy level for her sake. 

**  **  ** 

   “And… that should do it!”

   Letting out a sigh of satisfaction, Ai placed the last washed plate on the dish rack.  She stretched her body as she walked out of the kitchen, taking off her apron and slinging it over one of the chairs.  She stood in the middle of her living room and slowly looked around, trying to remember what she had to do next. 

   “Ah!”  Ai snapped her fingers.  “Vacuum!”

   Rubbing her hands together, the woman went to the closet and pulled out the vacuum cleaner.  She plugged it into the nearest outlet and switched on the machine, which came to life with a deafening roar.  As she rolled the vacuum machine back and forth, Ai made a quick list in her head of what was left on her list of chores: groceries, laundry, bills… and then she would be able to sleep. 

   Ah, I’ll turn on Sayu’s electric blanket before she gets home, too, Ai thought to herself.  She knew her sister always needed a warm futon, no matter what the weather.  I wonder if she’s having fun right now…

   The woman’s motions started to slow down subconsciously before Ai eventually stopped moving her arms and she switched off the vacuum cleaner.  She stood still and leaned against the machine and sighed.

   It might’ve been nice to go clubbing… she thought to herself.  Like Eri said, I hadn’t gone in a long time… Maybe I should relax…  But Sayu didn’t want me there so I guess it was impossible…

   Exhaling again, Ai shrugged off the regretful feeling and decided to go back to cleaning.  But before she could switch on the vacuum cleaner again, she heard the sound of her door bell.  Ai turned towards the front door and raised an eyebrow.  Who could it be at this time of the evening?  It was nearing 9 o’clock…

   Dusting her hands off, the woman went to the front door and turned the lock open.  Slowly, she opened the door and tried to peek out to see who her visitor was.  But before she could fully realize who it was, she felt the door being pushed open with a strong force and a group of people pushed her in and shut the door.  Ai let out a short yell in shock before she recognized the smiling people before her.

   “Ai-chan!” the woman in the middle said.  “Were you surprised?”

   “Eri!” Ai yelled.  “And… what are you guys doing in my house?”

   The turtle turned her head towards either side to beam at the other visitors.  Four girls stood slightly behind her, grinning at Ai with pure joy.  One girl had long straight hair and was holding a pile of dresses in her arms.  Another had a ponytail and was also holding more clothes.  The girl with medium length hair had plastic bags filled with shoes in her hand and the short-haired girl next to her had a large box that Ai recognized as Eri’s make-up kit. 

   “We are…” the medium length-haired girl started.

   “Bishoujo Sentai Ramenger!” 

   The four girls all posed individually into what looked like a mock imitation of cartoon heroes.  Ai rolled her eyes at her turtle friend clapped energetically for them.

   “Mou, you guys are still at that again?” Ai moaned.  “You girls are all in middle school now, and you’re still calling yourselves ‘Beautiful Girl Squad Ramenger’?  What does that even mean?”

   “Well, we all love ramen a lot, so…” the short-haired girl said.

   “And we love Takahashi-san!” the long-haired girl exclaimed.  “And we want to become a ‘bishoujo’, like you!”

   “So the four of us together are…”

   “Bishoujo Sentai Ramenger!”

   The same poses were repeated and Ai hung her head down in hopelessness.  Eri clapped again and cheered something about how cute they were.

   “Takahashi-san, oshisashiburi desu!” the ponytail girl greeted cheerfully.

   “What do you mean ‘oshisashiburi’?” Ai replied, rolling her eyes.  “We just met in the elevator yesterday, Suzuki!  And you too, Sayashi!”

   “You didn’t see me yesterday, Takahashi-san!” the short-haired girl said.  “I missed you so much!”

   “I saw you in the parking lot the day before, Ikuta,” Ai sighed.  “I haven’t seen Fukumura in a while, though.  Genki?”

   “Hai!  Genki desu!” Mizuki answered loudly.  Then, she giggled to herself as she turned towards her friends.  “Takahashi-san just asked me how I was doing!  Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh!”

   The other three girls also giggled along as they watched their oldest friend’s cheeks turn pink.  Eri laughed at the innocence of the young girls as Ai raised an eyebrow.  But, eventually, she could help but also chuckle along with everybody else.  After all, she knew that the four girls who lived in the same apartment building were big fans of her for unknown reasons, and they squealed and gawked at everything and anything Ai did.  It was not unusual for the four of them to run out of their homes like ninjas after seeing Ai return from grocery shopping or work in order to carry her things for her.  They could be quite immature and troublesome at times but Ai had learned to appreciate being loved so much by these sweet girls.

   “So… what are you guys all doing here?” Ai asked.  “It’s 9 o’clock already… Do you need something?”

   “Nope, not at all,” Eri grinned.  “Rather, we think you need us.”

   “Huh?”

   Eri smirked craftily and eyed the four younger girls beside her.  “Ramengers, get her!”

   The four girls dropped the things in their arms and jumped forward to grab the older woman.  Ai was quickly dragged over to the living room couch and forced to sit down on it.  She tried to get up but the four girls grabbed onto each limb of her body, immobilizing her.  Eri stood in front of her with her chin held high, like some evil antihero.

   “Chotto, what are you guys doing?” Ai asked, her eyes showing confusion.  “Let me go!”

   “Gomenasai, Takahashi-san!” Riho apologized.

   “We have no choice but to do this!” Erina insisted.

   “Kamei-san said it would make you happy in the long run,” Kanon explained.

   “And it is our job to keep you happy,” Mizuki proclaimed, “because we are…”

   “Bishoujo Sentai Ramenger!”

   “Did I mention I absolutely adore your fan club?” Eri grinned.

   “Did I mention I absolutely abhor you sometimes?” Ai shot back with sarcastic sweetness.

   “Mou, don’t be mean, Ai-chan,” the turtle pouted.  “I’m only here to help!  No matter what, I’m taking you out to have fun tonight, and that’s that.  I was just fortunate enough to run into these four in the parking lot who were watching your house through binoculars.”

   “Yeah, you were just—wait, binoculars?!”  Ai turned her head towards either side at the four girls grabbing onto her arms and legs, who turned away in shame.  “You girls were spying on me?”

   “Not spying, Takahashi-san!” Erina said quickly.  “Just… just watching over.”

   “We couldn’t see anything anyway,” Riho mumbled.  “You live on the 5th floor, so the angle was pretty bad from outside…”

   “It’s okay, Riho-chan,” Kanon comforted.  “We’ll go to the building next to ours to try out the binoculars next time.”

   “And we won’t give up until we succeed!” Mizuki announced.  “Because we are….”

   “Bishoujo Sentai Ramenger!”

   “I need to get new blinds…” Ai muttered to herself.

   “Well, Ai-chan,” Eri said, putting her hands on her hips, “starting now, we are going to make you into a gorgeous beauty for the club party!”

   “Eri, I already told you, I can’t go,” Ai sighed.  “Sayu is there right now and if she sees me… well, it won’t be very good.”

   “Don’t worry, Ai-chan, everything will be fine,” Eri assured.  “We’re going to go enjoy ourselves at Club Romeo.  You’re going to drink, dance, and have fun.  If you fall into Sayu’s range, I’ll interject and keep Sayu from seeing you.  Everything will go fine.”

   “But my chores…”

   “That’s why these girls are here,” Eri explained.  “They’re willing to finish up your work here before Sayumi gets home.”

   “But—”

   “You always work so hard, Ai-chan,” the turtle said softly, smiling.  “You deserve to go out, at least one night.  For once, don’t let Sayumi’s desires get in your way.  And I’ll help you.”

   Ai chewed on her lips as she looked into her friend’s sincere eyes.  The four Ramengers were gazing at her with pleading eyes as well.  Since they had gone through the hard work of coming here with the determination of helping her… Ai knew that she very well couldn’t refuse.  “Alright then… dress me up.”

   “Roger!” Mizuki yelled, saluting the older woman as the other girls followed suit.

   The turtle and the four girls immediately went to work as they dug through the pile of dresses and clothes and put them up against Ai.  Whenever Eri shook her head no, a new outfit was brought in its place immediately.  After much disapproval by her friend, Ai was finally given a coordinated outfit that consisted of a short red dress and a slightly see-through black blouse over it.  She was to wear red shorts underneath it as well as long black boots that reached over her knees, together with much jewelry.

   Next, Eri moved onto the hair.  Ai complained that since her hair was in a boyish short cut, there was nothing to do with it.  However, the turtle did not step away easily, and straightened every lock of Ai’s hair so that whenever she flipped her head, her hair would flop over smoothly as well. 

   The final thing on the agenda was makeup.  Ai tried to take the makeup kit away from Eri so that she could do it herself but the Ramengers ended up pinning her down again, all the while begging for her forgiveness.  Eri smiled smugly as Ai finally gave up on even trying to protest and let the turtle do her makeup for her.   

   Eventually, after the long preparation, Eri stepped away from her masterpiece and breathed a sigh of satisfaction.  The Ramengers skittered towards her and turned to observe the woman they admired so much.  They all exhaled shakily and closed their hands together over their heart, mesmerized by the sight.  Ai was no longer her usual self in sweats and apron, but an incredibly glamorous woman who could probably charm any man or woman with the flip of her hair.  She blushed a little at being stared and scratched her head.

   “Do I… look weird?” she mumbled.

   “Ai-chan, you wound me!” the turtle gasped.  “How can my coordination make anyone look weird?”

   “You look beautiful, Takahashi-san!” Kanon gushed.

   “You’re like a princess from a fairy tale!” Riho chimed in.

   “I’m going to fall in love all over again with Takahashi-san!” Erina claimed.

   “We’ll always love you, Takahashi-san!” Mizuki promised.  “Because we are…”

   “Bishoujo Sentai Ramenger!”

   Ai burst out laughing as she stepped forward to pat each of her fans on their heads.  “Arigatou.”

   “T-T-T-Takahashi-san just…” Kanon stuttered.

   “Sh-sh-sh-she just…” Mizuki stammered.

   “Just… th-thanked us?” Riho said.

   “Kya~!” Erina squealed before her friends followed suit.  They started to jump up and down together, covering their bright red faces with their hands.  Ai rolled her eyes and grinned, intrigued by the Ramengers’ reactions.  Eri also smiled, glad to see that her friend’s face had brightened since that morning.

   “Well, we gotta get you back before Sayu,” she said, clapping her hands together, “which means we only have until about midnight.  So we better get going if we don’t want to miss the party!”

   “Oh, right, right,” Ai said quickly.  Her turtle friend took her wrist and started to drag her towards the front door but she looked back at the four girls left in her home.  “Um, the laundry should be in the hamper, finish vacuuming first, I guess, and then… the grocery list is on the fridge—”

   “Don’t worry, Takahashi-san!” Riho said, saluting the older woman.

   “We’ll get your chores done in time!” Kanon said, mimicking her friend’s action.

   “They’ll be fine,” Eri reassured.  “They probably know their ways around your house better than you do.  That’s how much they’re obsessed with you.”

   “It’s not obsession!” Erina insisted.  “It’s love~”

   “Um, yeah, okay,” Ai said, still not feeling quite comfortable with the idea of leaving four middle school girls in her home by themselves.  “Just… make sure to leave before Sayu gets here, I guess.”

   “Roger!” Mizuki answered clearly.

   “Okay, then, let’s go!” Eri exclaimed.  “Here’s to a night of fun, fun, and more fun!”

   Ai grinned at her friend’s proclamation and nodded.  She was definitely ready to drop everything for once and just enjoy what was to come.  And she had a strong feeling that tonight was indeed going to be a good night. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

if you didn't get the ramenger reference, check out this vid:
MM, 9th gen's comic show, Ramenger (subs) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZxASCMsw94#ws)

time to go plan more stuff out~
and i'm still not saying anything unless necessary  :D


 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 2 - (3/8)]
Post by: KirikomoriHime on March 12, 2012, 05:02:51 AM
--Aika's reaction to the club--
xDDD

In fact, she had been eyed by the other people who were lined up at the door, since she didn’t quite look like her normal 18-year-old self, but rather a very mature and attractive woman.  She had chosen to wear a semi-tight black mini-dress that accentuated her excellent figure with silver bracelets and jewelry.  An hour ago, she had taken special care to do her make-up and her hair, which was now in loose waves.  She wasn’t a Shiga country girl tonight, but a charming city girl who was ready to party at a club.  And Risa did not feel comfortable about it at all.
Aikaaaa.... I want to see... :wriggly:
make it happen, H!P stylists

She even saw a girl being hit on by other women, who verbally and physically refused them.  The girl was quite cute though, after all, with a face of a doll, white skin, and long black curls that hung down her back.  She said something to the women hitting on her, frowning, and eventually stepped off the dance floor and sat down. 
Sayu??

“We are…” the medium length-haired girl started.

   “Bishoujo Sentai Ramenger!” 

   The four girls all posed individually into what looked like a mock imitation of cartoon heroes.  Ai rolled her eyes at her turtle friend clapped energetically for them.
OHMYGODYOUAREMYHERO -huggles SarangAi- and Kanon is in on it now, too? xDD

   “Mou, don’t be mean, Ai-chan,” the turtle pouted.  “I’m only here to help!  No matter what, I’m taking you out to have fun tonight, and that’s that.  I was just fortunate enough to run into these four in the parking lot who were watching your house through binoculars.”

   “Yeah, you were just—wait, binoculars?!”  Ai turned her head towards either side at the four girls grabbing onto her arms and legs, who turned away in shame.  “You girls were spying on me?”

   “Not spying, Takahashi-san!” Erina said quickly.  “Just… just watching over.”

   “We couldn’t see anything anyway,” Riho mumbled.  “You live on the 5th floor, so the angle was pretty bad from outside…”

   “It’s okay, Riho-chan,” Kanon comforted.  “We’ll go to the building next to ours to try out the binoculars next time.”

   “And we won’t give up until we succeed!” Mizuki announced.  “Because we are….”

   “Bishoujo Sentai Ramenger!”

   “I need to get new blinds…” Ai muttered to herself.
I rather like stalker Kyuukies+Kame

   “Don’t worry, Ai-chan, everything will be fine,” Eri assured.  “We’re going to go enjoy ourselves at Club Romeo.  You’re going to drink, dance, and have fun.  If you fall into Sayu’s range, I’ll interject and keep Sayu from seeing you.  Everything will go fine.”
Kameeeeeeeee~Shige~<3 No? xD

   “It’s not obsession!” Erina insisted.  “It’s love~”
Exactly! And love is totally legal!  :yep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: kawaii beam on March 12, 2012, 05:05:08 AM
OH MY GAH RAMEN RANGERS!!!!!!!!! XD loled for a good 10 min XD  they're forever cute lol count on eri to find a way to get ai out~ and it seems gaki saw sayu at the club? ah~ well thats all my brain can think of to say ;3; cant wait for the next chappy aiai :deco:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: mochi.rini on March 12, 2012, 05:33:37 AM
oh god!  You made me laugh so hard with Kyuukies that I'm still crying even though I finished reading a few minutes ago  :on lol:  Man, that was great! :D  I hope their amusing, as well as stalkerish, appearance isn't just this single instant :D

partying Risa...I wanna see in real life~ <3

Can't wait for Chapter 4!~ <3  :D
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: xxkaori-kittyxx on March 12, 2012, 08:32:05 AM
Yay another chapter! This was technically my bed time story lol glad I checked this before I shut down for the night

And the full flegded club scene/ ball (for the cinderella reference) is drawing near  :cow:
Yay Ai-chan changed her mind I'm glad  :). Now hopefully our two princesses can meet before the strike of mid night  :yep: I couldn't help but LOL  :lol: at the 9gen hope the appear more after this.

You changed how I predicted the Tanakame/Kameshige out come though, now I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing how the night will play out for the 6 of them, its boggleing me. So many possibilities, of course I'm probably over thinging it  :banghead:

Must. Know. Soon
As always, great chapter!  :twothumbs

Oh and one last thing: YESSSSSSS AIKA HAWTNESS IN DA HOUSE!!!! :drool: ok I'm done night night  :yawn:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: risa_ai on March 12, 2012, 08:34:14 AM
I'm about to die of the cuteness from the 9kkies. XD Adorable. Peeping at Ai. SO AI'S GOING!!~~ It's gonna be Takagaki, desho?? Desho??~~~ **Pouts and whines**
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on March 12, 2012, 12:21:54 PM
Oh my lols, AiAi. The Ramengers have stolen the show. Little stalkers, lol, but helpful ones.

And Eri as the fairy godmother is moar lols.

So, Takagaki?
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: Shiawase_Honoo on March 12, 2012, 05:00:24 PM
Ahahahaha, AiAi always popped up with an awesome chap :wub:

Aika and Gaki-han are having fun :lol:

Aichan part....I ROLFed :rofl:
The Ramenger!!! :rofl: :rofl:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: sakura_drop_ on March 12, 2012, 05:58:50 PM
AWESOME story!! I'm glad with your update  :) And... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: @ kyuukies  :rofl: :rofl:


EDIT: I hope it's ReinAi... *fangirls in the corner while waiting for another update*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: Nichiyobi on March 12, 2012, 06:25:38 PM
Ah I hate living without an computer. But now I have a new one and I was really happy to get to read three chapters in a row  :heart:

I think if I would have read chapter two without having chapter three right after it I would have been pretty upset. But now I totally still have my hopes up for TakaGaki since Ai is going to the club too! Please make it TakaGaki  :love:

But I'm pretty interested what the other couples will be. Maybe we get TanaKame again when they meet there too, or maybe we get KameShige if Eri has to distract Sayu from seeing Ai xD
I'm not really a fan of TanaShige, so I hope it'll be ReiKa :)

Also I pretty loled at the 9th Generation xD
They're like super awesome XD

And the Cinderella reference with Eri as the great grandmother and staying out until midnight was totally adorable.
Now I just hope the story don't end like Romeo and Juliet xD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: XxRoByNxX78 on March 12, 2012, 09:13:28 PM
i think my Sayu and Renia couple is just a fantasy as i am geussing its Risa and Sayu now =(

still great writing as uswell an thanks for update and update soon!!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: xyukie56 on March 13, 2012, 01:59:47 AM
Interesting chapter , as always   :twothumbs

It would be totally cool if it was ReinAi -- there's too many TakaGaki fics already  :roll:

*runs away from TakaGaki fans*  :nervous
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on March 13, 2012, 03:07:36 PM
9th gen and their binoculars, haha~ this chapter made me laugh so much! Kameshige now? I wonder.... I can't wait for Sayu to catch Ai in the club! Drama and confrontations! Next chapter is going to be awesome *.*

LOL, i was reading the comments and i want to put a disclaimer because irregardless of what i am about to say i will still love this story and enjoy reading your writing... I hope you put Aika ans Reina together since they are my least favorite members. It would be interesting too and really different. I honestly cant imagine Reina with anyone else but JunJun but she wont play a major role so i will pray for Aika so everyone else i do like end up paired together, haha. I doubt this will happen but the thought was amusing ^^
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: SarangAi on March 19, 2012, 03:42:21 AM
@KirikomoriHime: mehehe~ i'm glad you like the 9th gen combo, it just came to me  XD

@kawaii beam: lol~ arigatou~ maybe it's sayu, maybe it's not?  :D

@mochi.rini: ehehe... and party, Risa shall  :lol:

@xxkaori-kittyxx: lol i'm trying to make Aika more attractive!!!  XD

@risa_ai: lol you'll see~  :D

@rndmnwierd: mayyyyybeeeee :lol:

@Shiawase_Honoo: lol i'm glad it got some laughs :lol:

@sakura_drop_: lol mayyyyybeeeee (srsly, that's how i'm gona answer everyone)  XD

@Nichiyoubi: yay for new computer!!!  lol but it's fairy GODmother, not grandmother...  XD XD

@XxRoByNxX78: we'll see, we'll see~  :D

@xyukie56: again.... we'll see~  :D

@Tian_Yuan: lol well, a lot of the comments are all hopes/speculations, so feel free to put yours  :lol:



Thank you so much for all the comments~ weeeeeeee  :cow:

So many speculations and guesses!  I'm so glad it got everyone thinking :D

Again though, if you want to know the corresponding roles from the MoMusu girls to the Romeo and Juliet/Cinderella characters, you can always check the trailers again and kinda figure it out XD

Oh, and just for the sake of clearing things up: The 9th gen are basically like all the forest animals that help cinderella... yup.  XD

This next chapter will be flipping from one POV to another because these scenes are all happening pretty much simultaneously.  it'll be interesting, i think~  :D

hope you enjoy~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 4 - "And The Ball Began"

   Black… black… black…  Why is everything black?

   Tanaka Reina clicked her tongue as she made an unsatisfied expression.  She was sitting by the bar of Club Romeo, observing the people on the dance floor.  Or rather, she was observing the clothes that the people were wearing more than their actual appearance… and she was not impressed.  Most of the clubbers had chosen to wear a black dress or a black blouse or a black skirt, whether it was coal black, gray black, sparkly black… everything was black.  Of course, Reina herself was wearing black as well, but she had done so with the purpose of blending in.  For the rest of the people, whose purpose was probably to party and possibly hook up with someone, wearing black and following the status quo was unacceptable.  Some people had indeed chosen to wear a bit more color, such as navy blue and dark green, but their fashion was rather horrid for the fashionista to even set her eyes upon it. 

   True, black was quite classy.  It was one of Reina’s many philosophies that black was always the new black, and black was always in.  However, black could never survive on its own.  It needed another color, some sort of accent, in order to make it work.  And so far, not many people in the club had succeeded in doing that. 

    Reina took a sip of her drink from the tall glass in her hand and licked her lips a little.  Maybe she could add another bit to the article for the Bijou Fashions magazine.  She had originally planned on reporting on current day club fashion, but four full pages filled with pictures of black dresses just would not do.  So perhaps she could add in an “after story”, on how to improve one’s club fashion.  She could already feel her fingers tingling in excitement at possible ideas of new designs.  She was thinking red, pink, blue, purple… anything but black.

   Well, there’s pretty much nothing to see here anymore…  Reina remembered her secretary’s words, telling her not to be afraid to enjoy herself while she’s at the party.  However, the CEO would not have it; she was here to work, not to get drunk and dance.  She had to stick to her strict schedule.  Plus, she still had those unfinished data to analyze back in her office…

   The young businesswoman put her drink down on the counter and tipped the employee at the bar generously.  She carefully tucked her curly hair behind her ears and was about to get up from the tall chair when something caught her eyes.  In the midst of various gradients of black, there was a young woman wearing a white blouse, moving her body modestly in the crowd.  Her friend in front of her seemed a bit more energetic about dancing, but this lady was rather composed, with a calm smile constructed perfectly on her face.  She wasn’t the most beautiful woman in the world, yet something about the way she carried herself was alluring.  And that smile…

   Slowly, Reina sat back down in her chair and watched the woman she had set her eyes upon.  Perhaps she would stay a little longer at the club… purely for the sake of working, of course.

**  **  ** 

   How annoying…  Must everyone be so desperate and clingy?

   Sayumi gulped down the last of her drink as she leaned over the counter, her chin balanced on her hand.  It wasn’t uncommon for her to be hit on by both men and women, but the challengers seemed to be a bit more persistent tonight.  Either that, or Sayumi was just a bit more irritable at the moment.  There was nothing more she wanted to do at the moment than to leave this place and go back home.  But she knew she couldn’t do that quite yet.  After all, she had come out in order to keep her sister home; if she left the party now, it was very possible for Ai to still come to the club.  The night was still young.

   Sighing, the black-haired beauty checked her cell phone again.  Only ten-thirty… She had to last until about midnight, at least.  That way, she could say she came to the club with the purpose of partying, and not just to prevent her stepsister from going out.  So Sayumi breathed out slowly, closing her eyes, as she gathered her patience. 

   Just a little longer…  I’ll hold out just a little bit longer…

**  **  ** 

   “Eri…  Are you sure I look okay?!” 

   Ai yelled over the loud music that was booming through the speakers.  She and her friend had just entered the club and was about to step in and join the crowd when Ai had stopped walking to tug on her shirt again and fix her hair.  Eri rolled her eyes.

   “For the hundredth time, Ai-chan, you like fine,” Eri reassured.  “And I don’t mean just fine, but seriously, you look fi~ne.”

   The turtle stretched the last word and snapped her fingers, looking up and down at the older woman as if to check her out.  Ai revealed a weak smile, still not exactly comforted by her friend’s words.  It had been a long time since she was last in a club, and she hadn’t gone too often during her college years in the first place.  Her mature outfit felt unfamiliar to her skin and the makeup on her face felt like a mask.  She felt completely different from her usual self.

   “But really, Ai-chan,” Eri grinned, “you look gorgeous right now.  You should dress up like this more often.”

   “Yup, that’s gonna happen when I start my job as a janitor,” Ai laughed.  “But… I guess I should thank you, Eri.  I have to admit, it does feel good to just have a night out like this.  I feel… confident.”

   “As well as you should,” the turtle nodded, smiling proudly.  “No one can say no to your pretty face tonight.  You can have anyone in this club: just pick someone.”

   “Yeah, well, I’m not here to hook up,” Ai said, receiving a small pout from her friend.  “I’m just here to have fun with my best friend.  Are we cool with that?”

   “Yeah, yeah,” Eri giggled.  “But first things first: I think it’s a good idea to look for Sayu first.”

   “Look for Sayu?!” Ai screeched, her eyes popping wide open.  “Are you crazy?!  Sh-she can’t find me here!”

   “Calm down, Ai-chan!” Eri yelled back.  “I said look for Sayu, not meet Sayu!  We should track her down, figure out where she is, and plan our moves accordingly so that we won’t accidently cross paths with her!”

   “… Sounds like a military plan,” Ai mumbled, “but I guess I understand what you mean.”

   “Good,” Eri smiled.  “Let’s just figure out where she is, and then walk the opposite direction.”

   Then, Ai swallowed hard as her eyes fixed at a point over Eri’s shoulder.  “Um… I think we should start walking towards our right.”

   “Why?”

   “Because… I see Sayu on the left, sitting at the bar…?”

   Eri whipped around and spotted her friend’s stepsister, seated on a tall chair.  She was staring at her cell phone as she took a small sip from her drink, before sighing and flipping her hair.  Eri could even see a couple of women eyeing the black-haired beauty from across the room.  Sayumi was quite the evil little bunny indeed, but the turtle had to admit that she was undoubtedly an eye-catcher and had always been the cute one. 

   “Okay, okay, okay,” Eri said quickly, facing her slightly-panicked friend again.  “The best plan, I think, is to blend in with the crowd.  So my advice: go on the dance floor.  If you’re amongst a lot of other people, it’ll be more difficult to spot you or recognize you.  I’ll dance around the edges of the dance floor so I can keep an eye on Sayu for a while, and then I’ll come find you.  Okay?”

   “Un!” 

   Ai nodded frantically before she did as her friend instructed her.  She quickly threw herself onto the dance floor and blended in amongst the clubbers.  As she started to dance modestly while keeping her back towards the direction of the bar where her stepsister was, she looked around and acknowledged the many other women who were dancing around her.  Most had a decent amount of makeup on, slightly sweaty from dancing, even a little drunk, and wore tight dresses. 

   She could not help but think that they all looked the same.

**  **  ** 

   She could not help but think that they all looked the same.

   Risa wrinkled her eyebrows a little as she scanned the faces of the clubbers, noticing that everybody was a little bit on the drunk or high side.  Even Aika, whom the bean had made sure stayed clean throughout the night, seemed a bit too hyped up.  The girl was dancing energetically, not hesitating to occasionally dance with strangers that she had just merely bumped into.  Risa also continuously moved her body back and forth in tiny motions so that she could stay on the dance floor in order to keep an eye on her younger friend. 

   “Gaki-san!”

   Risa jumped with a start as she stopped spacing out and spotted Aika standing in front of her.  Her face was red and she was sweating quite a bit.  Risa would’ve thought that the girl was sick if it wasn’t for the huge satisfied grin spread across her lips.

   “Gaki-san, why aren’t you dancing?” she asked, breathing hard.

   “I am dancing, Aika,” Risa smiled.  “Just… not excessively.”

   “What you’ve been doing doesn’t count as dancing!” the younger girl shot back.  “Nee, nee, it’s really hot so I’m going to go to the bathroom and wash up a little, okay?  After that, we’re going to dance together!”

   “Do you want me to come with you?” Risa asked, slightly worried about her overly-hyper friend.

   “It’s okay, don’t worry!” Aika replied happily.  “Wait right here, okay?  I’ll be right back!”

   The bean watched her friend disappear into the crowd and out of the dancing area.  Sighing, Risa continued to sway her body back and forth a little more.  A young woman bumped into her a little and started to make a move on her, trying to catch her attention.  She wasn’t bad-looking, but her breath smelled like a mixture of smoke and hard liquor.  So, Risa just laughed nervously and quickly moved away from the stranger. 

   Deciding that maybe being left alone amidst a group of high clubbers wasn’t such a good idea, the bean started to slowly move out of the crowd as well.  She would sit at the bar and wait for Aika there.

   But as she was about to navigate her way out of the clubbers, something caught her attention.  Risa narrowed her eyes a little before she slowly opened them widely in slight surprise.  There was a woman, standing a couple feet away from her, staring back at her with a similar expression.  She had short brown hair and wore a black-and-red outfit with long boots.  Risa had never seen her before, but something was different about her.  It was like there was a spark before her eyes and all her surroundings slowed down. 

   It was just her and this woman on the dance floor.

**  **  ** 

   It was just her and this woman on the dance floor.

   Ai blinked a couple times as her eyes focused on the woman, gazing back at her.  It was by pure coincidence that she had turned her head towards that direction and spotted this woman and noticed that there was something different about her than the others.  Yes, it helped that she was wearing a white blouse amongst the many black outfits, but that wasn’t what caught Ai’s attention.  It wasn’t even her beauty or the certain flashiness to her.  It was just… her.  Her being there, and how her head turned towards Ai at the exact same moment Ai turned towards her, was what prevented the older girl from taking her eyes off of this person.

   Unconsciously, Ai started to walk towards the woman, maneuvering her way through the other dancers.  A part of her mind screamed at her to stop, that this was unusual for her and that they shouldn’t meet.  Some sort of danger crept up on Ai’s spine.  But for some reason, Ai couldn’t stop her legs from moving.  It felt like natural attraction, like magnets, that carried her now.  The other woman did not move away either, and kept her eyes set on Ai.

   Soon, the two ladies stood right in front of each other, barely giving room to breathe, as they stared into each other’s eyes, expressionless.  Ai knew that this would normally be an incredibly awkward situation, yet she didn’t feel at all uneasy.  It seemed that the other party felt no such discomforts either, since she stared right back with certain boldness.  Everything was so… natural.  Like it was meant to be. 

   “Alright, ladies!”  The DJ’s booming voice brought both women back to reality as they flinched a little.  “Everyone grab a partner now.  Let’s dance into the night!  Party up!”

   The fast beat of a club mix burst out of the speakers as everyone in the club cheered.  The clubbers continued to dance with their respective partners, whether they were actually going out or whether they had just met that night. 

   Ai quickly looked at the beautiful woman in front of her again, who was now looking away to the side a little as though she was contemplating what to do next.  Deciding to seize the chance, Ai silently offered her hand to the woman in an invitation to dance.  The curly-haired woman looked at the hand and looked up at Ai with a slightly surprised expression.  But her eyes soon relaxed into what seemed like trust and curiosity as she gently placed her hand in Ai’s. 

   Smiling a little, as if to reassure her or to show relief, Ai spun the woman around once, before she gently touched her shoulder and took a lap around her.  The woman seemed a little taken aback at the sudden action but she made no indication of displeasure.  Slowly, Ai let her body fall victim to the beat of the music, swaying her hips side to side while putting her arms up, as if to coerce the other woman into joining her.  The curly-haired woman seemed to hesitate a little, but soon naturally fell into the rhythm of Ai’s movements and started to dance along. 

   Ai smiled even more with joy, happy that her beautiful partner had decided to join her.  The woman moved only modestly at first; but as Ai’s motions got faster and fiercer, the woman also made an effort to keep up.  Soon, a smile appeared on the woman’s face as well, as Ai could visibly tell that she was enjoying her company.  Even when Ai put her hand on the woman’s shoulders, arms, or waist, there was no bad reaction; the woman moved accordingly to Ai’s actions.  Feeling bold, Ai went behind the woman and while pressing her chest against her back with her hands on her waist, she did a couple waves and breathed into her ear.  She heard a soft gasp from her partner, but something unexpected happened.  Instead of being completely taken of guard, the woman turned the tables on Ai as she leaned back against her and raised her hand up to gently stroke Ai’s hair.  She even took Ai’s hand and dragged it down from her waist to her bare thigh.  Now it was Ai’s turn to gasp as she was stunned to receive such a reaction.  Yet, this audacious part of the woman made her even more charming and attractive.

   No words were exchanged.  Yet, Ai could tell that this was no ordinary encounter.

**  **  ** 

   Black… black… black… purple.  Hallelujah.

   Reina let out a low groan as she hung her head down.  But she quickly sat up straight again, like a proper businesswoman, and continued to observe the many clubbers.  She was getting tired of taking mental notes on the same style of fashion over and over again.  She had more than enough data to work with at this point.  But for some reason, she just couldn’t get herself to leave.

   Why are you even here anymore, Reina?

   The kitten put her glass to her lips again but she found it empty.  That was her third glass for the night.  It wasn’t hard liquor so Reina didn’t feel quite tipsy yet, but she wasn’t completely sober either.  If she just made up her mind, she felt that she could probably do one of those things a drunk person would do, one of those things that causes a certain embarrassment that would haunt her and stay with her for the rest of her life.

   Do what you want, Reina!

   A certain voice echoed in the kitten’s mind.  Reina lifted her head a little and blinked at the revelation.  She then bit down on her lips and fisted her hand.  She had made up her mind.  The reason for her staying at the club until now was obvious.  It was because of that woman, the woman who she couldn’t get out of her head.  She didn’t know what this feeling was, or why the face of this woman lingered in her mind, but she didn’t care.  Reina knew she had to find this woman.  She would find her and then maybe, just maybe, she’d be able to discover the reason for this attraction.

   The fashionista stood up and started to walk around a little, keeping her eyes open for the white blouse, the black skirt, and the curly brown hair.  She even went to the dance floor and walked around the edge to search for this person, but she had no success.  Everywhere she looked, she was unable to find the woman she longed for. 

   It was like she was no longer fated to be with the woman, like she had lost her chance.

**  **  ** 

   Sayumi continuously tapped her fingers against the counter, chewing on her lip.  She was starting to feel uneasy for some reason.  She obviously no longer wished to stay in the club, yet she knew she couldn’t go home.  It wasn’t time yet.

   But sitting at the bar by herself, slowly sipping drinks, wasn’t exactly all that fun either.  At least she could forget her worries if she danced, even if there were annoying people who kept on trying to hit on her.

   Deciding that nothing was worse than sitting still and doing nothing, Sayumi got up from her chair and turned towards the dance floor.  But when she took a couple steps forward, somebody jumped out in front of her and blocked her way.  The bunny gasped, startled by the interruption.  The person in front of her flashed a smile.

   “Sayu!” she greeted happily.  “Funny seeing you here!  What a… coincidence!”

   “… Eri?”  Sayumi raised an eyebrow.  “What are you doing here?”

   “To party, of course!” Eri said quickly.  “It’s Ladies Night!”

   “You’re here alone?” Sayumi questioned, not exactly clear as to what was going on.

   “Y-yeah!” Eri laughed nervously.  “Sayu, you’re not here with anybody either, right?”

   “Of course I’m here with somebody!” the bunny retorted back, her cheeks blushing a little at the white lie.  “They just… had to leave early.”

   “Sou ka…” 

   Eri grinned, able to see through the obvious lie that the bunny had told.  But she wasn’t surprised by it.  It was natural for someone as high and proud as Sayumi to deny the fact that she was in a club by herself, like a loner.

   “Now if you’ll excuse me,” the black-haired girl huffed, “I’m going to go dance.”

   “You can’t do that!” the turtle blurted out, side-stepping to block the bunny’s way.  “Ano… I mean… w-why do you want to go dance?”

   “… Because this is a club, Eri,” Sayumi said slowly, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.  “That’s what people do in a club: dance.”

   “B-b-but you don’t want to dance right now!” Eri laughed nervously.  “I mean, this is such a terrible song!”

   “No, it’s n—”

   “Hey, how about I buy you a drink?” the turtle offered.  “Come on, come on, have a drink with me!  I haven’t seen you in a while either!”  She took the bunny’s hand and started to drag her towards the bar.

   “I saw you a couple days ago at Tresor,” Sayumi replied coldly, trying to resist Eri’s strength.  “And I already had a drink!”

   “Well, you can have some more!” Eri insisted.  She pushed Sayumi down onto a chair and took the seat beside her.  “Pick!  Pick!  It’s on me.”

   The bunny wrinkled her eyebrows in slight confusion again before she sighed and let it go.  At least she had some sort of company now.  And it wasn’t someone who had tried to hit on her.  It was Kamei Eri.  She could live with that. 

   As the bunny started to contemplate the menu, Eri quickly looked back at the group of dancers and back at the girl beside her.  While she made sure Sayumi did not turn around again, Eri noted in the back of her mind that the song was nearing its end.

**  **  ** 

   The song neared its end.

   Risa breathed hard as she stood still amongst the loud cheer of the clubbers around her.  The DJ yelled something again to get the crowd pumped up but she couldn’t make out the words.  The only thing she was aware of was how close the face of the short-haired woman was to hers.  The woman gazed into her eyes, unwavering, and was also letting puffs of air out relentlessly from dancing. 

   Risa opened her mouth a little to say something but no words came out.  But something in the other woman changed as she started to lean forward.  Risa froze as she noticed that something in the woman’s eyes had changed, as though she was taking action subconsciously.  Their lips were so close to each others, enough to feel each other’s warmth. 

   But before they met, the next song blasted out of the speakers, causing both women to jump back in shock.  Risa blinked a little as she blushed, realizing what was about to happen that didn’t.  The other woman seemed to come back to her senses as well; she gasped and quickly covered her mouth.  Shooting an apologetic look at the bean, she turned and started to leave. 

   No, don’t leave!

   On an impulse, Risa dashed forward and grabbed the woman’s hand to stop her.  The woman turned around with a surprised look on her face.  Risa clenched her teeth, determined to hold on to this person.  She did not know what the burning feeling in her chest was, but she knew it was there and it was strong.  She couldn’t let such an encounter end like this.  She had to know this person.

   Silently, Risa turned and pulled the woman along with her through the dancers.  The older woman seemed to be taken aback but she did not protest.  Together, the two women escaped the dance floor and climbed up the stairs to the second floor.  Looking for a quiet place without any people would not be easy, but Risa had to continue searching. 

   She could not let go of this person’s hand, no matter what.

**  **  ** 

   Aika quickly pushed through the crowd, looking all around her in search for her friend.  She called out her name while knowing it would not do any good.  The music was just too loud, and too many people were laughing and cheering. 

   The girl stopped in the middle of the dance floor and sighed.  She let out a frustrated groan and clenched her fists.  During that short moment she was in the restroom, during that one song, Risa had disappeared.

   It was as though Aika was not meant to find her at the moment. 

**  **  ** 

   No one could interrupt them now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So.  couple of questions answered here~ XD

If you're still confused about the corresponding characters, sparknote Romeo and Juliet/Cinderella, try to figure it out again, and then if it's REALLY driving you crazy, then ask  :lol:

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 3 - (3/12)]
Post by: KirikomoriHime on March 19, 2012, 04:24:23 AM
   In the midst of various gradients of black, there was a young woman wearing a white blouse, moving her body modestly in the crowd.  Her friend in front of her seemed a bit more energetic about dancing, but this lady was rather composed, with a calm smile constructed perfectly on her face.  She wasn’t the most beautiful woman in the world, yet something about the way she carried herself was alluring.  And that smile…

   Slowly, Reina sat back down in her chair and watched the woman she had set her eyes upon.  Perhaps she would stay a little longer at the club… purely for the sake of working, of course.
:shock:
AND THE PLOT THICKENS --mauled--

   Eri whipped around and spotted her friend’s stepsister, seated on a tall chair.  She was staring at her cell phone as she took a small sip from her drink, before sighing and flipping her hair.  Eri could even see a couple of women eyeing the black-haired beauty from across the room.  Sayumi was quite the evil little bunny indeed, but the turtle had to admit that she was undoubtedly an eye-catcher and had always been the cute one. 
KAMESHIGEEEE >D >D >D Please?

   It was just her and this woman on the dance floor.
OHMAHGAWDDD

and all this repetitiveness is actually kind of cute xDD

   No words were exchanged.  Yet, Ai could tell that this was no ordinary encounter.
:shy2:

   The fashionista stood up and started to walk around a little, keeping her eyes open for the white blouse, the black skirt, and the curly brown hair.  She even went to the dance floor and walked around the edge to search for this person, but she had no success.  Everywhere she looked, she was unable to find the woman she longed for. 

   It was like she was no longer fated to be with the woman, like she had lost her chance.
I-IT CAN'T TRULY BE--!!
... my oh my this will just not do... :smoke: xD

--Eri trying to distract Shige-san--
:err:
Y-you.... AhoKame....

   The bunny wrinkled her eyebrows in slight confusion again before she sighed and let it go.  At least she had some sort of company now.  And it wasn’t someone who had tried to hit on her.  It was Kamei Eri.  She could live with that. 
:hehehe:

   No one could interrupt them now.
:tantrum: :frustrated: :tantrum: :frustrated: :tantrum:
leave me wondering why don'tcha!!! :mon POd:


I completely forgot about Reina part way through. Since she's looking for Gaki, maybe she'll recognize Aika? AND THEY'LL FALL IN LURVEEE?? --burned at the stake--

So basically my predictions for this story are:
TakaGaki (durrr), KameShige, ReinAika, Onesided!TanaGaki,
and SATOU MASAKIxTHE WORLD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: mochi.rini on March 19, 2012, 04:28:09 AM
And TakaGaki has finally met up!~  :inlove:  Fabulous!~  I loved how you wrote the part of them seeing and approaching one another!  My mind just flashed back to CinderAi and Prince Gaki <3

Reina seems pretty interested in our Risa...do I smell an antagonist? :)

Quote
No one could interrupt them now.
...must keep away those types of thoughts o.O

Thank you SarangAi for the wonderful (and unintentional) birthday present  :deco:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: xxkaori-kittyxx on March 19, 2012, 07:26:11 AM
Chapter 4

   The young businesswoman put her drink down on the counter and tipped the employee at the bar generously.  She carefully tucked her curly hair behind her ears and was about to get up from the tall chair when something caught her eyes.  In the midst of various gradients of black, there was a young woman wearing a white blouse, moving her body modestly in the crowd.  Her friend in front of her seemed a bit more energetic about dancing, but this lady was rather composed, with a calm smile constructed perfectly on her face.  She wasn’t the most beautiful woman in the world, yet something about the way she carried herself was alluring.  And that smile…



If I remeber correctly a certain bean was the only one mentioned in the last chapter to be wearing white, but I will have to go back and check at a more decent hour, but I'm pretty sure I'm right
So if I am correct does that mean that Risa has caught the eye of more then one suitor? (still cheering for takagaki of course though) this should be interesting  :yep:

*kameshige scene* I didn't expect them to meet up so quickly, but your writing is rather unpredictable lol
As for right now it seems like my favorite turtle is biting the bullet for cinderelly, but I'm just going to have to wait to see what happens next still hoping for a tanakame encounter of course lol I'm so biased towards them
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: KirikomoriHime on March 19, 2012, 07:59:32 AM
OMG
OMG
I'm commenting again
OMG

Soooo I randomly decided to go back through the character trailers and as the Aika one was playing out I started kind of freaking out because my little predictions I had been sort of imagining/making up in my head about where the story would go started making sense and and and... xDD yeah. I thought it was share worthy.

When I reached Reina's one I was totally stumped, though :sweat: OTL

...
I'm derping hard today
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: risa_ai on March 19, 2012, 09:36:42 AM
Nonono! Reina can't fall in love with risa! I need my daily dose of takagaki! T_T
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: arisa03 on March 19, 2012, 10:48:06 AM
That was a rather... hot meet up/dance scene. Sexual tension at one gaze. LOL. Now that Risa has taken away (literally) Ai-chan. Reina is going to look for Risa, she might bump into Aika and like her instead? And then...

.... Eri gets a certain bunny drunk. LOL.

; A ;!! Update soon Ai-san!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on March 19, 2012, 02:44:31 PM
.... Eri gets a certain bunny drunk. LOL.

I can't wait!

Wow, this chapter was so good! As always, thank you!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: sakura_drop_ on March 19, 2012, 04:52:23 PM
I have some thoughts, that Aika likes Gaki more than she shows... So I suspect Gaki beeing an interest for Ai, Reina and Aika...

But I hope it's TakaGaki, KameShige, ReinAika (though I ship TanaShige/Tanagaki  XD )
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: XxRoByNxX78 on March 19, 2012, 05:01:36 PM
i cant chapter renia wants risa and so do ai so cofused ahhhh


once again best writer ever !!!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on March 19, 2012, 08:02:04 PM
...Reina had her eyes set on Gaki-san! ...But Ai has her eyes set on Gaki-san! Argh! My poor heart is fighting itself, especially since I'm 99% positive it's going to be Takagaki.

Why do I have to be such a fangirl for such a non-canon couple...? XD

Oh well, at least Takagaki is going to have some time alone now.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: xrainbowgumdropsx on March 20, 2012, 07:05:54 AM
Eep! SarangAi! This fic has got me flailing around trying to figure out who's who and who's paired with who and whatnot, and I felt the need to delurk to rant about it. XD All kidding aside, I find the whole Cinderella and Romeo & Juliet crossover thing really cool, and I'm looking forward to see how the characters from the two different stories will end up meshing, aside from the Fated!Takagaki, which I highly approve of (although I wouldn't be surprised if you end up trolling all us Takagaki-shippers in the near future, lol). ;D I'm kind of confused as to where Reina and Aika will fit into the whole pairing-deal, since the trailers for both of them seem kind of one-sided. So maybe one-sided ReiKa along with the one-sided Tanagaki hinted at in this chapter? I dunno. The thing that's been bugging me the most, though, is the relationship between Ai and Sayu... I mean, it's obvious that Sayu cares more than she let's on, but her motive behind keeping Ai from going out is kinda fishy... And the titles for Ai's and Sayu's trailers... Iono... But then again, they're technically sisters. D: And this is probably just my twisted mind at work. Secretly hoping for KameShige at heart. XD

Aside from me using this post purely as space for myself to speculate aloud... I really like how you formatted the last chapter with the changing POVs! And ninth gen as uber cute stalkers in the previous chapter was adorable~ x3

Also! I'm looking forward to some Takagaki alonetime the near future. ;D hehehe.

Long post is long. Sorry. x___x;;
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: Nichiyobi on March 23, 2012, 01:44:07 PM
Haha, at least you knew what I mean, SarangAi xD
Godmother, grandmother, whatever  :sweatdrop:

But about the chapter;
I was quite shocked when Reina got interested in Risa ... TanaGaki is an interesting couple but of course not my favorite lol But I thought that's A LOT better than ReinAi =P
But then the TakaGaki moment ... so awesome! I really can't wait what will happen in the next chapter~  :heart:

And I wonder how Eri will distract Sayu more~ ^_-

Then there's Aika who's alone now ... maybe Reina will bump into her and got interested in her ...
But Reina's also the boss of the Bijou company and so she can do all of mean things to Ai so that she can get Risa who's also working for her lol
Whoa, when Reina finds that out she will have the whole power in her hands!
... Yeah, I know I'm overreacting but your storys are really well written so that no one knows what will happen next ... <3
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: SarangAi on April 02, 2012, 06:04:56 AM
@KirikomoriHime: ... satou masaki x the world is CORRECT *troollol*

@mochi.rini: well this is certainly late but... happy birthday!  XD

@xxkaori-kittyxx: nope, you are correct~  :D

@KirikomoriHime:   XD sparknote Romeo and Juliet, I guess?  See who fits the description of "Suitor"  :D

@risa_ai:   LOL all i can say..  :D

@arisa03: nice prediction..   XD

@Tian_Yuan: glad you enjoyed!  :D

@sakura_drop_: ooh there's an interesting hypothesis! XD

@XxRoByNxX78: thank you!!!  :D it won't be too confusing later, i promise!   XD

@rndmnwierd: hey~ you're the one that got me interested in TanaGaki in the first place though with your non-canon coupling  XD

@nora_nora: glad you liked it!  :P

@xrainbowgumdropsx: YESH DELURK!   :cow:  don't worry, i love long posts!  :twothumbs   we'll see if your thoughts are going the right direction...

@Nichiyobi:  :rofl:powerful Reina is powerful  XD


First off, thanks for all your coments!  all these hopes/hypothesis are rly interesting to read :D

Second of all, is it just me or is the forum freaking out?  What's with the Heman vids?  they just.. kinda appeared even though i didn't link them...?  :?  (EDIT: oh wait, is it cuz of april fools? haha...)

Third of all, it's been a while....  :nervous. i tried posting every week, well, that failed.  :P

Fourth of all, if you guys haven't noticed, I made a content list at my first post, and i decided to title each chapter now.  I think it'll help in seeing the correlations/references to the stories more :D

so here's a new long chapter!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 5 – “Cinderella left her glass slipper behind”

   People everywhere.  Lights everywhere.  Noise everywhere.

   However, none of these things registered in Ai’s mind.  All her surroundings seemed to blur into nothingness as she was pulled through the crowd.  All she could see was the back of the mysterious woman who was leading her up the stairs; the woman’s brown curls, her slim figure, her thin legs…  Ai remembered that the first thing everyone, including herself, learned in preschool was to never follow a stranger.  But she decided that she wouldn’t mind even if this woman turned out to be someone dangerous.  Rather, it was impossible for this woman to be dangerous.  There was still an unknown sense of trust and warmth about her that Ai just couldn’t explain.  She just had to follow this gut feeling and go with the flow.

   The woman seemed to look around as though she was searching for something.  Ai looked around as well, wondering what the brown-haired woman was looking for.  Before she could finish her search, Ai felt herself being pulled forward again as she was led towards the veranda.  She and the woman stepped out into the night on the other side of the large glass door, walking onto the tiny balcony.  The woman let go of Ai’s hand and closed the curtains on the inside before shutting the glass door.  The sound of the music dulled as the low hum of the city took over. 

   Ai breathed in and out, attempting to calm herself down.  She watched as her brown-haired abductor slowly turned around from the glass door to face her.  The mysterious woman’s eyes were wide open, as though she had no recollection of ever dragging Ai out to the balcony.  She swallowed, looking away a little, before looking up again.  All this while, Ai kept her gaze on the woman, mesmerized by her appearance for reasons that she still could not decipher.  A voice screamed inside her to stop staring like a creeper, but she couldn’t help herself.  A link was already established between the two and nothing could break it now.

   However, the woman quickly looked away again after blushing a little, obviously embarrassed by Ai’s stare.  But she determinedly lifted her head once more, opening her mouth to say something, when Ai spoke up with the purpose of breaking the awkward atmosphere.

   “Ano…!”

   The two women quickly closed their mouths, intending to let the other speak first, but instead bringing the awkward silence back.  They both tried to say something again but stopped short, unable to decide whether to speak first or not.  Ai hesitated a little, but the other woman seemed even more visibly flushed by the situation.  She continuously moved her mouth inaudibly, not knowing what to do, until she finally bit her tongue and let out a yelp.  Ai started to panic as she took a step forward, afraid that her companion may have hurt herself.  But the way the woman quickly covered her mouth and bobbed up and down in place, all the while letting out silent screams with her eyes widening and shutting restlessly, caused Ai to break into a fit of laughter.  This person, who had danced so seductively back in the club, looked very cute to Ai now, as she cast her eyes down in embarrassment. 

   The stranger’s cheeks turned pink again as she peeked up to look at Ai, who flashed a playful grin which allowed her to relax.  Deciding that trying to speak again wouldn’t bring them anywhere, Ai motioned for the other woman to talk first.  The woman smiled a little, relieved by the replacement of uncomfortable air with a friendlier atmosphere.

   “Ano…” she started, rubbing her hands together, “I’m sorry I just dragged you out here.  It was kind of rude of me.  Really, I… I don’t even know why I did it.  I’m sorry.”

   “Oh no, not at all!  Please,” Ai assured, rapidly shaking her head, “I mean, I was the one who forced you to dance with me in the first place back there… I should be the one apologizing.  Please excuse my previous behavior.”

   “No, no, don’t apologize!” the woman quickly said, waving her hands no.  “You didn’t force me to dance; I danced because I wanted to.  You had nothing to do with it.”

   “… Oh… I had nothing to do with it…?” Ai mumbled, unintentionally sounding disappointed.  The woman seemed to realize this and quickly attempted to rephrase.

   “No, no!  That’s not what I meant,” she said, slightly alarmed, “I mean… I danced, because you… like, because it was you, I think… I wanted t-to... what I mean is—”

   “Relax,” Ai interjected, laughing.  “I was only teasing.  Don’t worry about it.”

   The woman’s cheeks blushed red again, mesmerizing Ai once more.  “R-right… just teasing… ha-ha…”  The woman smiled shyly as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.  “It’s just… I usually don’t, you know, dance, much less come to a club but this time it was… fun.”

   Ai smiled, obviously delighted that her companion enjoyed their interaction as much as she did.  “I had fun too.  You’re a really good dancer.”

   “Eh?!  No way!”  The woman denied with force as she shook her head rapidly.  “I’m definitely not a good dancer!  You’re a lot better than me… You must come here often.”

   “No, it’s my first time,” Ai laughed.  “I don’t go clubbing that much…”

   “Really?” the other woman said, her eyes widening in surprise.  “Wow.  I would’ve thought that you would frequent clubs like this a lot…”

   Ai raised an eyebrow.  “What makes you say that?”

   “I don’t know…” the woman mumbled.  “You just seem… experienced.”

   Ai thought for a moment before exhaling sharply.  She seemed… experienced?  In what?  Clubbing?  Dancing?  Partying?  She definitely wasn’t experienced in any of them.  She rarely had time for recreation, what with her difficult life being so demanding.  Perhaps Eri’s make-over on her was taking effect.  The turtle did say that Ai would be able to get any girl or boy she wanted tonight…

   “Well… what about you?” Ai said back, grinning.  “You don’t even seem old enough to be in a club.  Did you sneak in?”

   “How rude!”  The woman’s face turned red again from embarrassment as she pouted, making her seem even cuter in the latter woman’s eyes.  “I’m most definitely a legal adult, well out of college, with my own place and a job!”

   “Really?  You’re out of college?”  Ai blinked a couple times in surprise.  “You look a lot younger than 22…”

   “I’m 23, actually,” the woman said proudly, smiling a little.  She seemed a bit flattered that Ai had been tricked by her baby face.  “So what are you, 20?”

   “Not even close,” Ai laughed.  “How can I be 20 when you’re 23?”

   “… You’re older than me?!” the woman gasped.  “Uso!  So… 24?”

   “Guess again.”

   “… 25?”  Ai nodded.  “25 years old?  Seriously?  Uso!”

   “It’s the make-up,” Ai sighed.  “It covers up all my age lines.”

   “But really, I would’ve thought you were younger than me, if not the same age…” 

   Ai smiled at her companion gratefully, deciding to take her words as a compliment.  The younger woman looked up at her and grinned back, her beautiful face seeming to grow even brighter with a smile.  Ai realized only now that she had somehow managed to get closer to the woman, and they were only about a foot away from each other now.  Closer up, the woman’s brown eyes captivated her even more as Ai fell under her spell.

   “Ano…” Ai started, faltering a little, “this is going to sound pretty crazy, but… we’ve never met before today… have we?”

   The woman’s smile disappeared as she blinked a couple times.  “I… I don’t think so.”

   “I’m sorry, I must sound really stupid right now,” Ai said quickly, chewing on her lips, “but… I can’t help but think that I somehow know you.  I mean, I know we haven’t met, but I just have this gut feeling…”

   “… So you feel it too?”

   Ai let out a soft gasp at her companion’s reply.  The woman smiled at her a little, seeming to empathize with her emotions.

   “You know, I usually don’t believe in things like fate or destiny,” the younger woman said.  “But… maybe this is one of those things where we knew each other in our past lives or something.  Maybe we were… really close to each other… or maybe we were arch enemies.”

   Ai chuckled at the hypothesis.  “Well, I certainly hope we weren’t arch enemies.”

   The younger woman also laughed.  “Maybe we were both.  Maybe we were… star-crossed.  Meant to be but… not meant to be.”

   “You’re a real romantic, aren’t you?” Ai teased, raising an eyebrow.  “Past lives, star-crossed… you believe in all that stuff?”

   “Nope,” the younger woman replied, grinning.  “Like I said, I don’t believe in fate or destiny.  Even if such a thing existed, I still believe in the present.  The future is undetermined.  Nothing is set.”

   Ai watched her companion and smiled, pleasantly surprised by her outlook on life.  She definitely didn’t seem like just any girl you meet out of nowhere, although that was exactly what she was to Ai.  She was special.  She had a clear mindset and certain strength from an unknown source.  At this point, Ai was more attracted to her than ever.

   “Ah!  I forgot!” the woman suddenly gasped.  “I didn’t even introduce myself properly.”  She offered her hand as a greeting and smiled.  “I’m Niigaki Risa.  Nice to meet you.”

   The older woman shook the hand and grinned.  “My name is—”

   A rapid sound of beeping interrupted the conversation as both women jumped a little from the shock.  Ai quickly reached into her back pocket and took out her flashing cell phone and opened it.  The time lit up on the screen in a large font—11:55.

   ‘We gotta get you back before Sayu… which means we only have until about midnight.’

   “… I… I have to go…” Ai mumbled slowly, realization washing over her.  “I have to go!

   “Wait, what?” Risa asked, blinking furiously.  “Now?”

   “Yes, now!” Ai yelled, shoving her phone in her pocket again.  “I-I’m sorry about this, but I really have to go.  There’s no time!”

   “M-m-matte kudasa—”

   Before the younger woman could even finish her phrase, Ai opened the glass door and took off, burying herself in the crowd.  She quickly made her way through the upper level and ran down the stairs.  She could hear the familiar voice of her companion, calling for her to wait, but she continued to move forward.  As much as she wished to stop and stay with the woman a little while longer, she knew she had to get back home by midnight.  If Sayumi knew that she had gone to the club…

   Ai looked around like a mad person, trying to spot the black-haired girl so that she could avoid her.  Fortunately or unfortunately enough, the eyes that she met were not of her stepsister, but of her evidently alarmed turtle friend, who was standing right in front of a woman with jet black hair.

**  **  ** 

   “Eri, I’m saying this for the last time: I want to go home!”

   The turtle cringed a little as the bunny yelled at her angrily.  She had been yelling this way for quite a while now, since she strongly desired to leave the club yet she was being held back.  Eri had continuously sat Sayumi back down whenever she got up, offered her more to drink, and babbled on about stories that may interest her.  She had been doing everything in her power to hold the bunny back until midnight, when Ai would go back home.

   And now, she was so close to that goal, seeing her friend from across the room, making her way to the entrance.  It was by pure luck that Eri was able to see Ai while Sayumi had her back turned towards her sister.  Noticing that Ai had spotted her as well, Eri rapidly moved her eyebrows and tilted her head to the side a little, signaling for her to quickly leave. 

   “Eri… are you okay?”

   The turtle blinked as her eyes refocused on the black-haired girl in front of her, who was clearly confused by her twitching.

   “I’m fine, I’m fine!” Eri laughed nervously.  “Um… maybe I’m a little drunk, just a bit.”

   “Well then, you should go home, too,” Sayumi said firmly.  “Just like I’m going to do right now.”

   As the bunny started to turn around, Eri quickly grabbed her shoulders and turned her back, holding her down firmly.  She peeked behind Sayumi’s shoulder and saw that Ai had quickly ducked behind a table.  The girl needed to get out of here, and fast.

**  **  ** 

   Oh, this is great, just great!

   Ai could hear her own heart, bursting out of her chest whilst beating rapidly.  Just what was going on?  Sayumi was turning around and was so close to spotting her… Hopefully, Eri had reprimanded her.

   I have to get out of here fast…

   With that in mind, Ai started to slowly get up again, but something pulled her back down.  Ai gasped as she reached towards her ear.  Her earring, the one shaped like a crystal that Eri had put in for her, was caught on the table cloth that hung down to the floor.  Starting to panic, Ai quickly worked her fingers on the earring hook to no avail.  She continued to fumble with the knot hastily, until she undid the jewelry and managed to get it off her ear.  She tried to free the earring from the table cloth, but some loose strings had caught onto it and wouldn’t release. 

   “Hey!  Wait up!”

   Ai whipped her head around and saw her companion, finally free from the crowd of the second floor, approaching the stairs at an incredible pace while looking out over the railings.  Giving up on the earring, Ai stood back up spotted Eri holding the squirming Sayumi in place.  Not giving anything a second thought, Ai ran towards the exit without turning back.

**  **  ** 

   “Itai!  Eri, that hurts!”  Sayumi complained loudly as she shook off her older girl’s grasp.  “You’re acting so weird today.  What’s wrong with you?”

   “Um… I just…” Eri mumbled as she wracked her brain for an excuse.  “Oh!  I think I may have drunk over my limit… I can’t go back home alone~”  She swayed her body back and forth as she faked a hiccup.  Sayumi rolled her eyes.

   “You didn’t even drink that much,” she shot back.  “I’m leaving.”

   “Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!” Eri shrilled, putting her weight onto Sayumi’s shoulders so that she couldn’t turn around.  The turtle could see Ai a couple feet away, standing up from behind the table, and skittering towards the exit.  “I can’t… I can’t walk by myself~ Help me, Sayumin~”

   “You were standing fine just a moment ago,” the bunny said in an annoyed tone.  “Stop being ridiculous and get on your feet!”

   “No, I feel dizzy~”

   Eri continued to moan as she refused to hold herself up. If she wanted to ensure Ai’s safe return home without the risk of Sayumi getting back first (and the safe evacuation of the Ramen Rangers if they were still in the apartment), Eri knew that she had to hold back the bunny as long as she could.  With this in mind, the turtle shamelessly threw her arms around her friend, clinging onto her like a child.  She knew that Sayumi would be significantly delayed by her heavy hug and this would perhaps give Ai enough time to get home and grunge down a bit from her currently beautified form.

   Sayumi groaned as she tried to untangle Eri’s arm around her neck to no avail.  “Okay, okay, fine.  I’ll get you a cab.  So at least try to walk by yourself; I can’t carry both our weights.”

   “Yatta~ Arigatou, Sayu!” the older girl giggled.

   Sayumi just rolled eyes again, thinking that she was being too nice for her own good.  She let the turtle’s head drop down on her shoulders, which only prevented her from seeing Eri silently smiling to herself.

**  **  ** 

   Risa pushed through the crowd of clubbers, upturning someone’s drink by accident in the process, and made her way to the stairs.  She looked over the railing in search of the mysterious woman, whom she eventually spotted kneeling by a table. 

   “Hey!  Wait up!”

   She was about to call her name as well before she realized she didn’t know her name yet.  She had to at least know her name! Determinedly, Risa made a sharp turn and skittered down the stairs, watching the older woman a couple meters away visibly panic.  The bean quickly maneuvered herself through more dancers, swiftly making her way to the table but she was too late.  The woman was already gone, escaped through the exit. 

   Risa groaned in frustration as she ruffled her hair.  How could she let her go without even knowing her name?  She didn’t have any of her contact information either…  How would she find her again?  Well, at least the woman knew Risa’s name… but would she make the effort to meet up with the bean again?  Maybe this was just a club fling to her…

   Risa sighed, disappointed by how the night turned out.  She looked at the direction which the older woman had disappeared towards; she saw a black-haired woman drag a lighter-haired woman—who seemed a bit tipsy—out of the club while complaining in a loud voice.  Just as she was about to turn away, something flashed at the corner of the bean’s eye.  Risa looked down and saw a tiny light shining from the table cloth.  She quickly kneeled and took a closer look. She discovered that the source of the light was a small earring that was hooked onto the cloth; the way the charm was cut into multiple facets like a small crystal was what made it illuminate in the darkness. 

   Risa carefully untangled the hook from the loose strings and freed the jewelry.  She held it up to take a closer look as her mind briefly flashed back to the older woman’s face, with an identical crystal hanging from her ear.  A small smile appeared on the bean’s face unconsciously before her lips formed a tight line in determination.  This was it.  This was their connection.  The unnamed woman currently had one of the earrings and the matching piece was now in Risa’s possession.  She would find the owner of the jewelry, and hopefully reunite with the mysterious stranger.  After all, she did find the lost earring the woman had left behind.  This had to mean something.

   Just for tonight, Risa would believe in fate and destiny.

**  **  ** 

   Sayumi was annoyed.

   Beyond annoyed.  She was currently experiencing the pinnacle of irritation.  After all, her night wasn’t what she imagined it would be like, what with various women hitting on her and being unable to get back home earlier than she planned for because of a certain turtle’s obviously fake drunk act.  And now, she was repeatedly abusing an elevator button to vent her frustration at the slow machine. 

   It was already ten minutes after midnight, although Sayumi had planned to return home by 12 o’clock.  Getting a cab for Eri had significantly delayed her plans.  She wasn’t even sure why she got a taxi for the “drunk” turtle; she was clearly faking it.  Nevertheless, Sayumi had decided to play along for her friend’s benefit.  She wasn’t sure why the older girl was being so clingy tonight but she didn’t question her intentions. After all, this was Kamei Eri, the airhead turtle.  Her brain waves were usually on a different when it came to thought processing.  And because it was Kamei Eri, the girl she had known for four years as her stepsister’s best friend, Sayumi didn’t feel the need to blow up on her too much like she would’ve to other people.

   Alas, a clear ding of the elevator resounded and the door slid open.  Sayumi took a step in and, once again, poked at the 5th floor button relentlessly.  The door closed and the low hum of the elevator took over as the bunny felt herself being lifted into air.  After a couple moments, the door slid open with a ding.  But as Sayumi took a step out, she almost ran into a group of kids standing in front of the elevator.  They had a slightly panicked look on their faces as they quickly bowed respectfully.  For some reason, they all had a pencil in their hand.

   “M-M-Michishige-san!” they stuttered.  “K-k-konbanwa!”

   “You guys…”  Sayumi raised an eyebrow, recognizing the neighborhood girls.  Some sort of rangers or something… They were so obsessed with Ai that their stalker-like behavior was starting to annoy the cold bunny.  “What are you kids doing on my floor?  At this hour?”

   “W-w-we were just… on our way down!” Kanon stammered.

   “Down the…. the stairs!  Stairs!” Erina insisted, turning her body to make it seem as though she was uninterested in getting in the elevator.

   “We didn’t know it had gotten so late, and our parents called for us,” Riho said quickly.

   “And we were going home, like good girls,” Mizuki claimed.  “Because we are…”

   “Bishoujo Sentai Ramen—”

   “Whatever,” Sayumi sighed, cutting off the meek girls.  “Stop bothering me and go home.”

   “Hai!”

   The four girls quickly scattered as one got in the elevator, one took the stairs upstairs, another down the stairs, and the last ran into a wall.  They quickly reformed again in front of the elevator, seeming to be very disoriented, and saluted Sayumi before running down the stairs together. 

   The bunny raised an eyebrow again at the Ramengers’ unusual behavior before casting it off in her mind.  They had always been an odd bunch in the first place anyway, being so fan-crazed over an average 25-year-old woman who lived a painfully normal life.  Sayumi was never particularly fond of them, except maybe that one girl named Riho.  She was rather cute, kind of like a hamster.

   Sayumi plugged her key into the door and finally stepped into her house.  She took off her shoes and immediately dropped her bag and jacket whilst looking around.  The apartment seemed empty, and very clean.  Her stepsister had obviously done her chores.

   “Onee-chan?” she called out into the silence.  “Onee-chan!”

   “Ara, you’re back!”

   Sayumi turned towards the bathroom where the voice came from.  Ai had popped her head out through the open door; her face was a little wet and there was a towel around her head.  She looked as though she had just gotten out of the shower. 

   “… Tadaima,” Sayumi said quietly.

   “Okaeri,” Ai grinned.  “Did you enjoy the party?”

   The bunny nodded, keeping her mouth shut for fear that the truth about the party being absolutely uninteresting may spill out. 

   “That’s good,” Ai said.  “All your clothes are washed, dried, and folded.  They should be in your room.”

   “Okay,” the younger sister answered, nodding her head again.  Suspecting nothing out of the ordinary, she went straight to her room and shut the door.  She saw that her clean clothes were neatly piled on her desk.  Her lips twitched into a small smile, satisfied that her stepsister had listened to her and stayed home.

**  **  ** 

   Ai closed the bathroom door and leaned her back against it as she slid down to the tiled floor.  She put her hand against her racing heart and exhaled slowly, calming herself down from previous nerve-wrecking conversation.  She removed the towel from her head, revealing her perfectly dried hair, and tossed it in the laundry bin.  She looked down at herself, still dressed in the beautiful red and black outfit that Eri had coordinated for her. 

   That had been an incredibly close call.  Too close, in fact.  Ai had arrived just in time to get the Ramenger girls out of the house, jump into the bathroom, splash some water on her face, and wrap a towel around her head to cover her nicely groomed hair.  She would’ve had time to change into her pajamas or her bathrobe as well if it hadn’t taken longer than expected to get her fan club out of her room.  When Ai arrived home, she found that the girls had indeed finished all her chores, but was now in the process of fighting over pieces of scrap paper in her trashcan.  They were just worthless scribbles and doodles but the Ramengers were still furiously quarreling over them.  In the end, Ai just gave each of them a pencil that she had used—which the Ramengers were incredibly touched by—and then kicked them out of her house. 

   Sighing, Ai got back on her feet and started to strip her party clothes.  She could probably stash them under the sink cabinet for the time being and take them back to Eri’s shop the following day.  As she started to remove her necklace and bracelets, Ai looked at herself in the mirror.  A single earring hung on her left ear.  She slowly removed the tiny crystal and held it up to the light, watching it reflect the beams to every which way.  She would have to tell Eri that she lost the other piece through an unfortunate incident.  Would she ever be able to find it again?  Maybe… just maybe… by some lucky chance… that mysterious woman found it?

   Niigaki Risa… Risa… Niigaki Risa…

   A small smile spread across Ai’s lips as she carefully wrapped her fingers around the crystal.  Just like she wished to find the earring’s other pair, Ai hoped that she would be able to see Niigaki Risa again in the near future.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

hope you enjoyed that~  :twothumbs

 :byebye: :sleep:

EDIT: okay, the april fools thing changed a lot of words... so i re-edited it...  :nervous
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 4 - (3/19)]
Post by: KirikomoriHime on April 02, 2012, 06:29:16 AM
Ahh research... --does it anyway--

I'm too tired to do a long review this time... soooo

TAKAGASKI MOMENT(S) <3
KAMESHIGE MOMENT <3
STALKER RAMENGER <333

and aww fate :)

--crawls away--
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 5 - (4/2)]
Post by: kawaii beam on April 02, 2012, 06:35:48 AM
cuteness overload~! :deco: thats all i can say for now....im ubber tierd lol
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 5 - (4/2)]
Post by: xxkaori-kittyxx on April 02, 2012, 08:22:07 AM
Yay! update!

Gaki's sudden shyness was rather cute. When I read the chapeter title I was wondering how you were gonna tie cinderella's missing slipper to Ai lossing some thing and how she was going to lose it, but I have to say, you did an phenomenal job in modifying and modern-ing it.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 5 - (4/2)]
Post by: XxRoByNxX78 on April 02, 2012, 09:32:28 AM
lol the stalker rangers sort of remind me of a mate of mine who is really obssesed with a girl in school that he spent 35 pound on chocolate alone on valentines day

so am gusseing takagaki

kamishige all though a hoping for tanashige lolz

as useall awsome writing and update quick !
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 5 - (4/2)]
Post by: risa_ai on April 02, 2012, 12:45:50 PM
I FREAKIN' LOVE YA SIS.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 5 - (4/2)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on April 02, 2012, 08:27:10 PM
Oh Yay! Takagaki talk! I love Ai's escape, getting her earring stuck in the table cloth? Lols!

And Eri's distraction was awesome, too!

Seems like Taka and Gaki are pretty determined to meet again.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 5 - (4/2)]
Post by: Koei on April 03, 2012, 02:36:23 AM
Woot!!! Chapter 5!!! This means!!! Comment time!!  :cow:

Well the backgrounds on all of them is completely awesome since you get to see how familiar they are to each other in the midst of all their differences...if that even makes sense...  :P

Ultra love the Ramenger's fan-girling over Ai and Eri taking control of that chance to help the monkey!! Its great to see sparks of their persona in the characters! You can truly imagine the situation.

Sayu's character!!! WOW!!! it's like truly out of a fairytale! she's so... umm... shall I deem it... well-developed?! It's like: you can feel her all the way (and no I don't mean in the land of dropping pant's way...or do I??)

Reina's character...mmm alongside JunJun she's quite the girl ain't she?!!?!?  :oops:

And of course who can forget the embodiment of the stories all mixed together!?!?!?!?! the ball, her running away, being kept apart from the things you wish the most, the responsibilities you take that are not yours to take... I'm liking...gome~ LOVING!!! this story as it progresses!!! keep it up!!!  ~Koei  :cow:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 5 - (4/2)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on April 03, 2012, 05:33:18 PM
Getting my Ai dosage of the day~ great chapter! I am surprised Sayu went along with Eri even though she knew she was faking... I would think she would have pestered Eri as to why she was faking... Just wondering @.@
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 5 - (4/2)]
Post by: SarangAi on April 08, 2012, 06:54:04 AM
@KirikomoriHime: lol it's okay!  a comment is good enough~  :D

@kawaii beam: lol sorry, i update late...  :nervous

@xxkaori-kittyxx: thank you!  I was thinking about letting her drop a cell phone but then i realized it's been done... lol  XD

@XxRoByNxX78: woah well that's a lot of chocolate....  :lol:

@risa_ai: lol *accepts love*  :D

@rndmnwierd: lol i know, but an earring wouldn't normally kinda fall out of someone's ear...  :lol:

@Koei: oh yay!  i'm glad you're liking it~~ I like working on character developing so it's nice to know I've succeeded in some aspects  :twothumbs

@Tian_Yuan: lol you can wonder... maybe she had a "oh what the hell" moment?  :P


Thanks for all the comments/thanks! :cow:

unfortunately, this isn't an update, but I figured I'll just reply to comments right now anyways while I have little time XD

I would actually be quite ahead in my writing right now, but I'm not...  :nervous

I'm on vacation right now so I'm like, a good day's worth of driving away from home.  (Not a fun road trip when you're the type to get carsick over a 15 minute drive)

But a lot is planned for the future!  Just gotta... write it....  :D

So please wait up~
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 5 - (4/2)]
Post by: risa_ai on April 08, 2012, 06:59:02 AM
I'm waiting~! XD BACK YET?! HELLOSH?! :p Take your time. :D *gives more love to saryu-chan*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 5 - (4/2)]
Post by: arisa03 on April 08, 2012, 01:14:39 PM
I haven't replied! OTL.

I see what you did theeereee. Don't worry Ai/Risa, you two will meet again since you two practically works on the same building. ho-ho ho-ho. That kameshige, I seeeee iitttt. By next chapter, I hope you'll be going back to the club for some ReiKa. XDDDD /hides under a barrel
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 5 - (4/2)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on April 08, 2012, 05:50:08 PM
Have fun on your vacation! The weather seems good these days, so I hope it's also nice where you are  :)

And of course, we'll all be here waiting to see what you have in store  :D
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 6 - (4/13)]
Post by: SarangAi on April 13, 2012, 03:19:39 AM
@risa_ai: mehehe thank you! XD

@arisa03: lol rule of fairy tale: there is no second ball.  :lol:

@Tian_Yuan: lol it was actually kinda cold because I was up north, and I'm a summer girl in the first place :nervous  but it wasn't bad~  :D


and i'm back~ :cow:

I gotta admit, it took me longer to pick a title than actually write it... lol XD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 6 – “But the glass slipper did not fit the Stepsister”

   Risa rotated the small jewelry between her fingers, observing every angle and facet of it.  It was a simple earring with a hook and a tiny chain streaming down from it, connected to a small glass charm that was cut up into a diamond shape.  Although it looked like any common earring that could be found in a jewelry shop, the bean could not help but continuously stare at it, mesmerized by its clarity. 

   Why did she have to leave so quickly?  Just a little longer… just three more seconds and Risa would’ve been able to hear her name.  She must’ve had some sort of curfew… but was it so necessary to run out without a warning like that?  Would she even remember her?  Would she look for her?  Would she recall the name “Niigaki Risa”?  Or would she remember but just not care…?

   Whatever the case was, Risa knew she had to find her.  The fact that she wasn’t able to get any sleep last night because of recurring thoughts about the woman at the club definitely meant that she was hooked.  If she didn’t search for her, Risa knew she wouldn’t be able to hear the end of it.  The earring would be the key.  Through it, she would find the woman, remember her face, her voice, her smile, her actions, the way she danced and wrapped her arms around Risa’s waist…

   “Gaki-san!  Did you hear what I said?”

   Risa blinked as her eyes refocused on the earring in front of her and then her surroundings.  Her flatmate was staring at her with a half-frustrated, half-worried expression whilst seated across the table.  Her hair was ruffled up from just getting out of bed but her skin looked supple and clean from being washed.  She leaned over the table and repeated the words that Risa had missed.

   “I said, good morning, Gaki-san,” she said slowly.

   “Ah.  Un.  Ohayou, Aika,” the bean replied curtly.  “When did you get up?”

   “A while ago,” the younger girl said.  “I’ve been in the kitchen for a couple minutes too, but I don’t think you noticed.”

   “… Oh.”

   Risa made a guilty expression, smiling nervously at her friend as if to beg for forgiveness.  Aika raised an eyebrow before she sighed and leaned back in her chair.

   “Were you thinking about that woman you met last night again?” she asked.

   Risa smiled a little, nodding her head.  “You can tell?”

   “Well, you’ve been spacing out while clutching that earring like it’s the holy grail of something,” Aika grinned.  “She was really that attractive, huh?”

   “Oh gosh, Aika, you wouldn’t believe it,” Risa sighed, a dreamy look appearing on her face.  “She was sweet, funny, beautiful, a great dancer—”

   “Yeah, yeah, you already told me a thousand times last night,” Aika interrupted, rolling her eyes.  “Apparently, she was amazing enough to make you forget about your dear childhood friend at the club and ditch me for the rest of the night.”

   “Mou, I already apologized for that!” Risa moaned.  “Are you going to hold that against me forever?”

   “Don’t worry, I’m only teasing,” the younger girl laughed.  “I wasn’t mad in the first place anyway.  Besides, because you left me first, I got picked up by a woman who offered me a drink at the bar.”

   “Good, so you’re not really mad—wait, WHAT?”  Risa slammed the table as her mouth dropped open.  “You picked up by WHO and you drank WHAT?”

   Aika’s eyes opened wide as she gasped softly, realizing her slip of the tongue.  “Oops.”

   “Aika!” the bean scolded.  “I told you to stay away from alcohol!  You’re still underage!”

   “Don’t worry, I didn’t get caught!” the younger girl insisted.  “Nobody doubted my age.  Besides, I didn’t get drunk or anything; I only had a sip.”

   Risa groaned, unconvinced by her friend’s excuse.  “Mou, Aika!  What am I going to tell your parents…”

   “See, see, see, that’s the beauty of it, Gaki-san!” Aika said quickly, jumping at the chance to defend herself.  “My parents live in Shiga while we live all the way up here in Tokyo!  They won’t ever have to know!”

   “Aika—”

   “Please, please, pretty please?” the younger girl begged, pouting like a puppy with her hands clasped together.  “Let me off the hook, just this once!  I won’t ever drink irresponsibly again, I promise.”

   “… Oh, fine, just this once,” Risa finally said, sighing.  “I don’t have the time or the brain capacity to worry about your innocence right now anyway.”

   “… You’ve fallen hard, haven’t you?”

   “Ee?”  Risa looked up at her flatmate, who was peering at her with a knowing smile.  “I… I suppose… yeah.”  The bean blushed red after admitting her feelings and exhaled heavily.  “I just can’t get her out of my mind.  She’s all I’ve been able to think about since last night and… and I just have to find her.  There was this… thing between us at the club.  I don’t know what it was, but I could feel it and I know she felt it too.  This earring is all I have of her now, but I have to make the most of it and look for her.”

   Risa ran her fingers through her hair, wrinkling her expression as though in deep contemplation.  Aika gazed at her while chewing her lips, seeming to calculate something in her head.  Her older childhood friend had always watched out for her, taking part in solving her problems.  Perhaps this was one of those times where Aika had to take the babysitter role from the bean and help her out in a dilemma.  If she didn’t assist Risa, it seemed as though the older girl wouldn’t be able to function for at least a good week, maybe even a month.

   “Tell you what,” Aika said, grinning.  “Since you have work today while I don’t really have any plans, maybe I can take that earring and ask around a bit.  I can walk around the streets by the club and try looking for the owner.  I’ll think of it as my own solo tour of Tokyo.  How about it?”

   “Really?” Risa gasped, her face brightening.  “You would do that for me?”

   “Of course,” the younger girl laughed.  “For you, Gaki-san, this is definitely not a big deal.”

   “Arigatou, Aika!” Risa exclaimed, getting up and dashing towards her friend to hug her.  “You’re the best!  I could never live without you!”

   “Hey, you know I only want what’s best for you,” Aika grinned, hugging the bean back.  “And right now, if we don’t find this woman, I think you’re going to deteriorate to a zombie.”

   “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Risa laughed.  “Okay, so, you want to take the earring with you?”

   “Maybe you should hold on to that, in case you bump into her or something,” Aika suggested.  “I’ll take a picture of it to show people.”

   “Yeah, fat chance I’ll just coincidentally bump into her,” Risa scoffed, putting the earring down on the table as Aika took out her cell phone.

   “Hey, weirder things have happened,” the younger girl shrugged.  She aimed the lens at the earring and snapped a photo of it. “Just for reference, what does this woman look like?”

   “Um, short brown hair, she’s about my height... give or take a couple centimeters… oh, and she said she was 25 years old.”

   “Okay, I’ll keep those in mind.”  Aika put her cell phone away and stood up from her chair.  “I’ll just visit a couple shops down town and ask around.  I’ll do my part, so you better do yours and focus at work today, Gaki-san.”

   “Don’t worry, I won’t slack off at work—”  Risa gasped in realization.  “WORK!  I completely forgot; I have to leave now!  And it’s my first day too… Ugh, I’m such an idiot!”

   The bean grabbed the earring off the table and rushed back into her bedroom to change.  Aika just laughed at her usually calm friend’s break down and took her time in casually strolling into her own room to get ready for the day.

**  **  ** 

   Ai let out a deep sigh as she stared into space while leaning on a coat rack.  She slowly smiled as memories from the previous night crossed her mind again, bringing back images of the beautiful girl she had met on the dance floor.  Risa.  Niigaki Risa.  23 years old.  Risa.  The more she repeated the name, the more wonderful it sounded.  Risa.  Risa.  Risa.

   It was by an unfortunate turn of events, however, that Ai had to run out before midnight in order to steer clear of her stepsister’s wrath.  Just that moment alone, in which she had to leave the club while her turtle friend distracted the bunny only a couple feet away, had made Ai feel as though ten years had been cut out of her life.  Even worse, she had lost the earring that Eri had lent her in the process of escaping as well. 

   But the worst of all was that she had run out without exchanging contact information or a solid guarantee that she would meet Niigaki Risa again.  All Ai knew about her was her name and her age and that she has her own place and a job.  She wasn’t even sure what kind of job.  With so little information, how was she supposed to reunite with the mysterious woman?

   And the bigger question was, did Niigaki Risa even want to see Ai again?  And did Ai want to see Niigaki Risa again?  The older woman had thought the answer was a definite yes to the second one but after further thought, she realized there was a problem: Niigaki Risa didn’t know who she was.  To her, Ai may as well be some mysterious woman in red and black who is the essence of beauty and seduction.  But reality was not so, since Ai was actually just a worker in a small clothing boutique and a part-time janitor.  She was not the most attractive woman in the world, and definitely not the most sophisticated.  So if they were to meet again, outside of the club, while Ai was just being her painfully-average self instead of a glamorously transformed lady, would Niigaki Risa be disappointed?  Did Ai want to risk that?

   “Ai-chan, I pay you to work, not to daydream!”

   Ai gasped as she quickly pulled her weight away from the coat rack she had been leaning against and turned to her employer.  A dress on a hanger fell off the rack in the process and the turtle quickly bent down to pick it up before her friend could.  Embarrassed, Ai bowed her head a little in apology.

   “Gomene, Eri,” she sighed.  “I guess I just kind of spaced out for a moment there…”

   “It’s fine, I’m only teasing,” Eri grinned, hanging the dress back on the rack.  “I know exactly what you’re thinking about right now anyway.”

   Ai raised an eyebrow.  “You do?”

   “Ni.  I.  Ga.  Ki.  Ri.  Sa.”  The turtle leaned in closer to her friend’s face with each syllable with a smirk.  “That woman you met at the club, right?  From the looks of your texts last night, it seems like you really like her.”

   “N-not particularly,” Ai mumbled, her cheeks starting to feel a little warm.  “I mean… I’m interested, yeah, but… we’re probably not going to be able to see each other again…”

   “Why not?” Eri asked, tilting her head towards one side.  “I think it’d be nice for you to see her again.  Who knows, maybe this is the start of a little… something-something?”

   “I doubt it,” Ai laughed.  “We barely know each other.  What are the chances of us meeting again in a city as big as Tokyo?”

   “Hey, you never know,” the turtle said, throwing her arms out and twirling around.  “Anything is possible if you just believe~”

   “You’re making it sound like some sort of fairy tale,” Ai sighed.

   “Fairy tales are based off of what’s real life anyway,” Eri pointed out.

   “Well, my life hasn’t exactly been a magical fairy tale,” the older girl grinned.  “It’s fine though, really; whatever happens, happens.  I’m just going to treat it like another nice moment in my life that I can just treasure as a good memory.  The only thing I regret is losing your earring…”

   Ai reached into her back pocket and pulled out the crystal charm jewelry and held it out to the turtle.  But Eri shook her head and took a step back.

   “It’s okay, Ai-chan,” she assured.  “I was thinking about giving it to you anyway; it suited you really well.  If you ever find the other earring, it’s yours to keep.”

   “Really?  Is that okay?”

   “Un!  Daijoubu~”

   Ai slowly smiled as she reached out and embraced her friend.  “Arigatou, Eri!  It’ll be a souvenir, to remind me of the night I… broke a couple rules.”

   “Oh yes, you disobeyed your baby stepsister and went to a club for the first time in years,” the turtle said sarcastically, pulling away from the older girl’s tight hold.  “What a rebel you are, Ai-chan.”

   The older girl chuckled at her friend’s comment before she held up the earring to the light coming through the glass wall at the front of the store.  Smiling at her friend’s marvel at the jewelry, Eri skipped towards the other side of the store to straighten up a pile of folded clothes.  Shortly after, the two women heard the chime of the store door opening.  They both turned habitually towards the entrance and bowed.

   “Irasshaimase—”

   “Relax, it’s just me.”

   Ai and Eri looked up at the familiar voice to see a black-haired girl they both knew all too well.  Her hair was in waves today and she was wearing a pink flowery spring dress.  She had a small purse in her hand along with a small paper bag. 

   “Sayu!” Ai called, surprised by the sudden visit.  “What are you doing here?”

   “What, am I not allowed to shop here?” Sayumi said in her usual cold tone.

   “Of course you’re allowed,” Eri chuckled.  “But you rarely buy things here anyway.  Don’t you go more for brand name stuff than boutique clothes like Tresor’s?”

   “Well maybe I felt like buying something here today,” Sayumi spat out.  She marched straight into the store and placed her things on the counter and twirled around.  Ai and Eri secretly eyed each other and shrugged.  The bunny’s gaze landed on the object in her older sister’s hand.

   “What’s do you have there, Onee-chan?” she questioned.

   “Huh?”  Ai looked down at her own hand and realized she was still holding onto the earring.  “Oh!  This!  Um, it’s nothing important.” 

   She quickly shoved it back in her pocket and glanced at the turtle, who was chewing furiously on her bottom lip.  Neither of them wished to explain to black-haired girl that the earring was something Ai wore the previous night to the club that Sayumi had specifically forbidden her from visiting. 

   The bunny raised an eyebrow at the two older girls’ strange behaviors, after having caught the slight glimmer of a crystal jewelry in the spit second it was revealed to her.  What was so incredible about an earring that she wasn’t supposed to know about?

   “Nee, Sayu,” Eri called out, attempting to change the topic, “what’s in the bag?”  She skittered towards the counter and stood on her toes to look into the paper bag that the bunny had brought in.  “Is it food?”

   “It’s bread and coffee,” the younger girl answered.  “I just happened to pass by a bakery.  They looked good, so I bought some.”

   She reached in to the paper bag and took out a couple of melon breads and red bean breads.  She then took out a large silver thermos as well with paper cups.  At this point, Ai had approached the counter as well, almost drooling at the sight of the delicacies. 

   “Oishii sou…” she mumbled.  “They look really good…”

   “You can have some, if you want,” Sayumi said, nonchalantly.  “You didn’t have time for breakfast this morning so… if you’re hungry, you can eat it.  I don’t care.”

   “Ahh!” Eri exclaimed, a huge grin appearing on her face as she pointed at the bunny.  “You purposely brought these for Ai-chan, didn’t you Sayumin?  Because you knew she didn’t have breakfast this morning!”

   “B-baka!  It’s not like that!” Sayumi denied, her cheeks blushing in either fury or embarrassment.  “I told you, I just happened to pass by a bakery; it wasn’t on purpose!”

   “Oh yeah?” Eri smirked.  “Then how come the coffee is in your thermos?  This means it was made at home, wasn’t it?”

   “… S-so what if it was?” Sayumi scoffed.  “I was making coffee for myself and I made more than I needed… so I packed it.  They’re just leftovers.”

   “Okay, okay, that’s enough, both of you,” Ai laughed.  “Sayu, thanks for thinking of bringing these in; like you said, I didn’t eat breakfast today, so I was getting a little hungry.  Arigatou.”

   “It’s not like I did it for you, anyway…” the bunny muttered. 

   “I’m grateful, too, Sayu,” Eri grinned, pretending not to notice the quick glare from the younger girl.  “Caffeine is the life of any employed worker, right?”

   The two older girls then opened the thermos and started to pour the coffee into the paper cups.  Ai pushed a cup with the hot liquid to her sister with a smile, allowing Sayumi to drop her scowl a little and receive the offer.  Eri took a sip of her coffee and let out a low satisfied sigh, encouraging the other two girls to do the same.  Then, Ai reached over and grabbed one of the melon breads, sealed in a plastic wrap, and took careful care in opening it.  She took a hearty bite and chewed, smiling as the sweet flavor triggered her taste buds.

   “Umai~” she commented aloud, taking another bite.  “You were right, Sayu, these are good.  Thanks again.”

   Sayumi let out a low grunt in acknowledgement before sipping her coffee again.  She watched her stepsister munch down the bread eagerly, sipping the coffee after every other bite.  She seemed rather happy to finally get food in her stomach, which made the bunny decide that she made the right choice in bringing food to Tresor today.

   “AHHH!”  Eri suddenly screamed aloud before starting to whine.  “Mou~ Yada~!”

   The stepsiblings quickly looked at the turtle, who was holding an empty paper cup away from her body while she stood frozen.  A streak of brown was visible on her pink blouse, starting from her stomach and running down to her waist line.  Sayumi merely blinked at the incident, mumbling something about how Eri really was an airhead to have spilled coffee all over herself, while Ai quickly dashed forward to her friend with a tissue box she spontaneously grabbed from under the counter.

   “Thanks, Ai-chan, but tissues won’t do any good,” Eri groaned, watching her friend attempt to blot the stain out of her shirt.  “And this was a new blouse, too…”

   “Maybe it’ll come out if we wash I it right now,” Ai suggested.  “Come on, I’ll help you.”  She quickly pulled her friend towards the back doorway that was covered with a dark curtain, which led to the stairs that connected to the turtle’s personal flat above the store.  “Sayu, would you please mind the store for a while?  We’ll be right back.”

   “Eh?!”  Sayumi’s eyes widened in panic as she blinked a couple times.  She had never worked before in her life, and now her sister was asking her to mind a store?  Even if it was only for a short period of time, the bunny didn’t know if she had the resources to do that.  She furiously shook her head and looked to Eri for rescuing.  However, either because she didn’t notice Sayumi’s desperation or because she decided to ignore it, the turtle only replied with a sweet smile.

   “If someone comes in, just say ‘Irasshaimase’ and be pleasant,” she advised.

   Before Sayumi could protest further, the two older girls disappeared behind the curtain.  The bunny huffed as she unconsciously leaned against the counter, badly in need of support.  How could they actually leave her hear alone?  Michishige Sayumi?  Working?  Those were two things that just didn’t go well together.  It was like wearing brown with purple or something like that.  Major clashing.

   Coming to the conclusion that she definitely would not be able to hold the fort down, Sayumi dashed towards the curtains.  But before she could push it open, a jingle sounded at the store entrance.  Gasping, the black-haired girl turned around and spoke out the words that she had been taught to say.

   “I-irasshaimase…!”

   The costumer that entered the store nodded at the welcome before her eyes were drawn away to some of the mannequins that decorated the front of the store and the dresses that were hanging on the walls for display.  The girl had short brown hair that was partially pulled back and she wore a large Mickey-Mouse t-shirt with leggings and sneakers.  She didn’t look so much younger than the bunny herself. 

   Then, gasping as if she remembered something that she had forgotten, the girl marched straight towards the counter where Sayumi stood frozen.  The bunny felt her body stiffen even more, if that was possible, as she braced herself for some sort of business-related question that she would not be able to answer.

   “Sumimasen,” the girl said, her voice surprisingly low-pitched for her age.  “I was wondering… if you had any idea who this belonged to, perhaps?”

   The girl held up a lit screen on her cell phone, presenting a picture of a crystal shaped earring.  Sayumi squinted a little before she blinked, recognizing the jewel.  She could swear that it was the exact same one that her stepsister had been holding, the one that she tried to hide from her.  But how did this costumer have a picture of it…?

   “I’m sorry, I know it’s a weird question,” the girl laughed, noticing the confusion on Sayumi’s face.  “It’s just something that was lost that my friend happened to pick up.  It looked rather precious so I’ve been trying to find the owner of it.”

   The bunny wrinkled her face again, staring at the picture of the earring.  The more she looked at it, the surer she became that it was definitely the one Ai had been holding before.  But it was odd that she didn’t recognize it as Ai’s belonging; she knew her stepsister didn’t own much jewelry in the first place, and this was definitely not hers.  So was it Eri’s?  Perhaps she was just admiring it before.  But then she put it into her own pocket…

   Either way, Sayumi decided that she could pass the earring on to one of them.  She could possibly even use it to discover what is so secretive about it.  She didn’t like being kept in the dark about her stepsister’s business.  Deciding on this plan, Sayumi held out her hand in a demanding manner. 

   “It’s mine,” she claimed.  “Please give return it to me.”

   “… It’s yours?” 

   The girl raised an eyebrow as she scrutinized at the bunny.  Sayumi nodded in response and pushed her hand forward again.  After a long staring contest, the girl let out a small laugh, like a scoff or a dry chuckle, and snapped her cell phone shut.  She looked up at the black-haired girl with a cynical smile; Sayumi returned the gaze by narrowing her eyes, unable to grasp the situation.

   “Pardon my manners, Ojou-san,” the girl said, an icy edge in her voice, “but you’re a terrible liar.”

   Sayumi’s hand dropped to her side as she blinked repeatedly in disbelief.  “W-what…?”

   “I said, you’re a terrible liar,” the girl repeated, the dry smile still plastered on her face with cold eyes.  “Forget lying.  You just seem like a low person all around.”

   “… Excuse me?”  Sayumi started to feel her body tremble with anger as she clenched her fist tightly to get a hold of herself.

   “I mean, honestly,” the girl continued, “was this single earring so tempting that you had to lie about being owner of it?  That’s low, Ojou-san.”

   “I… I wasn’t lying—”

   “Oh please.  Your appearance is completely different from the one I heard about the real owner: you’re too tall and your hair is too long.  Besides, you don’t seem the type to wear this kind of earring anyway.”

   “How dare you—”

   “And even if you were the owner,” the girl said, unwilling to take a step back, “your first course of action should’ve been to thank me for finding your belonging, not demand back like I was the one who stole it.”  She then muttered to herself, “If you were the one Gaki-san fell for… I would beat her over the head.”

   Sayumi exhaled sharply, shocked by the way she had been treated.  Nobody had ever spoken to her like that in her entire life.  How dare this girl show her such rudeness?

   “Well, since you’re not the one I’m looking for, I’ll be taking my leave now.”  The girl smiled sweetly at the fuming bunny before she walked back towards the exit.  As she opened the door to leave, she turned around one more time.  “Oh, and Ojou-san… don’t lie again.  You really are terrible at it.”

   As the door jingled shut, Sayumi stood in place, staring in to space, too enraged to do anything else but to continuously puff out air in disbelief.  How dare that girl ridicule her that way!  The Michishige Sayumi who had gotten whatever she wanted since she was born!  As she continued to vent out her fury through heavy breathing, it wasn’t until she heard a commotion behind her that she slowly came back to her senses. 

   “Sayu, did we just get a costumer?” Eri asked.  “Was she just looking?”  She placed a hand gently on the bunny but it was quickly pushed away angrily.  “S-Sayu…?”

   “Sayu, what’s wrong?” Ai questioned, sensing that something was off.  “What happened?” 

   The bunny furiously whipped around and glared at the two older girls.  She saw that Eri was now wearing a clean shirt and that her sister had a concerned expression on.  Her eyes immediately went to Ai’s pocket, which she was sure held the earring and the secret that she was not being told.  Feeling the frustration pile up inside her, Sayumi finally raged aloud.

   “I can’t believe you would receive such rude people into your store!” she shrieked.  “I hate this place!”

   Without another moment’s notice, Sayumi quickly grabbed her purse off the counter and stomped out of the store, leaving her stepsister and friend to stare at her in shock and confusion at a loss of words.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

and the fairy tale continues~  :twothumbs

 :byebye:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 6 - (4/13)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on April 13, 2012, 03:47:22 AM
Oh that was awesome! Aika schooled Sayu~ and Sayu was just too cute  :oops:

Finally figured out I can subscribe to forum threads, so I was excited to see an update in my email just now  :w00t:

Keep up the great work, and I hope Risa runs into Ai at work soon  :peace:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 6 - (4/13)]
Post by: risa_ai on April 13, 2012, 09:17:33 AM
Exactly like cinderella! Prince gaki! Wonderful prince gaki! Me want MORE!
Wait, I realised the earring belonged to eri. Then ai has it now. Oh my gah.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 6 - (4/13)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on April 13, 2012, 09:35:24 AM
Oh my lols! Takagaki spacing out is so cute, but Aika pwning Sayu just made my day.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 6 - (4/13)]
Post by: XxRoByNxX78 on April 13, 2012, 02:30:35 PM
Akie just TOLD SAYU !!!

Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 6 - (4/13)]
Post by: Shiawase_Honoo on April 13, 2012, 03:13:25 PM
You made my hotest day (of summer in Thailand) to be great! :inlove:
I can imagine Aika's face when she speak like that :lol:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 6 - (4/13)]
Post by: arisa03 on April 14, 2012, 04:23:59 AM
omfg Aika is the kween -/shot. LOL So coool. But she needs to go back there, GO BACK THEEEEREE! ; A ;!! But oh damn, Aika, you're so cool. While Eri needs to comfort a certain Sayu. LOL

And yeah, Sayu you suck at lying. Totally tsundere. LOL
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 6 - (4/13)]
Post by: kimino-me on April 15, 2012, 04:43:38 PM
This keeps getting even better! Man, I've sorta fallen for Sayu in this.  XD Might have a thing for tsundere characters probs BUT AIGAKI MOST OF ALL IS :heart: I really like how you approached the search for the glass slipper, in this case, the earring. GJ! Aahhh, so close Aika, SO CLOSE. ;_;
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 6 - (4/13)]
Post by: Eleos on April 23, 2012, 03:57:31 AM
Well would you look at that. You've turned my lurker mode off. And on top of that, you've driven me to actually make an account on here. How'd that happen?  :? Oh. Your awesome writing skills. Duh. Silly me.

I mostly just hang out over on H!O, but somehow or another I found my way over here. And then I discovered your fanfics and, well, here we are.

I just wanted to pop up and let you know how wonderful I think your stories are. And let me tell you, just the fact that I've come out of the shadows to comment at all is a rather huge accomplishment. This is only the second time that's happened. Very well done madam.  :twothumbs

I just love Sayu in this story. I wanted to shoot her in Kokoro no Uta and she was adorable in Chigatte mo. But I think this is my favorite depiction of her. I can't wait until she starts to warm up a bit.  :wub:

So yeah. There you have it. Your stories are awesome. You're awesome. I'm going to make an honest effort to actually comment on here regularly instead of just lurking in the shadows. We'll see how that goes.

Well then, until next time.  Keep up the good work! I look forward to your future updates!  ;)
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 6 - (4/13)]
Post by: SarangAi on April 23, 2012, 06:47:17 AM
@Tian_Yuan: lol did you get your email???  XD

@risa_ai: oh my gah.  wait why?  :lol:

@rndmnwierd: lol glad you liked the pwning mehehe i'm trying to raise up aika a bit here  XD

@XxRoByNxX78: oh yeah!  :lol:

@Shiawase_Honoo: lol I could too!  XD

@arisa03: lol well someone's supporting Kameshige... still....  XD

@kimino-me: tsudneres are always in style :D

@nora_nora: hehehe read on and you'll see!  :lol:

@Eleos: NEW PERSON  :otomerika: :yossi: :cow: WOOHOO~~ took three stories to bring you out but i did it!  XD  lol yeah i hang in H!O too but i only post my storeis here... i don't know why XD  thanks for commenting!   :welcome  yay~~  :twothumbs


thanks for commenting everyone!!!  gave me energy  :thumbsup

So for those of you who still don't know who Reina corresponds too... I'm BLATANTLY giving it away.  cuz at this point, you should know  XD XD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 7 – “Paris fell in love at first sight with the Unsuspecting Juliet”

   “… And then you have a dinner with some of the suppliers, and then you have the rest of night to relax before your flight to Paris tomorrow morning for the spring collection.”

   President Tanaka Reina flipped over another piece of paper on her desk and scribbled something on it as her secretary read her day’s schedule aloud.  She put the sheet back in a manila folder where it whence came from and adjusted her reading glasses, which had been hanging idly at the tip of her nose.  Without looking up, she held up the file to her secretary, who received it and quickly handed her boss another similar looking folder.  Placing the paperwork down on her desk and opening the cover, Reina spoke up in an impassive tone.

   “The dinner will end at 9 o’clock, at latest,” she pointed out, clicking her pen.  “Is there a reason why my flight is tomorrow morning and not tonight?”

   “I wanted you to get some rest beforehand,” Junjun replied in the same calm manner.

   Reina quickly signed the first sheet of paper and moved on to the next page.  “Change the flight to tonight, right after the dinner,” she ordered.  “The faster I leave, the faster I can come back.”

   “… Shachou, I’m concerned for your health,” the panda admitted, squeezing the stack of folders in her arms. 

   The kitten let out a small dry chuckle, not taking her eyes off her work for one second.  “What brought this on, so suddenly?  I’m working like I always do.”

   “That’s my point, Shachou,” Junjun said.  “I think you need a break.  And you just seemed a bit distracted at this morning’s meeting…”

   Reina’s pen stopped at its spot on the page, letting the ink wallow up and create a dark blot.  “Distracted?  By what?”

   “Well, I wouldn’t know,” the panda said slowly.  “But whatever it is, maybe you should take it slow… If something happened last night, Shachou…”

   A flash went off in Reina’s mind as her memories traveled back to the darkened club with the unending black figures… and a single whiteness among them.  It was the face that she hadn’t forgotten since that moment, the face that she couldn’t forget.  In fact, she was preoccupied enough with the reminiscence that she had completely ignored a comment by her secretary that morning about how her leopard print shirt with the similarly patterned skirt was very cute.  Since she got complimented about her fashion on a daily basis, Reina usually ignored such comments from her employees or only gave a small nod or a smile in acknowledgement.  But it was usually different with Junjun.  After all, the girl was her most trusted worker who understood her character perfectly.  That was why Reina kept her close by at all times.  But this morning, she had completely blown off her words as she mindlessly tapped her fingers on her desk.

   “Distracted…” Reina mumbled to herself, slowly taking off her glasses.  She let out another dry laugh as she closed the manila folder and started to tap it against her shoulder.  “Distracted, distracted, distracted… Tanaka Reina, distracted?”  She walked around her desk and faced her secretary before she roughly pushed the folder against her chest, taking the panda slightly by surprise.  “It’s like you don’t know me at all, Junjun.” 

   Reading her boss’s cold expression, obviously showing that she was not pleased by the previous comment, the older girl silently took the folder off of Reina’s hand and bowed her head a little.  “Sumimasen, Shachou.  I crossed the line.”

   The president scanned her employee from head to toe slowly before she revealed a curt smile.  “It’s fine.  I’ll forgive you since I like your coordination today.”

   As the kitten turned around and started to walk towards her office door, Junjun quietly smiled to herself, happy to have her outfit consisting of a light blouse with a red skirt and gray stockings be complimented by her boss. 

   But she knew that she would’ve been forgiven either way.  Tanaka Reina was like that.  She seemed cold and untouchable to those who did not really know her, but it was all just in her charismatic image and character in the end.  In reality, she loved her work (perhaps a bit too much) and she genuinely cared for her employees.  That was why even at such a young age, she had the respect of many followers in the field of fashion. 

   “Junjun.”

   “Hai!”

   The panda quickly made her way to the company president who was just about to leave her office.  Reina then continued walking out into the hallway and approached the elevator and stopped, waiting for Junjun to push the button.  The ring of the elevator was immediate and the two women got on.  The secretary, once again, reached around her boss and clicked the button for 3rd floor.

   “Remind me what I’m doing next, Junjun?” Reina asked, watching each floor light up above the elevator door.

   “You’re going to Conference Room 3 in order to welcome the new interns entering our company for training,” the panda replied, taking a quick glance at the president’s schedule in her arms.  “We were unfortunately only able to hire one of the five interns from last month’s batch, which was a lot less than we expected… so we brought in another group.”

   “How many?”

   “Three.”

   “Ages?”

   “Two currently in college, one recently graduated.”

   “Specialties?”

   “Hair, cosmetics, and nails.  But all of them have proven to be well-rounded in all aspects of fashion work.”

   “… Be honest with me, Junjun,” Reina said, just as the elevator came to a halt.  “Will the next 30 minutes I spend talking to these people eventually go to waste?”

   The panda smiled as the doors slid open.  “I don’t believe so, Shachou.  I personally went through their files and picked only the best.”

   “Then I’ll keep my hopes up this time,” Reina replied, having full confidence in her employee’s skills. 

   The two women walked out of the elevator and turned into a large open space, brightly lit by natural light coming in through the glass wall that covered one side of the room.  Rows of small coffee tables and chairs were lined up by the glass wall and on the other side was a series of doors leading to offices and other rooms.  All the employees stopped what they were doing as soon as they spotted President Tanaka and took the time to bow to her or greet her with a “Ohayou gozaimasu, Shachou!” or “Kyou mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu, Shachou!”  Reina smiled back at her loyal workers, replying back with a quiet, “Kyou mo yoroshiku ne” or “Kyou mo ganbatte ne”. 

   Although it seemed like such a minimal gesture on Reina’s part, Junjun knew that she was actually directing at least one phrase to every employee of hers.  It was simply because time rarely allowed her that she was unable to call out each of their names in her greetings, which she would definitely be able to if she was asked.  Although this morning-greeting scene was something that could be witnessed every day at the Bijou company building, Junjun couldn’t help but be amazed every time at how easily Tanaka Shachou’s workers lowered their heads to her, although the majority of them were much older than her.  It just came to show just how revered this tiny 22-year-old girl was for her talents in both fashion and business.

   After all the greetings were done and over with, Reina and Junjun eventually arrived at their destination: a door marked with a metal plate that read “Conference Room 3”.  Junjun opened the door to reveal a large open area with a long table; three figures were seated silently in their seats.  Reina walked in first and casually headed towards the main chair at the head of the table.  As the kitten pulled the chair out, she heard the rustle of the other people immediately getting up from their seats, trying to show respect to the President.  Well, at least these people knew their manners.  Compared to the previous batch of interns, this new group was already off to a better start.

   Smiling a little to herself, Reina sat down in her chair as Junjun stood behind her.  Another rustle indicated that the interns had sat back down after their President.  The kitten looked up at the three women sitting on either side of her.  On her right was a pretty girl with a slightly long face, whose hair was cut short up to her ears.  Judging by her outfit, Reina could tell that she was indeed quite fashionable in her own right.  The girl sitting in the next chair down had brown hair that was done up in a very high bun, and seemed to be much shorter than the other girl.  She looked rather plain for someone who was to be in the fashion business, but Reina would wait to truly test her skills; she trusted in Junjun’s judging criteria.  The last girl on the president’s left looked a little older than the other two girls.  She had brown hair that went slightly past her shoulders and full lips that she constantly chewed on nervously. 

   Reina slightly raised her eyebrows.  It was a very slight change in her expression so most people would not have realized that the kitten had experienced an incredible shock at that moment.  However, the small dilation in her eyes was proof that some sort of realization had crossed Reina’s mind when set sight upon the girl on her left.

   It was her.

**  **  ** 

   Risa anxiously bit down on her lips, holding her hands together tightly so as to stop them from trembling.  She didn’t even dare to look up at the company president; it was incredible how a single person’s presence could bring such a change in the atmosphere.  Her aura alone was simply enough to suppress her. 

   “Everyone,” a voice spoke up, allowing Risa to peak up at the tall black-haired lady who was still standing, “this is Bijou Fashion Company’s Tanaka Reina-Shachou.”

   “Good morning, everyone,” the woman sitting at the head chair said with a small, professional smile.  “I’m Tanaka Reina.  I am very pleased to see all of you here today.  I’ve heard remarkable things about your talents from my subordinate here, Junjun, and I expect nothing less than splendor.  Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.”

   “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu,” the three interns said in unison.

   “Why don’t you just go around and quickly introduce yourselves?” Junjun suggested.  “Starting from the right.”

   “H-hai!”

   The girl with the super-short light brown hair quickly stood up and bowed towards the president.  “Natsuyaki Miyabi desu!  I’m 19 years old and I’m currently studying fashion in college…  My specialty is hair styling.  Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!”

   “When did you start studying hair styling?” Reina asked, simply out of curiosity.

   “… I… I actually didn’t formally study it…” Miyabi mumbled.  “I just kind of… taught myself in high school… It was fun so I just… eto…”

   Poor Girl, thought Risa, watching her colleague get flustered.  So I’m not the only one who is intimidated by Tanaka Shachou…

   “That’s even better,” the president smiled in reply, taking the young intern by surprise.  “If you didn’t have formal training yet you were still skilled enough to impress Junjun… then you must have some sort of innate talent.  I look forward to seeing your abilities, Natsuyaki.”

   “H-hai!” Miyabi answered, bowing again to her boss.  “Arigatou gozaimasu!”

   “Okay, then,” Junjun nodded as the first intern sat back down.  “Next?”

   The intern with the bun who had been sitting next to Miyabi slowly got up and shakily bowed to her president.  Risa realized now that this girl was standing up that she was actually quite petit.  Even with heels, she seemed quite small.  Her appearance was on the plainer side and her makeup was a lot lighter than Miyabi’s, but there still was an innocence to her that was part of her charm.

   “20 years old, Shimizu Saki desu,” the girl introduced herself.  “I’m currently studying in school as well.  My specialty is cosmetics.”

   “Cosmetics…” President Tanaka, chuckling to herself.  “Interesting, seeing as you barely have any make-up on yourself at the moment.”

   The small girl blushed.  “I… I like dressing up other people’s faces more than my own… I suppose…”

   “Well, you technically don’t need to know how to put make-up on yourself to become a make-up artist,” Reina smiled.  “I look forward to working with you, Shimizu.”

   Saki nodded quietly before dropping back into her seat.  Junjun then turned towards Risa and nodded at her, signaling for her to speak.  The bean got up immediately and bowed to her President.

   “Niigaki Risa, 23-sai desu,” she said.  “I used to work at a nail salon in Akihabara before I gave up the job to work here.  Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.”

   “So it’s Niigaki…” The President mumbled to herself, scanning the oldest intern from top to bottom.  “Niigaki, did you attend college?”

   “Yes,” Risa answered.  “I majored in Korean and minored in fashion design.”

   “Very good,” Reina commented, giving a curt smile.  “Foreign languages definitely come in handy here.  Glad to have you on board, Niigaki.”

   “The pleasure is all mine,” Risa replied, also smiling at the relief of being acknowledged by the world-renowned Tanaka Reina.

   The bean sat back down and waited for whatever was to come next.  But for an instant, she felt that there was a certain silence that engulfed her senses.  She glanced back at the young President, and noticed that she was still looking at her with a certain curiosity.  Her cat-like eyes seemed to tear Risa apart, as though she was suddenly see-through.  Risa gasped softly and quickly set her gaze elsewhere, feeling completely vulnerable to Reina’s scrutinizing eyes.  None of the other girls seemed to notice this; it was such a short moment yet the world had slowed down for the bean in that split second.  What was this feeling…?

   “Moving on, then,” Junjun spoke up, allowing Risa’s surroundings to return to its original speed again.  “Tanaka Shachou, if you will, please.”

   “As all of you must know,” Reina said, “the contracts that you have signed are not permanent; they only guarantee you the paid internship that you have here at Bijou for the next two months.  This also means that none of you are full employees yet, and therefore will undergo training during your time here.  At the end of your training, the decision of whether you will be officially hired as an employee will be made.  But for the next two months, you will be under the personal care of my assistant, Junjun.  She knows as much as I do about the mechanics of this company, so learn well from her.”

   The three interns nodded and gave small head bows again to the secretary, mumbling “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu” in the process.  The panda gave a curt nod before speaking up.

   “Again, I’m Li Chun, but you may call me Junjun or simply Jun.  I was the one who handpicked all of you so I am very aware of your skills and limits.  My job is to push those limits and help you improve and grow as a member of the modern fashion world.  And in order for me to do my job, I will need your full cooperation for the next two months.  If you give me what I want, I guarantee you that your stay here at Bijou will be much longer than that of an intern’s.  I hope that we’ll be able to work together smoothly.  Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.”

   “Now then,” Tanaka Shachou said, slowly getting up from her seat, “I’m afraid it’s time for me to take my leave… I have another meeting to attend.  Junjun will take over from here.  I hope to be able to chat personally with each of you in the near future.” 

   Reina walked towards the doors before taking one last look back at the interns, and smiled.  And once again, just like before, Risa felt her president’s cat-like eyes shift towards her for a second, probing her reaction.  The bean felt her cheeks starting to heat up from being gazed at in such a way.  Did nobody else notice this tense moment?

   “Junjun,” Reina said suddenly, turning her gaze towards her secretary, “if you will step out with me, just for a moment.”

   “Of course, Shachou,” the panda replied.  She turned towards the three interns and instructed them, “Just wait here for a moment.  I’ll be right back.”

   With that, Junjun followed her boss out of the conference room and closed the door behind her.  Risa let out a low sigh as her muscles quickly relaxed.  She heard one of the other girls stretch as she let out a moan.

   “Mou~” Miyabi whined, slumping her body forward in relaxation, “that was so stressful!”

   “I had heard rumors about Tanaka Reina Shachou,” Saki remarked, “but I had no idea her aura would be this strong!”

   “Rumors?” Risa asked, raising an eyebrow.  “What rumors?”  She wasn’t entirely aware of the president’s profile, other than her world-renowned talent in fashion and business.

   “Oh, you know,” Miyabi insisted, “the rumor that she once stared down another company’s president, who was a man and much older than her, in order to get what she wanted?”

   “There’s a lot more than just that,” Saki whispered, “but these kinds of rumors are all over Akihabara, Harajuku, Shibuya… wherever fashion makes a statement.”

   “Ee…” Risa mumbled.  “So it’s like that, huh…”

   “Well, people say that she’s a major workaholic, though,” Miyabi continued, leaning her chin against her hand.  “She would do anything for Bijou.  But then again, I suppose that’s why she’s admired by so many, including myself.”

   “Un, me too,” Saki chimed in.  “It seems like she has such a passion for her work… well, only for her work.”

   “Yeah, that’s one downside,” Miyabi muttered.  “I hear she’s kind of cold and hard to get close to.  She smiles at you and greets you, but you never truly feel like you really know her, you know?”

   “Never truly… know her…?” Risa mumbled to herself, letting the thought sink in.  She definitely did seem a bit too professional to be… human.  Being part of the fashion industry, one would think she has a lot of friends and company… but I guess she really isn’t…?

   “Oh, by the way,” Miyabi said, breaking Risa’s thoughts, “I’m Natsuyaki Miyabi.  I just thought I’d introduce myself again.  And this is Shimizu Saki-chan.”

   “I can introduce myself, Miya,” Saki shot back, rolling her eyes.

   “I’m Niigaki Risa,” the bean said, smiling.  “It seems like you two already know each other?”

   “Oh, Saki-chan and I are childhood friends,” Miya grinned.  “We’ve been going to the same school since forever, every year.  We’re real close.”

   “Too close,” Saki remarked, smiling playfully.  “I feel like I see this girl more than I see my own face.”

   “Must be nice to have such a close friend,” Risa laughed.  “Then… Can I call you Natsuyaki-chan?  And Shimizu-chan?”

   “Miyabi is fine,” the tall girl replied.  “My family name is a bit of a mouthful.  And since you’re older than us… We’ll call you Niigaki-san.  Is that okay?”

   “You don’t have to be so formal,” the bean said, shaking her head.  “I may be older, but we’re still colleagues…”

   “Oh no, we couldn’t,” Saki said quickly.  “We’d like to call you Niigaki-san.  And since you worked in a nail salon before, technically, you entered the professional fashion world before us.”

   “I suppose… do as you like,”

   Risa grinned at the two younger girls as they smiled back.  She was glad to find that her two colleagues were very friendly and open.  In a way, the three of them were supposed to compete with each other for a permanent job at Bijou, but there was no such tension of rivalry in the air.  Risa appreciated that, since she was the type that definitely worked better without pressure.  She could see herself enjoying her work here now.  If she could only figure out why Tanaka Reina was looking at her in that peculiar way…

**  **  ** 

   “What is it, Shachou?” Junjun asked in a low voice, leaning away from the door so as to prevent the interns inside the conference room from overhearing.

   Reina turned halfway towards her subordinate.  “I just wanted to tell you to take special care of these interns,” she instructed.  “I can tell they’re special… especially that Niigaki.  Just keep an eye on her—them.  Understood?”

   Junjun smiled to herself, noting her boss’s slip of the tongue.  “As you ordered, Shachou.”

   “Good,” Reina mumbled, clearing her throat.  “Well then… I’ll see you back up in my office at noon.”

   “Yes.  Have a good meeting, Shachou.”

   As Reina walked away from her, Junjun bowed towards her employer until she disappeared down the hall.  The panda straightened her back and smiled a little again, seeming to read the kitten’s mind.  Straightening her blouse and smoothing her hair, the panda opened the door again and stuck her head into the conference room.

   “Okay, everyone up!” she announced.  “I’m going to give you a quick tour of the building, and then we’ll jump right into work.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

sorry for possible mistakes... i started to rush near the end :nervous

The BK girls is just a random pairing i picked... i'm trying it out :lol:

hope you liked~~  :D

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 6 - (4/13)]
Post by: KirikomoriHime on April 23, 2012, 07:38:37 AM
I didn't forgot to comment last time? I'm very disappointed in myself.

-distracted Reina-
I'll take anything you can throw at me! Bring on the onesided!TanaGaki!

   But she knew that she would’ve been forgiven either way.  Tanaka Reina was like that.  She seemed cold and untouchable to those who did not really know her, but it was all just in her charismatic image and character in the end.  In reality, she loved her work (perhaps a bit too much) and she genuinely cared for her employees.  That was why even at such a young age, she had the respect of many followers in the field of fashion. 
There's my tundeReina <333

-Reina greeting her workers--
Well, already Reina's much more likeable then the real Paris -mauled-

   Smiling a little to herself, Reina sat down in her chair as Junjun stood behind her.  Another rustle indicated that the interns had sat back down after their President.  The kitten looked up at the three women sitting on either side of her.  On her right was a pretty girl with a slightly long face, whose hair was cut short up to her ears.  Judging by her outfit, Reina could tell that she was indeed quite fashionable in her own right.  The girl sitting in the next chair down had brown hair that was done up in a very high bun, and seemed to be much shorter than the other girl.  She looked rather plain for someone who was to be in the fashion business, but Reina would wait to truly test her skills; she trusted in Junjun’s judging criteria.
... not sure if also H!P members. Girl 1 sounds like Miya... Girl 2... short? Bun? What. Cappu? @~@

   The girl with the super-short light brown hair quickly stood up and bowed towards the president.  “Natsuyaki Miyabi desu!  I’m 19 years old and I’m currently studying fashion in college…  My specialty is hair styling.  Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!”

   “When did you start studying hair styling?” Reina asked, simply out of curiosity.

   “… I… I actually didn’t formally study it…” Miyabi mumbled.  “I just kind of… taught myself in high school… It was fun so I just… eto…”
OH MY GOD I WAS RIGHT. And oh Miya... <3

   The intern with the bun who had been sitting next to Miyabi slowly got up and shakily bowed to her president.  Risa realized now that this girl was standing up that she was actually quite petit.  Even with heels, she seemed quite small.  Her appearance was on the plainer side and her makeup was a lot lighter than Miyabi’s, but there still was an innocence to her that was part of her charm.

   “20 years old, Shimizu Saki desu,” the girl introduced herself.  “I’m currently studying in school as well.  My specialty is cosmetics.”
RIGHT! -runs around- I'm not in a very productive state of mind this evening...

-MiyaCappu-/quote]
MIYACAPPUUU <-- still not productive


 :heart: :heart: :heart: :byebye:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 7 - (4/23)]
Post by: xyukie56 on April 23, 2012, 07:59:09 AM
As soon as I saw 'Chapter 7', I wanted to jump for joy and hug my computer  :lol: :grin:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 7 - (4/23)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on April 23, 2012, 01:30:40 PM
And Reina's role begins to become a bit more clear... Heartbreakingly so. Ga~! I love Takagaki, but I love Tanagaki, too, and it looks like Reina is going to turn out to be such a likeable character!! I'm already becoming torn... Man~!

Also liking the Miya and Saki cameo and the JunJun Reina dynamic. Hoping we'll get to see a lot more of both in the future!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 7 - (4/23)]
Post by: arisa03 on April 23, 2012, 02:55:22 PM
TanaGaki... this gon'be interesting. Poor Reina though. ; A ; If ever.

And I will forever religiously worship KameShige! -/shot
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 7 - (4/23)]
Post by: Eleos on April 23, 2012, 03:22:05 PM
Haha yeah you got me.  :sweatdrop: but then I only started reading your stuff at the beginning of this month. There was some serious marathon reading going on. 

Hmm....maybe there's just a better audience over here? So far I've noticed a lot more girls in their teens and twenties on here, as opposed to the vast majority of guys in their thirties and forties on H!O. (Please note that this is an extremely general observation) I wonder why that is.  :?

Chapter 7
Poor Reina. Gettin' all distracted 'n flustered by Gaki-san. Its cute in a very tsundere way. I love it.  :wub:

I can't wait to see a more direct interaction between the two of them.

Well that's about it for today I think. I'm in class at the moment and my teacher keeps giving me that look that says I should put my phone away. And I really should pay attention. Math is not my strong suit, by any stretch of the imagination.  :sweatdrop:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 7 - (4/23)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on April 23, 2012, 09:04:48 PM
I didnt get an email for this one! What thE?!?!?

I really enjoy the set up here and want to see more Risa and Reina interactions! Thanks for sharing!  :cow:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 7 - (4/23)]
Post by: risa_ai on April 24, 2012, 12:45:51 AM
Update~ so, more interactions, eh? :D me need a takagaki interaction too~!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 7 - (4/23)]
Post by: kimino-me on April 25, 2012, 02:02:38 PM
Oh, the little celebratory dance I do every time you update, SarangAi  :D Another very interesting chapter that I enjoyed reading!

Chuckled when Reina had a slip of the tongue. To be able to distract such a serious workaholic like Tanaka-shachou.... She must be in it deep! 

Also anticipating the moment when TakaGaki finally encounter each other (but not before all the drama!!!). They don't know that they're both working in the same building yet, ahhhhh.  :panic:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 7 - (4/23)]
Post by: Haruka on May 02, 2012, 10:53:14 PM
It's been a while <3

Hope peoplego around here ~

Hi AiAi xD how have you been lately?! I'm readig this fic =) please update soon ^^

Best wishes 4 you ~
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 7 - (4/23)]
Post by: Kikk4r on May 02, 2012, 11:04:59 PM
Reina is to awesome ....

Gaki is the prince
Ai = Cinderella
Reina = Stepsister
Sayu = Stepsister
Aika = unknown character so far ....... :nervous
+ some of the 9th gen and 10th gen they are also unknown

poor Reina she is to awesome to die alone....
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 7 - (4/23)]
Post by: SarangAi on May 22, 2012, 07:28:39 AM
@KirikomoriHime: oh I'll give you one-sided TanaGaki!  :lol:

@xyukie56: I hope I got the same reaction for ch. 8...  :nervous

@rndmnwierd: hey YOU, my friend, are my tanagaki inspiration! all the angst that will follow in this story is UR fault! XD XD XD

@arisa03: lolol for now though... just continue watchign over reina?  :D

@Eleos: lol really??? i nvr rly noticed too much... meh but i live under a rock  :nervous  ugh i do NOT blame you about math...  :thumbdown:

@Tian_Yuan: sfaksjf;w did you get an email this time???  :shocked

@risa_ai: lol patience~ :P

@kimino-me: aaahhhhh drama :D

@nora_nora: hehehe...  :twisted:

@Haruka: haha sorry for being away!  reasons are mentioned below...  :sweatdrop:

@Kikk4r: actually, I already revealed that Reina is Paris :nervous don't forget, this isn't just Cinderella.  Juliet's story is also weaved in!


okokok yes just go ahead and kill me for all the wait i put you guys through...  :bleed eyes:
If you want an excuse, i was busy the first week, i was away from home and in a different state...
and then i got sick...
and then i got bedridden for like, another week...
and then inspiration left me...
and then it came back...
and now i'm back  XD

So yeah, most of it has to do with the fact that i was sick in bed with multiple medications which put me to sleep basically 24/7.. :bleed eyes:
(I must seem like one of those sickly manga characters to you guys, i get sick too often :nervous)
But i'm back now! :lol:

And i hope you enjoy this next chapter... i did my best! :D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 8 – “The love reunited yet their troubles were far from over”

   Ai pressed her mop into the large container of muddy water, making sure it soaked up as much water as it could, and slapped it back down on the tiled floor and began to push it back and forth.  Everything was silent, other than the sound of the mop sloshing on the floor and some incoherent tune that Ai was humming while she worked.  The girl had been cleaning like this for the past hour or so, making sure every corner of the Bijou Company lobby was clean whilst constantly changing the song she was mumbling incorrect lyrics to. 

   After working in Tresor during what was another long day, Ai had made her way straight to her second part-time job where she was to mop down the lobby as the janitor.  She could not say the work was easy, considering the fact that the lobby alone was probably bigger than her own home, but the thought of earning more money in exchange for some extra labor perked Ai up right away. 

   Deciding to take a quick breather, the short woman straightened her back and let out a long sigh of exhaustion.  She pressed her cap onto her head more, so that it would not fall off while she worked.  The hat was the same dark blue as the rest of her uniform, which Ai was required to wear during her shift.  She had the leisure to wear her own old jeans that she would not mind getting dirty, but she had to wear a dark blue button-down shirt with a name tag that was clipped over her left chest.  Along with the matching hat on which the Bijou Company logo was printed on and a pair of working gloves, Ai looked just like any other old janitor.  Except for her age-defying youth and beauty of course, if one looked close enough to notice.

   Feeling her eyelids getting heavier, Ai quickly pinched her own arm and jumped from the pain, attempting to keep herself awake.  She found herself questioning again, why the hell was she still working in the building at this time when nobody, not even her own boss, was running a shift?  Well, her boss, meaning the head janitor, a certain Tajima-san who was in his 40s.  He was the closest thing Ai knew as her boss.  Her real boss, the young female president of Bijou Company, was supposedly someone too busy and too high up to spare some time to come meet a new employee.  Ai didn’t have too many complaints about that, actually.  She didn’t expect some big shot businesswoman to personally come to visit a lowly janitor, even if she was technically the one who did the hiring.   

   As she pondered over her own question regarding her extensive work schedule, Ai ended up coming back to the same answer that she had told herself repeatedly throughout the evening: she had chosen this.  Although she was offered a day shift, which would’ve been much easier on her stamina, Ai insisted on taking the night shift so she could continue working at Tresor.  She needed the money, and therefore took on the tougher job.  So she was really in no position to complain.

   As she leaned her chin against the mop handle, Ai’s eyes casted down to the small pocket on her chest.  She placed her hand over it, feeling the slight bump of her earring inside.  She smiled to herself, reminiscing back once more to the night she met a certain lady at a club, and immediately felt some unexplainable energy surge through her muscles.

   Think happy thoughts, Ai, the janitor told herself, grinning.  You can get through the night…

   Clicking her tongue before starting another random tune, Ai sloshed her mop around the bucket of water again and continued cleaning.  But amidst her humming and the wet sound of the mop on the floor, Ai detected another sound being mixed in.  Along with the clacking of heels, the echoing voice of a young woman resounded in the lobby.   Ai looked up towards the direction of the stairs to see a brown-haired woman emerge from the doors.  She was talking on the phone in the quietest voice she could manage.  Little did she realize that the humongous lobby had the capacity to quadruple the volume of everything from the drop of a pin to the roar of a tiger.  So in reality, Ai was able to pick up pretty much everything the woman was murmuring.

   “Don’t worry, I’m on my way home now,” the woman spoke into the phone.  “No, everybody else is gone… I had to stay later because they forgot to assign me a locker… Well, it’s a big company.  Things take time—yes, I’ll pick up milk on the way…”

   Huh.  Must be new like me, Ai thought to herself, noting the part about being assigned a locker. 

   Shrugging, the janitor went back to mopping down the tiled floor.  The woman was coming towards her direction now, still preoccupied with whatever conversation she was having on her phone.

   “Mou, stop apologizing already, Aika!” the woman laughed.  “Really, I appreciate you trying.  It’s okay if you didn’t find—no, don’t feel guilty!  It’s okay, really.  We’ll talk when I get home, okay?  … Alright, then.  I’ll see you soon.”

   By the time she hung up, the woman was passing right by Ai, who had her entire body leaned forward while mopping.  Suddenly, the woman’s heels made a loud screeching noise against the wet floor and Ai caught sight of a body, falling right beside her.  Dropping the mop, she dashed forward to the woman and wrapped her arms around her waist, trying to hold her up.  The woman quickly regained balance with Ai’s help and prevented the worst fall, now instead cradled safely in the janitor’s embrace.  Silence ensued for a while as the two women recovered from the avoided accident.

   “Hey, are you okay?” Ai asked.  “That was a close one.”

   “Yes, I’m fine,” the woman exhaled, fright obvious on her face.  “Thank you so much.  I should’ve been more careful…”

   As the woman turned her eyes towards the janitor, Ai let out a soft gasp.  Short brown hair, small face, deep eyes…  There was much less makeup than she remembered but Ai could never mistake that face anywhere. 

Niigaki Risa.

**  **  ** 

   Risa felt her two feet stably touching the ground again, and the arms that had held her disappeared.  The unknown figure quickly turned away to the side, making it impossible for the bean to make eye contact.  She tried to get one more look at her savior but she couldn’t make out the janitor’s features clearly.  The dull blue cap on her head was pushed down so far that it hid half of her face.  In fact, if it wasn’t for her high-pitched voice, Risa would’ve mistaken the person to be a man because of the short hair and the loose get-up. 

   “You’re not hurt anywhere?” the woman asked, clearing her throat.

   “I’m fine, thanks to you,” Risa answered, still tilting her head this way and that to get a better angle towards the janitor.  “It would’ve been bad if I had fallen… How can I repay you?”

   “Don’t worry about it,” the janitor replied snappily, taking Risa aback a little.  “I, uh… I’m still on my shift so if you’ll excuse me…”

   The woman quickly picked up her mop and started to roll the container of dirty water away, as though she was in a rush.  Risa raised an eyebrow before something caught her eyes on the floor.  She leaned down to take a closer look and picked up the item.  It was a small earring with a tiny chain, connected to a crystal charm.  The light bounced off of its many facets in a way that Risa had seen before…

   “Wait!”  The janitor froze in her spot a couple feet away from the bean, stopped by the suddenly frantic voice calling out to her.  “Please… please stop!”

    Knowing that she had caught her attention, Risa quickly stood back up and marched towards her savior.  As she walked, she reached into her pocket and took out a small piece of jewelry that she had kept safe throughout the entire day.  She walked around the janitor to meet her face to face and held up the two earrings in front of her.  Risa gasped softly, looking back and forth from the matching pieces of jewelry to the woman in front of her.

   “You… you dropped this…” she mumbled.

   The janitor didn’t say anything.  After a long silence, however, she smiled and slowly removed her cap.  Risa’s face brightened at the revelation, happy to see the familiar face she had longed so much for in front of her.

   “That’s the second time I dropped my earring,” the janitor chuckled.  “I really do need to be more careful…”

   “It is you!” Risa exclaimed.  “It’s you, it’s really you!”

   “It’s me,” Ai laughed, a hint of sadness in her voice.  “I suppose… it’s too late to run now?”

   “…Why would you want to run?” Risa asked slowly, unsure of where this was going.  “Did you… not want to see me again?”  Please… don’t say yes…

   “Of course that’s not why!” the woman denied firmly.  “I really wanted to see you again, I really did… but…”

   “But… what?”

   The older woman sighed, biting down on her lips.  “I just… didn’t want you to see me like this…”

   Risa raised an eyebrow in confusion.  “See you… like what?”

   “You know… like me, the janitor,” the woman mumbled.  “Look, I’m normally not the flashy person you met at the club.  In reality, I’m just another human who is just trying to get by.  I’m nothing impressive.”

   “And I am?” Risa scoffed, stretching out her arms to her side.  “I mean, look at me!”

   “Yes, and you’re even more beautiful than I remember…” the older woman sighed, allowing the words to roll of her tongue subconsciously.  When the bean’s eyes widened at the unintentional confession, the janitor quickly shut her mouth in realization and pressed her cap back on in an attempt to conceal her red face. 

   After a moment of silence, Risa broke into a small laughter which only made the older woman lower her head down further in embarrassment.  But the bean found this reaction rather endearing and could not help but continue to smile.

   “… I don’t have a job here,” the younger woman confessed, encouraging the janitor to lift her head a little.  “Well, at least not a full-time job.  I’m only an intern.  I just started today.  Before this, I worked at a small nail salon in Harajuku.  Minimum wage.  Before that, I was a college student with a pipe dream of making it big as a professional fashion consultant.  It didn’t happen.”  At this point, Risa had managed to get the older woman to completely look up and make eye contact with her.  Swiftly yet cautiously, the bean reached over and removed her companion’s hat in order to see her complete face again.  “So you see… I’m nothing impressive in reality either.  Just trying to get by.  Like you.”

   The janitor slowly smiled at the comparison and took back the hat that Risa was holding out to her.  She didn’t put it back on, however, but instead attached it to her belt where it hung loosely.  She would no longer hide herself.  “I’m a night janitor here.  I started today, too.  During the day, I work downtown at a small clothing boutique called Tresor.  My friend owns the place.  I’m just the salesclerk but I have a personal interest in fashion, too.  Before now, I used to sketch clothing designs on the margins of my textbooks, ever since middle school.  I would imagine what it would be like, creating my own clothing line.  It didn’t happen.  But I’m still dreaming.”

   “You forgot something!” Risa pointed out, snapping her fingers.

   “What’s that?”

   “Your name!” the bean laughed.  “You know mine.  I never got yours.”

   The janitor smiled.  “It’s Ai.  Takahashi Ai.”

   “Takahashi Ai-san…” Risa murmured.  “Well, I’ll just say mine again, too: Niigaki Risa, at your service.”  She held out her hand as a greeting and the older woman willingly took it.

   “You don’t have to be so formal,” Ai grinned.  “Just my given name is fine.”

   “Then… Ai-san?” the bean suggested.  “You can call me Gaki-san.  That’s what everyone calls me.”

   “Gaki-san?” Ai giggled.  “That’s a cute nickname.”

   “It’s just something that stuck since grade school,” Risa rolled her eyes.  “Oh, and… I guess I should give these back to you.”

   She held out the two crystal earrings that she had been holding in her hands.  Ai received them and dropped it into her shirt pocket.  She turned back to the younger woman in front of her and, as if she had made a decision, opened her mouth.

   “You know,” she started, “if you’re ever in the neighborhood… you should come visit me in Tresor.”

   “Visit… you?” Risa repeated.

   “I mean, visit the store,” Ai quickly rephrased, afraid that she may have said the wrong thing.  “You know, come take a look.  There’s a lot of cute stuff.  We just got a new collection for the season and... and…”  She paused for a moment and swallowed hard.  “Well, my friend and I usually have coffee in the morning, right before we open.  You can drop by and… maybe we can have breakfast together… or something?”

   “You… and me…”

   “Yeah…”

   “With your friend…?”

   “Yeah—wait, no,” Ai stuttered, “I mean, yes—well, whichever you’d like, you know, I just thought—”

   “It’s okay, calm down,” Risa laughed.  “I’m only teasing.”

   Ai’s face immediately flustered but she couldn’t help but smile back at the girl in front of her.  Her laughter was absolutely irresistible.  “I just… thought that I’d like to see you again.  And maybe… Gaki-san wouldn’t mind seeing me again either…?”

   “… I’d really like that.”  The bean nodded in approval, flashing the same old grin that made Ai’s heartbeat double in speed. 

   “So…” the older woman mumbled in joy, “tomorrow morning… Coffee?”

   “Coffee sounds good.”

   “Coffee it is, then.”

   “Right.  Coffee.”

   The two women held each other’s gaze for a while before they broke into smiles together.  They had finally found each other after the aggravating game of hide-and-seek, and they decided that they would stay together, at least for now.  Hopefully, this development would lead into further happiness in the future.  There was nothing else to stop them now…

**  **  ** 

   Tanaka Reina tapped her foot in a steady rhythm as she watched each floor flicker by on the elevator.  It was irritating to have to go all the way down to the ground floor from her home at the very top floor, but she had no choice.  After all, she was the one who told Junjun to go home since the day’s work was over.  The secretary was more than willing to stay and share the leftover paper work with her boss but Reina would have none of it.  She knew the panda deserved an early dismissal of sort after a long day of giving a company building tour to the newbie interns.  But because Junjun was gone for the night, Reina was now on her own when it came to the petty chores that she usually did not personally attend to.  Tonight, one of these chores included personally picking up a document that the kitten had left at the front desk that morning, requiring her to actually get up and walk.  Alas, Reina had drudgingly managed to haul herself into the elevator as she silently acknowledged the fact that her secretary was a valuable asset to both her business and herself, personally.

   The elevator finally reached the ground floor and a soft ding alerted the president.  She stepped through the sliding doors and continued walking in a brisk and confident manner towards the front desk.  But as she neared the lobby area, she saw two figures, standing together in the otherwise empty space, talking together.  Reina raised an eyebrow: what employee of hers from which department would stay this late in the building?  Although she herself was a workaholic, the kitten had a personal policy that all workers should be able to leave their office by 8 o’clock so they can have a good balance between business life and social life.  And it was most definitely well over 8 o’clock.

   By squinting her eyes, Reina recognized the janitor’s uniform that one of the women was wearing.  She decided that the woman must be the new night janitor that was hired recently.  She vaguely remembered Junjun mentioning it at one point, just so she could be aware of it.  Reina had meant to visit the woman personally at some point, to welcome her to the Bijou company building and to thank her in advance for the hard work she was going to do.  After all, her philosophy was that every employee, no matter what their job, is precious to her and the company.  Well, there wasn’t a better coincidence.  She might as well go speak to her now.

   Then, the kitten stopped short in her steps as she identified the other brunette that was standing beside the janitor.  The same hair, the same outfit, even the same voice that echoed in the spacious lobby.  As Reina faltered for a moment, she heard Niigaki Risa’s laughter that was triggered by whatever the other woman had said.  Why was she laughing like that?  She had never laughed like that in her presence.  This was the first time seeing her smile so happily like that…

   Before she could completely think everything through in her head, like she usually did, Reina made a tight fist and marched forward towards the two women.  Something about those two being together bothered the kitten, as though she had been robbed of something.  And Tanaka Reina was not someone who would stand by idly and let something of hers be taken away.

   “Niigaki!”

   Both women turned towards the president at the voice.  Risa made a surprised expression before she quickly gathered herself and stood up straight to appear proper.  The janitor, on the other hand, showed something more of an entertained look, as though she had recognized someone from a newspaper or a magazine.

   “Tanaka Shachou!”  Risa made a small bow as the kitten simply nodded in reply.  “What are you doing here so late?”

   “That’s what I should be asking you,” Reina remarked, smiling a little.  “My home is at the top floor of this building.  Yours obviously isn’t.  So what, may I ask, are you still doing in my house at this hour, Niigaki?”

   “S-sumimasen!” Risa quickly apologized, casting her gaze downward.  “That was rude of me to ask…”

   “No, it’s fine.  I’m only teasing,” Reina chuckled, allowing the bean to relax a little.  She turned to the other woman beside her and held out her hand.  “You must be the new night janitor I’ve been told about.  I’ve been meaning to visit you but my schedule has just been so packed lately, I wasn’t able to get a chance.  If you’ll just remind me what your name is…?”

   “Takahashi desu,” the janitor answered, shaking the president’s hand.  “Takahashi Ai.”

   “That’s right, Takahashi,” Reina nodded.  “Well, you must know my name already.  I know that night shift is tough but I hope that you’ll give it your all, nevertheless.  Yoroshiku.”

   “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu,” Ai replied, bowing a little. 

   “Now then,” Reina sighed, turning towards the intern again, “I assume you’ll be heading home soon?  All other employees have returned to their families for the night.”

   “Ah, um, yes,” Risa mumbled.  “I was just about to leave, actually.”

   “It’s dangerous for you to go back alone at this hour though,” the young president pointed out.  She took out her car keys from her blouse pocket and held it up.  “I’ll drive you home.”

   “Oh, no, no, no, no, no,” Risa refused vehemently shaking her head and hands.  “I… I couldn’t impose on Shachou like that.  I’ll take a bus back.  It’s really okay.”

   “It’s no big deal,” Reina smiled.  “I was going to go for a drive to get some air anyway.”  The kitten felt something inside her wince at the white lie she made up, but she took special care in not showing it on the surface.  “It’s not safe for a young woman to be out alone at night.”

   “No, Shachou, really, I could never,” the bean continued, shaking her head.  “Thank you for your concern but I’ll be fine.”

   “Ano… Maybe it’s better if Gaki-san does go with Tanaka Shachou…” Ai softly suggested to the younger woman.  “It is getting late after all…”

   “But…”  Risa hesitated a little as she eyed her boss while whispering back to the janitor, “How are you going to get home?”

   “I have to stay here a bit longer,” Ai shrugged.  “I’ll take a cab back later.  You should go now though, just to be safe.”

   “… Well… okay.”  Risa turned towards the president again.  “Then please allow me to impose on you, Shachou.”

   “It’s no bother at all,” Reina said coolly, the tips of her lips curving up into a tight smile.  If there was anything that bothered her at the moment, it was just that she was unable to convince the bean to be driven by her while that janitor woman was able to.  Obviously, she lacked influence on Risa compared to Ai.  “Shall we go, then?”

   “Hai!” Risa nodded.  She quickly faced her companion and spoke softly, “I guess… I’ll see you around?”

   “Yes, you’ll see me,” Ai grinned.

   The two exchanged a knowing look and a smile together as Reina watched over them.  The kitten’s expression hardened for a split second before she relaxed into her natural business self again.

   “Please continue to work hard then, Takahashi,” she said kindly.  “I’m counting on you.”

   “Hai.  Please leave it to me, Tanaka Shachou,” the older woman replied.

   With that, Reina turned around and started to briskly walk towards the exit.  She heard the quick footsteps of her intern, trying to catch up to her, but she did not slow down.  If she stopped now, she knew she would not be able to hide the displeasure that was clearly written all over her face.  It wasn’t everyday Tanaka Reina lost her composure so easily but for some reason, every action that Risa took could do so.  Reina herself had so little influence over the bean yet the latter had unknowingly claimed so much control over the president.  Why was this?

   Whatever the reason was, things definitely had to change.  For Reina’s sake.  But was that even possible?

   Yes, things will change.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MEHEHE :twisted:

Again, sorry for the wait! :nervous

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 8 - (5/22)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on May 22, 2012, 08:39:04 AM
Eh?! You mean that Tanagaki kataomoi angst will be/is my doing? :O I can't imagine why!

But, you evil, my two favorite pairings lining up for direct conflict! I think, pairing wise, the outcome might be obvious... But I still don't know if you'll manage to turn Reina into a villain or not. More often than not, those with power who are scorned will use that power to get even.

But still! Takagaki? Tanagaki? Takagaki?! Tanagaki?! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

At least Ai and Risa have found each other, even though all three have found each other... Gah! *begins to pray for AiAi's health* Don't let sickness get in the way of more updates! (also, sickness bad, duh)
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 8 - (5/22)]
Post by: risa_ai on May 22, 2012, 11:47:55 AM
 :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: THE  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: TAKAGAKI FANFIC~!!!!  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: ME WANTS IT!!!!!  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:  :bleed eyes: :bleed eyes: :bleed eyes: :bleed eyes: :bleed eyes:
P.s. That excuse you gave was good. xD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 8 - (5/22)]
Post by: Shiawase_Honoo on May 22, 2012, 11:54:52 AM
Okay...I'm not TakaGaki neither TanaGaki fan... :nervous
If I'm right, it might be whatever will happen after this.
Still, just a little bit appearence of Aika always makes me happy :wub:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 8 - (5/22)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on May 22, 2012, 01:59:38 PM
Wow! I am glad you are okay. Thanks for not forgetting us. I got the email today! ㅋㅋ
This chapter was good~ always waiting for more! :twothumbs
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 8 - (5/22)]
Post by: arisa03 on May 22, 2012, 11:18:50 PM
I haven't read yet cause I need to go to work but basing on the comments, it's going to Be a buuuuumpy road, Gaki-san. LOL
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 8 - (5/22)]
Post by: maikeatoot on June 04, 2012, 09:33:03 AM

 hello ! SarangAi!my most favorite author ever!!! im new here!!!i really love-love your stories!!!! :wub: :thumbup hope youre not sick today!!goodluck and more updates to come!!! :twothumbs!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 8 - (5/22)]
Post by: SarangAi on June 20, 2012, 06:34:56 AM
@rndmnwierd: haha you just happen to be the first person I saw, shipping that couple  :thumbsup  MWAHAHA angst :twisted:

@risa_ai: ahaha :twisted:

@Shiawase_Honoo: aaah i'm curious now, what IS your favorite pairing then? lol XD  And Aika will appear soon, i promise! :nervous

@Tian_Yuan: lol how could i ever forget any of you?  :D

@arisa03: LOL why indeed, it will be :twisted:

@maikeatoot: NEW PERSON!  :otomerika: :yossi: :cow: woot~ awww that's so sweet of you to say! :wub: and i saw your intro in the intro thread too, i really appreciate it! hehe  :twothumbs


YES i know, i've been awol again... ugh and i wasn't sick.... if you only knew the drama my life is right now   :doh:
I won't expand too much but if anybody cares... I've been on two trips this past month, out of state, for many days each, which basically cut me off from civilization again (yes, i take a lot of trips) :panic:  i got a boyfriend and broke up with him within the course of a week (shit happened), and now i feel like joining a convnet and becoming a nun  :banghead:

but ANYWAYS i poured all that stress out into writing so... YEAH here it is XD

It's kinda short because there was supposed to be another section to this chapter, but i chopped it in half because this first part turned out a bit too long to put it together with the next part :P

oh, and please excuse any mistakes... i was too tired/lazy to edit...  :sweatdrop:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 9 – “Why did Juliet have to be more lovely, more temperate?”

   Risa quickly ran after her boss, being careful not to trip on the asphalt ground of the parking lot.  The president was already nearing a black sports car and walking around to sit at the driver’s seat.  As the bean caught up, she froze in front of the passenger’s seat door and hesitated. 

   This was just too beyond weird.  Why would her boss of less than one day offer to drive her home at this hour?  There was no reason for some big shot businesswoman to personally go out of her way to make sure her newest intern returned safely.  And considering how long they’ve known each other—which was by no means extensive—it was just simply disrespectful and rude on Risa’s part to request a ride like this.

   “Oi.”  The bean snapped out of her trance and looked at her boss who was already sitting in her car, looking at her through the open passenger window.  “I’d appreciate it if you get in the car sometime today.”

   “I… I don’t think I can do this after all, Tanaka Shachou,” Risa admitted.  “It’s very rude of me to burden you with such a trivial thing.  I’ll just take the bus home so please don’t worry about me.”

   Instead of following her employee’s request, Reina sighed heavily and proceeded to get out of the car.  She walked around and opened the passenger’s door and motioned for Risa to get in. 

   “You’re a troublesome one, aren’t you?” the president commented.  “Making your boss personally open the car door for you… You dare to order me around… on your first day of work, no less?  You got guts.”

   Risa’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment and shame.  “I’m sorry!  Please excuse my actions, Shachou, I—”

   “Instead of hearing you stutter words I can barely comprehend,” Reina interrupted, a small smile hidden across her lips, “I’d rather you just get in the car without arguing with me further.”

   “… B-but I—”

   “Don’t try my patience, Niigaki,” Reina said firmly.  She motioned for the bean to get in the passenger’s seat again.  This time, Risa obediently got in the car, slowly but without complaint. 

   Triumphantly smiling for a brief moment, the president quickly smoothed her face again and shut the passenger’s door.  She walked around the car and got into the driver’s seat.  She turned on the ignition but before she could put on her own seat belt, she reached over and pulled on her employee’s seat belt first, allowing Risa to stiffen in her seat in shock and nervousness.  After securing the straps, Reina worked on her own seat belt.  She then reached over again and opened the compartment in front of the bean and took out a navigator.  She tossed the device onto her intern’s lap and closed the compartment.  She then took a hold of the steering wheel and popped the gear into driving. 

   “Reset the destination and put in your address,” Reina ordered.  Risa immediately obeyed.

   Soon enough, the car moved out of the company parking lot and pulled into the streets.  Risa nervously fiddled with the navigation system as she continuously gulped.  The air was tense and her throat was starting to feel dry.  She couldn’t help but wonder if her boss was actually angry at her for disobeying her before.  Well if that was true, Risa definitely had to fix it.  It had not been easy getting the internship at Bijou Company and she wasn’t about to lose it on her first day.  Solidifying her resolution, Risa quickly secured the navigator onto the tiny holder attached to the windshield and turned towards her employer.

   “Ano… Shachou?”

   “Hm?”

   “Eto… I’d like to say again that I’m very sorry for my rudeness…”  Risa pinched the tip of her own fingers in uneasiness.  “As an employee, I shouldn’t have disobeyed you like that… I’m sincerely sorry…”

   “You know, it amazes how much a person can apologize in a single day,” Reina said as she turned the handle to round a corner.  “It’s quite annoying, actually.”

   The bean stiffened again as her eyes widened in fear.  “I’m sorry!  I-I mean—excuse me, I just apologized again, I’m sor—I mean, I—”

   Just then, Reina burst into laughter that took Risa off-guard.  This laugh was different from the many serene chuckles and smiles she gave her employees on a daily basis.  This joy was more genuine, more honest, and somehow brighter.  Risa got even more flustered at this, yet she could not help but steal glances at her boss in astonishment at her ability to laugh out loud in such a way. 

   “You make it too easy to tease,” Reina sighed, suppressing her giggles.  “You really are something different.”

   “What do you mean by that…?” Risa asked carefully, still somewhat anxious yet a bit more relaxed after realizing that her boss wasn’t mad at her in the slightest.

   “… Let’s just say I haven’t laughed like that in a long time.” 

   Reina turned to smile at the bean, who had a curious look on her face, before shifting her eyes back to the road again.  Risa blinked a couple of times as she looked down at her hands.  Something about the way her employer had made her previous statement showed that she didn’t mean she wasn’t getting enough comedy in her life.  There was something more to it, something deeper, and Risa wanted to know. 

   “I know this isn’t my place, Shachou,” the older woman said in a low voice, “but if I may ask… why?”

   “Well, I like to keep a professional life,” the kitten answered indifferently.  “Getting too publicly emotional about whatever my feelings are at the moment… that’s hardly professional.”

   “And because of that, you block out all emotions?”

   The car screeched to a halt at a yellow light and a stream of curses from the man who was forced to stop behind the two women was heard.  The color washed out of Reina’s face as her fingers tightened around the steering wheel.  Risa held her ground and kept her eyes on her boss.  Some logical part of her brain screamed at her to turn away immediately and apologize but her stubbornness did not let her.  She had only met Tanaka Reina the morning of that very same day, yet something about her told Risa that she should not leave this woman alone.  Something was eating her up and Risa needed to know what. 

   “Well aren’t you the bold one,” the president remarked quietly, a bitter smile lingering on her lips.  “You were right when you said this isn’t your place.  It’s really not.”

   “Please pardon my manners,” Risa replied, bowing her head a little.  “But… I feel as though you’re suppressing something, Shachou.”

   “And how would you know that?” Reina asked, slightly annoyed.  “You just met me for the first time today.”

   “… I’ve been told I’m quite sharp,” the bean responded quietly.  “I just… It seems like you have certain things that you need to get off your chest.  And I know that I’m just a mere intern of yours but… talking to me has got to be better than not talking at all.  So if you’re open to it, Shachou, then I’m all ears.”

   Risa watched her employer’s face as she narrowed her eyes a little, either in displeasure or confusion.  Although the idea of it still frightened her, all Risa could do was hold her eye contact and remain determined.  Hopefully, her willpower would be visible to the younger woman.

   Just then, a loud honk from behind them startled the two women and made them jump in their seats.  As the series of insults poured out again from the dirty-mouthed driver, Reina stepped on the pedal and sped forward down the road.  A moment of silence followed as Risa began to fidget with her seat belt again while consistently glancing at the kitten.  Just as she thought that she had failed to get her point across, the president opened her mouth.

   “I assume you know how I ended up becoming the president of Bijou Cosmetics?” she asked.

   “You inherited the company from your mother,” Risa answered.

   “Yes, my mother,” Tanaka Shachou repeated quietly.  “Ikeda Reiko Shachou, a single mother with a kid who clawed her way up to the ranks of the fashion world through her own means.  A legend, really.  Too bad all those years of struggling finally caught up to her in the form of a disease.”

   “Disease?”  Risa blinked in confusion.  “I thought Ikeda Shachou passed away because of a car accident?”

   “Oh please.”  Reina rolled her eyes.  “No accident could’ve killed that woman, even if Kami tried himself.” 

   Before the idea could completely sink into the bean, the president continued, “The story was fabricated.  Ikeda Shachou needed to hide her illness so that other companies would not take advantage of her weakness and take over Bijou.  After all, her only legit heir was a ditsy 18-year-old girl who knew nothing about the real world.  And she was hardly a threat to the other big superpowers out there.”

   Risa tilted her head to the side a little, trying to make sense of everything.  “Then how…?”

   “Nothing had been settled, right up until the day my mother was on her death bed,” Reina replied as she turned another corner.  “The whole time my mother had been sick, I had never failed to express my distaste at inheriting the family business.  On the other hand, Ikeda Shachou did not hide her desire to have her only daughter take over the company.  You see, just like any other teen my age, I had my own dreams that I wished to pursue.  And my mother’s plans were constantly getting in the way.  Don’t misunderstand, I loved my mother.  But as child, I thought I loved my own goals more.”

   “What made you change your mind?”

   “… She apologized.”

   Risa looked at her boss once again to see that her face had tightened.  Her lips were pursed firmly together and her grip on the steering wheel had gotten strong enough to reveal her bony knuckles.  This was it.  This was what had been eating Tanaka Reina up inside, the secret that she had been keeping. 

   “You know, I still wonder today… why she didn’t continue to insist I follow her plans like she had done throughout my entire life,” Reina said bitterly, letting out a dry laughter.  “She had always told me that I had to inherit Bijou, that I no choice in the matter, that my future was already set, and it was so easy for me to loathe that and continue to enforce my own desire.  Yet, there she was… on the brink of death by cancer and, and… apologizing.  ‘I’m so sorry, Reina’.  For what, for not making the effort to know me?  For not listening to me, even once?  Well, it was too late at that point.  But she was still… ‘I’m so sorry’… How pathetic…”

   And pathetic was exactly how Reina felt as she bit down on her lip to manage her overflowing emotion.  This was most definitely not professional and the way she was losing control in front of some lowly intern like this was absolutely unacceptable.  It went against everything she believed in, her morals, her values.  She had never talked about her mother’s last words to anyone else before, not even to Junjun.  The idea of admitting how she was essentially guilt-tripped into accepting the position of Bijou Company’s president was not exactly the most appealing thought.  So why was it so easy for her to confess everything right now, in front of this person?

   “I’m listening.”

   Reina slowly turned her head to the woman sitting next to her.  She was staring straight back at her, yet her gaze was not judging.  Her gentle expression showed her honesty, her openness.  Indeed, she was listening.  For once, somebody was listening…

   “And from what I’m hearing,” Risa continued, “you sacrificed your own dreams to carry on your mother’s work.  That’s very brave of you, Shachou.”

   “… Brave?”

   “I spent my entire life thinking that I had to live for myself,” Risa said.  “My parents wanted the same for me as well.  So the idea of living for someone else… I think it’s amazing how you can do that.  I admire your strength.”

   “… My strength.”  Reina chuckled a little at this.  She had thought to herself, all these years, what a coward she was for crumbling beneath her mother’s single apology, what weak willpower she had.  Yet her she was, being complimented on her strength and bravery.  But was it true?  Was Niigaki Risa correct in what she said?

   Well, it didn’t particularly matter, did it?   Many people may believe Tanaka Reina to be a weak and brainless girl but at least this person thought otherwise.  It was enough for now to know that a certain Niigaki Risa believed her to be a strong and courageous person.  It was enough to know she was here to listen.

   “Ano… if I may ask, Shachou…” Risa hesitated.

   “What is it?”

   “… What was your dream, back when you were a teenager?”

   Reina’s eyes widened at the question as she quickly turned away to hide her face.  “Um… it’s not important anymore.  You don’t need to know.”

   “Oh, it can’t be that bad!” Risa grinned.  “Please, Shachou?”

   “It doesn’t matter,” Reina snapped.  “I love my job now so it all worked out in the end.  It’s fine.”

   “Onegai shimasu!” Risa pleaded.  “Just… think of it as humoring a measly intern of yours.”

   “… A s…er…”

   “Hai?”

   “A s… ger…”

   “… What was that…?”

   “A singer!” Reina yelled, her cheeks turning bright red.  “I said, a singer!  How many times you gon’ make me say it?!”

   “Shachou…” Risa said nervously, suppressing her giggles, “your Hakata-ben…”

   Reina gasped, realizing that her rough accent had come out.  She quickly turned her head the other way squeezed the steering wheel, trying to calm herself down.  Why was she screwing up so many times today?

   “Just get out of my car…” she muttered.

   Risa blinked as she looked around the area.  She only noticed now that they were parked outside of her apartment and the time was already late.  Deciding to follow her boss’ order, she quickly gathered her bag and got out of the car.  But before shutting the door, she bent down a little and smiled at the young president.  She had seemed so strict and untouchable earlier in the morning; now, she just looked like any other woman who just wanted to live their life to the fullest.  Risa felt as though she had gotten closer to her somehow.

   “Shachou,” she called.  “I hope you enjoyed our conversation as much as I did.  And don’t worry, everything will remain confidential!  Perhaps… letting out everything like this made you feel a little bit better?”

   Reina blinked.  She tried to find the weight that had been embedded into her chest but she couldn’t find it anymore.  Sure, she wasn’t as light as a feather but… she did feel better.  She turned her head and looked at her employee, who was grinning back at her fearlessly.  In reaction, Reina couldn’t help but chuckle in amusement as she rolled her eyes. 

   “Go home, Niigaki,” she ordered.  “And don’t be late tomorrow.”

   “Yes, Ma’am,” Risa answered energetically, saluting her boss playfully.  “Otsukaresama deshita!”

   “Un.  Otsukare.”

   With that, Risa closed the car door and happily skipped up the stairs to the entrance of her apartment and disappeared into the building.  Reina watched the closing door for a while before she leaned back into her seat to reorganize her thoughts. 

   One thing was for sure: Niigaki Risa was special.  There was no doubt about it.  In such a short time, that woman had already taken over so much of Tanaka Reina’s heart and mind, it was actually ridiculous to call it reality.  But the next question was supposedly still unanswered.

   Just how special was she?

   Reina closed her eyes and reminisced back to the night at the club, her beautiful feature, that morning, her anxiety, that evening, her frantic nature, five minutes ago, her laughter…

   Oh, yes, she was special.  Very special, indeed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So who's actually rooting for tanagaki?  just curious?  :D

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
Post by: maikeatoot on June 20, 2012, 07:25:04 AM
 oh! after 29 days of waiting!! yes! my favorite writer updateD my favorite fanfic.!!! yehey!!! missyou missyou !! update! update! update!!!
 ah I think Im over-reacting.. :)

ps- KameShige PLEASE!!!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on June 20, 2012, 07:41:27 AM
It's been so long~! I'm glad to see you survived what has apparently been a hectic month.... Now, about that question...



 

:panic: :panic: :panic: I don't know~!~! I don't know what I want!! Takagaki?! Tanagaki!? Which one!?~?!?~?! :panic: :panic: :panic:

Though I wouldn't even try to deny how awesome the Tanagaki bonding here was!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
Post by: risa_ai on June 20, 2012, 07:53:23 AM
*Puts hands up for TAKAGAKI* ANYONE? Hello?! xD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
Post by: yellow on June 20, 2012, 08:47:57 AM
to be frank... i really don't mind it is TanaGaki at first... but as long as it's TakaGaki at the end of the fiction will do :lol:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
Post by: arisa03 on June 20, 2012, 10:20:09 AM
Oh dear... GO TSUNDEREINA! I'm sure Ai-chan can be a tsundere too but hey alksjdaskldsad recently I've been thinking "omfg TanaGaki is so cute." LOL.

askdjaskd well hi there. And welcome back ; A ; And noooooooo don't become a nun you can't write smut anymore cause it's a sin or whichever. I'm sure everything will be fine, ; A ;
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
Post by: Shiawase_Honoo on June 20, 2012, 12:25:12 PM
SarangAi, Welcome back! :welcome
Ahaha, The TsundeReina had come back, too :lol:
Maybe this will lead to something fearsome in the future... :nervous


P.S.
To answer your question about my favorite pairing....
Actually, I have no favorite pairing.  :nervous It makes me to not be a picky :sweatdrop:

I also have some little researches for my fanfic (Thai) about the 910' pairings. :sweatdrop:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
Post by: Kuji on June 20, 2012, 02:23:04 PM
This story... this story has me so conflicted! *SOBSBLOOD* :bleed eyes:
Also, I don't post very much but I felt I had textualize my AK;DJSFKASDJF;ASJ feels this time.

I am and will always be a loyalist of AiGaki and those who know me know that I'm generally not a big fan of Reina but damn me if I don't like her in this story. Also, damn rndmnwierd for first making me enjoy the pairing and opening me to this conundrum. Do I support Tanagaki or Aigaki here? Um... well, it seems with just one car ride, Risa's become the person who best knows Reina (or rather knows something about Reina that no one else does). While AiGaki are still taking those first steps in their relationship, Reina kind of leap-frogged (of course she did) ahead in regards to intimacy. :doh:

I LIKE THEM BOTH. But as usual, I root for the underdog which seems to be Reina right now. Please don't kick me out of the AiGaki/TakaGaki fanclub, guys.

Looking forward to the next instalment whenever you can pump it out. Convents have internet nowadays, don't they?  (http://bangordailynews.com/2012/04/29/religion/convent-turns-to-social-media-blogging-for-recruitment/) I'm kidding, but for sure, life happens so no pressure.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
Post by: SarangAi on June 27, 2012, 08:23:10 AM
@maikeatoot: hahaha awww so sweet of you~  XD XD

@rndmnwierd: arghhhh i must confess... i may be starting to like non-mainstream couples more.... LE GASP no! *self slap* i'm a takagaki fan!  ... or am i?  :panic: :panic:

@risa_ai: omigosh haha XD

@yellow: lol so it doesn't matter how i get there as long as i get there?  fair enough! :D

@arisa03: LOLOL that's a good point actually...  :lol:

@Shiawase_Honoo: aaah i wanna do some 9ki 10ki pairings too!  haha i should go imagine something more... lol  :D

@Kuji: LOLOL that was such an interesting post~ welcome!!! :lol:  exactly my point about RNDY being the one to bring in this whole inner conflict about aigaki/tanagaki!  :P  hehe thanks for textualizing your feelings XD


And here's an update that didn't take me a MONTH to write!  :twothumbs
AND it's quite long so i hope that makes up for the previous kinda-shortish chapter  :P

This chapter is a bit all over the place and switches povs a lot so watch out for that! :D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 10 – “Juliet and Cinderella were happy… but the rest were not.”

   “No way.  There is just no way!”

   Takahashi Ai frantically paced around the clothing store, ducking underneath the counter and running between clothing racks in search of her lost item.  Her friend, one Kamei Eri, rolled her eyes as she lazily folded up a shirt and placed it on the display set.

   “I can’t believe I left my bag at home!” Ai groaned, slouching on top of the counter.

   “I can’t believe there’s a girl in this world who actually leaves home without their bag,” Eri wittily responded.  “I mean, forgetting to bring your cell phone or something?  Yeah, it happens.  But who actually leaves their house empty-handed and not realize that they left behind their purse filled with everything they need?”

   “… I really must’ve lost my mind this morning to have to hear that kind of speech from you, aho Kame,” Ai grumbled, sticking her tongue out at her friend.

   “Hey, I remembered to pick up the coffee and rolls this morning,” the turtle said proudly, gesturing to the big box-o-joe, positioned on the counter beside the stack of cups and a paper bag.  “I am off the hook today.”

   “Can’t argue with that,” the older woman sighed.  “I’ll just have to quickly stop by at home and grab it before going to my night shift…”

   “That won’t be necessary.”

   The two friends turned towards the direction of the voice that belonged to someone who was definitely no stranger to Tresor.  The tall beauty strutted into the boutique with her long black hair, which was made wavy today and accessorized with a small bow clip on the side, flowing behind her.  On her right wrist clung a small pink handbag.  In her left hand was a medium-size duffel bag which seemed cute enough to pass as a sporty purse. 

   “Sayu!” Eri gasped.

   “My bag!” Ai exclaimed.

   “Way to be a scatterbrain again, Onee-chan,” Sayumi huffed, holding out the duffel bag in front of her.  “You left it in the kitchen.  You’re lucky I was passing through here today coincidentally—”

   The monkey dashed towards her sister and gave her a tight embrace, babbling some extravagantly long stream of thanks.  The bunny froze in her spot, unable to decide how to respond, and unintentionally accepted the hug without protest. 

   “Eto… n-n-nani sore…”

   “Sayumi~ you’re the best!” Ai squealed, taking her bag off the younger girl’s hand.  “Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I could just kiss you right now!”

   “WHAT?  Y-y-yamete yo, b-baka!”

   The bunny jumped back but her older sister was faster.  Ai lunged forward and planted a big playful kiss on her stepsister’s cheek and burst out into laughter as she witnessed Sayumi’s cheeks growing redder and redder.  Eri’s eyes widened in shock at first but she soon couldn’t help but start giggling hysterically as well as she watched the flustered bunny.  It wasn’t every day Michishige Sayumi got caught off guard like this.

   “S-stop laughing, both of you!” she yelled, rubbing the spot on her cheek where her sister had kissed her.  “It’s not funny!  That was… yuck!”

   “Well would you look at that!” Eri giggled.  “So there actually is a good bone in that little viper of your sister!”

   “Shut up, turtle-head,” the bunny grumbled.  “That’s the last time I ever do Onee-chan a favor…”

   “I was just showing my gratitude, Sayu~” Ai teased, grinning.  “Seriously though, thanks.  You really saved me.”

   “Yeah, whatever.”  Sayumi turned her head to the side, either in frustration, embarrassment, or excessive joy from the kiss.  No one could tell, not even herself.

   “Well congratulations, Imouto-chan!” Eri announced happily.  “You just earned yourself a one-way ticket to join us for our morning coffee session!”  The turtle followed it up with a hushed cheering noise.  Ai laughed at this while her stepsister rolled her eyes at the silliness of it all. 

   “You’re such a child,” she muttered.  “But… I guess coffee doesn’t sound so bad.”

**  **  ** 

   “So… where exactly are we going again?”

   Risa sighed and rolled her eyes as she listened to the same question that had been repeated multiple times that morning by her young friend.  Sure, Mitsui Aika was a dog lover but she really was like a puppy herself sometimes; always yapping and whining and on her toes… She was mature yet on days when she was feeling lazy, she became the type that needed to be led around as though she was on a leash. 

   And today happened to be one of those days: Risa was marching forward in the streets as Aika sluggishly followed behind her.  And compared to the older woman who was dressed fashionably yet professionally for work that was to follow after this coffee meeting, Aika was simply wearing a shirt with a certain mouse character drawn on it, as well as shorts, stockings, and converse sneakers.  She also had a light purple backpack slung over one shoulder which carried a notebook, a pen, and a couple of textbooks that was required for a college freshman.  After all, today was Aika’s first day of classes.

   “I told you,” the bean replied, “we’re going to the clothing boutique Ai-san works at, remember?”

   Risa’s mind quickly rushed back to the previous night’s happening when she had been invited to Tresor for a brief coffee meeting by the night time janitor whom she was able to consider a friend now.  When she had retold the entire story to her younger friend, she had truly gotten a kick out of the whole concept: two beautiful women who met and fell in love (Risa had immediately interjected and insisted that saying such a thing was going overboard but Aika persisted), only to separate and reunite in their true, painfully average forms… yet their love undead.  Despite her overly worked up fandom for the connection between the bean and the mystery woman janitor that had been established the night before, the puppy’s inability to be a morning person distracted her from continuing the fervent support.

   “Right, right, for coffee...” Aika murmured to herself, yawning loudly.  “And… why are we going to a clothing shop to get coffee instead of going somewhere else… say, a café… to get coffee?

   “Come on, you know well why!” Risa moaned, turning around to stop her friend in her tracks.  “Aika, I told you everything last night!”  She paused for a second before she whispered the next words, her cheeks blushing ever so slightly, “I… I want to see her again…”

   “Oh right, that was why,” Aika said, grinning.  “Oh, Gaki-san… you really are so inexperienced.”

   “And what does that mean?” Risa asked, placing her hands on her hips.

   “I mean, you’re not even gonna play hard-to-get?” Aika shrugged.  “It hasn’t even been 24 hours since she invited you for coffee and you’re just gonna go see her right away?  You should at least wait three days before responding to the call.  You know, keep her on her toes!”

   “… Oh gosh, you’re right…” the bean mumbled, her face getting flustered.  “I-I didn’t even realize… Am I being too easy?  Um, should we go back?”

   “Oh, don’t bother, I’m half-teasing,” Aika grinned.  “We already took the bus down here anyway.  Besides, I’m closer to campus right now than before.  Let’s just go.”

   Although she seemed unsure, Risa nodded in response and started to walk again.  Perhaps Aika was right; she actually had absolutely no idea how to handle this kind of situation.  Obviously, Risa had had relationships before but that was a long time ago, back in middle school.  Mere child’s play.  It had been long time since she felt the kind of adrenaline that Takahashi Ai had reintroduced her to.  And Risa definitely didn’t want it to stop.

   After checking her surroundings, the bean stopped in front of a small shop and exclaimed, “We’re here!”  She read the sign that marked the shop, “Tresor” in script English and let out a sigh of excitement. 

   “Wait, this is the place?  Here?” Aika questioned, her eyes widening.

   “Yeah, Tresor,” Risa nodded.  “You’ve been here before?”

   “Yeah, once…” the younger girl muttered.  “When I was looking for the owner of your earring… but your girl wasn’t here.”

   “Huh.  That’s funny,” Risa said.  She thought for a brief moment but decided the shrug off her friend’s unsettling comment and entered the store. 

**  **  ** 

   Aika followed close behind her older friend but instead with a very frustrated face.  She really had no desire to return to this shop, after the kind of person she encountered here.  She could still remember that pale porcelain face, demanding the earring like a spoiled little brat… and the flustered face that she made when Aika had called her out on her lie.  Well that part of the memory wasn’t too bad. 

   Anyhow, it was too late at this point.  She had no choice but go into the shop with Risa whether she liked it or not.  All she could do was put on her best game face and march straight through. 

**  **  ** 

   “One for me… one for Eri… and one for Sayu!”

   “Arigatou, Ai-chan!”

   “Un.”

   Ai nodded in response as she took a sip from her cup.  Her sister and her friend both took sips as well and unlike the bunny who classily brought the cup to her lips and drank slowly, the turtle jumped a little when she tipped the cup to fast to let the hot drink burn her tongue.  Ai snorted out laughter while Sayumi sighed hopelessly.  The turtle just giggled nervously as she shrugged.  Same old Eri, just like when Ai had first met her years ago.  The girl really never changed. 

   “Alright, alright, you know the drill, Ai-chan,” she said, putting her coffee cup down.  “Mornings are slow so we can chill a bit but Tresor is technically open.  We have to keep working.”

   “I know, I know,” Ai grinned.  “I’ll fix up the shelves on that side.  A couple of costumers left it a bit of a mess yesterday, I think.”

   “And speaking of costumers,” Sayumi said, pointing to the entrance, “I think you got some.”

   Right on cue, the door jingled as it opened to let in two short-haired women into the store.  Eri immediately yelled out a greeting and bowed but Ai turned around and broke into a surprised, but glad, smile instead.

   “Gaki-san!”

   The darker haired woman turned towards Ai and grinned, happy to find someone familiar in the foreign store. 

   “Ai-san!  Ohayou gozaimasu!” she greeted.  “Well, look at you, all dressed up fashionably.  I guess this is the real you I’m seeing?”

   “Yup, I’d like to think so.” 

   Ai beamed at the younger woman who laughed at her reply.  She couldn’t help but continue to keep the huge smile on her face out of excitement at seeing Risa, right in front of her, in this store.  She had really come, like she had asked her to!  And now that she was here, Ai couldn’t take her eyes off of the beautiful girl’s face, not even long enough to notice the hardened expression of her stepsister.

**  **  ** 

   This can’t be happening.

   Sayumi gritted her teeth as her hands clenched into fists unconsciously.  What was this thing that she was feeling?  Anger?  Fear?  Confusion?  Well she was most definitely confused, that was for sure. 

   For one thing, her older sister was being so familiar with this woman that she herself had never even seen before. Who the hell was this woman and what was her business here?  And what was up with her being all friendly with her sister?

   Second of all, what was up with Eri, standing next to her, giggling to herself like crazy?  She was acting as though she was watching some sappy romantic movie play out in front of her, and she was the number one fan girl.  It was beyond annoying.

   And thirdly, and most disturbingly, that girl was here again, shooting her that same mysterious smile that she showed the last time she was here.  Same old short hair, same casual-styled getup… she really needed to check a mirror or something.  What was she doing back here anyway?  Was she here to show her up again, about that earring?  Well, Sayumi didn’t care if that was the reason.  But if she was going to mention the previous incident, in front of her sister… things weren’t exactly going to end smoothly.

   If you say the wrong thing, you won’t make it out of this shop alive, kid.

   “Eri, Sayu,” Ai called, turning towards the two girls standing in front of the counter, “I’d like you guys to meet Niigaki Risa.  She’s a… um… a friend.”

   “Niigaki Risa desu,” the bean said, offering a handshake.  “It’s nice to meet you both.”

   “I’m Kamei Eri, Ai-chan’s first employer and self-proclaimed best friend,” the turtle giggled out, shaking Risa’s hand.  “It’s nice to finally meet you in person!  I’ve heard a lot about you.”

   “Only good things, I hope,” Risa laughed.  She then turned to the taller woman standing beside Eri.  “And you must be…?”

   But the bunny did not answer.  She just glared back at the woman in front of her as well as the other girl who was standing a couple feet behind.  Eri nudged her a couple times but she refused to speak up.  Something about the way that other girl was staring back at her knowingly was not pleasant.

   Don’t give me that look!  This is my territory!

   “This is Michishige Sayumi,” Eri answered instead before the silent air could get more awkward.  “She’s a friend.  And Ai-chan’s stepsister.  She doesn’t work here, she’s just visiting.”

   “Oh… I see.  Um, nice to meet you, too,” Risa said slowly, sensing that the bunny may not be in the best mood at the time. “Well, uh, I brought a friend as well to join us… I hope that’s okay?”

   “Of course it’s okay!” Ai grinned.  “Anyone’s welcome here.”

   “Well, ah, this,” Risa started, as the girl behind her stepped forward, “is Mitsui Aika.  She’s my current flatmate, I guess you could say.  She’s just entering college now.”

   “Nice to meet you all,” Aika smiled brightly, “Takahashi-san, Kamei-san… Michishige-san.”

   So Mitsui Aika is your name, you little rat.

   “And now that the introductions are over,” Risa piped up, “I believe I have an invitation to a brief coffee gathering?”

   “Of course,” Ai grinned.  She grabbed the box-o-joe and poured two more cups of coffee and handed them to the two new visitors.  “I hope regular is okay?”

   “It’s perfect,” Risa answered, making eye contact with the older woman and smiling.  “Thank you.”

   Stop staring at her, you conniving little—

   “Michishige-san, are you feeling alright?”

   Sayumi whipped towards the college student who had just spoken up.  She was looking back at the bunny with a painfully innocent expression, which only made Sayumi angry even more.  She could feel her blood boiling at this point from witnessing this smug little brat’s face.

   “I’m fine,” Sayumi snapped.

   “Good,” Aika smiled.  “I was just making sure.  Your eyebrows were all wrinkled there and your eyes were so fixed… for a moment, I thought you were feeling sick or something.  We wouldn’t want that now, would we?”

   “Now that Mitsui-san mentions it,” Ai said worriedly, “you do look a bit out of it, Sayu.  Are you feeling okay?”

   Eri nudged Sayumi’s side.  “What’s wrong with you?” she said through her teeth.  “Stop making faces, you’re being rude!”

   “Don’t tell me what to do!” Sayumi snapped back quietly.  She turned back to her sister and her two guests with a sickeningly sweet smile that was so obviously fake.  “I’m fine, thank you.  No need to concern me.”

   “Well, if you start to feel sick or anything, just let us know and we’ll help you,” Aika offered kindly.  “It’s better to let the truth out then to lie about something, right?  Tricking others isn’t a good habit.  Don’t you agree, Michishige-san?”

   Sayumi’s lips twitched.  “Of course.”

   “You know, I’d like to get to know you better, Michishige-san,” Aika exclaimed.  “I think we can become great friends, don’t you think?” 

   She smiled innocently at the bunny, who shot her the same kind of smile but along with a murderous eye glare.  “The best.”

   Bitch.

**  **  ** 

   Aika took a slow sip from her coffee cup and sighed contently, looking over kindly at Risa and her new “special” friend, the giddy turtle lady, and the cold bunny.  She was happy to see that her childhood friend/babysitter was obviously pleased to see her mystery club girl again and to meet Miss Bad Liar again and show her up… again.  Life was good.

   But honestly, what were the chances?  How did this even happen?  The lady that had pissed her off so much back then when Aika was looking for the owner of the earring had actually turned out to be the stepsister of the owner of the earring, a.k.a. Risa’s new possible love interest.  This Takahashi Ai woman must have a strong stomach to stand living with such a brat of a younger sister. 

   And why had Michishige Sayumi lied back then and claimed that the earring was hers?  Had she not realize that the jewelry was her sister’s?  Had she honestly tried to steal it?  Or… did she know that it was her sister’s and claimed that it was hers so that she could give it back to her?  Well, she certainly didn’t seem so nice of a person to do such a thing but… maybe if it was for her sister…  Maybe it was only for her sister…?

   “Sayu, are you sure you’re feeling alright?” Ai asked again, a concerned look obvious on her face.

   “Will you stop with the questions, Onee-chan?” Sayumi retorted.  “I’m fine!  Gosh, I drop your bag off for you out of the kindness of my heart and this is what I get?  Ugh, I’m out of here!”

   The bunny flipped her hair and shot Aika one last dirty look before storming out of the store.  Silence ensued as the other four women stood in place, staring at the swinging door, before Eri spoke up.

   “I… uh… I’m gonna make sure she’s alright,” she laughed nervously.  “Watch the store, Ai-chan!”

   Aika followed the turtle with her eyes as she also ran out of Tresor in chase of the rampant bunny.  She rolled her eyes a little before she took another sip of the coffee, feeling incredible respect for the courageous turtle who volunteered to run after the spoiled lady yet at the same time, horrified by Miss Bad Liar’s attitude.  Really, the way she had spoken to her older sister was just…  Aika quickly downed some more coffee before she could finish her thought but her fury wasn’t suppressed too easily.

   Bitch.

**  **  ** 

   “I’m really sorry about that,” Ai apologized, chuckling nervously.  “She must not be in a good mood today… She’s really not all that bad…”

   “Oh no, it’s fine,” Risa replied quickly, shaking her head.  “We all have those days.  I understand.”

   “Well, that was still kind of embarrassing,” Ai smiled apologetically.  “But… I’m still glad you came by.”

   Risa grinned.  “I’m glad I came by, too.  I have to say, it’s kind of nice to see you like this.  It’s like I’m seeing all different sides of you.”

   “And which one do you like best?” Ai asked.

   “All of them,” Risa answered, smiling.  “Because they’re all you.  There’s no difference from one to another.”

   Ai bit down on her lips, trying to keep herself from smiling like an idiot.  She could feel the temperature of her cheeks rising but she did not look away to hide her face.  Every second she had to look at this person seemed too precious to waste.  Niigaki Risa was looking at her right now for who she was; Ai wanted to give her the same respect and attention.

   “Well,” Risa sighed, “I actually have to go now.  I can’t be late for work, so… I’ll see you later?”

   “Yeah.  Later.”  Ai nodded firmly.  “Thanks for stopping by.”

   “Thanks for inviting me,” Risa answered.  She held her gaze for a couple more seconds before she smiled and turned around.  Ai stared at her back until she disappeared through the glass door.  But before her mind could fall into a wave of subconscious happiness, a voice brought reality back to her.

   “If you space out anymore than that, Takahashi-san, you wouldn’t notice if I robbed the whole store right now.”

   Ai jumped a little, startled by the realization that one Mitsui Aika was still in the shop with her.  Had she been standing there the whole time, listening to them?

   “Oh, right.  Um.  Sorry,” Ai mumbled.

   “No need to apologize,” Aika shrugged.  “I can tell you really like her.”

   The older woman’s eyes popped wide open.  “Like?!  Psht, no!  Who?  Gaki-san?  No, no, no, no, no…”

   “Takahashi-san, I may be younger than the rest of you,” the student grinned, “but I’m not blind.”

   “… Is it that obvious?” Ai squeaked.

   Aika nodded.  “But it’s okay.  I’d say she thinks of you in the same way.  Besides, I approve of you two.  If Gaki-san is happy this way, then I’m happy for her.  Also, I can tell you’re not a bad person.”

   “Um… thanks, I guess,” Ai chuckled.  “It’s reassuring to be told you don’t seem like a bad person.”

   “Yeah, I think you’re a pretty good person,” Aika shrugged.  “But I think you’re a pretty dumb person, too.”

   “… Ha?”  Ai blinked a couple times, completely caught off guard by the younger girl’s nonchalant comment.

   “You’re, what, 24-25 years old?” Aika sighed.  “You’re definitely nice, Takahashi-san, but… you’re pretty blind, too.  You don’t seem to understand the feelings of the person closest to you.”

   “Person closest to me?” Ai questioned.

   “Mou, it’s not really my place to say something like this anyway,” Aika yawned, stretching out her arms.  “Well, I’m off to school.  Wouldn’t want to miss my very first college lecture on psychology.  It was nice to meet you, Takahashi-san!”

   Before Ai could inquire further about her comments, Aika skittered out of the shop and disappeared down the street.  The monkey stood in place, coffee still in hand, her head cocked to side in confusion. 

   Person closest to me…?

**  **  ** 

   “Sayumi!  Will you please wait up?”

   The bunny groaned as she continued to stomp down the sidewalk, mumbling incoherent words of fury.  She could hear Eri running behind her to catch up, drawing closer and closer.  Sayumi could tell she only had a few seconds left before she was no longer walking alone.  After all, Eri always had been a fast runner.  And just like she predicted, Sayumi soon found the turtle strutting right alongside her, keeping up with her pace. 

   “What do you want, Eri?”

   “Hey, hey, hey, hey.  Look at me.  Look at me.”

   The turtle swiftly turned and blocked off Sayumi’s way, forcing her to stop walking.  The bunny huffed in disbelief and tried to go around the older girl but Eri wouldn’t have any of it. 

   “Come on, look at me now.  Look at me.”  After a second of deliberation, Sayumi met Eri’s eyes with a deathly glare.  “Now tell me what’s wrong.”

   “Nothing’s wrong!”

   “Well, something’s definitely wrong,” Eri said.  “What happened in there?  Why are you so paranoid today?”

   “Nothing!” Sayumi insisted again.  “It’s just… just that girl came in and… and…”

   “Which girl?”

   Sayumi paused at the question, her mind rotating between the woman who was flirting with her sister and the woman who had played her like a fool.  She could feel her cheeks heating up from fury.  “Just… just both of them!”

   “… Okay, let’s go one at a time,” Eri sighed.  “What did Mitsui Aika ever do to you?”

   “… That’s none of your business,” the bunny muttered, crossing her arms across her chest.  “You think she’s such a sweet little angel, don’t you?  Well, she’s not!”  That proud little brat is gonna get it one day.

   “… Okay, what did Niigaki Risa ever do to you?” Eri asked, deciding to simply move on.

   “She’s annoying me!” Sayumi shot back.  “She thinks that she can just… just waltz in wherever she wants a-and start being all friendly towards my sister?  Like she’d known her for her whole life or something?  No, no, no, nobody knows her better than I do!  I know Onee-chan the best!”

   “So this is about you being jealous that your sister is being taken away from you?”

   Sayumi froze as she stared at the older girl.  Eri did not look away and instead held her gaze with a solid expression. 

   “… Don’t make me laugh, Eri,” the younger woman laughed dryly.  “I just hate people like that, the type that acts like they know everything when they don’t.  It has nothing to do with me losing Onee-chan—”

   “So you’re happy for Ai-chan, then?” Eri interrupted.  “Happy that she finally found someone that makes her smile more than we’ve ever seen her smile?”

   No.  “Yes.”  No, because…

   “… So you’re okay that Niigaki-san and Ai-chan are becoming close?”

   No!  “Yes!”  Because…

   Eri gazed intently at the younger woman for a while before she sighed and stepped closer to her.  She spoke in a low voice, “Sayumi, you may be able to trick everyone else with that kind of lie but it won’t work on me.  I know you too well.”

   Sayumi felt a muscle in her face twitch but she kept her general stature strong.  “You know me too well?” she scoffed.  “Since when do you know me so well, Eri?”

   “Look, I see the way you watch Ai-chan and Niigaki-san together,” the turtle confessed.  “And… I want to let you know that I understand how you feel.”

   “What are you saying, Eri?” Sayumi yelled angrily.  “You don’t know anything about how I feel!”  Even I myself don’t know how I feel…

   “I know more than you think!” Eri retorted back.  “I know about… about frustration, jealousy, confusion…  I know, Sayumi, and I’m telling you that... it’s better to let it go.”

   “There’s nothing to let go—”

   “Don’t do this to yourself, Sayu!” Eri warned.  “Stop torturing yourself like that.  Run away before you really get hurt.  Treasure yourself more!”

   Sayumi stared at the girl standing in front of her, being more serious than she had ever been in her life.  What was Eri saying, all of a sudden?  She was telling her to… to give up?  Aside from the point that Michishige Sayumi never gave up on anything, because she always got what she wanted, what was there to give up?  What was she supposed to step away from?  Yes, it definitely bothered her that some woman just waltzed into her sister’s life and is now all buddy-buddy with her but that was hardly a serious matter… was it?

   But just watching that Niigaki Risa talking with Ai, making her laugh, sharing coffee…  That was unsettling.  More than unsettling, it was… wrong.  Disturbing.  Frightful.  Sayumi didn’t want that to happen because…

   Because it’s supposed to be me standing next to her.

   “Thanks for your concern, Eri,” she murmured, “but I can take care of myself.”  And I am not stepping away.

**  **  ** 

   Eri felt a harsh shove on her shoulder as Sayumi pushed past her and continued to walk down the street.  The turtle bit down on her lips before swallowed hard and exhaled sharply.  She turned to stare at the corner where Sayumi disappeared at and clenched her teeth tightly.  She closed her eyes for a brief moment as she gathered her breath and sighed deeply. 

   That conversation hadn’t exactly turned out the way she planned but she could fix things up later.  Sayumi acted all tough on the outside but she wasn’t gutsy enough to actually say anything to Ai anytime soon.  So that gave Eri enough time to put everything back in place.  But for now, she had a duty to calm down and get back to her shop.  After all, she couldn’t leave her best friend minding a store alone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

hehe wish me luck on writing the next chapter fast too  :nervous

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
Post by: MsSmigge on June 27, 2012, 10:56:29 AM
Hello I'm new here! :nervous
I have read both Chigatte mo iin da yo! and Kokoro no uta some time ago and I liked them a lot! So i was very happy to notice that you have another story going on! XD
About the last chapter I loved the war between Sayu and Aika ;) It was kinda hilarious.
Also the TakaGaki moment was niiice!! :inlove: *ahem* Please let them be together in this fic! (I really don't have anything against the other pairings but Takagaki is just too sugoi... :wub:) :bow: Or at least end this story with Takagaki... Onegaishimasu! :lol:

Keep up the good work!  :kneelbow:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on June 27, 2012, 01:18:41 PM
Coffee time! All five gather and meet. It definitely could have ended in disaster, so I'm glad everything is sort of ok. With the exception of Sayu, of course. That bratty bunny is going to be trouble later, I just know it.

And the plot continues to thicken on all sides!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
Post by: yellow on June 27, 2012, 01:30:47 PM
@yellow: lol so it doesn't matter how i get there as long as i get there?  fair enough! :D
yup sure... as long as in the end TakaGaki will do... if not, risa_ai will go on strike with me  against you  :lol: :lol: :lol:
---
even though Aichan is scatterbrained here.. but she's cute  :)
you should have the turtle join in the fun to kiss the bunny on her another side of her cheek XD
---

hehe wish me luck on writing the next chapter fast too  :nervous

 :byebye: :sleep:

good luck then for your next update :lol:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
Post by: risa_ai on June 27, 2012, 03:03:08 PM
“You know, I’d like to get to know you better, Michishige-san,” Aika exclaimed.  “I think we can become great friends, don’t you think?” 

   She smiled innocently at the bunny, who shot her the same kind of smile but along with a murderous eye glare.  “The best.”

   Bitch.

**  **  ** 

   Aika followed the turtle with her eyes as she also ran out of Tresor in chase of the rampant bunny.  She rolled her eyes a little before she took another sip of the coffee, feeling incredible respect for the courageous turtle who volunteered to run after the spoiled lady yet at the same time, horrified by Miss Bad Liar’s attitude.  Really, the way she had spoken to her older sister was just…  Aika quickly downed some more coffee before she could finish her thought but her fury wasn’t suppressed too easily.

   Bitch.

**  **  ** 
The best. XD I LIKE IT. Eri likes Gaki? Sayu likes Ai? Ai likes Risa? ZOMG.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
Post by: maikeatoot on June 27, 2012, 03:15:50 PM

 oh yes!! there's something 'fishy' about eririn huh?maybe she likelike sayu i guess but sayu likelike ai-chan... hmm.! please update soOn!goodluck!ingat :)
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
Post by: kawaii beam on June 27, 2012, 04:37:23 PM
so it looks like eri had a secret crush on our aichan while sayu's just upset that she's loosing her sister? gah so many feelings in this! :panic:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
Post by: all6th on June 27, 2012, 04:42:11 PM
okay, count me as your fans,, lol...

I always love your story, though waiting each updates gave me a little stresful moment :D , I mean I can't wait to know what will happen next, and this story, I love it really,, there's takagaki and kameshige in it (if my prediction was right), just for you know, I always love kameshige, that's why I really hoping that at least there will be a little delightful moment between them, either it will be a romance or friendship one :D, keep it up author, I hope you'll update so soon that I can relieved this unpleasure-can't-wait feeling :D
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
Post by: arisa03 on June 28, 2012, 07:25:22 AM
It's either.... Eri likes Ai too... or Eri has always known Sayu's feelings for Ai, and kept it to herself cause she loves Sayu even if she's a bitch.

Definitely loving Aika <33333333333 All that bitchiness. TROLOLOLOL.

And LOL omg, AiGaki is just loveydovey lmfao. xD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
Post by: sakura_drop_ on June 28, 2012, 05:09:52 PM
Yet another fanfic I cleaned the dust of (it was lying in the bookmarks toolbar for too long.... But I had so many fics to read... And so many to write...)

OMG, I am so interested in this story... I love AiReina the most (thanks to Estrea-sama), but these pairings are also all interesting. I'll be waiting for your update!  :bow: :bow:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
Post by: Shiawase_Honoo on June 29, 2012, 07:37:29 PM
Coffee time and somthing goes wrong.
My Aika strikes again lol
Oh~ Eri, even you are Aho, but you have an eye for everything Sayu feels.

P.s. You should try some. What about SayaFuku or Loli-combi? It's good for you to start with 910ki pairing.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
Post by: SarangAi on July 06, 2012, 07:22:49 AM
@MsSmigge: NEW PERSON~  :otomerika: :yossi: :cow: :welcome  haha i'm glad you liked my other fics!  I hope that you end up liking this one too lol  XD XD

@rndy: hehehe maybe i'm thickening it too much?  i feel like i'm just giving myself more knots to work out later on  :nervous

@yellow: OMG I totally should've had the turtle join in... ma bad  :lol:

@risa_ai: hehe glad you like! :D

@maikeatoot: ufufufu you'll see...  :P

@kawaii beam: lol SO MANY you don't even know it...  :lol: :lol:

@all6th: ahaha sorry~ I procrastinate so much it's really bad...  :nervous 

@arisa03: lol I love my own Aika in this story, glad you like her too!  XD

@sakura_drop_: aaaahhhh yayyyy~ glad you're interested!  XD

@Shiawase_Honoo: ooooh that sounds interseting!  SayuFuku~ well, we definitely got ponpon down... working with 10ki now and 9ki 10ki cross... and other senpai-kouhai stuff too i guess?  lots to brainstorm homg  :lol:


Thank you~ for all the commenting~ plus thanking~  :twothumbs
This wasn't supposed to be a chapter but I kinda went all crack on it.  definitely wasn't planning this but... it became a chapter haha.  :nervous
enjoy~!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 11 – “Because under the rags, Cinderella was beautiful”

   The sound of a frustrated groan filled the conference room, followed by the crumple of paper which soon led to a paper ball being tossed into the waste basket to join the ranks of failed sketches.  Risa flipped over to a brand new page in her sketchbook and tapped her drawing pencil against it, trying to get a mental image of what she wanted. 

   “That’s about the tenth time you tossed a sketch away, Niigaki-san,” the blonde girl sitting across the table from Risa laughed.  “You should really keep some of them, just in case.”

   “I can’t help it, Miyabi-chan!” the bean moaned.  “I’m not satisfied at all by my drawings; I can’t hand in a half-hearted work!”

   “Well, you better start liking your drawings,” the girl sitting next to Miyabi grinned.  “Junjun-san said we have to complete ten sketches of summer clothes, hairstyles, and nail designs by the end of the day.  Or else, we can’t leave.”

   “Yeah, what Saki-chan said,” Miyabi chimed in.  “Junjun-san said Tanaka Shachou wants to personally see what level we’re at, remember?  It’s not really a test to see if we’re good or bad anyway; it’s more like an… assessment?”

   “I know, I know,” Risa muttered.  “But I can’t stand it when the result of my work is different from my vision.  I have to get this right!”

   “That’s perfectionist Niigaki-san for you,” Saki giggled. 

   “Hey, I wouldn’t put the term ‘perfectionist’ too far from you either,” Miyabi teased back.  “You’re pretty strict too.  There’s a reason why we all called you ‘Captain’ back when we were kids.”

   “Yeah, but I’m not the one struggling on my second sketch with ten other drawings lying in the wastebasket,” Saki shrugged.  “I may have high standards for myself, but I also know how to manage my time so I get my work done before the deadline.”

   “Gee, that makes me feel much better Shimizu-chan…” Risa mumbled.

   “Well then, let me see how amazing the works of Shimizu Saki are,” Miyabi challenged, grinning.  She reached over and grabbed her friend’s portfolio and flipped it open to view the first four sketches that had been completed.  Saki quickly reached over to take it back but the blonde girl merely stood up in order to get the folder out of the smaller girl’s reach.

   “Hey, give it back!  Those are personal and private!” Saki whined.  She tried to grab the portfolio from her friend’s hand as she jumped but miserably failed.  “Mou, Miya!”

   “Hey, I like the color scheme in your clothing design sketch!” Miyabi gushed, grinning playfully.  “And I definitely like the blend of the highlights in your second hair style sketch; it’s very you.”  Then she smirked smugly and said, “But the fourth one… eh.  I’ve seen you do better.”

   Before further comments could be made, the folder was quickly snatched away from the blonde girl’s grasp as Saki finally succeeded in jumping high enough to reclaim her property.  She clutched her sketches to her chest and glared up at her friend.  “Who asked for your opinion anyway?” she snapped, sticking her tongue out and plopping back down in her seat.

   “Hai, hai,” Miyabi laughed, also sitting back down.  “I was just joking, you know that, Saki-chan.”  When Captain didn’t answer, Miyabi leaned her face in closer, trying to make eye contact with her friend.  “Aw, is someone mad?”

   “I’m not mad,” Saki spat out.

   “You’re definitely mad,” Miyabi teased good-naturedly.  “Okay, okay, I’m sorry.  Here, you can take a look at my portfolio if it’ll make you feel better.”

   “Well it won’t make me feel better!” Saki shot back.

   “Come on, I said I was sorry~” Miyabi whined, still maintaining her playful manner.  “I’ll treat you to yakiniku later.  What do you say?”

   “… You promise?”

   “Promise.”

   “… Deal!”  Saki beamed happily at her friend, recovering to her jolly self.  “Make it tonight’s dinner while you’re at it then!”

   “Roger, Captain!” Miyabi grinned, saluting the older girl.

   As the two friends broke out into a fit of laughter, Risa suspiciously eyed her two co-workers from across the table.  Something about those two was a little off.  Yes, they were supposedly very good friends that met as children, very much like Risa herself and Aika.  But the way those two acted around each other was a little… different.  The atmosphere between them didn’t exactly read as “friends”.

   “Hey, you two!” Risa called out softly, catching the two interns’ attention.  “Are you guys maybe… going out?”

   Silence ensued. 

   “… No… um—”

   “No, most definitely not!” Saki strongly objected, chuckling at the idea.  “Miya and I are just good friends.  People have said we’re like an old married couple but… going out?  That’s impossible.  Right, Miya?”

   “Um, yeah.  Yeah, yeah, totally,” Miyabi shakily agreed.  “I mean, we’ve just been friends for too long, I guess?”

   “Exactly,” Saki nodded.  “Miya is like family to me.  She’s my sister.  There’s absolutely no way we’d ever be in a… a relationship.  Besides, we’re too different.”

   “You know I’ve always wondered, what does that even mean—”

   “Okay, okay, stop!” Risa ordered, holding her hands up.  “I was just asking to make sure, no need to get into a frenzy because of it.  I was simply wondering if I was supposed to kind of read the atmosphere and subtly leave the room to give you guys privacy or something.”

   “Well now you know,” Saki grinned, “that won’t be necessary.”

   “Not at all,” Miyabi agreed.

   “Alright, alright,” Risa laughed.  “Sorry for bothering.  Let’s keep working.”

   “Actually, I think I’ll take a quick break,” Saki announced, standing up to stretch her body.  “I have four sketches done that I feel pretty solid about.  I’m going to go down to the lounge and get a cup of coffee.  Anybody want anything?”

   “I’ll take a coffee,” Risa replied.

   “I’m good, thanks,” Miyabi answered.

   “Alright, be back soon!”

   With that, Captain strolled out of the room, closing the door behind her.  Risa immediately turned her head back to the blonde girl sitting across from her.  Miyabi seemed to be back on her job already, pencil in hand, sketching away on her paper.  But Risa was known for having quite the sharp instincts, and this girl would not be able to fool her.

   “… Well…?”

   “Hai?”

   “Anything you want to tell me?”

   “… Not particularly.”

   “Oh come on, Miyabi-chan,” Risa pushed.  “I saw the way you guys reacted: Shimizu-chan seemed pretty sure of her answer but you weren’t.  What’s up between you two?”

   Miyabi chewed on her bottom lip as she slowly looked up from her sketch.  Her eyes wandered around for a while, landing on everything except Risa’s eyes, before she sighed and put down her pencil. 

   “I guess it’s hard to fool someone as sharp as you, Niigaki-san,” Miyabi said, shrugging in surrender.

   “I’ve been told so,” Risa grinned, “and I know so.”

   “Just… promise not to tell anyone?” Miyabi asked.

   “I promise,” the bean reassured.  “Just think of me as your older sister and let it all out. ”

   Miyabi smiled a little at this as she exhaled again.  “Okay.  Yeah.  So… I like Saki.  I’ve liked her ever since we became friends as kids and I still like her now.  A lot.”

   “Yeah, I figured,” Risa grinned.

   “Is it really that obvious?” Miyabi whispered, scrunching up her face.

   “Well… like you said,” Risa answered quickly, “I have sharp instincts.”

   Miyabi sighed.  “Yeah, well… I’m pretty sure Saki realized, too.”

   “What makes you say that?”

   “Well… I kind of… told her…”

   Risa’s mouth opened with a pop.  “What?!  You did?!  Wait, how—”

   “I mean, I didn’t exactly clearly tell her outright,” Miyabi rephrased quickly.  “But we’ve had… moments… so I’m sure she’s caught on.”

   “Um… I don’t think I understand…”

   “Well you see,” Miyabi sighed, lowering voice more but leaning in forward to make sure Risa heard her, “We’ve had friendly conversations together—I mean, we’re best friends after all—where things kind of moved on to different topics.  For example, once, I suggested the idea of us dating… like, what it would be like, hypothetically.  In a joking manner, you know?”

   “I get it,” Risa nodded.  “And?  What did she say?”

   “Well…” Miyabi mumbled, her face darkening, “she said we were too… different.”

   Risa inhaled slightly in realization.  “Like she said before?”

   “Exactly,” the younger girl nodded.  “She often says things like… like how it shocks her sometimes when she realizes how long we’ve been able to stay friends, despite being so unlike each other.  I’m tall, she’s short, I’m extroverted, she’s introverted, I’m fab, she’s drab.  Well, at least that’s how she put it.”

   “I guess… I see her point…”

   Indeed, Saki and Miyabi were quite unlike each other.  Miyabi seemed a bit more outgoing while Saki kept more to herself and had more of the girl-next-door charm.  The blonde was a bit more glamorous and showy when it came to fashion as well, compared to the brunette who was still fashionable in her own way but in a more casual way as well.  Now that she thought about it, Risa found it surprising that those two were such good friends. 

   “But she also said something like… how our friendship was able to hold out, despite our differences, but a relationship definitely wouldn’t work out.”  Miyabi’s face fell more at this, as though she was remembering the distinct conversation.

   “Did she say it in a serious way?” Risa quietly asked.

   “Not exactly,” the younger girl sighed. “I mean, she said it jokingly with a smile and all that, since I asked in a joking way, but… I could just tell, you know?  She really meant it.  She doesn’t have any feelings for me.  She only wants me as a friend; no more, no less.”

   “… I’m really sorry to hear that,” Risa said.  She was starting to feel bad for the girl but at the same time, she felt a great amount of respect.  Even after being “rejected” like that by the person she liked, Miyabi still stayed strong in order to remain a friend to Saki, just the way she wanted.  That took a lot of courage and strength.  Risa couldn’t help but wonder what came to Miyabi’s mind every single day when she saw Saki’s face…

   “But it’s not even the fact that she doesn’t have mutual feelings for me,” Miyabi suddenly said.  “I mean, she can’t help that.  The thing that bothers me is the way she views herself.”

   “What do you mean?”

   “I mean… Saki has really low self-esteem.”  Miyabi exhaled sharply as she ruffled her hair in frustration.  “We have those little unserious conversations sometimes, about us being so close like a married couple, you know?  But she goes off on these little tangents about how she would never be good enough for me, how she’ll never be able to keep up.  She says she’s not pretty enough or talented enough or glamorous enough to be with me.  She says the only reason we’re still friends is because she was selfish enough to stick by me, even though she knew she wasn’t cool enough to hang out with me.  Apparently, everybody in school thought so.”

   “So… she’s conscious of herself?”

   “Yeah, I guess.  But it makes me so frustrated sometimes, you know?  I mean, who cares what people in school thought?  Who cares what anybody thinks?  I like her and I want to be with her.  And no matter how badly she thinks of herself, I think she’s the sweetest, kindest, prettiest girl I know.  Why can’t she see that?”  Miyabi fell back into her chair with a loud groan.  The creases around her eyebrows revealed her obvious irritation.  After a moment, however, the girl’s expression softened slightly as sorrow filled her eyes.  “I mean… why can’t she see how beautiful she is…?”

   Risa watched the girl in front of her as the words she just heard pierced through her heart.  She noticed her chest tighten in mild pain as she felt complete sympathy towards Miyabi.  Somehow, she knew exactly the kind of grief her colleague was feeling and her words played in her ears like a familiar tune…

^^^ ^^^

   “I just… didn’t want you to see me like this…”

    “See you… like what?”

   “You know… like me, the janitor.  Look, I’m normally not the flashy person you met at the club.  In reality, I’m just another human who is just trying to get by.  I’m nothing impressive.”

   “And I am?  I mean, look at me!”

   “Yes, and you’re even more beautiful than I remember…”


^^^ ^^^

   Ai-san… she was definitely the same way.

   Risa’s hands squeezed into fists as she remembered back to the night when the two women had reunited.  Indeed, something about the way Ai had spoken that time was a little off.  She was definitely humbling herself but it was beyond the level of modesty.  It was more towards the idea of self-degradation.  After all, when she spotted Risa at the time, Ai’s first course of action was to run away so that Risa would not be able to see her in her janitor form.  To Ai, hiding herself was the most natural response to seeing the “beautiful” Risa because there was no way her “ugly” self could keep up with her. 

   But why?  Why did she lower herself so much?  Ai clearly did not view herself properly; she didn’t seem to realize that she was one of the most beautiful women Risa had ever met.  There had to be a reason why she thought so poorly of herself.  And Risa aimed to find out.

   Clenching her teeth together determinedly, Risa banged the table with her fists.  Miyabi jumped in shock as she looked up at the bean in confusion.  The older woman spoke firmly, “Miyabi-chan, you have to raise Shimizu-chan’s confidence level.  It sounds like she’s really pushing herself down and that’s not good.  You have to help her see herself for who she is.  And maybe, just maybe, she’ll be able to see her own feelings more clearly, too.”

   Miyabi’s eyes widened.  “You… you really think so?”

   “I know so!” Risa yelled fiercely.  “Don’t give up Miyabi-chan!  Together, you and I can do it!”

   “Um… Together?”  Now, Miyabi was raising an eyebrow in confusion, finding Risa’s fired up form a little bit intimidating.

   “Yes, together!” Risa pushed, shaking her fist.  “You’re going to help Shimizu-chan with her problem and then you’re going to ask her out!  You can’t give up now; you have to properly tell her your feelings!”

   “Yeah… yeah, you know what?”  Miyabi slowly grinned as she nodded in agreement.  “You know what, you are absolutely right, Niigaki-san!  I spent the past 15 years liking Saki-chan and I’m not about to dump all that out!  I’m going to change her heart!”

   “Yeah!” Risa roared, raising her arms.  “Let’s do it together!”  For Ai-san!

   “Yeah!” Miyabi also cheered, pumping her fists.  “Together!”

   “Iku zo!”

   “Yosh!”

   “What are you two doing…?”

   Risa jumped in alarm as Miyabi lost her balance and almost tripped over her chair.  Saki was standing by the door, holding two cups of coffee, staring at her two co-workers with a suspecting look.  She raised an eyebrow and Risa could swear she saw a sweat drop on Miyabi’s face.  She could most certainly imagine the girl swallowing hard.

   “C-Captain!” Miyabi chuckled nervously.  “Um… how long have you been standing there?”

   “Long enough to see you two fist pump,” Saki answered, slowly walking towards her seat.  “Did something happen while I was gone?”

   “No!  No, no, no,” Risa replied quickly.  “We were just… uh… getting excited… about our designs!”

   “Yeah, yeah,” Miyabi chimed in.  “Niigaki-san got this… this brilliant idea for a design!”

   “Oh, that’s great!” Saki exclaimed.  “Keep it up and you’ll be able to finish the designs in time!”

   “Um, yeah,” Risa mumbled.  “Yeah, yeah, totally.”

   “Well, maybe this will also help encourage you more,” Saki smiled, pushing one of the coffee cups to the bean.  “Lots of milk, two packs of sugar.”

   “Perfect.  Thanks, Shimizu-chan.”

   Risa immediately took a drink from her coffee, washing out the awful taste in her mouth that was left after the nerve-wracking moment.  From the corner of her eye, she spied Miyabi burying her head in her portfolio, probably hiding her flustered face.  But her short-haired companion seemed to be acting normal enough so she probably hadn’t heard too much of their conversation.

   And what a conversation it was.  Despite that previous shock, Risa was totally pumped up now.  She was determined to let Ai see herself for who she was and make it clear how Risa saw her as well.  And perhaps, in the process, she would be able to learn more about Ai and get closer to her.  Risa could only hope so. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay. So next chapter is TakaGaki.
But i have a confession.

... I'm losing my Takagaki inspiration.....  :fainted:
It's been so long since they graduated.....  :cry: :cry:

but i'm still gonna do my best!!!
*goes to browse takagaki video clips*

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 11 - (7/6)]
Post by: maikeatoot on July 06, 2012, 07:38:58 AM
 OH NO PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!! dont forget TAKAGAKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   :depressed: :tantrum: :angry: hihi but please update soon and fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I dont want to wait another week to read the next chapter!!! and  :imdead: yeah!! im sorry but yeah  :scolding: update!update!update!!!  please? again dont forget the TAKAGAKI !!!!!! im going to  :bangchair:  :ptam-kill: yeah!!! my gosh im sorry im over-reacting  :nervous !!!!!!!!!!!!!! sorry  :ptam-shy: UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


 LOVe,
 MAIKEA..  :ptam-kiss: hehe
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 11 - (7/6)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on July 06, 2012, 07:57:38 AM
Short, sweet MiySaki kataomoi!

Omg, what? Watch more clips! Watch them!!! You needs OPV's stat!

[OPV] AiGaki - Futari.mp4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBktLPQPlA8#)
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 11 - (7/6)]
Post by: risa_ai on July 06, 2012, 09:41:59 AM
YOU CAN'T LOSE IT! Noooo!!! GO RISA. Goooo! xD I see you gonna confess and go out with her, and also us readers here will all get into the lovey dovey mood, and prepare engagement rings, and also- WAIT. WAIT. What am I even saying? xD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 11 - (7/6)]
Post by: MsSmigge on July 06, 2012, 11:05:43 AM
Yay, new chapter!  :cow:
Go Risa and Miyabi!  XD Raise Saki's confidence level and help her see her true feelings! And Risa do that for your Aichan too :P


Okay. So next chapter is TakaGaki.


Awwwww yes.... :luvluv1: :luvluv2:


But i have a confession.

... I'm losing my Takagaki inspiration.....  :fainted:
It's been so long since they graduated.....  :cry: :cry:


Nooooooo!!!!!    :shock: :scared: :OMG: :pleeease:
Don't lose it! You can't! Watch videos and pictures, read fanfics, just do anything not to lose it!  XD
Ganbatte kudasai!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 11 - (7/6)]
Post by: arisa03 on July 06, 2012, 04:37:55 PM
You know... You know... please please, PRETTY PLEASE.

Visit this link:
http://satsunyan.tumblr.com/tagged/aigaki (http://satsunyan.tumblr.com/tagged/aigaki)

and please enjoy yourself. LOL. I really wish that would inspire you though. ; A ; Like... really! ; A ;

And Captain and Miyabi... I have to see this soon. xD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 11 - (7/6)]
Post by: yellow on July 07, 2012, 04:22:43 PM
 :lol:if there is ever a next time... please let the turtle join in the fun  XD
------------------
Go Risa and Miyabi all the way for your targets!!!  :mon beam:

 :shock: please don't forget TakaGaki...
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 11 - (7/6)]
Post by: Fushigidane on July 09, 2012, 04:33:43 AM
Zup!  :twothumbs :heart: :heart: :heart:
aigaki (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHPxc08qHb4#)

Tho, Tanagaki might work as well. :hand:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 11 - (7/6)]
Post by: sakura_drop_ on July 09, 2012, 11:02:20 AM
Thank you for this update! :bow: :bow:

CapMiya pairing FTW!

And I hope you won't loose your inspiration, coz I love this story! I really wanna read more of your TanaGaki and TakaGaki. And I'm curious about the further development of this fic!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 11 - (7/6)]
Post by: Haruka on July 13, 2012, 01:18:50 AM
OMG Here again *u*

It's been loooooong time since I have internet again XD since February I think o_O

But now I'm back! and In holydays xD

I'm gonna read all today *u*

Hope u r ok =) my dear AiAi XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 11 - (7/6)]
Post by: SarangAi on July 18, 2012, 07:56:59 AM
@maikea: hahaha I'm doing the best I can!!!  :P

@rndy: omg that actually REALLY helped  XD  I went to go browsing for more opvs.  it was great.  :wub: :wub: :wub:

@risa_ai: lol woah there tiger slow downnn  :lol:

@MsSmigge: I did all of those things you mentioned!  They helped~  XD

@arisa03: that was one of the best tumblrs. like, ever. I followed.  :D

@yellow: hahaha i wont!!!  XD

@Fushigidane: aaaahhh so cutee.... love it!  :wub: :wub: :wub:

@sakura_drop_: aahh I hope I don't either!  I hate giving up in the middle, I have to keep going!  XD

@Haruka: yayyy~ welcome back!   :lol: yup i'm doing well~  :D


Thanks so much for all the TakaGaki tributes and stuff!  They actually really helped.  It was like I went on a TakaGaki themed cruise trip and now I'm back refreshed!  :lol: :lol:

So here I am, bringing you a new chapter! :twothumbs

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 12 – “No one can resist when fate is in play.”

   Ai had encountered many peculiar situations before in her life but this current one definitely topped them all.  Rather than peculiar, it was starting to get ridiculous.  Or rather, even pathetic.  Ai could not fathom the workings of her own mind, which only drove her further insane.  Because honestly, who would waste a good half an hour mopping the same spot over and over again because she was too busy daydreaming about a girl?  A special girl, yes, but nevertheless just a girl.  One single person.  And the mere thought of the person was enough to make Ai smile like an idiot and practically shut down the rest of her brain.  And to think that she had only met this woman a couple days ago… This was hardly realistic.

   But nonetheless, it was indeed true.  Ai felt a very strong emotion towards Niigaki Risa which made her go light on her feet.  She wasn’t exactly sure what kind of emotion but she knew it was there and that it was a good kind of feeling.  After all, she had felt so incredibly happy that morning when she saw Risa walk into Tresor.  Just the mere sight of her was enough to shut off Ai’s senses to the rest of the world and fixate her gaze on that single woman.

   The only down side to this recent discovery was that Ai now had a hard time concentrating on everything else in her life.  The current moment was a perfect example: despite having a lot of cleaning to do all by herself in the large lobby of the Bijou Company building (and having very little time to do it), Ai had been distracted again by the thought of Risa as she had been scrubbing only three tiles clean for the past 30 minutes.  Yes, Niigaki Risa made her happy and all but Ai knew that she really had to pull herself together to get this job done.

   “Ai-san!”

   Oh great. Now she was hearing her voice as well.

   “Ai-san!  Over here!”

   Ai blinked a couple times as she realized that the voice she was hearing was not just in her head.  She turned around and spotted the beautiful woman she had been drawing in her head, walking towards her with a bright smile.  An unintentional, yet joyful grin spread across Ai’s face as she put her mop in the water container next to her and took her hat off. 

   “Gaki-san!” she exclaimed.  “What are you doing here so late?”

   “I’m working overtime,” Risa sighed.  “Jun-san had told the interns that we wouldn’t be able to leave today if we didn’t finish our assigned portfolio requirements… and she wasn’t joking.”

   “Oh?” Ai laughed.  “And what made you not finish your portfolio in time?”

   “Um… I’m one of those ridiculously obsessive perfectionists…?” Risa mumbled, chuckling nervously.  “I just can’t hand in work that I’m not completely satisfied with.  And I guess I didn’t really try too hard to finish in time either.”

   “Ee~?” the older woman laughed again, raising an eyebrow.  “Why?”

   Risa’s cheeks blushed sweet pink as she shrugged.  “Well… I mean… I guess I knew that if I didn’t finish, I would have to stay here late… and if I stayed late enough, I’d… I’d have an excuse to see you again…?”

   The janitor’s mouth opened slightly as her lips slowly curved up in a smile. She started to laugh softly which drew Risa’s attention back to her but she couldn’t help it.  It wasn’t very easy to hide her happiness at knowing how much the bean wanted to see her as well.  Ai could only wonder if the younger woman was as distracted as she was when they weren’t together.

   “Stop laughing at me!” Risa scolded.  She frowned but that only made her look cuter in the older woman’s eyes.

   “Sorry,” Ai laughed.  “But… you really don’t need an excuse to come see me.  If you miss me, then just… come.”

   “… Okay.”  Risa nodded in approval as she happily grinned.  “Hey, give me your phone for a second?”

   Without questioning, Ai took her cell phone out of her back pocket and handed it to the bean.  Risa fiddled with the keypad for a while and then gave the phone back.

   “Just in case,” she explained, “if you happen to want to see me as well… you have my number.  Just give me a call.”

   “Of course,” Ai grinned.  “But when I do, you better come running.”

   “I promise,” Risa giggled.  Somehow, it was easy to say such a thing to Ai.  It wasn’t because she thought lightly of the promise, but simply because she knew she would be able to keep it.  She would want to keep it.

   “So… what’s that in your hand?”

   Risa held up the plastic bag that she had been holding on to the entire time that she had forgotten about during the conversation.  “Oh, I just ordered Chinese take-out because I didn’t eat dinner and I was getting hungry… and I thought maybe you’d like to share?”

   “Really?” Ai exclaimed, her face brightening.  “Is that okay?”

   “Un!”

   In the next couple of minutes, the two women were able to find a nice dry spot for them to sit on by the rim of the fountain that was in the center of the main lobby.  Ai placed her hat down before taking off her working gloves and generously applying the sanitizing lotion that Risa had lent her all over her hands.  The bean took out two Chinese paper containers and chopsticks.  She set them down between herself and the janitor and opened them to reveal lo-mein noodles and sesame chicken.

   “Oh god, that smells amazing,” Ai breathed. 

   Laughing, Risa handed her friend a pair of chopsticks before she broke apart her own.  Ai mimicked her actions and rubbed them together to shave the splinters off.  When she deemed the utensil smooth enough, she seized a chicken and popped it in her mouth.  She slowly chewed the food as she closed her eyes.

   “And it tastes even better,” she groaned. 

   “Nothing says ‘late night snack’ like Chinese, right?” Risa grinned.

   “Yeah,” Ai sighed.  “But nothing says ‘extra pounds’ like Chinese either.”

   “Oh please,” Risa scoffed, scooping up some noodles.  “From what I can see, you can use the extra couple pounds.”

   At this, the older woman burst out into laughter.  “Well, look who’s talking!  Gaki-san, you’re much thinner than I am.”

   “That is not true!” Risa fought back.  “You’re so perfectly skinny, you make the rest of the female species look chubby.  Now each your food so you can become like the rest of us.”

   Ai laughed even harder.  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Gaki-san, but I have to say, you’re very funny.”

   “Wasn’t trying to be,” Risa grumbled, stuffing chicken in her mouth. 

   “Still, very entertaining,” Ai smiled, “but very blind, too.”

   Risa frowned.  “What does that even mean?”

   “I mean, to think that you would even use the term ‘perfect’ to describe me,” Ai explained.  “I’m hardly perfect.  Far from it, rather.  I’m painfully average, if not below.”

   “… Why do you do that?”

   “Huh?”

   “Why do you always do that?” Risa repeated, hint of annoyance in her voice.  “You’re doing the same thing you did when we first met in this lobby; you keep putting yourself down.”

   “I’m just stating the facts, Gaki-san.”

   “No, you’re not,” Risa disagreed.  “Come on, Ai-san, you must look in the mirror once in a while, right?  Surely, you realize your looks are way above average.”

   “Compared to others?” Ai laughed softly.  “Standing beside her, I’m no one special.  She’s the pretty one.”

   “Who’s ‘she’?”

   Ai shrugged.  “You know… ‘she’ being a general term to refer to other women…  Like you… Eri… my sister.”

   The face of the black-haired beauty Risa had met that morning flashed through her head: pink lips, perfectly shaped eyes, porcelain doll face…  Well, she was undeniably good-looking even though it seemed like she had an attitude problem.  Risa could see why the girl may be considered a bijin in current society. 

   “Sayumi has always been the prettier one,” Ai said quietly.  “Ever since we became sisters, we were constantly compared to each other and Sayumi always beat me out in every way.  She was cuter, wittier, smarter… she was just better, I suppose.” 

   “So your sister did this to you…” Risa whispered. 

   “Oh, don’t misunderstand!” Ai said quickly, laughing a little to ease the heavy atmosphere.  “I love my sister.  Sure, she’s got quite a tongue but I never minded giving up the spotlight to her.  She’s more suited for it anyway.  She’s the Michishige Sayumi, princess of everything.  And I’m just… Ai.  And I’m okay with it.”

   Ai shrugged as she stuffed some more food into her mouth.  Risa watched the older woman with sorrowful eyes.  Ai had said she was okay with being pushed to the back but honestly, what kind of person was actually okay with that?  Nobody appreciated being upstaged, especially by their own sister.  Everybody in the world needed someone to notice and admire them for who they are, yet Ai had had no one to pay attention to her.  No one had minded her and no one had cared for her.  And the end result had become that she did not love herself anymore.  She did not know herself and therefore, she could not treasure herself.  That, to Risa, was heartbreaking.

   “Are you pitying me?”

   The bean blinked as her eyes refocused on her friend’s face.  “Why would you say that?”

   Ai shrugged.  “I don’t know.  It just seemed like for a second there, you were feeling sorry for me.”  She smiled a little.  “You don’t need to feel sorry for me.”

   “I don’t feel sorry for you,” Risa said.  “I just feel that it’s… regrettable.”

   “What is?”

   “That… you can’t see yourself through my eyes.” 

   “… Through your eyes?”  Ai raised her eyebrows as she laughed.  “Okay.  Well, what do you see through your eyes?”

   Risa smiled.  “When I look at you, I see a beautiful woman who works hard every day to live life.  The world hasn’t exactly had mercy on you but you still dream big and stay strong.  That’s really amazing of you, you know.  Not a lot of people would be able to do that.  And to me, that’s the Takahashi Ai-san who is so beautiful.  That’s the Takahashi Ai-san that I love.”

   The older woman’s eyes popped wide open.  “That… you… love…?”

   Risa’s eyes also widened shock as she realized what she had just said.  “Seeing!” she blurted out.  “I-I-I meant seeing!  Y-you know, the Takahashi Ai-san that I love… seeing.”

   “Oh… R-right, right, of course…” Ai mumbled, laughing nervously.  “The me.  That you love.  Seeing.”

   “Right.  Exactly.”

   “Exactly.”

   “Right.”

   “So you don’t really… love me,” Ai laughed awkwardly.  “I mean, you can use the word for friends too though—”

   “I don’t love you.”

   “Oh. Right.  Of course.”

   “No!  Oh, I mean…” Risa mumbled, “I don’t… love you, because love is a strong word, but I mean, as a friend—”

   “Right, as a friend, that’s what I mean,” Ai said quickly.

   “Right, as a friend… I mean… I like… you…”

   “I… I like you… too…”

   “As a friend.”

   “Right.”

   “Exactly.”

   An awkward silence ensued for a couple seconds before Ai burst out into laughter, realizing how nonsensical the conversation had become.  Risa blushed a little but she eventually joined in on the laughing with the older woman.  They both had an unusual way of expressing their feelings but at least they were on the same page.  Or, at least, they seemed to be.

   “Well,” Ai grinned, “good friends who like each other don’t use honorifics, or speak formally to one another, do they?”

   “I suppose they don’t,” Risa smiled.  “But… you should drop the formalities first.  You’re older.  It would just make me feel better if you went first.”

   “Fine,” Ai said.  She cleared her throat and spoke, “Ri. Sa. Chan.”

   The bean laughed at the older woman’s adorable execution of her name.  “Na~ni, Ai-chan?” she said slowly, in staccato.

   “I think I’ll keep calling you Gaki-san after this anyway,” Ai grinned.  “I think it’s a cute nickname.  Gaki-san.”

   “Whatever you wish,” Risa approved.  “It’s okay for me to call you Ai-chan?”

   “Ai-chan is perfect,” the janitor smiled.  “… Thank you.”

   “For calling you Ai-chan?” the bean chuckled.

   “No,” Ai shook her head.  “For saying all of that before.  About how you see me.  No one has ever said anything like that to me in my life and… I feel like you said exactly what I needed to hear.  From someone, anyone, that… I might be worth something in somebody’s eyes.  So thank you.”

   Ai smiled brightly at the younger woman, whose eyes were fixated on her.  Risa felt her heart beating faster.  Had she actually managed to get through to the older woman?  Had she changed her outlook?  Even if it was just a little, Risa was happy to hear that she had impacted this person’s life in a positive way.

   “I’m glad that I could help,” she said, smiling.  “If you ever need any more self-esteem boost, you can always come to me.”

   Ai laughed.  “Alright, Doctor Niigaki.  But for now, we better clean up.  I should get back to work.”

   “Oh, right, me too!”

   The two women proceeded to close the Chinese food cartons and put them back in the plastic bag.  Risa wiped down the area with a napkin and tossed that in the bag as well.  Ai looked around for a while, mumbling, “Where did I put my hat…?”

   Risa spotted the blue cap, halfway between her and the janitor.  “Oh, here it is—”

   “Oh, I see it—”

   As the two reached for the hat together, Ai’s hand somehow landed on top of Risa’s. They both paused as the world stopped for them.  Risa felt a shock wave run through her body, caused by the spark that had occurred on the surface of her skin on her hand where Ai had touched her.  Her heart started to race as she couldn’t bear to raise her head.  Ai seemed to be just as shaky.

   “Oh, s-sorry, my bad—”

   Ai tried to take her hand away but Risa unconsciously closed her fingers around the hand and held on.  When she realized what she had done and looked up with shock evident in her face, Ai was already staring at her in surprise. 

   “I-I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that—”

   The bean let go of the hand and slipped away.  But this time, it was Ai who held onto Risa’s hand before she could completely slip away.  The bean looked at the older woman and felt her cheeks heating up.  Ai was gazing back at her with a certain expression, yet there was also some confusion on her part as well.  Why was it so hard to let go…?

   “Friends can hold hands, right? Ai asked quietly.  “Close friends, who like each other and speak informally to one another… right?”

   “R-right,” Risa agreed shakily.  “Friends… good friends… can.”

   “Right.”

   “Right.”

   Ai smiled brightly as her fingers closed tighter around the younger girl’s hand.  Risa stared at the linked fingers between her and the janitor, too embarrassed to raise her head.  She was so sure that her face was flushed like a tomato by now.  She never would’ve thought that she’d be sitting one day, holding hands like this with a woman whom she just met, only a couple days ago.  And the strangest part was that she didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable.  Their connection, the skin-to-skin contact… everything just felt so familiar and right.

   “I’m really glad that I met you, Gaki-san,” Ai said.  “I usually don’t get close to people this easily but… I’m really glad that I can be with you like this.”

   “Well, that’s something I hear often,” Risa grinned, looking up, “but I’m glad you said it.”

   The two women held each other’s gaze for a while, replaying one another’s messages for a while, feeling nothing but relief and joy from being together.  But before one of them could speak again, a different interruption ensued.

   “You seem to be enjoying your break there, Niigaki.”

   Risa gasped as she jumped up, pulling her hand away, and whirled around to see her black-haired handler strutting towards her.  Ai cleared her throat awkwardly and quickly put her cap back on.

   “J-Junjun-san!” Risa stuttered.

   “Seeing that you seem to be quite lenient with your time,” the panda said with an edge of ice in her voice, “is it safe to assume that your portfolio is finished?”

   “Ano…” Risa mumbled, scratching her head, “almost…?”

   “Well ‘almost’ doesn’t cut it,” Junjun scolded.  “Get to it.”

   “H-hai!”  Risa quickly started to gather her things as her superior swept past her to address the janitor.

   “And you, Takahashi,” she started, “you only started working here yesterday and you’re already slacking off.  We hired you because you said you needed the job, despite you being inexperienced.  But you best remember that we can lay you off just as easily.”

   “… I understand,” Ai answered quietly, bowing her head.  “Please forgive me.”

   “No, wait, this wasn’t her fault,” Risa interjected.  “I was the one who brought the food.  I asked her to eat with me.  I’m the one you should yell at.”

   “Oh I will, believe me,” Junjun said, turning around to face the bean.  “You’re in no position to defend Takahashi.  At least she is considered a full employee here; you’re just an intern.  We could easily replace you with Shimizu or Natsuyaki.  Are we on the same page?”

   Risa swallowed hard as her courage suddenly diminished to nothingness.  She needed this job more than anything else.  It was hard enough paying for the rent and the bills with an internship.  If she got fired right now, that would mean the end of everything.

   “… Yes.”

   “Good.”  Junjun took one more look around at the humbled janitor and intern.  “Back to work, then.  Both of you.”

   The panda disappeared just as quickly as she entered, leaving the two women alone.  Risa immediately went back to picking up her things and getting ready to leave.  Ai also put her gloves back on and adjusted her hat.

   “I’m sorry… about all this,” Risa apologized.  “I shouldn’t have interfered with your work, I… I’m really sorry.”

   “No, why are you apologizing?” Ai chuckled.  “I’m glad we got to be together like this.  Nothing will change my mind about that.”

   Risa exhaled sharply in disbelief before laughing a little.  “Truth is… I’m not too sorry either.”

   “Now there’s that Gaki-san smile,” Ai grinned.  “We better get back to work.  I’ll call you.  Or text you.  Or something.”

   “Okay,” Risa laughed.  “Ja ne!”

   The bean waved a little and exited the lobby.  She hauled all of her things into the elevator and clicked the button for the correct floor.  As the elevator door slid shut, she took one last glimpse at Ai, many feet away, starting up her mopping routine again.  Little did she know that someone else was watching as well. 

**  **  ** 

   Junjun watched the intern and the janitor part ways from behind a wall.  She silently murmured apologies to the both of them as she let out a sigh.  It was her job to chide employees occasionally, and the panda liked to be professional, but never cruel.  And the little warnings that she had just given the two newest employees were beyond cruel.  They were threatening.  And it went against all of Junjun’s morals.

   But the secretary had no choice in the matter.  After all, her own boss had ordered her to keep an eye on Niigaki Risa.  And just that morning, she had received another order to continuously watch Takahashi Ai as well.  Except this time, the underlying meaning was completely different.  Tanaka Shachou had ordered Junjun to make sure Ai kept her head straight and did her job right.  She didn’t have to say anything more.  After spending so many years in service to the young president, Junjun was expected to catch the hidden message.  And she had.

   It’s good that she’s interested in something other than work, the panda thought to herself.

   But was this right?  Separating two perfectly happy people who were obviously more than interested in each other so that Tanaka Reina could squeeze in between?  And more importantly, was it okay for Junjun to play a role in this?

   And the way those two looked at each other…  It was like there was something more than just human emotions.  It was something unbreakable, untouchable. 

   Not even Tanaka Shachou can’t stop something that’s meant to be, Junjun thought.  I hope she realizes this soon… lest she gets hurt. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OKAY announcement here!

I am going on vacation!  In 12 hours, I will be on a plane to Korea!  :cow:
I will be there for 3 weeks, then in Japan for 3 days, then in California for 3 days, then I'll be back home.

So for the next month, my updates will either be SUPER SLOW... or nonexistent  :nervous

I'll still do my best to write in between!  But another thing is, I just don't know how close I'll be to wifi places :sweatdrop:

But keep your fingers crossed!  I'll be doing my best!  :twothumbs

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 12 - (7/18)]
Post by: maikeatoot on July 18, 2012, 08:16:31 AM
 it was a nice chapter!!  :onioncheer: really!! and for your announcement,  :depressed: :err: :fainted: :frustrated: :gyaaah:  :imdead: yeah.. but please enjoy your vacation and then come back here with mega updates!!!  :hiakhiakhiak: please take care of yourself there huh?? and don't forget your MEGA updates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :byebye:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 11 - (7/6)]
Post by: risa_ai on July 18, 2012, 12:01:03 PM
        Ai had encountered many peculiar situations before in her life but this current one definitely topped them all.  Rather than peculiar, it was starting to get ridiculous.  Or rather, even pathetic.  Ai could not fathom the workings of her own mind, which only drove her further insane.  Because honestly, who would waste a good half an hour mopping the same spot over and over again because she was too busy daydreaming about a girl?  A special girl, yes, but nevertheless just a girl.  One single person.  And the mere thought of the person was enough to make Ai smile like an idiot and practically shut down the rest of her brain.  And to think that she had only met this woman a couple days ago… This was hardly realistic.

   But nonetheless, it was indeed true.  Ai felt a very strong emotion towards Niigaki Risa which made her go light on her feet.  She wasn’t exactly sure what kind of emotion but she knew it was there and that it was a good kind of feeling.  After all, she had felt so incredibly happy that morning when she saw Risa walk into Tresor.  Just the mere sight of her was enough to shut off Ai’s senses to the rest of the world and fixate her gaze on that single woman.

   The only down side to this recent discovery was that Ai now had a hard time concentrating on everything else in her life.  The current moment was a perfect example: despite having a lot of cleaning to do all by herself in the large lobby of the Bijou Company building (and having very little time to do it), Ai had been distracted again by the thought of Risa as she had been scrubbing only three tiles clean for the past 30 minutes.  Yes, Niigaki Risa made her happy and all but Ai knew that she really had to pull herself together to get this job done.

   “Ai-san!”

   Oh great. Now she was hearing her voice as well.

   “Ai-san!  Over here!”

   Ai blinked a couple times as she realized that the voice she was hearing was not just in her head.
... ...

   Risa’s cheeks blushed sweet pink as she shrugged.  “Well… I mean… I guess I knew that if I didn’t finish, I would have to stay here late… and if I stayed late enough, I’d… I’d have an excuse to see you again…?”

   The janitor’s mouth opened slightly as her lips slowly curved up in a smile. She started to laugh softly which drew Risa’s attention back to her but she couldn’t help it.  It wasn’t very easy to hide her happiness at knowing how much the bean wanted to see her as well.  Ai could only wonder if the younger woman was as distracted as she was when they weren’t together.
... ...

   Ai shrugged as she stuffed some more food into her mouth.  Risa watched the older woman with sorrowful eyes.  Ai had said she was okay with being pushed to the back but honestly, what kind of person was actually okay with that?  Nobody appreciated being upstaged, especially by their own sister.  Everybody in the world needed someone to notice and admire them for who they are, yet Ai had had no one to pay attention to her.  No one had minded her and no one had cared for her.  And the end result had become that she did not love herself anymore.  She did not know herself and therefore, she could not treasure herself.  That, to Risa, was heartbreaking.
This literally broke me.  :cry: :cry:

   “Are you pitying me?”

   The bean blinked as her eyes refocused on her friend’s face.  “Why would you say that?”

   Ai shrugged.  “I don’t know.  It just seemed like for a second there, you were feeling sorry for me.”  She smiled a little.  “You don’t need to feel sorry for me.”

   “I don’t feel sorry for you,” Risa said.  “I just feel that it’s… regrettable.”

   “What is?”

   “That… you can’t see yourself through my eyes.” 

   “… Through your eyes?”  Ai raised her eyebrows as she laughed.  “Okay.  Well, what do you see through your eyes?”

   Risa smiled.  “When I look at you, I see a beautiful woman who works hard every day to live life.  The world hasn’t exactly had mercy on you but you still dream big and stay strong.  That’s really amazing of you, you know.  Not a lot of people would be able to do that.  And to me, that’s the Takahashi Ai-san who is so beautiful.  That’s the Takahashi Ai-san that I love.” BEAUTIFUL.

   The older woman’s eyes popped wide open.  “That… you… love…?”
... ...

   
         Ai smiled brightly as her fingers closed tighter around the younger girl’s hand.  Risa stared at the linked fingers between her and the janitor, too embarrassed to raise her head.  She was so sure that her face was flushed like a tomato by now.  She never would’ve thought that she’d be sitting one day, holding hands like this with a woman whom she just met, only a couple days ago.  And the strangest part was that she didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable.  Their connection, the skin-to-skin contact… everything just felt so familiar and right.

   “I’m really glad that I met you, Gaki-san,” Ai said.  “I usually don’t get close to people this easily but… I’m really glad that I can be with you like this.”

   “Well, that’s something I hear often,” Risa grinned, looking up, “but I’m glad you said it.”

   The two women held each other’s gaze for a while, replaying one another’s messages for a while, feeling nothing but relief and joy from being together.  But before one of them could speak again, a different interruption ensued.
O_________O OHMAHGAWDWHO?!

   “You seem to be enjoying your break there, Niigaki.”

   Risa gasped as she jumped up, pulling her hand away, and whirled around to see her black-haired handler strutting towards her.  Ai cleared her throat awkwardly and quickly put her cap back on.

   “J-Junjun-san!” Risa stuttered.

   “Seeing that you seem to be quite lenient with your time,” the panda said with an edge of ice in her voice, “is it safe to assume that your portfolio is finished?”

   “Ano…” Risa mumbled, scratching her head, “almost…?”

   “Well ‘almost’ doesn’t cut it,” Junjun scolded.  “Get to it.”

   “H-hai!”  Risa quickly started to gather her things as her superior swept past her to address the janitor.

   “And you, Takahashi,” she started, “you only started working here yesterday and you’re already slacking off.  We hired you because you said you needed the job, despite you being inexperienced.  But you best remember that we can lay you off just as easily.”

   “… I understand,” Ai answered quietly, bowing her head.  “Please forgive me.”

   “No, wait, this wasn’t her fault,” Risa interjected.  “I was the one who brought the food.  I asked her to eat with me.  I’m the one you should yell at.”

   “Oh I will, believe me,” Junjun said, turning around to face the bean.  “You’re in no position to defend Takahashi.  At least she is considered a full employee here; you’re just an intern.  We could easily replace you with Shimizu or Natsuyaki.  Are we on the same page?”

   Risa swallowed hard as her courage suddenly diminished to nothingness.  She needed this job more than anything else.  It was hard enough paying for the rent and the bills with an internship.  If she got fired right now, that would mean the end of everything.

   “… Yes.”

   “Good.”  Junjun took one more look around at the humbled janitor and intern.  “Back to work, then.  Both of you.”

   The panda disappeared just as quickly as she entered, leaving the two women alone.

JUNJUN. OHGAWDWHY. ;________________;

   Junjun watched the intern and the janitor part ways from behind a wall.  She silently murmured apologies to the both of them as she let out a sigh.  It was her job to chide employees occasionally, and the panda liked to be professional, but never cruel.  And the little warnings that she had just given the two newest employees were beyond cruel.  They were threatening.  And it went against all of Junjun’s morals.

   But the secretary had no choice in the matter.  After all, her own boss had ordered her to keep an eye on Niigaki Risa.  And just that morning, she had received another order to continuously watch Takahashi Ai as well.  Except this time, the underlying meaning was completely different.  Tanaka Shachou had ordered Junjun to make sure Ai kept her head straight and did her job right.  She didn’t have to say anything more.  After spending so many years in service to the young president, Junjun was expected to catch the hidden message.  And she had.

   It’s good that she’s interested in something other than work, the panda thought to herself.

   But was this right?  Separating two perfectly happy people who were obviously more than interested in each other so that Tanaka Reina could squeeze in between?  And more importantly, was it okay for Junjun to play a role in this?

   And the way those two looked at each other…  It was like there was something more than just human emotions.  It was something unbreakable, untouchable. 

   Not even Tanaka Shachou can’t stop something that’s meant to be, Junjun thought.  I hope she realizes this soon… lest she gets hurt. 


WOU. WOU. WOW. I know, Junjun. You approve of THAT BEAUTIFUL LOVE BETWEEN AIGAKI, don't you? ;A; THANK YOU JUNJUN.

You going for a holiday~? Well then... ENJOY YOURSELF!!!! **waves** :)
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 12 - (7/18)]
Post by: yellow on July 18, 2012, 02:33:18 PM
i know that you won't forget aigaki  :lol:
it's a great chapter huh
----------------
enjoy yourself in your trip and give us mega updates when you are back will do. :lol:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 12 - (7/18)]
Post by: Kuji on July 18, 2012, 04:21:05 PM
Really loving all the delicious tension in this fic.

Junjun is basically like the readers: Takagaki are meant to be! Aah!!! Poor Reina!! T^T
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 12 - (7/18)]
Post by: kawaii beam on July 18, 2012, 05:04:43 PM
im just happy u updated! have a fun and safe trip aiai! >3<
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 12 - (7/18)]
Post by: arisa03 on July 18, 2012, 05:16:26 PM
#wishesjunreisomehow

Thank you for the follow /o/! I wish I knew your tumblr so I can follow back. XD and oh deaaar I feel sad and heartbroken for reina OTl.

On anothEr note, wow that's a very busy schedule. OTL have a nice vacation and take care~! xD pleasebringsouvenirstoo!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 12 - (7/18)]
Post by: sakura_drop_ on July 19, 2012, 10:48:42 AM
Thank you for updating! :bow:

I really like the growing feelings and chemistry between Ai and Gaki :-)

And Junjun is becoming one of my favs in this story ;-)

I'm glad you updated and regained inspiration for TakaGaki :-*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 12 - (7/18)]
Post by: MsSmigge on July 20, 2012, 11:53:56 PM
Great thing you got your TakaGaki inspiration back!  :) I am very happy to hear that and please never ever lose it! xD

And this chapter was so cute and sweet  :wub: The chemistry between those two is just so...  :inlove: :inlove: :inlove:
I really liked it (of course, it's Takagaki....) and I also liked how those two are so shy around each others when something like " omg we are touching each others hands!" happens. xD


   The older woman’s eyes popped wide open.  “That… you… love…?”

   Risa’s eyes also widened shock as she realized what she had just said.  “Seeing!” she blurted out.  “I-I-I meant seeing!  Y-you know, the Takahashi Ai-san that I love… seeing.”

   “Oh… R-right, right, of course…” Ai mumbled, laughing nervously.  “The me.  That you love.  Seeing.”

   “Right.  Exactly.”

   “Exactly.”

   “Right.”

   “So you don’t really… love me,” Ai laughed awkwardly.  “I mean, you can use the word for friends too though—”

   “I don’t love you.”

   “Oh. Right.  Of course.”

   “No!  Oh, I mean…” Risa mumbled, “I don’t… love you, because love is a strong word, but I mean, as a friend—”

   “Right, as a friend, that’s what I mean,” Ai said quickly.

   “Right, as a friend… I mean… I like… you…”

   “I… I like you… too…”

   “As a friend.”

   “Right.”

   “Exactly.”


Yeah, you two really convince me...  :roll:


   “Friends can hold hands, right? Ai asked quietly.  “Close friends, who like each other and speak informally to one another… right?”

   “R-right,” Risa agreed shakily.  “Friends… good friends… can.”

   “Right.”

   “Right.”


Oh come on you two!  Just spit it out you like each others!

And Reina-San pretty please stay away from this. Don't mess with the love birds and JunJun make your boss think something else xD You know nothing can come between TakaGaki ;)


Have a veeeeeeeeery nice, safe and relaxing vacation  8) And remember to rest and relax! Sometimes it is very good to just do and think nothing. It really cleans your mind sometimes and it's easier to continue with other things :). At least this works for me.... XD But have fun on your trip and see ya next time!  :byebye:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 12 - (7/18)]
Post by: SarangAi on August 21, 2012, 05:06:45 AM
@maikeatoot: well i got one HUGE update? does that count as a mega update???  XD XD

@risa_ai: LOL that is some MASSIVE quoting there :lol:

@yellow: teeheehee i hope you'll enjoy this update! XD

@Kuji: lol I'm actually still not sure what i'm exactly doing with Junjun but... yah  :D

@kawaii beam: yee~ thank you~ (i did have a safe trip btw)  :lol:

@arisa03: lol my tumblr is like, abandoned now :nervous

@sakura_drop_: oooh JunJun is your fav?  why? (honest curious question, i was just wondering what it was about the character made it attractive)  XD

@MsSmigge: lol cuz TakaGaki is like godgiven :lol:


TADAIMAAAA~~~~~  :cow:

That was a LONG trip.  I got back five days ago, and i have SO jetlagged (still am.  I was SO sure i had insomnia) :sweatdrop:
at one point, my plane made an "emergency landing" cuz someone got sick and they had to get the paramedic on the plane but it's all cool~  :P
I bought LOTS of clothes in both Korea and Japan and I of course visited the official H!P shop in shibuya~ and i bought pics of Gaki-san, Sayu, Reina, and they gave me a Eripon polaroid for free  :wub:

Best vacation ever.  :twothumbs :twothumbs

and now i am BACK giving you THIS non-proofread chapter!  :nervous

hope you enjoy~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 13 – “Many fought for Juliet’s hand”

   Ever since the day her monster of a stepsister moved in to her two-bedroom apartment in Tokyo, Takahashi Ai had lived an unchanging daily schedule.  It was her job to wake up early, fix Sayumi’s breakfast, go to work, deal with snobby costumers and their diva ways, and now, go straight to her second job and clean her part of the building until every corner sparkled.  It was a tough lifestyle but Ai had gotten used to it.  She had years of muscle and stamina built up, thanks to all the rotten chores that her stepmother had made her do ever since her father passed away. 

   So it definitely came as a surprise to Ai when she woke up one morning to a clanking sound from the kitchen.  Nobody else was supposed to be awake yet; the monkey was always the first one up.  Could it be that a burglar has sneaked his way in somehow?

   Ai groggily sat up in her bed and tried her hardest to listen for more noises coming through the thin walls of her bedroom.  But instead of hearing more sounds, her nose was alerted instead when the scent of something burning started to spread.  Still not fully awake, the monkey made a face as she tried to fathom what could possibly be burning in the kitchen so early in the morning when suddenly, a loud alarm blared throughout the entire house.   Ai felt her body go on automatic as she jumped out of bed and rushed of her room at lightning speed, knowing at this point that something was, indeed, terribly wrong.  She turned into the kitchen where black smoke was filling up the area, surrounding her stepsister who was waving her arms around frantically in an attempt to fan the smoke away.

   “Open the windows!” Ai yelled over the loud beeps, ending her order with a nasty cough. 

   The bunny did as she was told (for once) while the older sibling rushed towards her, into the smoke.  She quickly removed the burnt frying pan from the stove and onto a wire cooling rack and switched off the fire.  Apparently, Sayumi was feeling especially generous that morning because she was the one who rushed towards the fire alarm controller on the living room wall and shut it off to cease the blaring siren, instead of leaving most of the dirty work to her sister as usual. 

   Determining that the worst was over, Ai felt her body go limp from lack of rest.  Her sleep had only been interrupted for a couple of minutes but to someone as busy as Takahashi Ai, every second was precious when it came to relaxing.  As the smoke started to finally clear out, the exhausted monkey caught sight of the fidgeting bunny a couple feet away from her, avoiding eye contact.  Ai opened the mouth to speak but then she realized that she had no idea where to start. 

   “…Sayu…”

   “Un…?”

   “… Why was the kitchen on fire just now?”  Oh, great question, Ai.  Now you’re going to get her on another rampage—

   “It wasn't my fault!”

   There we go.

   “I… All I did was just turn the stove on!” Sayumi claimed.  “And then it just burst in flames by itself!  It wasn’t my fault!”

   “Sayu… You know that this apartment is old and sometimes, we need to be gentle with things,” Ai sighed tiredly.  “When you turn on the stove, you need to let it heat up to the lower setting first before you turn up the heat.  You can’t immediately switch it onto the highest level…”

   “W-well… how was I supposed to know that?” the bunny snapped.  “I don’t ever use the kitchen!”

   “Yeah, I know you don’t…”  Then, Ai blinked a couple times as she slowly came to a realization, her sleepy eyes refocusing on her sister.  “Now that you mention it, why were you in the kitchen?”

   Sayumi’s eyes popped wide open as her mouth started to open and close repeatedly as if she was trying to formulate the right words.  “I… I was… um…”  Unable to find a suitable excuse, she suddenly yelled in an angry tone.  “What, am I not allowed to be in my own kitchen?!  Just because I don’t go in there often, it doesn’t mean I’m banned from going in there or something!”

   “No, no, no, no, of course you’re not,” Ai said quickly.  “It’s just that… well, you know, it’s a rarity to see you up in the morning so early… before me… in the kitchen… burning food…”

   “I… woke up because I was hungry,” the bunny mumbled, casting her eyes away.  “I must not have eaten enough dinner last night.”

   “So… you tried to make yourself breakfast,” Ai said, smacking her lips dryly.

   “Yes.”

   “Specifically, an omelette.”  The older sister nodded to the rolled up egg product on the frying pan.

   “Exactly.”

   Ai’s face tightened a little as she looked at her younger sibling with doubtful eyes.  “Sayu, you hate omelettes.”

   “I-I know…”  The bunny started to chew on her lips as she nervously twiddled her fingers.  “But… you like them.”

   The older girl’s eyes grew wide as she looked at the omelette and then back at her sister.  “You… made this… for me?”

   “W-w-well, I mean, I didn’t want to eat alone!” Sayumi stuttered, keeping her chin up in the air.  “I was gonna wake you up when my toast was done so I would have company while I eat.  Don’t think so highly of yourself, mou!”

   The spoiled stepsister quickly strutted to the kitchen table and sat down in her chair with her arms crossed and head held high, trying to hide her reddened face from her older sibling.  Ai just stared for a while, still unable to believe that the bunny would cook for her, much less do anything for her benefit.  She caught sight of the slices of bread that was still sitting in the toaster and touched it.  The bread was crispy but cold; it had been long since the toast was done and ready to be eaten.  But omelettes took more time to cook. 

   Smiling, Ai pushed the toaster lever back down and set the level to the lowest setting so that the toast would just be reheated and not burnt.  Then, she took out two plates from the cupboard and scooped the half-burnt omelette on to one of them.  When the bread popped out of the toaster in no time, Ai scooped those on to the other plate and grabbed some utensils from the dish rack.  She then waltzed to the dining table and placed the food in front of her sister and herself.  Sayumi stared at her in disbelief.

   “What are you doing?” she asked.

   “I am about to eat breakfast with my younger sister,” Ai replied, starting to cut the omelette with a knife.

   “Baka, you can’t eat that!” the bunny protested.  “It’s all burnt; you’ll get sick!  You should just throw it away—”

   “How can I throw away something that my beloved sister worked so hard on?” Ai said, grinning.  “I’m going to finish every last bite; you watch me.”

   “But—”

   Before Sayumi could put up more of a fight, Ai popped a slice of the omelette into her mouth and started to chew.  The bunny swallowed hard and watched her sister nervously.  She felt like she should somehow make her Onee-chan spit out the darn thing before she could damage her health but another part of her desperately desired to know if she enjoyed her food or not.  After all the effort she had put in on making the omelette, she sincerely wanted a good response.

   “H-how is it, Onee-chan…?” Sayumi asked quietly.

   Ai chewed some more before she swallowed the food.  She blinked a couple times as she slowly put her utensils down.  “Sayu… did you really make this?”

   “I… I might’ve messed up the proportions a bit…”

   “Well you must’ve done something right,” Ai said, slowly grinning, “because this tastes absolutely delicious!”

   “Hontou ni?!” Sayumi    gasped, unconsciously slamming her hands down on the table.  “Hontou, hontou?!”

   “Un!” Ai laughed.  “It’s only burnt a little on the outside, the inside is delicious!  The cheese really melts in my mouth!”  The woman forked another piece and put it in her mouth as she sighed in satisfaction.  “Oishii na~”

   Sayumi blushed a little as she smiled happily.  Then, as her mind popped back into reality, she crossed her arms across her chest again and leaned back in her chair nonchalantly.  “W-well, I guess if burnt food suits your taste buds… it’s better for you to eat it rather than throw it away.”

   “Then it’s okay if I finish this, right?” Ai beamed.  “Arigatou, Sayu!”

   “D-don’t thank me,” the younger sister mumbled.  “You’re the weird one for liking ruined food…”

   Ai just laughed quietly at her sister’s tsundere attitude and joyfully turned her attention back to her omelette.  Sayumi tore a piece of the toast and started to nibble at it as she watched her older sister scarf down her breakfast.  A smile spread across the bunny’s lips again, an unimaginable amount of happiness taking over her heart.  This was good.  She was doing well so far.  At this rate, she would be able to win over what she wants.  She will prove to Eri that her concern was for nothing.  She knew where her rightful place was and she would do anything to take it from that Risa girl.  This was only the start.

**  **  ** 

   “Shimizu, please say aloud the directions that were given to you for this assignment.”

   “To make 10 different sketches of summer designs, Shachou.”

   “Then why, if I may ask, are the hair styles in your sketches done better than the actual clothes?”

   Miyabi quietly snorted a laughter while Saki turned bright red and scrunched up her body as if she wanted to disappear.  Junjun cleared her throat to stop the blond girl from laughing further as Risa bit down on her lip and stole glances at the president, who was eyeing the youngest intern curiously.

   “I’m sorry, Natsuyaki, did I miss something, by chance?” Reina asked, putting down the portfolio on the table.

   “It’s nothing, Shachou,” Miyabi said quickly, hiding a smile.  “I just… I found it kind of funny that Captain unconsciously focused more on the hair designs than the clothing designs.  It’s just very characteristic of her.”

    “Hm,” the kitten remarked, uninterested.  “I see we don’t share the same type of humor, Natsuyaki.”

   That shut the girl right up as she cleared her throat and held her tongue.  Saki kicked her friend under the table in retribution for speaking out while Risa fidgeted nervously in her seat.  Even Junjun seemed a little bit uncomfortable by the excessive coldness that was being displayed by her boss today.  Ever since this meeting to check the portfolios of the interns had started, Reina had been rather brutal with the comments.  Mind you, she only uttered facts.  However, she had been especially nitpicky this morning, holding far too harsh a standard for mere interns.  Risa could only imagine why.  Just about a week ago, the president seemed perfectly fine.  Had something happened during the past couple days she hadn’t seen Shachou?

   “Well, I suppose that does it for today,” Reina sighed, closing the final portfolio and setting it aside for Junjun to take.  “Your next assignment is to do the same exact thing.”

   “The same exact thing?” Risa repeated.

   “Yes,” Reina answered.  “But this time… do better.”

   Miyabi’s mouth popped open but she immediately closed it.  Saki sighed shakily as though shivers had run up her spine.  Risa pursed her lips tightly and nodded to herself. 

   “Other than this assignment, we’ll be putting a new plan in motion starting today,” Junjun announced.  “Tanaka Shachou wishes to personally analyze each of your characters and visions.  So, each of you will accompany Shachou on her weekly public market scoping and offer your opinion on various topics.  We’ll go in age order so… I guess that means you’re up first, Niigaki.”

   Risa looked up as she swiftly stood up.  “H-hai…”

   “I’ll call for a car so you can leave immediately, Shachou,” Junjun said.

   “No need, Jun,” Reina interjected.  “I feel like driving today.  We’ll take my personal car.”

   “As you wish.”

   “Niigaki.” 

   Risa saw her boss motion for her with her fingers as she exited the conference room.  The bean rushed to gather her stuff as she quickly followed behind, deeming herself quite unlucky to be chosen to accompany the kitten on one of her bad days.

   The president refused to decrease her speed as she continued to walk in front of the struggling bean at all times.  Soon enough, they were in the president’s glossy sports car and driving down the road.  Risa nervously glanced at her boss who seemed to be fully engrossed in her driving.  She didn’t want to irritate the stern kitten but she also wanted to know if something was the matter.  Ever since their previous conversation, Risa had deemed Tanaka Reina a rather fine person who had a soft spot, just like any other human being.  If she was being this cold and stressed, there must be a good reason.

   “Ano… Shachou?”

   “What?”

   “Um… did something happen… maybe?”

   “You’re gonna have to be more specific than that, Niigaki,” Reina said, revealing no emotion.  “A lot of things happen every day.”

   “Well, I mean,” Risa rephrased, “I just thought that you seem rather… upset today.  About something.  And I was just wondering if you would… maybe… like to talk about it?”

   Reina laughed dryly.  “Me?  Upset?  You insult me, Niigaki.  If I was someone who was easily put off by inconsequential things, I would not be able to do my job, would I?  After all, my occupation is quite demanding.”

   “I-I guess so…” the bean mumbled, immediately backing away from the kitten’s cold response.  Hey, if her boss said she was wrong, then she was wrong.  But Risa still could not help but be bothered by the young fashionista’s changed attitude.

   A moment of awkward silence ensued before the kitten spoke up again.  “Rather than worrying about me, I would worry about yourself more, Niigaki.”

   Risa wrinkled her eyebrows in confusion.  “… Hai?”

   “Apparently, a couple nights ago, you were found taking an unauthorized ‘break’ with another employee?” Reina elaborated.  “According to Junjun’s report, that is.”

   “Oh.”  The bean’s body stiffened as she felt guilt and uneasiness swallowing her up.  “Y-yes, it’s… it’s true…”

   “I really hope that you won’t be found being so irresponsible next time,” Reina continued.  “And the janitor that you were found with… what was her name?  Taki… Take…”

   “It’s Takahashi Ai,” Risa instantly corrected as she turned her head towards her employer, a little too assertively.  “Her name is Takahashi Ai.”

   “… Right.  Takahashi Ai.”  Reina forced a natural, professional smile but she could not help her fingers tightening around the steering wheel at the mention of the name.  “You two being lazy together like that doesn’t look too good for her either.”

   “Please don’t penalize her!” Risa pleaded, worry filling her eyes.  “It was my fault, I… I left my post first and interrupted her.  I shouldn’t have done such a thing and I’m sorry.  So please… don’t punish her for something I did.”

   Reina’s face stiffened as her teeth clenched together tightly.  “You… you’re quite close with Takahashi, aren’t you?”

   “Close…”  Risa’s mind flashed back to the night a couple days ago when they had held hands together; the smallest contact that only made them want more.  She smiled a little, lowering her head.  “I suppose you can say that… we’re close.  She’s a good friend.  A very good… friend.”

   Suddenly, the car screeched as it came to a rough halt, throwing the bean’s body forward and back again by the seatbelt.  As Risa recovered from the shock, she saw that her boss at gotten out of the car and walked around to open the passenger seat door for her.  Although she had classy manners, as usual, something about the girl was definitely off today.  The bean quickly undid her seatbelt and got out of the car, not wanting to keep her employer waiting. 

   As Reina closed the door, she said in smooth and controlled voice, “I’m glad you’re making friends within the company, Niigaki.  But… sometimes it’s wiser to make good connections as well, if you know what I mean.  Get to know people who are in the same industry as you.”

   “Oh.”  Risa blinked a couple times while the kitten strutted forward to enter the first store that they were going to explore.  Realizing that Ai was merely a night janitor to Tanaka Shachou, Risa spoke up as she followed her boss into the building, “Well, you know, actually, Ai-chan is—”

   “Irasshaimase!”

   The bean turned to the familiar chorus of voices that greeted them into the store.  She had been so preoccupied with the peculiar conversation with Reina that she had not even noticed which store they had entered.  And the particular store that they were to investigate first and foremost was the ever so familiar Tresor. 

   And when one certain store clerk who was dressed fashionably in tight jeans, a jacket, and a hat raised her head, her eyes immediately connected with Risa’s.  Connected, like magnets, unable to escape each other even if they tried. 

**  **  ** 

   “No.  Way.”  Eri exhaled sharply in disbelief.  “There is just no way!  Are we talking about the same Michishige Sayumi here?”

   “Yes, Eri,” Ai grinned while folding a shirt.  “My younger sister, Michishige Sayumi.”

   “The same Sayumi with the poison tongue?”

   “Yes, the same Sayumi with the poison tongue.”

   “The same Sayumi with the black character?”

   “Yes, the same Sayumi with the black character.”

   “The same Sayumi with the—”

   “Oh for the love of god, Eri!” Ai moaned.  “Yes, yes, yes!  We are talking about the very same Michishige Sayumi!  And that Michishige Sayumi made breakfast for me this morning!”

   “… Did I miss something?” Eri said, wrinkling her eyebrows.  “Is the world ending tomorrow or something?”

   “Come on, Eri, be nice,” Ai chuckled.  “Sayu isn’t all that bad, I’m always telling you.  She’s a sweet girl on the inside.”

   “Yeah, sweet like alcohol, if you know what I mean,” Eri remarked.  “When you’re drinking it, you feel great.  But the next morning, it comes back up because you just can’t hold it down—”

   “Okay, let’s not get graphic here!” Ai interrupted, making a face.  “Point is, Sayu is trying to be nicer, I think.  We should not only be giving her a chance, but also be her biggest supporters as her friends.”

   “… She really is working hard, isn’t she…” Eri murmured.  “You just don’t know when to give up, Sayumin…”

   “Huh?” 

   Ai cocked her head to the side in confusion.  But before she could further inquire the turtle, the doors of the store opened with the chime of a bell.  The two immediately turned towards the door and bowed, yelling out the usual greeting.  But when Ai lifted her head, she immediately caught sight of the face that hadn’t left her mind since the last time she had seen it.  But more alarmingly, a petit woman with a formidable aura stood beside her, staring knives with her eyes.

   “Tanaka Shachou…”

   “Ara, if it isn’t Takahashi?” Reina said in an even tone.  “What brings you here so early in the morning?”

   “I work here, ma’am,” Ai answered curtly.  “This is my day job.”

   “So it is.”  The president smiled amusingly.  “How unusual for such a fashionable store clerk to also be working such a lowly job as a janitor…”

   “It was a necessary action I had to take to survive,” Ai replied, not phasing the slightest bit.  “But rather than speak of my private matters, may I know the reason for your visit to Tresor, Tanaka Shachou?”

   “Ah, of course.”  Reina wrapped one arm around her employee who had been quietly standing by her side until now.  Her hands gently rested on the bean’s shoulder while Risa gasped softly at the sudden contact.  “Niigaki here and I were just on a little… adventure, you could say.  Do you mind if we have a look around?  As costumers, of course.”

   “You are more than welcome to do so, Okyaku-sama.” 

   All heads turned towards the woman who had just spoken up for the first time since the two women’s entrance.  Eri walked forward until she was a step in front of Ai and bowed at a perfect 45 degree angle to Reina and Risa. 

   “Please excuse my worker, Okyaku-sama,” she said, smiling brightly.  “All Tresor employees are required to call our shoppers Okyaku-sama and nothing else, in order to stress the idea that all costumers are of equal standing in this store.  Every last client is precious to us, you see.  From this point on, I will make sure that you are addressed as only Okyaku-sama: nothing more, nothing less.”

   Risa’s eyes grew wide while Ai watched Tanaka Reina’s face harden.  She had to guiltily admit to herself that she was happy that the turtle had stood up for her like that.  It was undeniable that everyone in the room understood the true meaning of Eri’s words: no hotshot fashionista was going to strut into her shop and pull a diva move.  As long as they were in this store, Tanaka Reina was just Tanaka Reina, an “Okyaku-sama”, just like anybody else.  “Tanaka Shachou” would have to back off until she was out on the streets again because in Tresor, Takahashi Ai was Kamei Eri’s employee, not Tanaka Reina’s.

   “Now, if I may make a suggestion, Okyaku-sama,” Eri continued in a clear and preppy voice, referring to her right, “you can start looking around from this side.  If you need any assistance, my employee here will be available to help you.”

   Reina clenched her teeth and revealed a tight smile, refusing to let herself boil over.  She had never been talked to in such a manner before.  As offensive as it was, she had to admire the girl’s guts and professionalism.  “Thank you very much.  I’ll gladly follow your suggestion.” 

   The kitten turned to the direction that the turtle had referred to and waved Risa over, to which the bean responded immediately.  Ai turned her head to look at her friend, her eyes showing a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty.  Eri smiled, not a hint of worry in her expression, and just patted the older girl’s arm as a comforting gesture.  As the turtle lazily made her way back to the counter, Ai noticed that Risa was staring at her.  The bean was obviously troubled because of the previous tense moment, the “silent war” that had occurred.  Deciding that she was going to have to be the brave one, Ai grinned as though nothing had happened and walked towards the two visitors to “assist” them, as Eri had aforementioned.  Risa eyed the older girl warily, reluctant to drop her suspicions, but did seem a bit relieved that Ai seemed very cool about the situation. 

   “Niigaki, are you listening?”

   “H-hai?!”

   Risa quickly turned her attention to the young president who was holding up a cute summer dress.  “I asked, what can you tell me about this dress?”

   The bean breathed in deeply and let it out to calm herself.  Although she wasn’t in the Bijou company building, she was still in the middle of working a job.  She had to focus.  “Well… those summer dresses are quite popular these days… Bijou also has a collection ready… Um, I guess it’s better for the waist band to be higher up so the wearer’s legs look longer and her figure becomes slimmer…”

   “Okay, good enough,” Reina interrupted, putting the dress back on the rack.  “I’ll take that as your warm-up answer.”  She looked around a little bit and then pulled out a simple white dress.  “Talk to me.”

   “Eto…” Risa mumbled, distracted by the mere fact that a certain someone was standing right behind her, watching.  “I suppose that one’s more of what you would call a ‘base’ dress…  It’s meant to be simple so that you can add other accessories and pieces on top of it—”

   “What would you add to it?” Reina cut in.

   “Me?”  Risa blinked, taken aback by the sudden question.  “I… I guess I would wear this denim jacket that I have at home…?  Um, maybe open-toed heels or sandals…”

   “Do you like this dress?”

   “… I… I guess so…?”  Risa quickly bit down on her lips and opened her mouth again as if to reset her switch.  “I mean, in some way, this dress is much more interesting than the flowery one, right?  The summer dress is just the dress itself but this white one… it can become anything you want.  It can change every single day.  One dress, multiple outfits.  So I suppose that means I do like the white one… a lot.”

   “Better,” Reina commented, the corners of her lips curving up slightly.  “Well, I’ve seen a lot of summer dresses but I haven’t seen these in any collection…”  She checked the back neckline of the dress.  Unable to find what she was looking for, the kitten looked up at Ai and frowned.  “There’s no tag.”

   “That’s because all the clothes here are made personally by Kamei-san,” Ai answered.  “If you look closely, you’ll find the word ‘Tresor’ stitched in by the neckline.”

   “Personally made?” Reina repeated, her eyes showing disbelief.  “So… this shop doesn’t import anything?  From any brand?”

   “That is correct,” Ai nodded.  “We’re more of a clothing boutique than a shop; we create what we wish to create at any time we want.”

   “So that’s why everything here is one-size…” the fashionista murmured.  “That must be terribly inconvenient.”

   The older woman stiffened a little at this.  “Why do you say that?”

   “Well, suppose you receive a certain costumer who does not apply to the one-size-for-all rule,” Reina said matter-of-factly.  “Also, in a small shop like this that doesn’t sell any brands, it’s difficult to accommodate to each costumer’s style.  It’d be much more beneficial and efficient for them to visit a real clothing store.  Wouldn’t you agree, Niigaki?”

   “… I-I… um…”

   “Well, when it comes to sizes,” Ai interjected, a determined look on her face, “we do take private orders to resize the clothes for those costumers.  And if I may, I believe that a small boutique like Tresor is actually much better at accommodating to each costumer’s style.  We don’t have a set collection or plan in producing clothes.  We create what we want and what the costumers want, when they want it.  That is what attracts costumers.  Right, Gaki-san?”

   “W-well, I…”

   “But realistically speaking, Takahashi-san,” Reina shot back, a fake smile plastered on her face, “a company like Bijou is also economically better off than somewhere like Tresor.  We’d be able to give that costumer exactly what she wants.  We are capable of making her happy.  Isn’t that true?”

   Ai felt her fingers automatically curling into a fist.  “Just because we are small, it does not mean the quality of our products are any less exquisite than other companies.  We do our best with what we have and we still manage to satisfy that costumer, or at least we’d like to think so.  If we don’t have the resources to make the costumer happy, we’ll personally sacrifice our own to satisfy her.  And we don’t give up.”

   Silence took over the shop as Reina and Ai glowered at each other, neither of them refusing to break the eye contact.  Risa stood between them, nervously glancing one way and the other, unsure of exactly what was going on.  But the person who understood precisely what was going on stood a couple feet away, leaning on the counter.  Eri had a curious smile spread across her lips, thoroughly impressed by her friend’s newfound courage.  Not bad, Ai-chan… This girl really must be something for you to get that far out of your comfort zone. 

   “Well,” Reina finally said, regaining her composure, “I see that we’re not going to agree any time soon.  But the truth is bound to be revealed soon enough… right?”

   “Of course,” Ai agreed.  “Hopefully, very soon.”

   “Yes, hopefully,” Reina concurred, a sweet mask covering her true face.  “I think we’re done here for today, Niigaki.  We should get a move on.” 

   Risa wordlessly nodded to her boss’ order, all the while keeping her eyes on Ai’s stiffened form.  Reina finally turned away from Ai but instead of heading towards the exit, she grabbed the white dress that she had previously discussed with her employee.  “But before we leave…” she mumbled, and headed towards the check-out counter.  She handed the dress over to Eri.  “I’d like to buy this dress please.”

   “Of course, Okyaku-sama,” Eri said sweetly, taking private pleasure in watching the kitten flinch at her title.  “That’ll be 2500 yen.”

   Reina took out her wallet and handed the turtle a credit card.  After a quick swiping, wrapping, and bagging, Risa found her boss approaching her side again.  The president held out the shopping bag to her employee.

   “It’s yours,” she said.  “Take it.”

   Risa’s eyes grew wide.  “Oh, no, no, no, Shachou, I couldn’t, I—”

   “You said you like it,” Reina said, a hint of laughter in her voice.  “So I bought it for you.  It’s yours.”

   “Shachou… I-I can’t just accept—”

   “You really do have a problem with just doing what your boss tells you, don’t you, Niigaki?” Reina remarked, narrowing her eyes threateningly although her tone revealed her obvious playfulness.  “Just think of it as a gift and take it.  Please.”

   Risa looked at the bag and up at her boss again; her eyes were much softer and welcoming than they were this morning during the meeting.  Something told the bean that accepting this “gift” would be of more help to Tanaka Reina than to herself.  So for the kitten’s sake, Risa graciously accepted the dress.

   “Arigatou gozaimasu, Shachou,” she thanked, bowing.  “I’ll make sure to take good care of it.”

   “I know you will,” Reina replied, revealing a bright smile.  That smile.  It was the smile that no one had the good fortunes to witness, yet Risa had already seen it once before on the day she first went to work at Bijou Company.  Why she had been allowed to see that smile multiple times while others have never caught a glimpse of it, she did not know.  But being a fully grown 23-year-old, Risa wasn’t blind.  What if maybe… just maybe… Tanaka Reina was… towards her…?

   “Well then,” the president started, turning towards the storeowner, “thank you for allowing us to look around… Kamei-san, was it?  And of course, Takahashi-san, for your services.”

   “Our pleasure,” Eri giggled.  “Please come visit again… Okyaku-sama!”

   Reina flinched again ever so slightly before moving on towards the exit.  Ai had to bite down on her lips to stop herself from laughing and appreciating her friend’s wittiness.

   The kitten left the store with a jingle of the bells and Risa was right behind her.  But at the last moment, the bean turned around and dashed towards Ai and stopped, seeming to forget the words that she had been rehearsing in her head for a while.  She wanted to make sure that her friend was okay, that she wasn’t offended in any way, and that there may be no…  “misunderstandings”.  Unfortunately, her brain was in such rush to make sure that she caught up to her boss in time that she couldn’t exactly spit out all her thoughts in an orderly fashion.

   “I…” Risa mumbled, “ano… I’ll see you tonight?”

   Ai chuckled.  “Well, actually… I’m not working tonight.  It’s Saturday.”

   “Oh, right!” Risa prattled at top-speed, laughing nervously.  “Right, right, right, of course, of course, I-I-I completely forgot about that, um—”

   “And since I’m not working tonight,” Ai continued, cutting into Risa’s chain of incoherent words, “I have some free time left…  Maybe we can get tea or something later?”

   A huge grin slowly appeared on Risa’s face.  “Tea… sounds great.”

   “I’ll call you,” Ai smiled. 

   “Yes!” Risa laughed awkwardly again.  “Yes, yes, yes, please, call me, do call me, I’ll just, um—I gotta go.”

   Flashing one more bright smile with red blush staining her cheeks, Risa twirled around and pranced out of the boutique.  Ai just simply laughed to herself, finding the bean rather cute today as she lost her usual mature composure.  But she knew that wasn’t the only thing that was different today.

   “You’ve changed.”

   Ai smiled and whirled around to face her friend who was grinning from ear to ear.  “Who, me?”

   “Yes, you!” Eri laughed.  “You just seem more… confident.  Empowered.  Ready.”

   “I think I am all of that today,” Ai shrugged, beaming.  “I don’t know why, I’m just… I feel like I want to become stronger.  I want to work for it.”

   “That’s the spirit!” Eri cheered.  “You just remember that I’m always here to help you too, if you ever need me.”

   “Believe me, I haven’t forgotten,” Ai laughed.  “Arigatou, Eri.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ugh that turned out SO much longer than i planned for... OH WELL.  :P

i need to get the story moving faster!  ragskjfowjer;owiej  :banghead:

:byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 13 - (8/21)]
Post by: maikeatoot on August 21, 2012, 05:43:18 AM
 ah LOVELOVE-SAMA !!! welcome back !!!  wait i'll be back to comment..  i need to shout in happiness !

EDIT: haha i know you're going to update today ! thanks God it's holiday ! muhaha! and yay ! reina vs. aichan that's great ! and yeah please update again !! remember the mega updates?
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 13 - (8/21)]
Post by: arisa03 on August 21, 2012, 08:18:19 AM
I love that argument with Ai and Reina. LOLOLOL.

They're totally fighting over Gaki over there. LOLOL.

I'm so glad your vacation went well ; A ; Post picture of them photosets! ; A ;!!!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 13 - (8/21)]
Post by: sakura_drop_ on August 21, 2012, 08:57:32 AM
YOU'RE BACK! *saves spot for comment*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 13 - (8/21)]
Post by: risa_ai on August 21, 2012, 03:15:39 PM
OKAERI JOU-SAMA~! <3 Glad you enjoyed yourself. I'm jealous. *pouts* do post pictures! :D
Ok firstly, hell of an awesome chapter! Sayu is so... AHAHAHAHA. xD
GO AI! FIGHTO~O! GO AFTER RISA WITHOUT GIVING TWO SHITS 'BOUT REINA! xD LOL. I find Ai so aidorable. And risa so... Stuck like a meat patty in a burger. xD what am I sayin'. ;A; UPDATE SOON~<3
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 13 - (8/21)]
Post by: Fushigidane on August 21, 2012, 05:33:27 PM
Was there possibly somee tanakame?!!!!! :heart: Go Ai-chaaan~! XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 13 - (8/21)]
Post by: yellow on August 22, 2012, 12:14:32 PM
haha.. thx... sarang, i did enjoy :D
----------
my radar is telling me that there is possibility for aisayu...
i'm glad that the bean's heart is with the monkey... :lol:
wonder what will happen next in their tea session...
if possible, hope to have some tanakame too (it will be quite weird not to see them together in your fics when it always have been for the last 2...)
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 13 - (8/21)]
Post by: MsSmigge on August 25, 2012, 11:18:45 AM
OKAERI!!!!
Nice start for a day to notice that you are back and as a bonus with a new chapter!! :cow: And it's also good to hear that you had a nice vacation  :)

Aho Eri xD You're juust so slow when I tries to tell you about Sayu x)

But the best part was this:


   And when one certain store clerk who was dressed fashionably in tight jeans, a jacket, and a hat raised her head, her eyes immediately connected with Risa’s.  Connected, like magnets, unable to escape each other even if they tried. 


 :wub: :inlove: :wub: :inlove: Yes, they are like magnets :pimp:

Also the ending was very cute <3 I hope you will write a chapter where these two are spending an evening together  :roll:

Nice chapter and hopefully you will keep the takagaki alive in this story xD Keep Reina and Sayu away from TakaGaki who aare meant to be with each others xD Lol sorry I am just a big fan of them....
Keep up the good work!!  :cow:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 13 - (8/21)]
Post by: Shiawase_Honoo on August 25, 2012, 02:59:03 PM
That's Sayu I know :wub:
The argument in Tresor is kind of entertaining :oops:
Reina didn't keep her emotion towards Gaki-han,nee :lol:

Sorry for didn't comment anything :sweatdrop:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 13 - (8/21)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on September 10, 2012, 06:11:04 PM
Sorry i've been MIA. Welcome back from your trip! Just caught up on everything and i wanted to say i love the way you write Sayu!!!  :drool: keep it up!!!!

I wanted to say it is sad kind of reading this with everyone graduated.. I was so depressed thinking about Ai the last few months and missing old MM... But anyway, they will live forever in this thread!!!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 13 - (8/21)]
Post by: yunagi on December 09, 2012, 07:22:23 PM
This is kinda late... I finished reading this like a couple of months ago and I was meaning to leave a post too when I got home... but I forgot.
So now imma leave a comment...

Sayu's tsundre attitude FTW! Damn, she’s just like my little sister. *recalls the last kitchen incident*
Urgh… anyway…

Quote
“… Did I miss something?” Eri said, wrinkling her eyebrows.  “Is the world ending tomorrow or something?”
xD
Quote
no hotshot fashionista was going to strut into her shop and pull a diva move.
GO ERI! Ain't no one messin' with her and her friend/trusted employee in her own shop.

Takahashi-Tanaka battle, poor Gaki-san stuck in between. I like how Ai stood up to the big boss. Gaining some guts to stick with her beliefs and opinion… and impressing the lovely Risa. Good going Ai.

Quote
“Of course, Okyaku-sama,” Eri said sweetly, taking private pleasure in watching the kitten flinch at her title.  “That’ll be 2500 yen.”
>:D
Quote
““You really do have a problem with just doing what your boss tells you, don’t you, Niigaki?” Reina remarked, narrowing her eyes threateningly although her tone revealed her obvious playfulness.  “Just think of it as a gift and take it.  Please.”
Nice tactic Tanaka shachou.

Risa a blubbering mess = <3

Damnit! SarangAi you've got me falling for takagaki once again. Then again you got me hooked in the first place(along with tanakame, which I hope is going to happen here too). I love your stories to pieces. Argh... I can't wait for an update!  :cathappy:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 13 - (8/21)]
Post by: SarangAi on December 18, 2012, 06:39:42 AM
GOSH YOU GUYS ITS BEEN A WHILE  :sweatdrop:

I know I know I've been MIA for like... 4 months...?  I'm sorry...  :nervous
I have nothing to say if y'all hate me... shit i'd hate me too...  :bleed eyes:

I've been so incredibly busy.  I don't really live at home so much anymore so I was trying really hard to adjust to a new life haha

BUT this extensive break has (hopefully) helped me get over some MAJOR writer's block to FINALLY finish up the next chapter  XD

It's winter break, I'm back in my parent's home, so I hope this means I'll get to write more... but I DO have a job to work :bleed eyes:

but fingers crossed!  :D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 14 – “O Cinderella, Cinderella, wherefore art thou Cinderella?”

   “No. Way.”  The noodle slipped through the chopsticks of the dumbfounded Mitsui Aika and plopped back into the bowl.  “Tanaka Reina… the Tanaka Reina… bought you… a dress?!”

   Risa blushed as she silently nodded, swirling her chopsticks in her udon bowl, obviously having no intention of actually eating it.  Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to tell her young friend about what had happened at Tresor this morning, especially during dinner time, since the girl was now completely ignoring her unfinished food and directing her full attention to the bean. 

   “Wow, Gaki-san.  I gotta say, I never knew you had it in you,” she breathed, “but you really know how to play the ladies, huh?”

   “HAA?!” Risa remarked, looking at her friend as though she had lost her mind.  “What are you talking about, Aika?  You know I’m not like that.  Besides, it was just a dress; she was doing it out of courtesy.  I bet she’s going to give gifts to the other interns as well when it’s their turn to go out with her.”

   The puppy narrowed her eyes.  “How much was the dress?”

   “2500 yen…”

   “Not bad,” Aika nodded, grinning.  “That says, ‘I’m kind of into you but I’m willing to take it slow so you don’t freak out’.”

   “Since when does yen translate into the Japanese language…?” Risa muttered.

   “All I’m saying is that she seems pretty interested in you, as more than an employee,” Aika clarified.  “How do you feel about her?”

   “… I... I don’t know…” Risa mumbled, her chopstick busily swimming in the udon bowl.  “I mean, Tanaka Shachou is… she’s nice and all… She seems all tough and unbreakable on the outside but on the inside, she’s very… human.  I like that about her.”

   “But…?”  Aika waited, sensing that there was more to this picture than she could see.

   “But... there’s something between me and Ai-chan…” Risa admitted.  “At least I think there is.  I don’t know, it’s really confusing, but… I feel really safe when I’m with her.  Like I know her.  But then again, there’s also an uneasiness, almost like we’re at a standstill and we’re both too much of a coward to cross the threshold.  I don’t know what to do.  Plus…”

   “Go on.”

   Risa hesitated.  “I’m just… worried about her, too.  I mean, from what I can tell, it seems like… Tanaka Shachou isn’t exactly… fond of Ai-chan.  And if what you said is true about Tanaka Shachou… you know… towards me?  I’m scared that Tanaka Shachou might be even harsher towards Ai-chan.  And I don’t want to be the cause of that.”

   Aika gazed at the older girl for a while, watching her intentionally abuse the udon noodles now by cutting it off, limb by limb, with chopsticks.  It was natural for Risa to be so troubled.  On one hand, she had a sweet, casual, hardworking girl whom she had met through something that one would call fate.  On the other, she had a cool, charismatic, yet sensitive girl-millionaire who seemed to be very attracted to her.  Only having had a couple of teenage relationships that by no means were serious, Niigaki Risa was definitely not familiar with being stuck in this kind of situation.  And whenever the bean was stuck, who else could help her other than her baby-turned-babysitter friend?

   “Look,” Aika started, smiling warmly.  “You know I only want what’s best for you, right?”

   “Of course,” Risa chuckled.  “I only heard that phrase once every day for the past, maybe, 10 years?”

   “Then I hope you realize I’m saying this to your own benefit,” Aika grinned.  “I want you to be treated well, Gaki-san.  And if Takahashi-san isn’t jumping at the chance you gave her to be with you, then maybe you need someone better in your life.  However, from what I can tell, this Tanaka Reina seems brimming with energy to fight for you.  So maybe, if you give her a chance, you might wind up being happier with her.”

   Risa bit her lips.  “I… guess I see your point…”

   “And if what you’re saying about Tanaka Shachou disliking Takahashi-san is true,” Aika continued, “maybe you two just aren’t meant to be.  You’re not that far in the game yet, Gaki-san.  Don’t jump into the water too quickly.”

   “Okay,” Risa sighed.  “I think I understand what you’re saying.  Arigatou, Aika.”

   “Glad I could help,” Aika grinned.  “Now, are you going to finish your udon or should I start the dishes?”

   The bean looked down at her bowl and laughed.  “They don’t exactly look like noodles so much now, do they?”

   “No, more like macaroni,” the younger girl giggled, “after the way you obliterated them.”

   “Hai, hai, sumimasen!” Risa apologized jokingly.  “I don’t think I’m really all that hungry anyway.  I’m gonna go work a bit more on my portfolio, okay?”

   “Okay!”

   At the point, the two girls split up into their own worlds and went about their business.  The bean returned to her bedroom and turned on the dim lamp on her desk.  Realizing that her curtains were drawn open and her room could be easily visible from the outside through the veranda, Risa walked over and quickly shut the glass sliding door and the drapes.  When she turned around, she intended to get back to her desk and do some work but instead, her comfy bed just looked too tempting to pass up after a long stressful day.  Without any more hesitation, the bean fell onto the soft bed sheets, lying in a large X shape, and exhaled heavily.  No matter how many times she breathed in and out, she just couldn’t relax.  There was a storm in her heart, and the cause of it was still a mystery.

   I guess I should tell Ai-chan that I can’t meet up with her today for tea, she thought to herself.  Maybe it’s better to distance myself from her until I figure this whole thing out…

   A cute ringtone interrupted the bean’s chain of thoughts as her cell phone vibrated on her bedside table.  Risa reached over to answer it.

   “Moshi moshi?”

   “Gaki-san?  It’s me!”

   “Ai-chan!”  The bean immediately sat up when she recognized the voice. 

   “I’m calling about our tea plans that we arranged earlier,” Ai said.

   “Ano ne, about that—”

   “I don’t think I’m going to be able to make it to a tea shop in time,” the older girl said.  “It’s the opposite direction from my house and frankly, it just seems a bit too far.”

   Risa faltered a little bit at the unexpected revelation.  “Ah… um… it’s okay, Ai-chan!  I understand, really.”  Although she was going to cancel their plans as well, she couldn’t help but be disappointed.  Are you… really stepping away now?

   “So instead of tea,” Ai continued through the phone, “I thought of a better place where we could meet.”

   Risa raised an eyebrow.  “Where…?”

   “Here.”

   A soft tap resounded from the veranda as Risa jumped in shock.  The phone disconnected as the bean dropped it and rushed to open her curtains.  Another soft tap resounded as a pebble hit the glass before Risa slid open the door and walked out.  She looked around for a while, unable to see well through the dimly lit evening when a hushed voice came from below her.

   “Psst!  Down here!”

   Risa looked down from the veranda and automatically broke into a huge smile when she saw the woman she had very much missed, standing outside, two level below her, waving her arms frantically to catch her attention. 

   “Evening, Gaki-san!” she greeted, laughing playfully. 

   “Ai-chan!” Risa exclaimed happily in disbelief.  “What are you doing here?”

   “To see you, of course!” Ai said matter-of-factly.  “Hold on one second.  I’m coming up.”

   “Coming up?” Risa said in confusion.  “What do you mean you’re coming up—O-OI!  CHOTTO!”

   As the bean broke into a panic, the monkey started to climb the first floor veranda and continue up to the second floor, using a nearby tree as leverage.  She was rather quite nimble and agile in climbing, to Risa’s surprise.  In no time, she was up on the second floor, hanging on to the veranda railings, facing the younger girl.

   “Thank god you live only on the second floor,” she remarked, breathing heavily.  “One more level up and I would’ve given up.”

   “You should’ve given up before you even started!” Risa scolded.  She slapped the older woman’s shoulder, hard enough to make a point yet gentle enough so that she won’t fall backwards.  “That was dangerous!”

   “Oh please,” Ai said, rolling her eyes.  “I’ve seen my dad do much worse than that.  But then again, he is an ex-yankii… There’s a lot he’s done.”

   Risa’s eyes grew wide.  “Should I be scared?”

   “No, of course not,” Ai laughed.  “His yankii days are ancient history; he’s not like that anymore… most of the time.”

   Risa gulped.  “Not sure if I feel any better…”

   “Well I can leave if you want…”  Ai shrugged nonchalantly as she backed away a little but Risa immediately grabbed her wrist to stop her.

   “No!” she blurted out.  Watching the older girl raise an eyebrow, the bean quickly restated, “I mean… stay.  You’re here already, so… why waste the trip?  Stay.”

   “Well… only if I get to do this,” Ai grinned.  She reached for the hand that was still holding onto her wrist and locked her fingers around it.  The bean seemed a little surprised at the gesture as her cheeks turned pink.  But after a moment, she pulled away.  Ai looked up at her solemn friend and asked with concern, “Is… something wrong?”

   “No, nothing’s wrong, I just…”  Risa drew back a little as she looked down.  “I think… we shouldn’t meet for a while…”

   There was a pause.  “Did… I do something wrong?”

   “No!  You didn’t do anything wrong!” Risa reassured.  “It’s just… we’re both working people and I just thought that maybe it’s better for us to concentrate on our jobs for a while instead of our social life—”

   “Gaki-san, I can take anything else you throw at me,” Ai interrupted, staring at the younger girl intensely, “but please… don’t lie to me.”

   Risa looked back at her friend, feeling her gaze dig deep into her.  No matter how many times they made eye contact, there was always the same spark; the same trigger that connected them together.  Risa knew she couldn’t deny this.  “I… I’m scared.”

   “For what?”

   “For you.”  The bean exhaled as she stood with her back straight, properly addressing the older woman.  “I’m scared for you.  I’m scared that… if we get any closer, it won’t end so well for either of us, but especially you.”

   “Why do you think it won’t end well for us?” Ai asked.

   “It just seems like the likely option, okay?” Risa groaned.  “Look, remember when we were eating together in the lobby?  And Jun-san caught us?  I see that woman every day at work but I’ve never seen her that harsh before.  And today, at Tresor, Tanaka Shachou definitely wasn’t pleased to see you.  And Kamei-san backing you up like that didn’t really help either.  And even before that, in the car, she was talking about how she was disappointed to hear that we slacked off to socialize.  The world just wants to pull us apart and I think we should let nature do its job unless we have some masochistic wish to get in some serious trouble.”

   At this point, Ai’s expression had turned very grim.  “So you’re saying… we can’t meet anymore.  Not even as friends.”

   “Oh is that what we are?  Friends?” Risa remarked, letting out a tired laugh.  “Come on, Ai-chan.  Don’t tell me that’s how you’ve thought of me all along.  Because it most certainly didn’t seem like it.”

   “We are friends—”

   “No we’re not!” Risa shot back, her words starting to pour out uncontrollably.  “You know why?  Because friends don’t hold each other’s hands unless they’re shopping together or something.  Friends don’t dance together at the club the way we did.  And friends don’t climb each other’s balconies when it is clearly after sunset.  We are not friends, Ai-chan.  I don’t know what we are, but we’re definitely not friends.”

   Silence ensued.  Risa stood in her place, breathing hard from her previous rant, watching for the older woman’s reaction.  Ai was frozen still on the balcony ledge, her eyes blanking out.  Patience was obviously not one of Risa’s strong points, the bean realized, since she lost control of herself so easily like that.  It was a shock, even to herself, how much emotion she had pent up within her. 

   Unable to take the heavy atmosphere anymore, Risa just shook her head as she started to turn away.  “Good-bye, Ai-chan.”

   Suddenly, the bean’s arm was grabbed and her entire body was spun around.  Risa barely had any time to react before a forceful lip planted itself upon her own, kissing her.  She felt one hand of the older woman rest upon her cheek as the other grabbed her wrist and put it around Ai’s waist.  Before Risa could push herself away, however, Ai reached up and placed both of her hands on the bean’s face, completely relying on Risa’s one arm hugging her to not fall to the ground.  Realizing this, the younger woman quickly put her other arm around her friend as well, pulling her into a complete embrace as they continued kissing.  As Ai’s soft lips worked around hers, Risa’s entire mind started to blank out.  A single thought remained in the very corner of her brain, and that was how sneaky she thought Ai was to put herself in a position like this where she had to accept her advances if she wanted to keep Ai from falling.  But she couldn’t quite think that she hated her for it.

   Finally, after having enough, Ai stopped kissing the younger woman and stared deeply into her eyes.  Risa also gazed back, her arms still tight around Ai’s waist, but tried to stay in control this time.

   “What… the HELL do you think you’re doing?!” she hissed angrily.

   “I don’t know what you’re doing but I was just kissing the girl I’m in love with,” Ai said coolly.

   “I’m not talking about that!” Risa retorted.  “I’m talking about how you just almost let yourself fall two stories—wait…  You… love me?”

   Ai smiled.  “That, I do.”

   “… You’ve got to be kidding me,” Risa said doubtfully.

   “Hey, it’s like you said,” Ai explained.  “Obviously, I don’t like you as a friend.  So I must like you as something more.  And I think… I really do love you.”

   Risa’s heart started to race as she stared at Ai smiling so close to her face.  “I… I need a-a moment… I-I think…”  She mumbled to herself as her body started to feel limp.  Her arms shook weakly as Ai started to fall backwards when there was nothing to support her weight anymore.  Risa let out a short shriek but Ai grabbed on to the veranda railings just in time to pull herself upright again. 

   “I’m sorry!  I’m sorry!” Risa apologized frantically.  “I totally forgot, I-I-I’m sorry!”

   “I’m fine, Gaki-san, calm down!” Ai assured shakily.  “Really, I’m fine!”

   “No, you’re not fine!” Risa babbled on, digging her hand into her hair in search for something to hold on to.  “You almost fell!  I let you go!  I-I-I never should have… let you go…”

   A gentle hand touched the bean’s tense arm as she was pulled back towards the edge of the railing.  Risa took a breather as she let her hands slip back down to her sides, one of them ending up in Ai’s grasp.  The older woman pressed her lips against the younger’s fingers.

   “Then don’t let go,” she murmured.  “Never again.”

   Risa swallowed as she felt her eyes automatically connect with Ai’s, unable to break out of her gaze.  She felt herself being drawn to the woman by an unknown force, just like the one she always felt when she was being looked at like that by this person.  Risa slowly leaned forward, closer to Ai’s face, until their lips gently touched.  Ai’s lips trembled a little, waiting in anticipation.  She wasn’t going to kiss her again until she was absolutely sure Risa wanted it; it was on her this time.  Realizing this, Risa slowly leaned closer until her lips pressed against Ai’s more and kissed her sweetly.  A sigh of relief and satisfaction escaped Ai’s lips as Risa whispered softly.

   “I won’t let you go.  Ever.”

   Ai smiled at this as she eagerly kissed her love again, relentlessly expressing the feelings she had kept hidden until now.  Risa kissed back with the same passion—her childhood friend’s words long forgotten, her previous resolution destroyed—with only a single thought in her mind withstanding: she loved her.  She loved Takahashi Ai and that was all that mattered.  She didn’t know how or why but just that she wanted to be with her.  She needed to be with her.  All this desire was being conveyed through this kiss.

   “Gaki-san!  Can you come over for a second?”

   The two women backed away in a startled manner, seeming to finally remember that the bean did not live alone.  After staring at each other in panic and loss of words for a couple seconds, Risa finally raised her voice.

   “U-Un!  Coming, Aika!” she called back.

   “I should probably go,” Ai whispered.

   “Yeah, you should… probably,” Risa agreed.

   The two stared at each other again, their fingers still entwined together.  In a spark of passion, the two started to kiss again, a little more rushed this time, until a knock resounded from behind the door.

   “Gaki-san?  Are you okay in there?”

   “Y-yeah!” Risa yelled, quickly breaking away from the kiss.  “I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m coming!”  She quickly turned her attention to the woman hanging on her veranda.  “Can you get down okay?”

   “No sweat,” Ai replied.

   “Gaki-san?” Aika called again.  “Can I come in?”

   “J-j-just a second!” Risa stuttered.  As the bean turned towards the older woman again, she found her lips being stolen one last time.

   “I’ll see you tomorrow, princess,” Ai grinned before making her way back down. 

   “Gaki-san, I’m coming in!”

   Risa breathed shakily as her bedroom door flew open, just as her older companion disappeared from the railings.  She whipped around to face her confused flatmate who was carrying a carton of milk.

   “Was someone in here?” Aika asked, raising an eyebrow.

   “No!” Risa blurted out, answering a little too quickly to ease her friend’s uncertainty.  Well, technically, Ai hadn’t been inside her room…

   “That’s funny.  I thought I heard voices…” Aika said.  “Were you on the phone or something?”

   “No—yeah!” Risa stumbled.  “Yes, I, uh, was just on the phone.  Very, very, important phone call.  From… work.”

   “Oh, okay, for a moment I thought you were talking to yourself in there,” Aika chuckled.  “I was just gonna say this milk tastes a little funky.  Should I throw it out?”

   “Yeah, sure,” Risa nodded.  “I’ll get a new one tomorrow.”

   “Okay,” Aika said.  “You should get in and close your veranda.  It’s kind of chilly in here.”

   “I’ll do that,” Risa nodded.  “Thanks.”

   Shooting her oddly stiff friend one more suspicious glance, Aika walked out and closed the door.  Risa immediately let out a huge sigh of relief as she started to sink down to the ground.  But then, she remembered her visitor and immediately turned around to look down below her veranda.

   “Ai-chan?” she yelled in a hushed tone.  “Ai-chan!”

   A figure popped into view from behind the tree as it slowly made its way to an open area on the sidewalk.  She waved happily with a smile, like a little child would, allowing Risa to laugh. 

   “I love it when you laugh like that,” Ai chuckled.

   “Go home,” Risa ordered, rolling her eyes at the sweet words.  “It’s getting late.”

   Ai nodded.  “Sweet dreams,” she said.  “And don’t change your mind!”

   Risa smiled, waving goodbye.  “I won’t,” she reassured. 

   I won’t let you go.  Never.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MEHEHE I hope that earns me some forgiveness..  :wub: :wub:

 :byebye:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 14 - (12/18)]
Post by: maikeatoot on December 18, 2012, 07:08:58 AM
 
 LOVELOVE - SAMA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :wigglypanda:  :luvluv2: :luvluv1: :on woohoo: :on gay: welcome back LOVELOVE - SAMA !!! woah ! it's been 4 months ! i missed you so much and yeah this fic of course !!!  :yossi:


 yay ! and with a sweeeeeeeeeet veryyyyyyyyyyyyyy sweet chapter !! yay ! you go aichan ! feels like i am reading Romeo and Juliet !!!  :cow: welcome back again !!! please update moreee ! moree ! MORE UPDATES !!! yay !!! AND MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!!!!!!  :wub:



P.S : KAMESHIGE :)
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 14 - (12/18)]
Post by: kawaii beam on December 18, 2012, 07:27:55 AM
gah i was startng to wonder what happened to u aiai ;3; im happy you've been bussy in a good way so to speak lol you know i atleast wouldnt hate u ;3; and with a chapter like this who would?! so many kisses it turned me into goo at like 1:30 am XD

overall im glad ur back :deco:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 14 - (12/18)]
Post by: yellow on December 18, 2012, 07:44:05 AM
thanks for giving such a good takagaki moment...  :cathappy:
glad to hear everything seem so fruitful during these 4 months...hope that everything is well in your new life...

please update more often in future  :)

and merry x'mas and happy new year to you   :heart:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 14 - (12/18)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on December 18, 2012, 07:48:17 AM
So much forgiveness!! >.<! OMG, I love this chapter! Love it! Just when Risa thinks it might be better to let go, Ai goes and does something so romantic! Please don't disappear for so long against after this!! XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 14 - (12/18)]
Post by: arisa03 on December 18, 2012, 02:04:47 PM
I just saw this omg ; A ; I've been busy all day I couldn't even check it. ;___; but omg Ai-chan so cheesy *dies of cheese* Also, welcome back~

On a side not for some lulz, my iTunes was playing on shuffle, and during the part Risa was contemplating between Ai and Reina, Jounetsu no Kiss wo Hitotsu suddenly played. I was thinking "Am I getting trolled by my iTunes like this?" LOL. Then Ai and Risa kissed. <3
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 14 - (12/18)]
Post by: MsSmigge on December 18, 2012, 07:15:07 PM
Heeey, you're alive!! Welcome back, it's so nice to see you again!!  :cow:

And especially when you came back with a TakaGaki chapter  :inlove: :inlove: :inlove:

But I didn't like Aika... Damn that girl, stop messing with Gaki's head and don't kill the TakaGaki!! *Ahem. Here my inner TakaGaki shipper goes again....*

And Ai.... You did something so romantic when Gaki-san wasn't sure about her feelings and brought her back to earth. That was so cute scene between those two and hopefully there's more in the future  :wub: And Risa, you better keep your promise....

Aaaaa, I'm so happy now when I got to read some TakaGaki raburabu  :wub: :inlove:

And don't get stressed too much, if you have had some changes in your life recently. Take your time, buddy  :cow:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 14 - (12/18)]
Post by: risa_ai on December 19, 2012, 03:44:04 AM
DUMDEEDUM AM UPDATE. UDPAAAAAAAATE. FILLED WITH AIGAKI LOVE. **sniffles** You go, Guychan. Go make Risa's yours and show Reina. xD
KISSING SCENE~! *runs back to read*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 14 - (12/18)]
Post by: yunagi on December 22, 2012, 04:31:03 PM
An update! :w00t: And welcome back!

Quote
“Wow, Gaki-san.  I gotta say, I never knew you had it in you,” she breathed, “but you really know how to play the ladies, huh?”

   “HAA?!” Risa remarked, looking at her friend as though she had lost her mind.  “What are you talking about, Aika?  You know I’m not like that.  Besides, it was just a dress; she was doing it out of courtesy.  I bet she’s going to give gifts to the other interns as well when it’s their turn to go out with her.”
Looks like it’s an innate talent, not bad Risa. Anyway… There is no way a boss would buy an intern anything as costly as a dress, that is unless he/she’s into said intern, and Reina is so into Risa.

Quote
The puppy narrowed her eyes.  “How much was the dress?”

   “2500 yen…”

   “Not bad,” Aika nodded, grinning.  “That says, ‘I’m kind of into you but I’m willing to take it slow so you don’t freak out’.”

   “Since when does yen translate into the Japanese language…?” Risa muttered.
Aika speaks money XD

Quote
  “… I... I don’t know…” Risa mumbled, her chopstick busily swimming in the udon bowl.  “I mean, Tanaka Shachou is… she’s nice and all… She seems all tough and unbreakable on the outside but on the inside, she’s very… human.  I like that about her.”

… “But... there’s something between me and Ai-chan…” Risa admitted.  “At least I think there is.  I don’t know, it’s really confusing, but… I feel really safe when I’m with her.  Like I know her.  But then again, there’s also an uneasiness, almost like we’re at a standstill and we’re both too much of a coward to cross the threshold.  I don’t know what to do.  Plus…”

Stuck in a love triangle, that sucks. It’s even worse for Risa since she’s quite aware of the situation (that and she’s smack dab in the middle of it). On another note she should be flattered at the fact that two gorgeous girls are vying for her attention, well at least one of them is visibly trying.

Ai’s gotta step up her game.

Quote
Risa hesitated.  “I’m just… worried about her, too.  I mean, from what I can tell, it seems like… Tanaka Shachou isn’t exactly… fond of Ai-chan.  And if what you said is true about Tanaka Shachou… you know… towards me?  I’m scared that Tanaka Shachou might be even harsher towards Ai-chan.  And I don’t want to be the cause of that.”
And again, that sucks. It’s getting more and more like the tragic forbidden love story of one of its predecessor.

Quote
Aika gazed at the older girl for a while, watching her intentionally abuse the udon noodles now by cutting it off, limb by limb, with chopsticks.
Oh God I can totally imagine this. xD

Risa-Aika talk

Damn, looks like things aren’t in Ai’s favor. Ai, do something! >.< Still rooting for takagaki.

Takagaki moment

Okay… at first I was all there is no way any sane person would go out of their way to climb a building just to speak to a person, its love I tells you! Then I got a little disappointed at the thought that Risa’s actually going to pull away. Then there’s
Quote
  “Gaki-san, I can take anything else you throw at me,” Ai interrupted, staring at the younger girl intensely, “but please… don’t lie to me.
and though it’s a bit uncalled-for I just suddenly though “Ai the walking lie detector”

 :w00t: Yes! Yes! YES! Chuu time~ Ai you sly girl

Quote
“I don’t know what you’re doing but I was just kissing the girl I’m in love with,” Ai said coolly.
  :inlove:

Damn can Risa be any more oblivious? Kinda contradicts my earlier comment… ah well

Quote
“Gaki-san!  Can you come over for a second?”
Noooo… Bad time Aika. Come back later  :lol:

Damn it. Romeo and Juliet. I hope this won’t end tragically as that. More Cinderella influence!  :cathappy:

A though suddenly occurred to me... how did Ai know where Risa lived? ._.
*mind screaming stalker >.>*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 14 - (12/18)]
Post by: SarangAi on December 26, 2012, 07:45:21 AM
@maikeatoot: ehehehe thank you!  yes i wanna update more too!  XD

@kawaii beam: lolll aww i'm glad you dont hate me kiwi~ hehe just a small offering for my mia-ness :lol:

@yellow: haha yup!  everything is fruitful!  well, as good as it needs to be at least lol :D

@rndmnwierd: *takes forgiveness* i won't! i rly won't!  well.  i'll try not to disappear...  XD

@arisa03: Cheesy is ma middle name  XD lol your itunes speaks the truth!  XD

@MsSmigge: hahaha well don't hate Aika too much!  She has her reasons!  I think. lol XD

@risa_ai: hahaha sounds like you liked it! :D

@yunagi: for your last question.... shhhhh just go with it!!!  :nervous :sweatdrop: XD


and i'm BACK!  Sorry I'm a bit late for xmas guys...
But nevertheless, merry christmas, happy holidays, to all!  :cow:

and here is a late christmas gift!  XD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 15 – “The Stepsister hated Cinderella… Or did she?”

   It was quite a rarity for this to happen to Takahashi Ai but for once, she could say, from the bottom of her heart: life was good.  Very good, in fact.  Anyone could tell that she was rather enjoying her days by the way she would make a random full twirl while working in Tresor, the way she had an extra spring in her steps while mopping up the floor, the way she would space out in the middle of the street with a dumb smile plastered on her face…  Indeed, it was quite obvious that Ai loved the way her life was turning out right now.  The phrase, “time flies when you’re having fun” did not even cover the type of joy she was experiencing in her life.  But alas, it was a perfect description of her current state as nearly a month had gone by in a flash since the night that triggered all this bliss: the night she had kissed the girl she loved.

    The past four weeks—give or take a couple days—had been the best Ai had had throughout her entire existence.  And why not?  She had spent most of her time with her “special” friend whenever neither of them were working, doing simple things together such as getting late-night dessert, walking in the park, or window-shopping.  It didn’t really matter what they did as long as they were together, hand in hand. 

   The odd thing was, there had been no confirmation from neither Ai nor Risa as to their current status regarding their relationship.  They obviously weren’t just “friends” anymore… but neither ever used the term “girlfriend” either.  Nothing was ever spoken aloud yet there was still a bond, a commitment.  They didn’t have to say anything or sign anything in blood; they both just knew.  Labels didn’t matter—they could call each other whatever they wanted.  They were in love.  What was more important than that?

   And today happened to be another one of those happy days where Ai was humming some sort of lovey-dovey tune to herself while dressing a mannequin by the shop window of Tresor.  Eri walked out of the back room with a handful of coin rolls as she spotted her friend drifting away to her own world again, and rolled her eyes while grinning.  It wasn’t an uncommon sight to see Ai singing throughout the work day now.  Just the other week, Eri had caught her jamming out to some sort of love song at the top of her lungs in the bathroom.  It was a bit disconcerting at first but the turtle couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous the whole situation was. 

   “Ai-chan, it sounds like you’re having a little too much fun,” Eri teased, unwrapping the coins to let them scatter on the counter.  “No having fun when you’re at work!”

   “Hai~ hai~” Ai laughed.  “My bad, boss!”

   “I don’t understand how it’s possible for someone to be as happy as you are,” Eri said, placing the coins in their respective cartridge in the cashier.  “You like her that much?”

   Ai turned around and put an innocent face on.  “Who?”  Eri gave her a look, allowing her to break into a smile and turn back to her mannequin.  “Of course I like her that much,” she said quietly.  “I love her.”

   “Wow.” Eri sighed.  “The Takahashi Ai.  A romantic.  Who would’ve thought?”

   “You make it sound like I’ve been a robot my whole life,” Ai said.  “I can be sensitive!”

   “Please,” Eri scoffed, “if you were the sensitive type, you wouldn’t have lasted all those years living together with that monster of your stepmother without breaking down.  And you still live with the devil’s child.”

   “Hey, come on, be nice,” Ai gently scolded.  “She may not have been Mother Theresa but she did raise me, you know.  She’s family.”

   “Some family,” Eri muttered. 

   “Plus, Sayu really isn’t all that bad,” Ai continued.  “Actually, she’s been really nice recently.  She gets up early to make breakfast—well, attempt to make breakfast.  She cleans the house and takes out the garbage…  You know, the other day, I came back to clean, folded laundry.  Can you believe it?  Sayumi, doing laundry?  It was incredible.”

   “Yeah, I wonder what’s gotten into her recently…” Eri spoke under her breath.

   “And guess what?” Ai grinned, walking towards her friend by the counter.  “She even said she’ll drop by today with snacks!”

   “Oh, please, you believe that?” Eri laughed.  “There’s no way, Michishige Sayumi is going to—”

   “What is up with this weather?!  It is way too cold today to be autumn!”

   The two friends turned their attention to the front door as the jingle of a bell followed by some loud complaining announced the arrival of their guest.  A high ponytail of curls bounced behind her head as the woman briskly walked into the store, shivering away the cold.  She breathed heavily as she placed a paper bag on the counter.  Eri stared at the black-haired girl with her mouth ajar as the older woman shot a smug look at her.

   “You were saying?” she beamed.

   “Saying what?” Sayumi asked, unbuttoning her coat.

   “Oh, nothing, nothing at all,” Ai hummed.  “I see you brought snacks, Sayu.”

   “Yeah, and they weren’t easy to get either,” Sayumi sniffed.  “The line was ridiculous today.”

   “I bet that wasn’t the only thing that was ridiculous…” Eri mumbled, her eyes plastered on the bag’s logo.  “You got this from Mano Bakery!  That place is super pricey!”

   “What?”  Ai grabbed the paper bag and checked the logo herself before turning to her step sister with a sorry look.  “Sayu, you didn’t have to do that…  A simple melon bread would’ve been fine.”

   “… A-Are you mad?” the bunny asked slowly, anxiety washing over her face.  “You don’t like stuff from Mano?  I can go back and get something else if you’d like—“

   “No, no, you don’t need to go back,” Ai reassured, smiling a little.  “I’m really grateful that you bought this for us.  But… I’m just saying you didn’t need to spend so much.”

   “Well… it’s fine, as long as you like it,” Sayumi shrugged.  “I like their stuff so I… I just wanted you to try as well.”

   “That’s very thoughtful of you, Sayu,” Ai grinned.  “Thank you.”

   “Yeah, thanks, Sayu!  These taste great!”

   The sisters turned towards the turtle whose mouth was already stuffed with a bite of cupcake, making her words barely coherent.  Ai laughed at the sight but her sister wasn’t too entertained.

   “Eri, that’s so rude!” she yelled.  “That pink one was for Onee-chan!”

   “It’s okay,” Ai continued laughing.  “I’ll have some of the other ones.  You better enjoy that cupcake, aho-kame.  It’s probably the last you’ll ever get from Sayu.”

   “Don’t worry, I’m enjoying it,” Eri giggled. 

   “Mou… you just ruined it…” Sayumi muttered under her breath.

   “Oh, you bought cake, too, Sayu?” Ai said, pulling out a small box from the bottom of the bag.  She opened the side and pulled out a cute chocolate cake adorned with pink and yellow frosted roses.  “Oishii sou!”

   “Wow, that looks really yummy…” Eri commented, licking her lips.

   “Step away from the cake, turtlehead!” Sayumi warned.  “This time, Onee-chan gets the first piece!”

   “… Turtlehead?” Eri repeated, raising an eyebrow.  “Never got that one before.”

   “Come on guys, let’s just eat,” Ai proposed.  “Do we have any forks and plates?”

   “There should be some plastic ones in the back room,” Eri answered, pointing to the curtain door.  “You might have to do a little searching, though.”

   “I’m sure the cake will be worth it,” Ai smiled.  “I’ll be right back.”

   As her sister disappeared behind the curtain, Sayumi found her eyes following her movement, longing for her.  It wasn’t until Eri clicked her tongue that the bunny returned to earth.  The turtle smiled wryly at her.

   “So,” she started, “you and Ai-chan.”

   Sayumi frowned.  “What about us?”

   “You like her,” Eri stated.

   “I like who?”

   “Ai-chan.”

   “… Of course I like her,” Sayumi scoffed.  “I have to like her to some extent.  She’s my sister and I live with her.”

   “You know I don’t mean it like that.”

   Sayumi’s face hardened under the older girl’s unwavering gaze.  It felt as though she could see right through her, all her weaknesses, her secrets, her troubles…  It felt like she knew the bunny better than she even knew herself.

   “What are you talking about?” Sayumi huffed, looking away.  “Onee-chan and I are siblings.”

   “Step-siblings,” Eri corrected.  “You guys don’t even have the same family name.”

   “Eri, stop being ridiculous—”

   “No, you stop, Sayumi,” Eri said firmly.  “You’re just running away from something you already know.  Are you really so blind to your own feelings?  Why can’t you just admit it?”

   “I have nothing to admit—”

   “Oh please, it’s written all over your face.”  Eri sighed in frustrated manner.  She walked around the counter to close the distance between her and the bunny.  “You’re making breakfast for her, you do laundry for her, and now you’re bringing dessert for her… Just think, Sayumi.  Who is the person that you’re constantly thinking of?”

   Sayumi paused, letting the turtle’s question sink in.  The person that she was constantly thinking of…?  Was there such a person?  Who had she ever been concerned about more than she was with herself?  She was always ichiban on her own list.  Who else was supposed to care for her if she didn’t treasure herself first?

   Yet, she knew there was one other.  A very special person.  She absolutely adored her, even more than she did herself.  For this person, Sayumi would do anything.  Because this person was the first.  The first one to…

   “… Fine, you’re right,” Sayumi said, quietly but firmly.  “I love Onee-chan.  I love her more than anyone and I’d do anything to have her.  Well, now you know.  I hope you’re happy.”

   “Well, I can’t exactly say I’m happy about this, Sayu,” Eri sighed.  “Didn’t I already warn you last time?  I told you to let everything go.  I told you to run away.”

   “What if I don’t want to let it go?” Sayumi argued back.  “What if I don’t want to run away?”

   “You know she loves someone else already, Sayumi,” Eri reasoned, pursing her lips.  “She loves Niigaki-san.  They’re together.  They’ve been together for the past month.”

   The bunny bit down on her lips, widening her eyes as if to stop tears from forming.  “Don’t you think I know that already?” she said in a low voice.  “I don’t care if—”

   “Listen, Sayu—”

   “No, you listen, Eri!” Sayumi yelled, a sudden burst of desperation engulfing her voice.  “I… I love her.  I love her.  I know I’m a horrible person and I don’t deserve her but… can’t I at least be allowed to chase her?  I can’t even have that much?”  Her voice broke at the last word spoken as she bit her lips to keep from completely losing herself.  “She’s all I have, Eri.  She’s the only one who… who stayed by my side.  I love her.”

     Sayumi turned her head away after making the bravest confession of her life.  Eri looked at her with unwavering eyes and an unchanged expression.  Her face was flawlessly smooth, free of all emotion, as she simply looked upon the younger girl with some sort of remorse in her eyes. 

   “… So that’s what you’ve chosen for yourself…?” she murmured softly under her breath.  “Even though you’ll only get hurt in the end…”  She slowly stepped closer to the black-haired girl.  “Even though she’ll never look back at you… you’re just going to keep chasing her?” 

   Then, the older girl reached out towards her friend, gently placing her hand on her cheek.  Sayumi slowly raised her head to look at the turtle, her face evident of her shock at the sudden contact.  Eri’s eyes were dark and serious, something that had never been seen before in the girl.  Her hand softly yet slowly caressed the bunny’s cheek, as if to comfort her or to pity her.

   “Why can’t you take the easy way out and give up?” she whispered.  “Why can’t you… choose otherwise…?”

   Sayumi felt her cheek growing hot where the older woman was touching her.  She could not hide the surprise in her face no matter how hard she tried to calm herself down.  Her words continued to echo over and over in her head.  Choose…  Choose…?

   “Ugh, that took way too long!  Sorry, guys!”

   Along with the loud voice, Ai stumbled out from the curtains, holding a box of plastic utensils and plates.  Before the bunny knew it, the turtle was already steps away from her, skipping back towards the cake on the counter. 

   “Mou, Ai-chan!” she whined.  “You had us waiting for a while there, you know!  I was starting to think we’d have to eat with our hands!”

   “Gomen, gomen,” Ai laughed.  “Here: plates and forks!”  She then did a double-take as she spotted her stepsister, frozen a few feet away.  “Sayu, come on!  We’re gonna cut the cake!”

   “Yeah, Sayu, hurry!” Eri grinned at her.  “I’m really hungry~”

   Sayumi remained in her place, her eyes plastered on the turtle who was now smiling brightly at her.  Her serious and dark demeanor that had shocked her moments ago was now nowhere to be found.  She was just her old turtle self again, as if the way she had caught the bunny off guard was just a dream.  However, her words could still be heard.  Choose… otherwise…

   “I… I think I’ll just go home,” Sayumi mumbled, casting her eyes down.  “I need to… I have something to do.”

   “Well, at least have some cake before you go!” Ai offered.  “You brought it, after all.”

   “Gomen, Onee-chan,” Sayumi apologized.  Her hands at her side started to ball up into a fist, as if to stay in control of herself.  “I’ll see you at home later.”

   With that, the bunny hurried out of Tresor without bothering to look back.  Ai stood with a blank face, trying to figure out what had just happened.  Sayumi seemed a little odd.  She wasn’t really the type to just run out like that.  Rather, she proudly walked out as if she owned the world.  And she… she actually apologized for not being able to stay.  She apologized.  Either something had happened or she was seriously ill.

   “Nee, Eri,” Ai said, tapping her friend who was already digging into her piece of chocolate cake.  “Is it just me or is Sayu acting a little weird?”

   Eri shrugged.  “I don’t know.  I thought she was being her normal self.”

   “I don’t know…  Something just felt off,” the older woman said.  “Maybe she’s sick…  The weather is getting a bit cold.”

   “She seemed fine when I was with her…” Eri said, forking another portion of the cake into her mouth.  “If you want, you can take some cold medicine with you.  I think I have some in my purse.”

   “Yeah, I think I’ll do that,” Ai nodded.  “Arigatou.”

   “No problem,” Eri chirped, revealing a childlike pure smile.  “I hope… she feels better soon.”

**  **  ** 

   Sayumi jogged down the street until she felt that she had come a certain distance away from Tresor.  She stopped in her tracks and breathed heavily.  She was definitely not the one for exercising.  She moved away from the middle of the sidewalk and took to a small alleyway between two buildings so she could catch her breath for a minute.

   No matter how hard she tried, it was impossible.  She couldn’t get Eri’s face, her serious words, out of her head.  Choose otherwise… Choose…  What the hell was that girl even saying?  She was… trying to get her to give up on Ai.  For her own good, it seemed.  It was a reasoning that someone like Sayumi would never understand yet it was something very logical for the turtle to do.  Or just the rest of humankind.  We were supposed to be a compassionate race: something Sayumi could never comprehend.

   Choose otherwise.  Sayumi couldn’t help but laugh out loud at this as she coughed out a dry chuckle.  Choose?  Eri spoke as if she had a choice.  Well, Sayumi knew very well that if she did have a choice, she would choose not to have such feelings for her older sister.  There was just too many complications involved, too much pain.  It consisted of everything that Sayumi preferred to stay away from. 

   But alas, she had no choice.  From the very day that the two sisters had met, Sayumi’s fate was sealed.  After all, Ai had been the first.  She had been the first to smile at her, the first to attempt at getting closer to her, the first to hold out her hand.  No matter how horribly Sayumi treated her, she was the first to not run away.  She had been the first to give Sayumi a chance to be herself. 

   “I don’t have a choice…” Sayumi mumbled, her legs giving out as she slipped down into a crouch.  She forced a helpless smile but alas, her tears betrayed her.  “I don’t have a choice, you know…  I love you.  I love you so much… Onee-chan…”  I love you, Ai…  I love you.  I love you.  I love you.

   How could anyone choose otherwise?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

a bit of sad chapter for the holidays... sorry!  :nervous

But i'm planning out the next chapter so i can get this story moving! YER!  XD

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 15 - (12/26)]
Post by: MsSmigge on December 26, 2012, 09:22:18 AM
Omg an update!  :w00t:  :on gay:

Awwww, cute Ai-chan in her own little TakaGaki world all the time~  :luvluv1:
I kind of figured out earlier that Sayu liked Ai, but what's that moment with Eri and Sayu?  :?  :dunno: I have many thoughts in my head about this, but I think I wont say anything.... Yet. xD

And yes, Sayu, leave Ai-chan alone. She is already taken~
But I wonder is there going to be problems now that Sayu knows who Ai is dating... Maybe she will team up with Tanaka and together they will make some evil plans, so they would get what they want?  :lol:
I hope this wont happen though....  XD

And Aika has no reason to try to stop the TakaGaki love!!  :angry: Damn that kid, if Ai-chan "hadn't been there for Risa" when Aika talked with Risa, that brat would have done some serious damage to Takagaki and then.... *Kicks her takagaki-fan alter ego away*


Anyways, merry Christmas to you too~ :mon santa4:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 15 - (12/26)]
Post by: arisa03 on December 26, 2012, 09:58:51 AM
All my SayuEri feels -/shot

Poor Sayu tho ; A ;
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 15 - (12/26)]
Post by: yellow on December 26, 2012, 01:50:14 PM
Sayu actually did have the choice... just that she did not consider our aho turtle.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 15 - (12/26)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on December 26, 2012, 05:46:57 PM
I actually feel a little bit sorry for Sayu. but it sounds like Eri might, potentially be interested in lighting her fire?
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 15 - (12/26)]
Post by: risa_ai on December 27, 2012, 04:27:44 AM
Eri likes Sayuuuuuu~ *wiggles eyebrows creepily* MUAHAHAHAHAHA OKAY SO RIGHT NOW ALL WE NEED IS KAMESHIGE TO GET TOGETHER, AIGAKI TO GET MARRIED AND JUNJUN AND REINA TO... well... *smirks*
Merry CHRISTMASSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!! *throws a cake over*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 15 - (12/26)]
Post by: maikeatoot on December 27, 2012, 06:11:20 AM
 oh yeah i knew it !!! ♥SAYUERI♥ !!!!!!!  :onioncheer: :wigglypanda: you go Sayu why don't you choose Eririn ? weeeeeeeeeew !  :on gay: MErRY CHRISTMAS !!!!!!!!!
it's late i know  :nervous ! thank you for the update LOVELOVE-SAMA !  :kneelbow: :luvluv2: please update again !!! yay !  :cow:




 PS : ♥KAMESHIGE♥  :byebye:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 15 - (12/26)]
Post by: yunagi on December 28, 2012, 02:42:24 PM
Love is in the air~ And it seems like it has spread all the way here. I keep seeing couples going goo-goo over here.

Ai’s totally got the loooove fe-vah! And it looks like Sayu’s stepping it up a notch.

Quote
She gets up early to make breakfast—well, attempt to make breakfast.
:) Point.

Quote
You know, the other day, I came back to clean, folded laundry.  Can you believe it?  Sayumi, doing laundry?
I bet she bribed the Bishoujo Sentai Ramenger to clean up in exchange for a picture of their idol.

God, Sayu going from nervous to feigning nonchalant in a split of a second. Tsundre Sayu~ Admit that you love your dear sister! XD

Eri stuffing *ahem* helping herself to the cake. Adorable.

And there goes adorable… Can’t say I can imagine Eri going all dark-serious like this but it’s a nice change from the normal kawaii-ahoness of hers.

And… she’s back to her old self.

Poor Sayu.  :(

Belated Merry Christmas~  :cow:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 15 - (12/26)]
Post by: SarangAi on January 01, 2013, 08:04:05 AM
@MsSmigge: lol~ hey hey don't go giving me ideas! :twisted: hehehe who knows? you might like Aika in the near future  :D

@arisa03: lots of feels in general dude... just lots of feels :nervous

@yellow: lolll one way of looking at it XD

@rndmnwierd: hahaha maybe? maybe not? XD

@risa_ai: CAKE. YES.  :twothumbs

@maikeatoot: lol well i know who you're rooting for :lol:

@yunagi: oh god ramenger :lol: hehe well dark serious Eri is sexy too though~ :drool:


Thanks for the comments everyone~!

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 2013 YAY~ :cow: :nya: :JD:

I hope everyone has an amazing celebrating! :D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 16 – “Cinderella was weak and powerless… and she hated it”

   Something was seriously wrong today.  Either Risa was being much too sensitive to details or the world was about to end.  And since the bean preferred to consider herself intuitive rather than sensitive, she decided on the latter option.  After all, it was quite rare for such an atmosphere to settle in the work room when it was just the three interns together.

   And what kind of atmosphere is it?  The heavy kind.  It was the odd, mismatched, uncomfortable kind.  Like the feeling that you get when you realize that the current day is the date that is printed on a carton of milk, but you’re not sure if that date is the “best if sold by” date or the “best if consumed by” date, and the smell is a little suspicious yet not that bad but you’re still unsure if you should drink it or not.  It was that kind of awkward kind of atmosphere.  Because Risa wasn’t sure if she was just paying too much attention to the awkward distance that Miyabi was putting between her and Saki or if there really was something unpleasant going on between the two. 

   Perhaps a fight?  It didn’t seem like a likely cause.  After all, the two didn’t fight.  They argued, like an old couple or like the childhood friends that they are, but they didn’t fight.  Besides, it was just Miyabi who was acting stiff.  Saki actually seemed as equally confused as Risa.  Throughout the whole day, the older girl had been acting like her normal self until she realized that her friend was being unusually unreceptive today.  She wasn’t attacking her with teasing words and loads of affection as usual.  Once she realized something was off, Saki quieted down and started to contemplate as to what could’ve happened to the younger girl.  As she worked on her sketches, she would glance at her from the corner of her eye from time to time, make an uneasy expression, and go back to work.  Miyabi probably noticed this too but she didn’t even bother lifting her head.  So it couldn’t be helped that this unsettling mood was causing Risa to look back and forth between her two colleagues as she sat opposite of them. 

   “Nee, Miya,” Saki finally spoke up, attempting to make her voice cheery as possible, “are you almost done with your sketches?”

   “… Hm?” the younger girl mumbled without bothering to look up.  “Oh, yeah.”

   Risa raised an eyebrow.  Miyabi, giving a short, uninteresting answer to her dear Saki?  Either the girl was deathly ill or this was an alien in disguise.

   “Oh… um… that’s good,” Saki nodded awkwardly, biting her lips in nervousness.  “Nee, nee, do you want to stop by the bakery down the street later?  I was thinking—”

   “I’ll just go straight home, thanks,” Miyabi interrupted.

   The older girl faltered, obviously taken aback by her friend’s cold manner.  “Oh.  Okay.  Well.  Um.  I gonna go get something to drink…  Do you want something too, Miya—”

   “I’m fine.”

   “… Oh.  Well.  Okay.”  Saki got out of her seat slowly, staring at her childhood friend uneasily, before she directed her attention towards the bean with a forced smile.  “Niigaki-san, would you like something to drink?”

   “No, it’s okay,” Risa answered politely.  “I’m finishing up here anyway.  Thanks, though.”

   Captain gave a curt smile as she walked out of the room, shooting one more worried glance at her friend before she closed the door.  The ticking of the clock took over the silence as Risa started to stare skeptically at her younger colleague who was busily moving her pencil across her sketchbook.

   “Well?” the bean started.  “Come on, fess up.”

   “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Niigaki-san,” Miyabi answered, her drawing hand showing no sign of stopping.

   “Oh, please.”  Risa rolled her eyes.  “You’re obviously not yourself today.  Either your love for Shimizu-chan suddenly turned to hate or this is your new way of showing your affection.  And let me tell you, it’s not really working.”

   Finally, Miyabi stopped her motions and slowly lifted her head.  But instead of the hard glare that Risa was expecting, her eyes showed something more like an apologetic gaze.  “I… don’t hate her.  How could I ever?”

   “Yeah, I know that,” Risa said gently.  “So tell what’s bothering you.  Why are you acting like this, all of a sudden?”

   “It’s just…”  The girl sighed as she dropped her pencil and dropped back into her chair.  “I just don’t see the point anymore.”

   “The point in what?”

   “In chasing her!” Miyabi moaned.  “I mean, I’ve always openly expressed how I feel about Saki-chan.  And we’ve been together for so long… she must’ve noticed by now.  So either she’s ignoring my feelings because she doesn’t feel the same way for me, or she actually hasn’t noticed because she’s just dense.”

   “Um, I actually think it could be that she’s just dense in that area…” Risa mumbled.

   “Even so!” Miyabi continued.  “I just… I don’t think I have the energy for this anymore, Niigaki-san.  Captain is never going to return my feelings.  I’m just a friend to her.  That’s all.  So I’m putting some distance between us so I can get over her.  The sooner this happens, the better.”

   Risa knotted her eyebrows.  “I think you might be jumping to conclusions a little too fast there, Natsuyaki-chan.  You don’t know for absolute certainty if she does feel the same way for you or not.  And there’s no way to know unless you directly ask her.”

   “But there’s no way I can do that…” Miyabi mumbled.

   “My point is,” Risa sighed, “I don’t think you should give up so easily.  If you back away now, you’ll never know what you lost.  You have to keep pushing until you have absolute confirmation.  And who knows?  Maybe her answer will be the same as yours…”  The bean’s eyes traveled down a little as she started to stare off into blank space.  A bright smile appeared on her face as her cheeks blushed ever so slightly in pink. 

   “… You talk as if from person experience, Niigaki-san,” Miyabi chuckled.  “Something you’d like to share~?”

   “What?!” Risa shrilled, starting to get embarrassed by her own thoughts of a certain someone.  “N-no, no, there’s no way that’s true!  A-anyway, I just wanted to say that I don’t think you should give up so easily.”

   “Hm… You think so, huh…?” Miyabi murmured, a small grin spreading across her lips.  For some reason, the way Risa gave the advice seemed to ring very true at the moment.

   Then, the door squeaked open as a short girl slipped into the room timidly, holding a cup of coffee with both hands.  She skittered towards her seat, not daring to look up at her cold friend, and sat down.  Miyabi pursed her lips as though in deep contemplation while Risa looked back and forth between the two younger girls again.  Finally, she let out a deep sigh as she shut her sketchbook.

   “Well, that’s it for me today!” she announced.  “I have a prior engagement to honor.”

   “You’re already done?” Saki asked, alarmed at the thought of being left alone with Miyabi. 

   “It’s due tomorrow morning, right?” Risa winked.  “I’m going to finish it at home tonight.  Besides, I feel like I’ve done my job here.”  She glanced at the taller blond girl with a knowing smile, who smiled back at her gratefully.  “See you guys tomorrow!”

   The bean packed her things in a flash and disappeared just as quickly.  Saki looked down at the table uneasily, nervously moving her fingers around the coffee cup.  She didn’t like the tension between her and her friend; they weren’t supposed to be like this.  Miyabi was supposed to be teasing her for being short and serious and she was supposed to be yelling at her for fooling around again.  They were supposed to be closer to each other than anybody else.  There wasn’t supposed to be silence between them…

   “Well, I guess I’m done here, too,” Miyabi said, closing her sketchbook. 

   “Y-you’re leaving?” Saki asked.

   “Yup.”  Suddenly, the younger girl reached over and shut her friend’s portfolio as well.  “And you’re coming with me.”

   “… Ee?”  Captain looked up at her childhood friend who was grinning at her in the same old way she always did. 

   “You said you wanted to go to the bakery, right?” Miyabi said.  “So come on!  If we don’t hurry, they’re going to close!”

   “Miya…” Saki mumbled, her eyes growing big in surprise at the sudden change in attitude.  A relieved smile started to appear on her face as she realized her Miyabi was back to normal.  Then, her face quickly dropped into a strict expression.  “But we haven’t finished our file yet.”

   “Oh, who cares!” Miyabi shrugged.  “We’ll finish them at home, like Gaki-san.  We just need to get them in by tomorrow morning!”

   “Well, I’m okay with that plan,” Saki grinned, “but are you sure you’re okay with it?  I mean, you always get distracted when you work at home.  You’re not going to miss the deadline tomorrow, are you?”

   “Mou, Captain, what do you take me for?” Miyabi moaned.  “I’m not a kid anymore.  I’ll definitely finish it so don’t you worry.”

   “Hey, I’m just doing my job here,” Saki said, getting up.  “Babysitting you, that is.  Don’t I always do that, little slack-off Miyabi-chan?”  She poked her friend’s forehead playfully as she laughed.

   “Itai!” Miyabi remarked.  “Mou, Saki-chan!  I’m an adult now too, you know!”

   “Hai, hai,” the older girl laughed.  “But you know I’ll always be looking out for you.”

   The younger girl grinned.  “And I’ll always be here for you.  Saki-chan, daisuki!”

   “O-oi!  Let me go!  You’re squeezing me too hard!”

   Miyabi just laughed as she refused to let go of their embrace.  She would take Risa’s word for it, at least for now.  She won’t give up until she knew the absolute truth.  Until the day she has the courage to confess her feelings…

**  **  ** 

   A soft melody played in the elevator as Risa naturally hummed along to it.   She watched the numbers at the top go down, one by one, indicating each floor that she passed through.  Soon, the first floor lit up and flashed out just as quickly.  This was supposed to be the bean’s original stop but her plans had changed unexpectedly.  Her previous intention was to meet up with her companion at the first floor lobby, but since she had left the conference room a couple minutes in advance to give her two colleagues some alone time together, she was running a little early.  So instead of going to the first floor, Risa had decided to go straight down to the locker rooms in the basement where Ai would be getting ready to leave.

   The elevator doors slid open to reveal a long narrow hallway.  After a couple steps, Risa approached a door marked with a sign that indicted it as the female locker room.  She slowly entered the room and looked around in slight confusion.  She had never been in here before.  In fact, she had never been in the basement at all.  As an intern, she had never had the need to use the locker rooms provided for the employees.  So it was only natural that she thought of this place as a sort of foreign territory.

   Keeping a watchful eye, Risa slowly progressed into the locker room, passing each aisle one by one.  Eventually, she did a double take as she noticed the only other person in the room with her, standing in front of an open locker in one of the aisles.  The bean recognized the figure immediately as her lover but one thing kept her from announcing arrival.  Instead of calling out to her, all Risa could do was stare with big eyes with her mouth dropped open.

   There, in front of her, was Ai, wearing her usual janitor uniform… except the top was unbuttoned, revealing her bare upper body that was kept modest with only a black bra.  As the woman pulled the shirt off, Risa couldn’t help but gasp softly at the simple perfection that was her lover.  Her skin looked smooth and creamy, not to mention her flawlessly slim figure.  As Risa felt her cheeks starting to turn hot, she noticed the older woman had started to smile.

   “Having fun peeking, Gaki-san?”  She turned her head towards the bean who flinched, embarrassed at being caught red-handed. 

   “I-I-I wasn’t peeking!” Risa denied, her entire face flushing.  “I o-only just got here!”

   “If you say so,” Ai laughed.  “It’s not like you haven’t seen me shirtless before anyway.”

   Risa looked away, feeling her temperature rising even more at her lover’s words.  It was true, however; this wasn’t the first time she had seen Ai topless.  In fact, she had seen her seminude multiple times already in the past month or so, and vice versa.  The odd thing was, they hadn’t even gone as far as one would think.  It was mostly just kissing and some heavy making out that somehow mysteriously caused them to lose their clothes in the process.  Nevertheless, the tension was always there.  It was just that neither of them had really acted on it yet.

   “Let me just finish changing and then we can head out,” Ai said, reaching into her locker for her shirt.  “Where did you want to go again?  I was thinking maybe we could—”

   She stopped short of her sentence when she felt a gentle tug on her pants, near her thigh.  Ai looked at the younger woman beside her who was shyly avoiding eye contact.

   “I… I missed you today,” she mumbled. 

   Ai smiled at this.  This was one of those rare moments where Risa would put herself in the submissive role, purely for Ai’s benefit.  Of course, she only did it because she knew the older woman appreciated it. 

   Taking her hands, Ai led her lover backwards and gently pushed her against the lockers before leaning in to kiss her.  Her warmth enveloped Risa’s lips as the two made gentle yet loving contact.  “I missed you, too,” Ai replied softly as she parted. 

   There was a slight pause before Risa went in to kiss the older woman again, a little more passionately this time.  She needed this.  Being apart for just one day was too long for her.  She needed her beside her, close, like this.  As they parted, Ai chuckled at her lover’s eagerness.

   “You know,” she said, “if you ever want something from me… all you have to do is ask.”

   Risa grinned, blushing pink.  “I’ll keep that in mind.  Now get changed so we can get out of here.”

   “Roger,” Ai replied, saluting the bean.  As she went back to her locker to grab her shirt, Risa spoke up again.

   “Since when do you say, ‘Roger’?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

   “Hm?”  Ai pulled her arms through her shirt as she thought out loud.  “Oh, I must’ve caught it from the Ramengers at some point…”

   “Ramenger?”

   “It’s nothing, don’t worry about it,” Ai chuckled. 

   As she continued to mumble something about her nosy neighbors to herself, the older woman started to strip off her uniform pants and threw it into her locker.  As she dug through for her leggings, Risa’s eyes were automatically drawn towards her lover’s thin legs.  She swallowed hard as her eyes couldn’t resist the temptation of traveling up to the woman’s perfectly shaped butt.  She knew she had to look away but it was easier said than done.  Who could ever simply look away from such a perfect view?  Exhaling sharply, Risa flipped her head away forcefully when she started to feel her cheeks getting hot again.  As she tugged on the collar of her blouse—which felt very constricting all of a sudden—Ai found her tights and glanced at her younger lover.  Realizing what had happened, the older woman suppressed a laughter as she quickly finished dressing.  Then, she walked up behind her girlfriend and whispered in her ear.

   “If you want to see, I’ll show you.”  She smiled as she placed her hands on Risa’s thighs.  “But you’ll have to show me something in return, too.”

   Risa gasped as she quickly broke away from her lover’s hold and covered her front in protection.  Her face had gone completely red from being teased.  “Ai-chan!” she scolded, to which she received a laughter in response.

   “Just kidding!” Ai chuckling, holding up her hands in her defense.  “Come on, let’s go!”

   Before Risa could say more, Ai grabbed the younger woman’s hand and hurried out of the locker room and headed straight for the stairs, not having enough patience to wait for the elevator.  Risa kept on yelling out complaints but eventually, she quieted down and instead chose to enjoy this playful moment with Ai.  After all, the rest of the night only promised happiness, with work and chores behind them. 

   In no time, they were up the stairs, past the lobby, and out of the building.  As soon as Risa started to drag her feet from exhaustion, Ai would keep pulling her along.

   “Ai-chan~ wait!” Risa huffed, gasping for air.

   “Come on, come on, I don’t want us to waste any more time!” Ai laughed.  “I want to be with you for as long as possible!”

   Despite becoming more and more tired by the minute, Risa laughed happily at her lover’s logic, thinking she couldn’t agree more.  But before they could further advance in their tracks, the bean’s cell phone rang out.

   “Wait, wait, wait, Ai-chan!” Risa said, forcefully stopping the older woman.  “My phone!”

   “Just ignore it!” Ai said, continuing to pull the bean along.

   “It could be important,” Risa grinned.  “It’ll be just a sec, okay?”

   “Oh, fine,” Ai groaned, finally stopping her movement but refusing to let go of her lover’s hand. 

   “Moshi-moshi?” Risa answered the phone.  “Aika?”

   “Gaki-san!” the voice screamed through the phone, allowing even Ai to hear it.  “You have to come home now!  The people here—I can’t—“

   “Woah, Aika, slow down!” Risa said, confusion taking over her face.  “Where are you?  It’s too loud—”

   “I’m home!  I’m home!” the voice shrilled.  “Come home, Gaki-san—Hey, wait!  You can’t take that!  Drop it!  Didn’t you hear me?  You can’t—Gaki-san, I need help!  They won’t listen!”

   “What help?  Listen to what?  Aika, what’s going on?” Risa shouted back, alarmed by her friend’s hectic tone.

   “Just come home!  Just come home!” Aika screamed.  “Hey—STOP THAT!  WILL YOU PLEASE JUST—”

   A click was followed by a dial tone.  Risa’s eyes widened in fear.  “Aika?  Aika!”

   “What happened?” Ai asked, her face also growing serious.

   “I… I don’t know…” Risa mumbled, staring at her phone.  “But whatever it is… I think Aika is in trouble.”  She turned towards her girlfriend with a sense of urgency.  “I think I should go home, Ai-chan.  I need to go home.  I know we were supposed to hang out tonight but—”

   “Don’t worry, I understand,” Ai said assertively, squeezing Risa’s hand.  “I’ll come with you, okay?  Come on, let’s hurry.”

   Risa pursed her lips together, wanting to find a way to express her thanks to this woman who understood her feelings better than she did herself.  Instead, she just murmured a quick thanks and nodded, hoping that her intentions would still be made clear through her thoughts somehow.  It seemed like it did since Ai smiled at her and squeezed her hand one more time before quickly leading her into the streets.

**  **  ** 

   A series of quick footsteps echoed by the stairwell as Ai and Risa rushed up as fast as they could.  They reached the second floor in no time but as Risa reached for the door, it burst open from the inside as a man carrying a large box walked out.  The bean’s eyes grew wide as she watched the stranger casually walked down the stairs.  Ai blinked a couple times as well, utterly confused.

   “Wha—why—how?” Risa stuttered. 

   She dashed into her home to decipher the situation as Ai followed right behind her.  A gasp elicited from her lips as her mouth dropped open.  “… No…”

   In front of her was no longer the home she always knew.  Instead, the area was completely empty, except for the couple of lingering furniture that was pulled away from the wall and piles of boxes everywhere.  All of Risa’s belongings—television, tables, curtains, picture frames—were nowhere to be seen.  Everything was bare. A group of men, all dressed in the same work uniform, were creating columns with the boxes in the living room as they packed, taped, and tagged all items.  The person that was causing a serious distraction for them like a raging Chihuahua was none other than Mitsui Aika

   “Oi, Oji-san!” she yelled, pulling at the arm of one of the workers.  “I said, you can’t take that!  Stop it, you old geezer!”

   “A-Aika?” Risa called shakily.

   The short-haired girl looked up at the bean, her face growing dark with sadness.  “Gaki-san… and Takahashi-san, too…”

   “What’s going on here?” Ai asked.  “Why is your place being emptied?”

   “They… They said they were just following orders,” Aika answered reluctantly, getting up on her feet.  “Apparently, our bills haven’t been paid in a couple months.”

   “Which bills?” Risa questioned.

   “All of them!” Aika replied.  “Nothing’s been paid, Gaki-san.  S-so… they’re kicking us out.”

   “What?!  That makes no sense!” Risa yelled, visibly getting upset now.  “All of our bills automatically get paid through my bank account.  There’s no way—”

   “Here,” Aika said.  She pulled out a packet of paper from her back pocket, unfolded it, and handed it to her flatmate.  “This is what they showed me.”

   Risa took the papers and flipped through them, carefully going over the numbers.  As Ai looked over her shoulders, Risa slowly shook her head in disbelief.

   “There’s no way these numbers are real,” she mumbled.  “I—we’re not rich, but I know I have enough money in my account!  I always keep enough money for the bills!”

   Giving the packet to Ai for her to hold, Risa quickly took out her phone and went online to log into her bank account.  As she checked her recent withdrawals, Risa felt her heart stop.  Her breath caught as her legs gave out, letting her fall to the ground before Ai caught her along the way to prevent her from hurting herself. 

   “Gaki-san…?” Ai said.

   “What?  What is it?” Aika asked, alarmed by her friend’s sudden reaction.

   Risa couldn’t answer.  Her eyes were filled with shock as her lips trembled, her chest dropping in complete denial.  “It… It’s gone.”

   “What’s gone?”

   “Everything…”  Risa’s breathing caught again before she forced herself to heave in the air. “E-everything’s gone…  All the money… Everything… There’s nothing…”

   Aika and Ai looked at each other, neither of them wanting to believe the bean’s words.  Ai grabbed Risa’s cell phone and took a look at the records herself.  A large number of money was printed next to each date of withdrawal.  The final number at the bottom was zero.  Nothing was left.

   “… How does this happen?” Ai said.  “How can this—”

   “She’s been hacked,” Aika answered, clenching her teeth.

   “Hacked?” Ai laughed dryly.  “That sort of thing still happens?”

   “It’s the only explanation, right?” the younger girl replied.  “Someone must’ve figured out her card number or something.”

   Ai bit her lips, wanting to say something, to say it isn’t true, but she knew Aika was right.  It was the only explanation for this loss.  A terrible one, yet the only possible one.  Choosing to hold her tongue, Ai instead turned to look at her lover who was still frozen on the floor.  She was staring into space, her eyes glazed over, as silent tears streamed down her cheeks.  Feeling a nail drive through her chest at the sight of her lover crying, Ai placed her arms around the younger woman.

   “Gaki-san…”

   Risa didn’t answer.  Instead, she slowly started to turn her head, looking at every area of her home that she could lay her eyes on.  Finally, her dull eyes landed on her lover’s pained face who simply gazed at her in remorse. 

   “… This was all I had… Ai-chan.”  Risa spoke in a soft but hoarse voice, more tears spilling out.  “That money… from high school part-time jobs… working day and night… to now… it was everything.”  Her glass-liked composure finally broke as she cried out.  “How could I have lost everything in one day, Ai-chan?  Just one day!  Everything is gone!”

   As Risa’s cries filled the house, the packed boxes and furniture continued to disappear one by one.  Aika crossed her arms as if it was cold and looked away from her friend, unable to continue watching her scream in pain.  Ai shut her eyes as she simply embraced the younger woman, holding her close to her.  Risa’s tears soaked through her shirt but she didn’t care.  This was the only thing that she could do for her. 

   It was scary how easy it was for all of this to happen, for such horror to crash down on one person like this.  But it was even scarier to Ai how little she could do for the one she loved.  She had no wealth, no power to really help Risa.  All she could do was grit her teeth and hold the crying girl as tightly as she could.  She had never felt so weak and powerless before in her entire life.

   And she hated it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

haha.... sorry to start the new year on a sad note :nervous

But happy new year again anyway!

Kotoshi mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu~!  Please take care of me this year too~! :omamori: :kneelbow:

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 16 - (1/1)]
Post by: arisa03 on January 01, 2013, 08:19:54 AM
... DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD:

This is what my face has been for the past few minutes I was reading. What happened D:

... now Gaki-san has a reason to need on Reina's money-/shot or maybe Aika can go get the mone--/shot

FEELS
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 15 - (12/26)]
Post by: risa_ai on January 01, 2013, 09:34:40 AM
Chapter 16 – “Cinderella was weak and powerless… and she hated it”

When I saw this, I went to get a cup of water. Took a few deep breaths, and begun reading.


AND I WAS RIGHT. SO THE WHOLE TIME I SAT HERE WITHERING LIKE  :gyaaah: :kneelbow: :pleeease: :prayers: :tantrum: :stoned: :scared:
And then suddenly  :wigglypanda: Ok now I canNOT die in peace. xDDDD


HAPPY NEW YEARRRRRR. <3 Stay awesome.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 16 - (1/1)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on January 01, 2013, 10:25:17 AM
Dang! They took everything! Somehow, I think that it's more than just a random hacking...
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 16 - (1/1)]
Post by: maikeatoot on January 02, 2013, 05:46:21 AM

 oh .. so .. what will happen now ?  :dizzy: my gosh ! Reina ! go help your Gaki-san !!! my gosh !! this is it !! THIS IS IT !! please update soon !! please please please !!!  :kneelbow: :prayers: and HAPPY NEW YEAR !!  :cow: don't leave us hanging here !! hahaha !




P.S:  :wub:KAMESHIGE :wub: hihihihihihi .  :on crazygran:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 16 - (1/1)]
Post by: MsSmigge on January 02, 2013, 08:58:19 AM
@MsSmigge: lol~ hey hey don't go giving me ideas! :twisted: hehehe who knows? you might like Aika in the near future  :D

IDidn'tGiveYouAnyIdeasOk?? Damn me, if you get some ideas with "How to ruin TakaGaki?" from my comment..... XD

   “If you want to see, I’ll show you.”  She smiled as she placed her hands on Risa’s thighs.  “But you’ll have to show me something in return, too.”
:drool: I hope Ai wont be kidding in the future~  :wub:

Noo, Gaki-san lost it all...  :cry: I hope Ai could help her somehow. Or Reina, but only financially... Well, Ai is always there for her loved one, ne~  :wub:

A bit shocking start for this year, but I think things will turn out somehow. Or at least I hope so. And Aika must do domething good for TakaGaki, so that she can gain some positive points from me. XD

Happy new year to you too!!  :cow:
Hope you had a great celebration too! (I was at work when the year changed.....)  :depressed: So much for celebrating.  :nervous
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 16 - (1/1)]
Post by: SarangAi on January 11, 2013, 12:04:16 AM
@arisa03: MWA HA HA I make feels.  :twisted:

@risa_ai: hehehe i shall try to stay awesome :yossi:

@rndmnwierd: hrm we'll see we'll see  XD

@maikeatoot: hehe i will never leave you hanging! this story shall continue!  :lol:

@MsSmigge: awww being at work during the new year must suck  :( i hope you had a chance to do some other things afterwards though!


Thanks for the comments~ hehehe :wub: :wub:

I was gonna update within a week but this chapter is a LOT longer than the other ones so I hope that makes up for it XD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 17 – “It was a sleepless night for all”

   Michishige Sayumi was unhappy.   

   True, most people would say that the bunny was in a pretty bad mood most of the time but this was, in fact, false.  It wasn’t that she was in a bad mood; it was just that she usually didn’t see any reason to particularly be in a good mood.  Of course, the lack of emotion almost always came off as coldness but Sayumi like it that way sometimes.  It saved a lot more effort on her part to be courteous and polite to every little human being in the world.  Courting people wasn’t exactly her favorite hobby.

    Unfortunately for her, however, tonight was going to be one of those nights that she would absolutely detest.  After all, there were just three too many people in her home at the moment. 

   Reason number one to be upset: Niigaki Risa was here.  As if her presence itself wasn’t annoying enough, she was completely plastered to her older sister’s side, staring off into space by herself.  Her red face and puffy eyes showed signs of intense crying, which was understandable since she was going through quite the ordeal, according to her stepsister.  Still, Sayumi’s natural irritation towards Niigaki Risa was much too present at the moment for her to feel bad for the woman.   

   Reason number two to be upset: that dog of a Mittsi-something-or-other was here.  Sayumi’s feelings towards this girl extended far beyond simple irritation: it was actual hatred.  Her first impression of the girl was far from good and she was sure the little brat felt the same way.  Well, no matter.  She didn’t particularly care too much about some little snot-nosed kid.  But she couldn’t help but feel a certain level of anger simmer within her as she watched the girl standing straight beside Niigaki Risa, arms crossed, eyes firm and strong, like she owned the place.  Bitch.

   Reason number three to be upset: Kamei Eri was here.  Normally, she would not have made it to this list since the girl didn’t really feed the bunny’s anger too much most of the time.  In fact, she was considered by Sayumi to be a rather close acquaintance.  An annoying one, but still closer than most.  But their strange and unexpected interaction back at Tresor that morning had made the air between them a little awkward, at least, from Sayumi’s point of view.  So she wasn’t entirely comfortable with the girl being in her house at the moment.  Not to mention the fact that she absolutely had no reason to either.  She had volunteered to come over after getting Ai’s call.

   “So… that’s what happened,” Ai sighed, finishing her story as to what had happened up until now.  “Needless to say, Gaki-san and Mitsui-san are here because they need a place to stay for a couple nights.  We’re doing our best with explaining the situation to the bank but it’ll take some time before we see some results.”

   “I see…” Eri said.  “This must be hard for you, Gaki-san, Mitsui-san.  I’m sorry this had to happen.”

   “Thank you, Kamei-san,” Risa whispered hoarsely, lifting her head to acknowledge the turtle’s caring words.

   “I think we’ll be fine,” Aika said, smiling a little.  “I’m sure things will work out somehow.  But no one needs to worry about finding me a place to sleep: I can just crash at my friend’s place in the dorms.”

   “Are you sure?” Risa asked worriedly.  “Your friend is okay with that?”

   “Yeah, it’s fine,” Aika nodded.  “I’ll crash at different rooms every couple days.  It’s no problem at all.”

   “Okay then, that sounds like a plan,” Eri said.  “And Niigaki-san will obviously stay here, at Ai-chan’s.”  Sayumi flinched at this, which didn’t go unnoticed by her older sister.

   “Well, I want Sayu’s opinion on this, too,” Ai chimed in.  “I don’t live here alone, after all.  So, Sayu… do you mind if Gaki-san stays here for a couple days?”

   Sayumi opened her mouth but no words came out.  She obviously wanted to scream out her disagreement but… this was her sister’s personal request.  If this had happened a couple months ago, the bunny would’ve had no qualms about telling Niigaki Risa to find her own place to crash at.  But things were different now.  She was trying this new thing called “being nice”—not that she had the heart to be cold to her sister anymore either.  And looking around, it seemed everyone expected her to say yes.  Niigaki Risa was looking away apologetically but her bratty buddy was staring straight at her with an eyebrow raised as if she was wondering why she hadn’t already approved of the plan.  Eri just looked at her with big round eyes that half pleaded and half encouraged.  And Ai… well, just looking at her nervous face was enough to make Sayumi come to a decision.

   “I… I don’t mind…” she mumbled, crossing her arms.  “It’s just that our place is small and… I just don’t want us to feel cramped… and stuff…”

   “We’ll manage somehow,” Ai assured.  “It won’t be too bad.”

   “No, no, Sayumi is right,” Eri said suddenly.

   Ai raised an eyebrow.  “She is?”

   “I am?”  The bunny looked at the turtle in confusion.

   “She’s totally right!” Eri smiled.  “Your apartment is way too small to add in an extra tenant.  So instead of squeezing all three of you in here, Sayu should come and stay with me!”

   “What?” Ai remarked.

   “WHAT,” Sayumi growled.

   “That’d be rude of me,” Risa mumbled.  “I could never—”

   “Good plan!  I like it!” Aika exclaimed, clapping her hands together.  “Kamei-san, you’re so smart!”

   “Thank you, Mitsui-san!” Kamei replied, also clapping her hands together.  “I knew I liked you from the start!”

   “Hey, wait a minute, I didn’t agree to this!” Sayumi interjected.  “Why should I have to leave my own house?”

   “She’s right,” Risa agreed.  “That would be troubling Michishige-san too much.  I can’t do that to her.”

   “But Niigaki-san knows Ai-chan better than she knows any one of us,” Eri explained.  “It’s only right that she stays here.  It’ll be less awkward than having her stay with me.  And Sayu and I are close anyway so it’ll be fine.”

   “You’re sounding awfully logical today, Eri-chan…” Ai laughed nervously.

   “It’s terrible logic!” Sayumi disagreed fiercely.

   “I think it’s perfect,” Aika grinned.

   “I guess it’s settled, then!” Eri giggled, linking her arm with the bunny’s.  “Sayumin will stay at my place and Niigaki-san will stay here!”

   “Ano,” Risa started, “I’m not completely comfortable with—”

   “Kamei Eri!” Sayumi growled, “let me go before I—”

   “S-Sayu…” Ai mumbled apologetically.

   Sayumi stopped her struggling, taking a moment to meet her sister’s eyes before complete defeat took over her face.  “I… I guess… if Onee-chan…”

   “Let’s go, let’s go!” Eri continued to urge eagerly, pulling the bunny towards the front door.

   “Hey, I’m trying to say something—” Sayumi started again.

   “Aika, I’m more surprised at you,” Risa murmured softly at her friend.  “I… I always thought you didn’t like me being with Ai-chan…”

   The younger girl simply smiled at the confused bean.  Then, she stepped forward and hugged her friend, holding her tightly.  She whispered in her ear, “I just want you to be happy, Gaki-san.  No matter who you choose, I just want you happy.”  She stepped back and winked.  “Ne?”

   Risa slowly smiled, grateful towards her childhood friend.  Aika was always watching out for her like this, even though she was supposed to be the younger one.  There was no one else who quite understood her feelings the way Aika did.  “Arigatou…”

   “Can’t I at least pack my things?” Sayumi yelled at the pushy turtle who was still sticking to her like a leech.

   “It’s getting late!  We have to leave now!” Eri insisted.  “You can borrow my things!”

   “I should leave now, too,” Aika said, grabbing Sayumi’s other arm.  “Michishige-san~ let’s have a nice friendly chat on the way out, shall we~?”

   The bunny glared distastefully at the brat who dared to touch her as she asked  nervously, “This… This is only for a couple days, right?”

   “Sure~” Eri giggled.  “Days… weeks… months… who knows?”

   “H-hey, wait a minute—”

   “Bye-bye, Ai-chan, Niigaki-san~!” Eri waved.

   “Let me know if the bank calls!” Aika said, also waving.

   With Sayumi’s struggling protests still echoing in their ears, the couple watched their three friends disappear through the door and eventually heard the sound of their voices drown out.  Risa stared for a while, still with a guilty expression for essentially kicking Michishige Sayumi out of her own house, before Ai let out a great sigh.

   “It feels like a tornado passed through here…” she mumbled, shaking her head.  “I guess these people have that kind of effect… especially that Eri.”

   “I feel really bad, Ai-chan,” Risa confessed.  “I don’t think Michishige-san should’ve left for my sake.  It’s really rude of me.”

   “It’s fine, I don’t want you to feel that way,” Ai reassured.  “Even though Sayumi is acting that way, if she really didn’t want to go, she would’ve said so.”

   “Still…”

   “I admit, I feel a little guilty, too,” Ai said softly, smiling sadly.  “But… I also really just wanted to be with you alone.  It’s selfish of me but that’s how I felt.”

   Risa frowned.  “You shouldn’t have done that…”  She lightly punched the older woman’s shoulder as punishment but in truth, she felt incredibly happy that Ai had said something like that.  And of course, Ai realized this too as she grinned.

   “I’m sorry,” she replied.  “I’ll apologize to Sayu later, okay?”

   “Mhm…”

   “You must be tired, right?” Ai said, moving on.  “You know where the bathroom is.  You should take a shower and go to bed.  It’s been a long day.”

   “I’ll do that,” Risa nodded, smiling.  “Thanks.”

   The bean headed straight towards the bathroom and shut the door.  She was pretty familiar with the layout of her lover’s home after visiting a couple times in the past month.  It didn’t completely feel like home but it was no strange territory either. 

   Stripping all the way down, Risa wasted no time in jumping into the bath tub and turning the shower on.  The bathroom quickly filled up with steam as the hot water rained down on Risa’s aching body.  Although she was much too tired to move speedily, she wanted to get through the shower as fast as possible anyway so she could get some rest.  The faster this went, the sooner she would be in bed.  With that in mind, Risa quickly rubbed some shampoo into her hair and lathered her body with soap at the same time. 

   I should still apologize to Michishige-san when I get a chance… she thought to herself.  But… I guess I’m kind of happy that it turned out this way, too.  It’s nice to be alone with Ai-chan.  And she said she wanted it that way, too.  Just me and her, the two of us, alone…

   Stop.  The bean’s motions came to a halt as she stood frozen under the hot water as her mind backtracked.  Ai-chan… and me… alone

   With a loud gasp, Risa subconsciously clasped her arms around her chest as a result of some sort of self-defense mechanism as her cheeks blushed furiously red.  It was just her and Ai.  Here.  For the whole night.  Alone. 

   Panic started to rise.  This had never happened before.  Well, yes, they had been alone together before in both of their homes but it was usually in the afternoon on weekends when their respective flatmates were out for the day.  Since they usually returned by night, Ai and Risa had never been alone together in neither of their apartments after sunset. 

   But what did this mean?  Could Ai possibly be thinking about… that?  She did say she wanted to be alone with Risa… but that could just be a completely casually thing, right?  But then again, Kamei Eri and Aika had both made such difficult effort to empty the apartment for them.  Did they have that in mind as well?  After all, it was not such an unrealistic possibility: both Ai and Risa were healthy women in their twenties who happened to be in love with each other.  It was completely natural for that to happen 

   Then again, if that was really coming into play, was Risa even ready?  There was absolutely no doubt that she loved Ai but… had their relationship really escalated so quickly?  True, it had already been a couple months since they met and about a month or so since they started this whole little rendezvous.  But time just flew by so fast that it felt like it had only been a week, maybe even less.  Were they really ready to carry this to a whole new level?

   As the hot steam fogged up the bathroom, Risa found her mind naturally drifting back to a couple hours ago, earlier in the evening, when she was in the locker room with her flawless lover.  The way Ai had raised her arms to put on her shirt, her perfect frame, the way she turned and smiled, the way she teased her, not to mention her—

   “Gaki-san!” A knock came from the door.  “I’m coming in!”

   “Ee?  A-AI-CHAN?!” 

   Risa whipped her head towards the door and saw a silhouette on the other side of the shower curtains.  She immediately wrapped her arms around herself and tried to gather herself in the corner of the bathtub.  But before she could fully grasp what was going on, she felt her foot step onto a soapy puddle, making her body fall faster than she could scream. 

**  **  ** 

   “This is ridiculous.  Why should I have to leave my own house?  I want to go back!  This is so stupid!”

   Aika let out a low groan of frustration while Eri rolled her eyes.  They had been listening to the bunny complain on and on, ever since they left the apartment complex and started to walk down the busy streets of the town.  Despite her continuous whining, however, Sayumi had made no indication of actually turning back.  After all, it was her dear sister who had asked her of this favor, no matter how much she despised it.  As a result, she had no choice but to keep on venting to the two unfortunate women who were stuck with her in the mean time.

   “I want to sleep in my own bed,” she complained again.  “I hate sleeping in places other than my own house.  Niigaki-san could’ve slept at your place.  I had no reason to—”

   “Oh, will you please just shut it!” Aika yelled, finally exploding.  “Do you ever stop whining?”

   Sayumi blinked furiously at the younger girl, letting out a sharp exhale in disbelief.  How dare this little brat talk to her in this way!  “Excuse me?  I beg your pardon—”

   “Oh, I’ll give you my pardon—”

   “Okay!  Stop right there!”

   Before someone’s fist could land on another’s face, Eri quickly jumped in between the two brawling girls and pushed them apart.  “Let’s not get violent, now.  We’re all mature adults here.”

   Sayumi and Aika glared at each other for a couple more moments before they both stood up straight and calmed themselves down.  Then, Aika smiled curtly as she spoke in a sweet voice.

   “You’re right, Kamei-san,” she said.  “I behaved horrendously.  Will you ever forgive me, Michishige-san?”

   Sayumi continued to glare at the little puppy dog face, secretly wanting to punch it in somehow.  But she also managed to catch Eri at the corner of her eyes, who was raising an eyebrow at her, as if she was telling her to apologize back.

   “There’s nothing to forgive, Mitsui-san,” the bunny replied just as pleasantly.  “It was my fault.  I apologize.”

   “No, no, I completely understand your discomfort,” Aika said, smiling innocently.  “Of course you would want to stay at your own house.  But who can stop true love, right?  Especially a bond as strong as the one between Gaki-san and Takahashi-san.  I apologize in Gaki-san’s place; I hope Michishige-san will be kind enough to forgive her.”

     Sayumi grit her teeth together.  This brat was mocking her now.  But what was worse was that her tactic was actually working.  Sayumi could feel her anger boiling inside her, alone with a strong sense of loneliness that shot through her chest.

   “Well, the dormitories are that way,” Aika said, pointing across the street.  “This is where we part.  It was nice seeing you today, Michishige-san, Kamei-san.”

   “Yes!  We’ll see you around, Mitsui-san~!” Eri said.

   Giving a small head bow to both of her acquaintances (one of them arguably being her enemy), Aika crossed the street and disappeared around the corner.  Sayumi stared intensely at the ground, clenching her teeth and fisting her hands tightly.  She hated that she was letting Aika’s words get to her but she couldn’t deny the fact.  A strong bond, huh?

   “Sayu?  Are you okay?”

   The bunny looked up to find her friend looking at her with big round eyes.  She gasped softly in surprise.  She had been so preoccupied with the little brat that she had completely forgotten that Eri was still here with her!  Which wasn’t a big deal, normally, but in their current situation… Sayumi had no idea how to deal with the turtle.  She still hadn’t exactly figured out what was up with the girl earlier in the day when she was acting… weird.  She didn’t feel very comfortable being left alone with her like this at the moment, not to mention the rest of the night.

   “I… I’m fine,” Sayumi answered quietly, unsure as to how she should act around her friend.  “Don’t worry.”

   “Mou, Sayumin~” Eri said, giggling.  “Stop being so grumpy!  Come on, we can pick up some ice cream on the way.  I think you need it, Nee?”

   The turtle grinned brightly at her, the way her aho-self usually did.  Sayumi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Eri was being her normal self again. 

   “I don’t want it!” Sayumi spat out, being her normal poison-tongue self in response to the airhead turtle.  “Ice cream late at night will make me gain weight.”

   “Ee~” Eri moaned.  “Sayumin, you’re no fun at all.  I know you’re worried and you want to go home and all, but I thought we could still have a fun sleepover tonight.”

   “I’m not worried about anyone,” Sayumi grumbled, shoving her hands into her pockets. 

   “You’re so cold, Sayu,” Eri said, rolling her eyes.  “Your heart seriously must be made of ice.”

   With that, the older girl started to walk again with the bunny tagging behind her.  Sayumi kept her gaze on the concrete sidewalk, letting her mind drift away into deep thought.

   My heart’s not made of ice, she thought to herself.  It would’ve been better if it was.  At least then, it wouldn’t be hurting this much. 

   I wonder what they’re doing right now…


**  **  ** 

   “A-Ai-chan… Wait…”

   “Gaki-san, you have to stop moving…”

   “But I—Un!  It hurts… and it’s—”

   “Gaki-san, stay still—”

   “Ai-chan!”

   “Gaki-san—”

   “IT’S COLD!”

   Risa jumped at the shock of a freezing sensation on her head.  She flipped around and leaned away from her lover who was holding a lump of ice, wrapped up in a towel.  She rolled her eyes as she grabbed the bean’s wrist in an attempt to pull her in closer again.

   “Gaki-san, your head is going to be swelled up even more tomorrow if we don’t put ice on it now,” Ai said.  “I know it hurts, but just bear with it, okay?”

   “… Fine.” 

   Complying reluctantly, Risa returned to her original position with her back to the older woman, putting her head down.  The two women were sitting on Ai’s bed, trying to treat the wounds that the younger woman had attained in the bathroom.  Ai gently pushed the icy towel to the back of the bean’s head again, eliciting a low groan of pain from her.  Wishing she could help somehow, Ai reached around Risa’s waist to hold her hand.  Risa breathed out slowly, seeming to relax a little.

   “So tell me again how you fell in the bath tub?” Ai asked.

   Risa sighed.  “I already told you… I slipped because you scared me.”

   “I was just coming in to leave you some towels.”

   “You just shocked me a little, that’s all,” the bean mumbled.  “I was… preoccupied.”

   “With what?” Ai laughed, curious as to exactly what had kept Risa so busy during her shower.

   “With… whatever, it doesn’t matter!” Risa said quickly, blushing.  She couldn’t very well tell her lover that she was imagining her half-naked. 

   “Okay, then,” Ai sighed, chuckling to herself.  “Now, take your shirt off.”

   “WHAT?!”  Risa immediately wrapped her arms around herself again and looked back at her lover with a shocked expression. 

   “I said, take your shirt off,” Ai repeated calmly.  “You hit your shoulder, too, right?  We should get some ice on there as well.  Take your shirt off.”

   Risa opened her mouth as if she was about to protest but then she shut it, unable to think of a plausible reason to keep her clothes on.  It was just Ai anyway; it wasn’t too big of a deal to be topless in front of her, right?  It wasn’t like they were going to be doing anything…  It was just so she could treat the bean’s bruise.

   Slowly, Risa removed her shirt, leaving her to sit on the bed sheets solely in her bra and a pair of shorts.  She shivered in the cold as Ai carefully pressed the ice against her bare back where a red mark was visible.

   “I don’t even understand how it’s possible to hurt yourself here, Gaki-san,” Ai said, shaking her head.  “It’s very unlike you to be… clumsy.”

   “I’m a pretty clumsy person, actually,” Risa admitted.  “I’m usually together, I guess, but I’m not perfect.  I have my moments.”  She paused, wondering if she should continue to divulge her thoughts.  “I… I think being alone for most of my life made me stricter.  No one else was going to take care of me except me.  I had to grow up.”

   “Well, I like it that you’re mature and poised,” Ai smiled, leaning in over her lover’s shoulder, “but I like it when you’re clumsy and easy to catch off-guard, too.  It makes teasing you more fun.”

   Risa blushed at this as she mumbled something about Ai being mean or whatever.  Kissing the bean on her cheek, Ai stood up and walked over to her desk where she dropped the wet towel in a bowl filled with ice.  As she headed back towards her bed, she saw Risa reaching for her shirt. 

   “Keep your shirt off,” she ordered, taking the clothing away from her lover’s hand.

   “Why?”

   “Because you saw me shirtless today already,” Ai grinned.  “So now I get to see you half-naked.”

   As the older woman started to make her way back onto the bed, meticulously placing herself on top of the bean, Risa nervously backed away until she realized she had reached the headboard and ended up dropping her head down on the soft pillow.  She stared up at her lover who was now hovering over her with a gentle gaze and a small smile.  She leaned in closer for a kiss to which Risa complied to willingly.  It was embarrassing being the only one without a shirt on but Ai’s actions alone were convincing enough that she could ignore that uncomfortable fact and carry on with what they were doing.

   “Is your head okay?” Ai asked through the lip lock.

   “Un… I’m fine,” Risa mumbled.  She then quickly kissed her lover again, wrapping her arms around her neck, wishing to continue with what they were doing.  Her head was perfectly fine.  She could forget about all kinds of pain as long as Ai was with her. 

   Finding Risa’s daring action rather seductive in a way, the older woman kissed her back passionately before tracing down her neck line with her lips.  As she gently bit on the soft skin, the younger girl let out a small moan, a shiver running through her body.  But Ai didn’t stop there.  She further traveled down to Risa’s chest, kissing the area between her two perfect molds, eliciting another soft cry.  Feeling very charged all of a sudden, Ai raised herself up and quickly removed her own shirt and dove back down to kiss her lover.  Risa could not hide the blush that was rising up to her cheeks, passion and desire mixing together.  She felt a cold hand land on her stomach and gasped, her muscles tightening.  But the gentle stroking motions on her skin that soon traveled down to her thighs were comforting somehow, especially knowing it was Ai who was doing it. 

   The kisses soon got even rougher as Ai took full control of their activity.  Risa’s small moans grew louder by the minute as she felt her sensitive skin being attacked from every part of her body.  Her previous thoughts on having doubts about this were long gone.  Everything went white in her head.  All she knew was that she didn’t want this moment to stop. 

   But then, Ai’s hand slowly started to slip under the waistband of her shorts.  Risa gasped softly but didn’t protest.  However, the hand stopped before reaching its destination anyway.

   “If you want me to stop,” she whispered sincerely, “all you have to do is push me away.”

   Risa’s eyes connected with her lover’s, sending another shock through her body.  The way Ai was looking at her—with love, with caution, with desire—was simply mesmerizing.  Her face tinted pink and her heavy breathing was enough to let Risa know that she was truly wanted by this amazing woman.  And the feeling was undoubtedly mutual.

   “But if I ever want something from you,” Risa said softly, “all I have to do is ask… right?”

   She raised her head a little to kiss her lover slowly and lovingly, trying to convey all her feelings through one single action.  “I want you,” she murmured.  “Can I have that?”

   Ai smiled at this, feeling more than happy to hear those words.  She kissed the bean back with an equal amount of love, if not more.  Nothing could hurt them now.  Ai’s restless days, Risa’s recent losses… nothing else mattered at this point.  They were together, and everything was to be devoted solely to this moment alone.  As Ai started to continue with what she was doing before, she whispered softly in Risa’s ear.

   “Yes.  You can have that.”

**  **  ** 

   Michishige Sayumi quickly splashed the last handful of cold water on her face before turning the squeaky faucet off and looking at herself in the mirror.  Never did she think that she would ever say this about herself but… she looked terrible.  Like, really terrible.  Her pale face was even paler today, bringing her to paleness level of a week old dead body, and it only made her excessive dark circles even more noticeable.  Anybody could tell that the girl obviously had not gotten enough sleep last night. 

   And she hadn’t; all she could do was roll around on the futon beside her turtle companion (who was sleeping like an animal in hibernation), unable to find a comfortable position to sleep in.  She spent the entire night, lying on her back, staring at the ceiling, fighting with her brain that refused to fall asleep.  Something had kept bothering her.  She wasn’t exactly sure what but she couldn’t get the horrible feeling that something bad had just happened out of her mind, which only increased her worry about her beloved older sister.  As a result, the bunny had gotten absolutely no sleep throughout the night, giving her a horribly tired appearance the following morning, which suggested a strange resemblance to Sadako from The Ring. 

   Patting her face dry with a towel, Sayumi left the bathroom and entered the joint living room and kitchen.  She looked around for a while, wanting to feed herself some breakfast.  But she had absolutely no idea where anything was in the unfamiliar kitchen.  Realizing her only choice was to wake up the sleeping turtle, the bunny reluctantly made her way back into the bedroom.

   In the dimly lit area, Sayumi could see a large lump of futon right in the middle.  How did the girl even get under there?  Guessing it was a feeble attempt to avoid the sunlight that was peeking through the blinds, Sayumi marched right up to her friend, crouched down, and started to poke the blanket lump.

   “Eri.”  Poke.  Poke.  No response.  “Eri.”  Poke.  No response.  “Eri, wake up!”  Poke, poke, poke. 

   “Just five more minutes…” the turtle mumbled, barely coherent.

   “Eri, I’m hungry,” Sayumi said, getting slightly annoyed.  “Eri!”  The bunny then pulled off the covers, revealing a sleeping tired balled up in fetal position. 

   “Sayu~!” she whined.  “It’s too bright!”

   “Get up, it’s morning,” the bunny said.  “And I’m hungry.”

   Groaning, Eri unwillingly pulled herself up into a sitting position and started to open her eyes.  “I just wanted five more min—GAH!”

   The turtle fell backwards onto the futon as Sayumi gasped in shock.  “What was that for?!” she yelled.

   “Sayu…” Eri gasped, her eyes big and wide, “what… happened to your face?”

   “What about my face?”

   “Well… you look terrible.”

   Sayumi scowled, feeling something crack within her.  It was probably her ego but she tried not to think about that too much.  “If you won’t get up,” she said, threateningly, “I’m just gonna leave and go home!”

   “Okay, okay, okay, I’m sorry~” Eri apologized, laughing.  “I didn’t mean it.  You’re always kawaii, Sayumin.”

   Putting her arms across her chest, Sayumi looked away from the turtle with a humph, the aforementioned ego refusing to let her accept the apology too quickly.  But she felt a hand on her shoulder and from the corner of her eyes, she saw Eri grin brightly at her.

   “Hey, I’m really sorry, okay?” she said.  “I’ll make it up to you with breakfast.  How does waffles with strawberry sound?”

   Sayumi hesitated a little, the food offering sounding a little too good to pass up.  “… Well, it’s a start.”

   Eri smiled in response as she got up and stretched, getting ready to make the best breakfast that she had ever made for the very special bunny.

**  **  ** 

   “And here are last month’s sales on the Bijou magazine.  There’s was a slight decrease but it’s not too critical.”

   Junjun finished up her morning report as she placed the final packet of paper on her employer’s desk.  She watched her boss go through the papers quickly but efficiently, her eyes landing on every single number printed in a matter of minutes.  How professional.

   But her appearance today was something quite out of the ordinary.  Her outfit today wasn’t as nearly fashionable as other days.  Not that she was underdressed either.  After all, Tanaka Reina didn’t follow fashion, she made it.  She could put on a pair of sweats and still look glamorous, increasing the reputation of sweat pants in the process.  No, she definitely wasn’t poorly dressed today, but she had done better.  Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun—something that the fashionista didn’t do often—and she was only wearing a simple knit sweater with a miniskirt.  The excessive amount of accessories that usually adorned her neck and wrists was nowhere to be seen. 

   “Thank you, Junjun,” Reina said, turning around to remove her reading glasses and put on a different pair.  “Don’t forget to scout candidates for next month’s cover.  We’re going to discuss it in this week’s meeting.”

   Junjun nodded in response, unable to help raising an eyebrow to look at her boss oddly.  Other than the kitten’s unusual outfit, the strangest of all was those glasses.  Tanaka Reina usually wore glasses when she was reading something but otherwise, she didn’t have much use for them.  But today, she would wear her reading glasses while going through her papers and afterwards, she would quickly take them off and put on a different pair of glasses that had no prescription.  True, glasses were a common fashion item but the president hadn’t really utilized them in this manner before.

   “Ano… Shachou?”

   “Yes?”

   “Is there something bothering you?”

   Reina looked up from her computer screen to face her secretary.  “Why would you say that?”

   “It’s just unusual for you to wear glasses, I suppose,” the panda replied.  “While you’re not reading, I mean.”

   Reina sighed and smiled wryly.  “No one knows me like you do, Junjun.”

   She reached up and took off her glasses and motioned for her employee to lean in closer.  Junjun did so and as she did, she realized why her boss was wearing those glasses.  Below Reina’s eyes, under all the thick makeup, was a pair of very noticeable dark circles, heavily weighing down the delicate skin.  Even with all the cover-up, one could see the purple tiredness that was evident under the kitten’s eyes.

   “What happened?” Junjun asked, surprised.

   “I didn’t sleep last night,” Reina answered, putting her glasses back on.  “I just couldn’t fall asleep for some reason.”

   “But for your eyes to get like that…” the panda said worriedly.  “You usually don’t sleep that much but this had never happened before.”

   “I don’t sleep much but I do sleep,” the president sighed.  “I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night.  Something was on my mind.”

   “What was that, may I ask?”

   “That’s the thing, I don’t know,” Reina mumbled, crossing her arms.  “Something just felt… off.  Like something very unpleasant was happening.  I just couldn’t fall asleep.”

   “… Well, maybe you can catch a quick nap later,” Junjun suggested, picking up a couple of the manila folders that were scattered about the kitten’s desk.  “Your meeting will be over by noon.  I’ll finish these up for you so you can rest, Shachou.  You can probably hide out in one of the conference rooms.  I’ll make sure no one finds you.”

   Reina smiled.  The panda could be devious when you needed her to be.  And that’s what was so great about her a secretary.  “You’re an angel, Junjun.  I hope nothing bothers my sleep this time.”

**  **  ** 

   Two naked bodies remained tangled together, relying on each other for warmth under the thin blanket.  Their foreheads were touching delicately, only wish that they could get even closer, if possible.  One soon opened her eyes, followed by the next.  Both lips curved into a smile of bliss and relief.  Relief that they were still there.  Both of them.  Together.

   “Ohayou, Risa.”

   “Ohayou, Ai-chan…”

   Their greetings sounded more liked whispers of love than what they were in reality.  As the sun shined brightly into the room, the two lips met together again in pure oblivion as to what was to come. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

omgeezzz i hope that was enjoyable  XD

gosh now i have to go plan/write the next chapter before i forget what i was gonna do  :lol:

 :byebye:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 17 - (1/10)]
Post by: kawaii beam on January 11, 2013, 04:02:23 AM
i just have this to say for the aigakiness that occured in this chapter:

(http://d2tq98mqfjyz2l.cloudfront.net/image_cache/1308149024273121.jpg)

sleep deprived tanashige...i'm sorry lols and i love this aika and sayumin rivalry~ its humorus~~~

cant wait for more aiai~
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 17 - (1/10)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on January 11, 2013, 04:57:14 AM
^  :lol: That IS the best comment ever.

Oh man, why do I have a feeling that this is going to be the last bit of happiness that Takagaki is going to get for a while. but, damn, do I like drama.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 17 - (1/10)]
Post by: arisa03 on January 11, 2013, 05:38:44 AM
I totally didn't care over AiGaki because SayuEri. LOL

Now if you'd only turn this JunRei cause I don't care about Junjun's boyfriend and...

Reina D: You should stop eating yogurt for breakfast
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 17 - (1/10)]
Post by: maikeatoot on January 11, 2013, 06:59:31 AM
 oh !  :wub: TakaGaki  ~~~~~~~`~~~~` what happened !!! give us all the dirty details !!! hehe just joking here !  :kneelbow:  :cow: SayuEri !!! 1 million applause  for our turtle !!!  :onioncheer: !! i really lovelove this very long chapter !!! please update again !!! yay ! kyaah !









P.S : KameShige !!!  :on crazygran: hihihi !
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 17 - (1/10)]
Post by: risa_ai on January 11, 2013, 10:12:18 AM
OMG YES. YES YES YES. YESSSSSSSSSSSS. Aigaki got together and  :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: This. PERFECT.  :bleed eyes: :bleed eyes: LIVE LONG AIGAKI.
And Sayu just accept Eri already, Geez.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 17 - (1/10)]
Post by: MsSmigge on January 11, 2013, 07:51:10 PM
Yeah, I had some other things to do afterwards: More work! XD but at least, I got different tasks to do, than what I did at New year and few days before and after it.



When I tried to take quote for this chapter, I just got tired, for I had so many things I would like to quote XD This chapter was just so great!

Ok, so shortly:
Aigaki YESYESYESYESYES!!!!!  :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: :inlove: Nothing can stop them~ And maybe you could write a chapter about what happened between Ai and Risa, in that sleepless night of one certain bunny and kitten

And Eri, man my cheeks hurt, because I grinned all the time when Eri was doing or saying something. That aho turtle is just so great~

And I think I forgive Aika, for she did something good for Takagaki~ She was just oblivious of what was between those two I think  :P

What rndmnweird said, is also something I had in mind.... This is too good to be true, so I know you're just going to mess up with Aigaki.... Dang, I must get prepared for that *Goes to by tissues*

Keep up the good work!!!  :cow:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 17 - (1/10)]
Post by: yunagi on January 12, 2013, 03:39:09 PM
Belated happy new year!

First of all, I totally didn’t mean to skip out or anything. I just haven’t gone into these here parts for a while.  :P

Dang right dark and serious Eri is sexy. Only thing sexier than that is if she was playing dark, serious and *ahem* :jerk:. And now I get the pleasure of reading two chapters in one night. :D

Chapter 16

Quote
So it couldn’t be helped that this unsettling mood was causing Risa to look back and forth between her two colleagues as she sat opposite of them. 
>.>
<.<
>.<

Quote
“Oh, please.”  Risa rolled her eyes.  “You’re obviously not yourself today.  Either your love for Shimizu-chan suddenly turned to hate or this is your new way of showing your affection.  And let me tell you, it’s not really working.”
Yeah, poor Captain. Maybe she really is an alien... Maybe Eri actually made a connection with her erien friends.

Quote
“In chasing her!” Miyabi moaned.  “I mean, I’ve always openly expressed how I feel about Saki-chan.  And we’ve been together for so long… she must’ve noticed by now.  So either she’s ignoring my feelings because she doesn’t feel the same way for me, or she actually hasn’t noticed because she’s just dense.”
Well doesn’t this sound familiar.

Quote
  “My point is,” Risa sighed, “I don’t think you should give up so easily.  If you back away now, you’ll never know what you lost.  You have to keep pushing until you have absolute confirmation.  And who knows?  Maybe her answer will be the same as yours…”  The bean’s eyes traveled down a little as she started to stare off into blank space.  A bright smile appeared on her face as her cheeks blushed ever so slightly in pink. 
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed4-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862503)
Lol

Miyabi-Saki interaction = <3

Quote
There, in front of her, was Ai, wearing her usual janitor uniform… except the top was unbuttoned, revealing her bare upper body that was kept modest with only a black bra.  As the woman pulled the shirt off, Risa couldn’t help but gasp softly at the simple perfection that was her lover.
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/bled1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862492]http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/bled1-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862492)

Quote
“I-I-I wasn’t peeking!” Risa denied, her entire face flushing.  “I o-only just got here!”
Of course you did... ;D

Quote
  “If you say so,” Ai laughed.  “It’s not like you haven’t seen me shirtless before anyway.”
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed2-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502]http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/embarrassed2-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862502) Did they really?

Quote
Risa looked away, feeling her temperature rising even more at her lover’s words.  It was true, however; this wasn’t the first time she had seen Ai topless.  In fact, she had seen her seminude multiple times already in the past month or so, and vice versa.  The odd thing was, they hadn’t even gone as far as one would think.  It was mostly just kissing and some heavy making out that somehow mysteriously caused them to lose their clothes in the process.  Nevertheless, the tension was always there.  It was just that neither of them had really acted on it yet.
Tsk. So close.

Quote
She stopped short of her sentence when she felt a gentle tug on her pants, near her thigh.  Ai looked at the younger woman beside her who was shyly avoiding eye contact.
Aw snap. (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/bye2-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862494]http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/bye2-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862494)

Taka-gaki lovey-dovey interaction followed by

Quote
“Oh, I must’ve caught it from the Ramengers at some point…”
The Ramengers!

I think I just had a nosebleed from the slight perviness. And Ai-chan! She’s like a whole new person, a sexier, daring Ai.

*after the phone call* Uh-oh, that doesn’t sound good.

Quote
The person that was causing a serious distraction for them like a raging Chihuahua was none other than Mitsui Aika
Not really the best time but I was giggling like an idiot after I read that.

Aw shit, they’ve been hacked! Why do I get the feeling that somehow Reina has something to do with this?
-.-

D: Gaki-san… It’s like cutting off a person’s limbs and leaving them in an isolated room, gaged and bleeding, instead of just killing them off and be done with it. Yes, I just described the ending of this chapter to murdering someone. It’s just that cruel. T,T

Chapter 17

Quote
True, most people would say that the bunny was in a pretty bad mood most of the time but this was, in fact, false.  It wasn’t that she was in a bad mood; it was just that she usually didn’t see any reason to particularly be in a good mood.
She’s got a point, though I imagined this would be more of Reina’s forte.

Jealous much Sayu? :lol:

And I forgot about the whole Mittsi-Sayu meeting, or should I say face off. I kinda have this image of a puppy and a kitten having a glaring competition with the puppy practically yapping off its head while the kitten has the back of its hair standing, hissing like crazy.

And enter the turtle/alien.

Quote
  She had volunteered to come over after getting Ai’s call.
Hey, that’s what friends are for.

Quote
Eri just looked at her with big round eyes that half pleaded and half encouraged.
This totally came to mind (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/crazy-monkey/crazy-monkey-emoticon-164.gif?1292792421]http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/crazy-monkey/crazy-monkey-emoticon-164.gif?1292792421)

Quote
Ai raised an eyebrow.  “She is?”
She is?

 
Quote
“I am?”  The bunny looked at the turtle in confusion.
She is?

Quote
  “She’s totally right!” Eri smiled.  “Your apartment is way too small to add in an extra tenant.  So instead of squeezing all three of you in here, Sayu should come and stay with me!”
Yes she is! She’s totally right! Sayu stays with Eri, Aika with her friends and Risa with Ai. Everyone has a place to crash and everyone’s happy. Problem solved. :D

Quote
“Good plan!  I like it!” Aika exclaimed, clapping her hands together.  “Kamei-san, you’re so smart!”
Aika approves!

Quote
  “But Niigaki-san knows Ai-chan better than she knows any one of us,” Eri explained.  “It’s only right that she stays here.  It’ll be less awkward than having her stay with me.  And Sayu and I are close anyway so it’ll be fine.”

   “You’re sounding awfully logical today, Eri-chan…” Ai laughed nervously.

   “It’s terrible logic!” Sayumi disagreed fiercely.

   “I think it’s perfect,” Aika grinned.
I think it’s genius! Perfect plan! And again Aika agrees. :D

Quote
“Sure~” Eri giggled.  “Days… weeks… months… who knows?”
Days… weeks… months… make it forever even.

Quote
With a loud gasp, Risa subconsciously clasped her arms around her chest as a result of some sort of self-defense mechanism as her cheeks blushed furiously red.  It was just her and Ai.  Here.  For the whole night.  Alone.
Looks like someone’s having some naughty thoughts.

Quote
“No, no, I completely understand your discomfort,” Aika said, smiling innocently.  “Of course you would want to stay at your own house.  But who can stop true love, right?  Especially a bond as strong as the one between Gaki-san and Takahashi-san.  I apologize in Gaki-san’s place; I hope Michishige-san will be kind enough to forgive her.”
Oh… that’s gotta sting. Looks like Aika wins this round.

Quote
Risa sighed.  “I already told you… I slipped because you scared me.”
Right. And I named my computer mouse Mickey. (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/hehe-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862507]http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/hehe-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862507)


Quote
“Yes.  You can have that.”
(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/red-fox/red-fox-emoticon-14.gif?1292871603)

Quote
Her pale face was even paler today, bringing her to paleness level of a week old dead body, and it only made her excessive dark circles even more noticeable… As a result, the bunny had gotten absolutely no sleep throughout the night, giving her a horribly tired appearance the following morning, which suggested a strange resemblance to Sadako from The Ring.
lol (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/ghost-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862505]http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/ghost-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862505)

Quote
In the dimly lit area, Sayumi could see a large lump of futon right in the middle.  How did the girl even get under there?  Guessing it was a feeble attempt to avoid the sunlight that was peeking through the blinds, Sayumi marched right up to her friend, crouched down, and started to poke the blanket lump.

   “Eri.”  Poke.  Poke.  No response.  “Eri.”  Poke.  No response.  “Eri, wake up!”  Poke, poke, poke. 

   “Just five more minutes…” the turtle mumbled, barely coherent.

   “Eri, I’m hungry,” Sayumi said, getting slightly annoyed.  “Eri!”  The bunny then pulled off the covers, revealing a sleeping tired balled up in fetal position. 
chou kawaii~

Quote
“I didn’t sleep last night,” Reina answered, putting her glasses back on.  “I just couldn’t fall asleep for some reason.”
Are they like psychic or something?

Ending (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/crazy-monkey/crazy-monkey-emoticon-187.gif?1292792427]http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/crazy-monkey/crazy-monkey-emoticon-187.gif?1292792427) (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/crazy-monkey/crazy-monkey-emoticon-215.gif?1292792435]http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/crazy-monkey/crazy-monkey-emoticon-215.gif?1292792435)

Edit: Damn it, just noticed that the emoticons didn't show up
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 17 - (1/10)]
Post by: SarangAi on January 15, 2013, 09:16:26 AM
@kawaii beam: If I could thank this more than once, I would.  :lol: :rofl: :bow:

@rndmnwierd: oh, you know I bring drama when it's time to bring ittt  XD

@arisa03: LALALALA did NOT hear about Junjun's boyfriend  :banghead:

@maikeatoot: hehehe glad you enjoyed it!!  :D

@risa_ai: wooo lots of SayuEri fans! I didn't even realize lol :P

@MsSmigge: lol Aika REDEMPTION  XD told you~

@yunagi: woah that is a NICE quoted long comment lol thank you!  :lol:



Thank you soo much for all the comments/thanks~  :wub:

Just to clear this up, the reason I didn't write a separate chapter for the AiGaki moment was because I wanted to keep this story moving along as fast as possible and frankly... I have no talent for it and i had no fresh ideas.  Sorry!  :nervous

But hey, the next chapter is out sooner, thanks to it!  :D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 18 – “Simply put, Juliet and Cinderella were the most idiotic lovers in history”

   People often have those regrettable moments when they seem to be successful at something when it doesn’t matter so much, yet when it comes to a more crucial moment they seem to fail miserably.  Like doing terribly on a test, then realizing later while doing homework that you had gotten a rather simple question wrong on the test.  This was the particular type of regret that Niigaki Risa was feeling right now.

   At the moment, the bean was sprinting down the hallway of the Bijou building, peeking into every meeting room she came across.  She couldn’t help but wonder why she couldn’t run this way back in high school when it actually mattered.  She definitely would’ve come in first every gym class.  Unfortunately, those young days were long gone.  But alas, for some strange reason, Risa was able to run faster than she ever had in her entire life.  It was probably a burst of energy from pure desperation.

   And desperate, she was.  She was barely presentable today—clad in jeans, sneakers, a sweater—and seemed rather disoriented, what with the unorganized pile of papers and sketchbooks tucked under her arms.  And the inevitable fact was that she was completely unprepared.  The assignment that was due this morning was unfinished and she was already late to the first meeting where Junjun was supposed to collect the work.  As for the reason as to why her portfolio was incomplete… well, let’s just say the bean was very distracted the previous night. 

   So in a last spurt of desperation, Risa was trying to find an empty room that she could hide out in and quickly finish her work so she could hand it in later in the day.  Better late than never, right?  Unfortunately, she hadn’t had much luck so far in her search.  All the conference rooms were either locked or being used already.  Refusing to give up, however, the bean had continued upwards until she had reached some of the more upper levels of the building that she didn’t visit too often. 

   But finally, good karma came to her aid as Risa finally discovered a room that was empty.  She looked left and right, making sure no one was watching, before making her way into the room.  It looked like a pretty average meeting room, but smaller.  There was a rectangular table that fit snugly in the middle with six chairs around it.  The bean dropped all her load onto the table with a grunt, glad to be relieved of the weight. 

   “Let’s see…” she mumbled to herself, “Assignment #5, Assignment #5…”

   Risa flipped through her papers in search of the rough sketches that she had made.  She needed to hurry before someone found her here.  She was pretty sure this room was off-limits for a mere intern like her, not to mention the rest of the floor.

   But then she realized that something felt off.  It was as if the room wasn’t completely silent, like it should be.  When Risa stopped all motions and listened carefully, she could’ve sworn she heard something shift across the carpet.  Alarmed, the bean looked up and slowly turned towards the door.  There was no one there.  Another shifting noise was heard at that moment, causing Risa to whip her head the other way towards the opposite corner, causing her to almost scream at the sight.

   There, in the corner, was President Tanaka Reina, sitting on the floor, leaned against the wall, sleeping soundly.  She shifted her legs a little, straightening them out as she mumbled something.  Her hair was loosely and carelessly undone into long locks while her glasses barely clung onto her nose. 

   Risa put her hand against her chest, trying to calm herself down from the sudden shock.  What was the president even doing here, sleeping on the floor, in a random conference room?  It was hardly appropriate for someone so important… not to mention unusual.  She was always so fashionable and prim and proper but today, she seemed rather… average.  Just a normal woman in her twenties who is absolutely exhausted for whatever reason.  It was an unfamiliar sight.

   Quietly, Risa stepped closer towards her boss and knelt beside her.  The kitten’s sleeping face almost made her look younger and more innocent: a great contrast from the strict Shachou image that she had.  She seemed much more approachable, dressed casually, and soundly sleeping. 

   She must be really overworked... Risa thought to herself, smiling a little.  She should sleep with her glasses off, though…

   Slowly, the bean started to reach forward to take off Reina’s glasses for her.  But as soon as her fingertips touched the rim, the sleeping woman’s eyes fluttered open.  Risa gasped in shock and the next thing she knew, she was being pulled forward by her wrist until she fell practically on top of her boss, her cat-like face only an inch away from her own.

   “What do you think you’re doing?” Reina asked, her voice a soft murmur.

   The bean swallowed hard, feeling the kitten’s gaze dig deep into her.  “I… I was just trying to take off your glasses for you.  I-It’s not good to sleep with them on so I just… um…”

   After a slight pause, Reina started to sit up slowly, naturally bring the bean back up into a sitting position as well.  Risa’s eyes were still wide from shock and a certain level of fear.  Realizing this, the president smiled apologetically as she reached out and tucked a loose lock of hair behind the bean’s ear.

   “Thank you for your concern,” she said.  “I’m sorry I scared you.  I was just a little shocked myself.”

   “N-no, I’m fine, Shachou,” Risa replied quickly, her ear feeling ticklish where she had been touched.  She immediately got to her feet and gathered herself as her employer took her time to stand up as well. 

   “Well, this is rather embarrassing,” Reina chuckled, adjusting her glasses.  “I didn’t think I’d get caught sleeping on the job this easily.  And I thought I had found such a great hiding spot, too… it’s a shame.”

   “Sumimasen!” Risa apologized, bowing her head.  “You seem really tired and I shouldn’t have interrupted… I’ll leave immediately!”

   “No!” 

   Before she even realized it herself, Reina automatically reached out and grabbed the bean’s wrist, holding her back.  Risa turned around, surprised by her employer’s action.  Reina herself was confused: why did she stop her?  But all she knew at the moment was that she didn’t want Risa to disappear from her sight. 

   “It’s okay, I just didn’t get much sleep last night,” Reina said calmly, immediately letting go of the bean’s wrist.  “You can stay.”

   “But—”

   “I want you to stay,” Reina rephrased.  “Please.”

   Risa stared for a while, unsure as to how to take this sort of request.  But through the president’s glasses, her dark eyes were clearly visible now.  They were tired and soft yet contained a certain level of determination, a want that begged for her to stay. 

   “… I know that you love your work, Shachou,” Risa said, smiling sadly, “but I wish you would take care of yourself more, too.”

   “I appreciate your concern,” Reina laughed, pulling a chair out from the table and sitting down.  “You seem a little disoriented today as well, though.  Did you have a rough night?”  She motioned for the intern to also sit down, which she did.

   “I suppose I was tired,” Risa smiled, “but… it was overall a good night.”  Just the thought of the previous night’s activity with that special person in her life made her heart race faster than ever.

   “Well, as long as you got some sleep,” Reina laughed.

   Well, I didn’t say I got sleep… Risa thought to herself, blushing silently.

   “What are you doing here anyway?” Reina questioned.  “It’s rare to see an intern in this part of the building…”

   Risa looked up, gulping as she caught her boss’s curious eyes.  “I… uh… I was… just exploring!  I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been snooping around—”

   “No, that’s perfectly fine, but…” Reina cocked her head to the side, “don’t you have a meeting right now with Junjun and the other interns?”

   Bull’s eye.  Risa’s jaw tightened in fear before she sighed in defeat.  Getting caught was worse enough but getting caught by the president?  She had absolutely no excuse if she was dead in the streets by this evening. 

   “Um… the truth is…” she started, her voice barely audible, “I… didn’t get to finish… my assignment…”

   Reina raised an eyebrow.  “That’s unusual for you, Niigaki.  Is there a particular reason why?”

   Risa bit her lips.  She couldn’t exactly tell her boss that she spent the night doing that, could she?  But then again, it was completely unintentional!  Or… at least it was supposed to be.  “I… I had to sleep over at a friend’s place.”

   “Why?”

   “… Because I was kicked out of my own.”

   “… What?”  Reina’s eyes widened in bewilderment.  “You were kicked out?  Why?”

   “Um…”  Risa hesitated, feeling slightly uncomfortable about telling her employer about her personal problems.  But it wasn’t as if she could deny her an explanation either.  “Something went wrong with my bank account… and I couldn’t pay the bills.”

    The kitten exhaled sharply in disbelief.  “So they just kicked you out?”  The bean nodded in response.  “That’s the stupidest—most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” 

   “It’s upsetting,” Risa admitted, “even more so because my flatmate is now resorting to staying in different dorm rooms every night.  At least I had a place to go to.”

   “So where are you staying right now?” Reina asked.  “A friend’s?”

   “Yes…” Risa mumbled.  “I’m staying at Ai-chan—I mean, Takahashi Ai-san’s place.  You remember her, right?”

    “… Of course.” 

   In contrast to her calm reaction, her lips pursed together tightly as her hands balled into fists.  Something about what the bean said didn’t sit right with her.  It felt like the last thing she wanted was for Niigaki Risa to be close to Takahashi Ai…

   “Are you two in a relationship?”

   Risa blinked.  “Pardon?”

   “I asked if you and Takahashi are in a relationship,” Reina repeated, her face betraying no emotion whatsoever.  “Are you committed?”

   Risa remained silent, unable to give an answer.  It wasn’t because she didn’t want to share her personal life with her employer or whatever but rather because frankly, she actually had no idea what the answer was herself.  Were they committed?  They had never really discussed anything like this…  All they had done was make their feelings clear for each other but neither had confirmed that they were in an official relationship or anything like that.  In fact, they still didn’t refer to each other as girlfriends or lovers.  They simply said, “friends”.  When Risa thought of it this way… it actually seemed like nothing had truly changed, despite their physical manners.  It almost made her curious as to how Ai would respond to this…

   “I… no,” Risa answered slowly.  “We’re not in a relationship…”

   “I see,” Reina nodded, her expression immediately brightening.  “Well, it was kind of Takahashi to take you in during your time of need.  But I would also like to take responsibility of my employee as well.  There are more suite rooms in the upper levels that you can use until your bank situation clears up.”

   “Oh no, I could never do that,” Risa said, shaking her head.  “I would be imposing too much, Shachou—”

   “I insist, Niigaki,” the president reassured.  “That’s what the suite rooms are there for, just in case an employee needs it in an emergency situation.  And this is it.  You’ll be fully provided for.”

   Risa lowered her head a little as if to hide her conflicted expression.  She was most sincerely grateful for her boss’s offer; there was no doubt about that.  However, on the other hand, she was looking forward to spending a couple days, just with Ai…

   But then she remembered a certain bunny and how unhappy she was to be kicked out of her home, which was something the bean could definitely relate to.  And through that, Risa had ended up imposing on Kamei Eri as well, who had nothing to do with the situation in the first place.  After considering all of those factors, Risa knew she had to say yes.

   “Thank you, Shachou,” she answered, bowing her head again.  “I’ll happily take you up on your offer.”

   “Lovely,” Reina smiled, standing up.  “Now you stay here and finish your work.  I’m going to go notify Junjun that I gave you a special extension on your assignment.”   

   “Arigatou gozaimasu!” Risa thanked again, standing up and bowing to the president as she waved and left the room.  The bean sank back into her seat and sighed.  “Thank you… I suppose.”

**  **  ** 

   “… So you’re going to stay in the Bijou company building from now on?” Ai asked, pressing her phone closer to her ear.

   “Un!” Risa’s voice confirmed energetically through the cell.  “Tanaka Shachou offered me one of the suites.  Said it’s for employees anyway, in case of an emergency.  So I accepted it.”

   “I see,” Ai said curtly, trying to force a smile.  “That’s good.”

   “It’s great,” Risa laughed.  “This way, Michishige-san can come back home, too.  Kamei-san won’t have to share her space… It’s much better this way.” 

   The last thing the bean wanted was for Ai to pick up on her reluctance to move out.  It wouldn’t be much better this way; she didn’t want to hinder anybody as a result of her own incompetence. 

   “I suppose,” the older woman sighed, “as long as you’re okay with it.” 

   Even whilst saying that, Ai’s fingers on her phone immediately tightened.  She couldn’t say she was exactly fond of this idea of Risa staying in the same building as Tanaka Shachou for the next couple of days.  It wasn’t the same room or anything, but still…

   “What else did you two talk about?” she asked, feeling the sudden need to know everything that went on between them.

   “Huh?” Risa’s voice said, suddenly nervous.  “Uh… well…”

   “Gaki-san?”

   “… She asked if we were in a relationship…”

   “… What did you say?”  Please tell me you said yes.

   “I said, no.”  I wanted to say yes.

   “Oh.”  I wanted you to say yes.

   “… Should I have said otherwise?”  Please tell me I made a mistake.

   “No, you did fine.”  You made a mistake.

   “Because… we’re not in a relationship… we’re just… together?”  Say no.

   “Yes, exactly.”  Say no.

   “Okay, then!” Risa quickly said, pitching up her voice higher to seem lively.  “I’m gonna go back to work now.  I’ll talk to you later!”

   “Un.  Later.”

   With that, Ai hung up and lowered her phone.  But before she could put it away, she stared at the name on the screen for a little while longer.

   “Did something happen?”

   Ai looked up to find her turtle friend and her stepsister, staring at her curiously.  They both had coffee in their hands, which Sayumi had just brought back from a café. 

   “No, it’s nothing,” Ai answered, smiling.  “Sayu, you can come home tonight.”

   The bunny blinked in confusion.  “Wait, what?  Seriously?”

   “What’s going on?” Eri asked.

   “Gaki-san found another place to stay.  Bijou offered to house her.  Since she’s an employee and all.”

   “… Oh.”  An awkward silence ensured for a while, all three women feeling rather unsure as to how to react to this sudden situation.  Sayumi was the first to break the silence.

   “Well… I guess I’ll go upstairs and pack up, then.”

   As the bunny skittered towards the backroom and disappeared behind the curtains, Ai went back to staring blankly at her cell phone screen again, which was now blacked out.  It was exactly how she felt in her mind right now: everything black.  She sighed in frustration as her friend, standing behind her, gritted her teeth together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

yup. this is the start of the drama. :twisted:

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 18 - (1/15)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on January 15, 2013, 10:15:03 AM
*should not be rooting for Tanagaki, but just can't help it*

I think the title sums up my feelings on the matter! XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 18 - (1/15)]
Post by: risa_ai on January 15, 2013, 10:40:13 AM
AND HERE IT FRIGGIN COMES. IN THE MIDST OF ALL MY WORK AND STUFF. XDD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 18 - (1/15)]
Post by: MsSmigge on January 15, 2013, 04:56:46 PM
Yeahyeah, I made a mistake by judging Aika too fast and blahblah.... XD

But....
Nooooooooo!!!!  :panic:
I knew this!  Why, oh why??!!
I just can't say anything else.... XD Lol.


Aika, if you save Takagaki I will adore you for the rest of my life!  :bow: Gain back your points from me girl! XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 18 - (1/15)]
Post by: arisa03 on January 16, 2013, 02:44:45 AM
My Friend and I are totally ignoring about Junjun's boyfriend because JUNREI

Well... at least they had some skinship /-shot

But... but... but... ; A ; WHERE IS MY SAYUERI *shotdead*


*Bawls by the corner*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 18 - (1/15)]
Post by: maikeatoot on January 16, 2013, 05:59:07 AM
  :grr: what happened ?!  :scared: start of the drama ? and the super love triangle ?!  :depressed: but hmm .. im a loyal fan of takagaki but i think tanagaki is not bad wahaha !!! they have this strange chemistry haha!  :dizzy:




 and i agree !! juliet and cinderella were the most idiot !! wew !! but i also wish for some Kameshige goodness from you LoveLove-sama !!  :kneelbow: :kneelbow:  hehehe !!! please update update update soooooooooooon !!! ASAP !!! hehehe  :bath:




 P.S : KameShige  :on crazygran:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 18 - (1/15)]
Post by: SarangAi on January 17, 2013, 07:19:17 PM
@rndy: LOL right??? they're STRANGELY attractive together XD

@risa_ai: hehehe its what i do best!

@MsSmigge: LOL Aika's a bit awol right now though...  :P

@arisa: lol it comes and goes honey :P

@maikea: right? right? it's strange, but it's there! :lol:



Thanks for the comments and thanks guys!

Unfortunately, this isn't an updating post... BUT i want to leave you guys with something anyways. :D


 [Trailer] Juliet and Cinderella - Chapter 19 ~MoMusu Fanfiction~  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8CkaJ6vCTE&feature=youtu.be)
Song: "Itsukaraka... Zutto" by JUJU


Yup! I made ANOTHER one of these trailers (this fic is getting a LOT of it, i know) :lol:
Why?  CUZ I FELT LIKE IT.

There are SO many songs that inspired me for this fic and I just wanted to do some of them justice hehe :D

So that's a slight preview into Chapter 19, i hope you enjoy it! :twothumbs

Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 19 TRAILER - (1/17)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on January 17, 2013, 07:32:42 PM
Tanagaki!!~! XP
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 19 TRAILER - (1/17)]
Post by: MsSmigge on January 17, 2013, 10:07:45 PM
You know, I love this and at the same time I don't like this... (Hate is too strong word in here)

Your story is great, you're an amazing writer, but my inner TakaGaki fan just cries right now XD I just don't know why I always take it so heavily, when they are paired with other members.  :?

Anyways, keep up the good work. I try to behave *Kicks the takagaki fan* though this story might (Lol, I just can always wish, ne?? XD) be about something else than my favorite pairing.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 19 TRAILER - (1/17)]
Post by: SarangAi on January 18, 2013, 06:03:23 AM
@rndy: dammit its growing on me :lol:

@MsSmigge: lol no i totally get it.  it's what the trailer was meant to do, actually.  just tear up that inner takagaki lover you have... :twisted:



well what do you know. I actually just finished the chapter before the trailer even sunk in.  oh well.  :lol:
if you didn't check out the trailer yet, scroll up 3 posts!  :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 19 – “Since some time, Paris has started to love Juliet”

   Niigaki Risa had experienced many different awkward moments in her life, but not quite like this.  Usually, said awkwardness would come from over-awareness of a certain person in a room with them or the realization of some unexpected outcome.  However, the reason for this particular awkward moment was because there was no one there.  Niigaki Risa was sitting in a white living room, all by herself.

   Her eyes shifted around, observing every corner of the suite, while she sat still on the white sofa.  Everything was too… clean.  Too perfect.  Too white.  She couldn’t find a single flaw about this place but frankly, that’s what made her feel so uncomfortable.  The living room to the dining room to the kitchen to the bedroom…  Everything was the same.  The silent atmosphere was much too different from one that she was accustomed to, and it made a sense of awkwardness rise within her. 

   “What am I supposed to do now…”

   She had no answer.  She had been unable to answer this question for the past hour and she wasn’t going to start now.  This white place just made her go blank and forget everything, forget the time and place.  Except for some lingering thoughts about the woman she was supposed to be in love with, Risa could not set her mind on anything solid.

   And even thoughts about Takahashi Ai were confusing.  Normally, her thoughts helped in calming the bean down but tonight, it was completely different.  Wasn’t it just yesterday that they spent the night together?  Yet, they had both confirmed that they weren’t in a committed relationship. Why did Risa even agree to that?  Why couldn’t she just scream out, “Damn it, I love you and I say we’re in a relationship!” like she wanted to?  Why didn’t Ai say otherwise?  Perhaps… she actually didn’t think that they were official.  Just because they kissed and dated and had sex… it wasn’t unusual in the present day for all of those things to mean nothing between two people.  They were just… together.

   Then, Risa rapidly shook her head to rid of the thoughts.  All these contemplations were only making her head hurt even more.  She needed to direct her attention to something else.

   “… I didn’t eat dinner yet.”

   Making a spur of the moment decision along with the sudden realization, Risa got up from the sofa, grabbed her jacket, and headed for the door.  She would do some grocery shopping and make herself some dinner.  It seemed like she was going to be here for a while so it wouldn’t hurt to stock up in the empty fridge.  Hopefully, the grocery shopping would also keep her busy and help her forget.  After all, it took going down about 20 to 30 flights in this building just to simply get to the ground floor.  Maybe she’ll take the stairs…

**  **  ** 

   Well that was ridiculously and pathetically unproductive.

   Niigaki Risa stood in her doorstep, plastic bags filled with food in hand, making a very unsatisfied face.  The shopping trip had gone much faster than she had imagined, even though she took the stairs down.  It had indeed helped to keep her mind off things but it only lasted so long.  In no time, Risa was back in the plainly white suite that she was staying at, making her mind go blank again. 

   Sighing in defeat, the bean shuffled into the kitchen and shoved all her groceries in the fridge.  She was much too lazy at this point to actually organize anything.     

   “What should I make…”

   As she started to ponder on the subject, her cell phone rang from her pocket.  Risa quickly shook off her coat and tossed it over the counter before she picked up.

   “Moshi-moshi?”

   “Niigaki?  It’s me.”

   “… Shachou?!”  Risa found herself automatically straightening up properly as if her boss was in the room with her.  “Um… is there something wrong?”

   “Have you eaten dinner yet?”

   “Not yet…”

   “Then would you like to come up to the penthouse to eat with me?” Reina offered.  “I’m about to order some food…  It’s better to eat together than alone—”

   “YES!” Risa answered instantly.  “I-I mean… yes, that sounds great, Shachou.  Yes, yes, yes.  I’ll be up soon!”

   “Oh, um… okay, then.  See you soon.”

   Without the slightest moment of hesitation, Risa rushed to the door and shoved her feet into her shoes liked a crazed person.  The white silence in this place was actually starting to drive her nuts.  She definitely needed company, even if it meant eating together with her boss.  All she needed was to get out of this place, right now. 

**  **  ** 

   The tiny kitten shuffled around in her home, her hand squeezing her phone.  This kind of behavior was most unusual for her.  After all, she was normally quite well kept together and always in control.  But right now, for some reason, she couldn’t stop walking around in circles as her nerves got the better of her.  And the reason for that?  … Well, she was about to have a rather special guest.

   Reina checked herself in the hallway mirror again, making sure everything was perfect.  Her hair was now nicely arranged into a bun, piled on top of her head.  She was wearing a cute sweater with shorts and knee length socks and indoor slippers; something that said, casually-made-for-home but still presentable enough.  She didn’t want to overdress or anything but definitely didn’t want to be seen the way she was discovered today in the conference room either.  Which explained the removal of her glasses along with more cover-up for her dark circles.  They weren’t as visible as before anyway, so she could manage without the thick frames. 

   Then, a knock came from the door, making Reina jump.  She beat her chest a little, trying to force herself to calm down.  It really wasn’t like her to freak out like this over a little dinner.  Looking around one last time to make sure her home was perfectly clean—which it usually was, since she liked to keep it that way—the kitten headed towards the door and opened it to reveal an equally casually dressed Niigaki Risa standing in the hall.

   “Konbanwa, Tanaka Shachou,” the bean greeted, huffing out dry air.

   “Un.  Konbanwa,” Reina responded, eyeing her worker in an odd manner.  “Um… Are you okay?”

   “I’m fine, I’m fine,” Risa grinned.  “I just… I kind ran up the stairs…  It’s no problem!”

   “… Well, okay, then,” Reina chuckled.  “Please, come in.”

   “Shitsureshimasu~”

   The bean entered the home and helped herself into one of the indoor slippers prepared for her.  The penthouse was quite similar to the suite that she was in, only bigger.  Everything was white and nicely arranged along with a couple of paintings and fashion posters and such that adorned the plain walls.  Risa couldn’t imagine how Reina to bear to live alone in this place.

   “So, um,” the kitten started, “what kind of food do you like?  We can order anything you’d like so…”

   “Order?”

   “Or we can go out,” Reina offered quickly.  “Anything you’d like.”

   Risa took another quickly look around, directing her attention more towards the kitchen now.  It was spotless, just like the rest of the house, but somehow, it was more than that.  It was… empty.  There were no signs of any sort of kitchenware or sink tools or anything.  There was absolutely no life in there.

   “You… don’t cook very much, do you, Shachou?” Risa asked.

   “… I suppose I don’t,” Reina answered after giving it some thought.  "Nobody in my family really cooked so… I guess I never really learned how to either.  I usually don’t have time to anyway; it’s much easier to just go out.”

   “That’s such a shame,” the bean said.  “Don’t you miss eating at home?”

   “There’s nothing to miss,” the kitten chuckled.  “I rarely eat at home in the first place.”

   “Still…”

   Reina stopped smiling as she observed the older woman’s reaction.  Contrary to her own attitude towards the matter, Risa seemed to actually be genuinely upset about this.  Her face was filled with a sense of regret, as if she was feeling sorry for the kitten.  Her sad face made something within Reina break a little; making Risa feel sad was the last thing she had wanted to do.

   Suddenly, the bean clapped her hands together and grinned, exclaiming, “I have an idea!  I’ll be right back!”  Before Reina could even ask her what she was thinking, the woman flew out of the penthouse.  After the kitten stood in utter confusion for about five minutes, Risa was back, this time with plastic bags in her hands.  She entered the kitchen and dropped them on the floor and started to pull her sleeves up.

   “I’ll be using your kitchen, Shachou!” she announced, starting to wash her hands. 

   “… Ee?”  Reina raised an eyebrow as she quickly followed into the kitchen as well.  “What are you doing?”

   “I’m going to cook dinner for you!” Risa grinned, crouching down on the floor to rummage through the groceries.  “Let’s see what we have here…”

   “W-wait a minute,” Reina said quickly.  “I don’t want to inconvenience you with all this.  We can just go out—”

   “You’re not inconveniencing me,” the bean assured.  She looked up at her boss with big round eyes, filled with energy.  “I want to make dinner for you.  A home-cooked meal.”

   “… F-for… me?”

   “Yup!” Risa chirped.  She took all the vegetables that she bought and dumped them in the sink, letting the cold water run on them.  “I may not be the best cook out there but I’m pretty capable in the kitchen.”

   “A home-cooked meal… for me,” Reina repeated quietly, staring at the woman washing the vegetables.

   “Yes, for you, Shachou,” Risa laughed.  “Everybody needs that kind of food once in a while.  Since nobody’s really cooked for you before, I’ll do it.  So you just sit down and wait, okay?”

   Reina blinked a couple times, still unsure as to exactly what had just happened.  Instead of bothering to further question, she obediently shuffled over to the dining room and sat down at the table.  Nobody had offered to ever cook for her before.  In fact, this was probably the first time her kitchen was ever being used.  The sound of the sink water running and the stove lighting up was strangely unfamiliar.  Reina turned her head towards the kitchen, her eyes immediately landing on the short-haired woman who was now starting to chop vegetables on the counter.  She had always thought the woman was beautiful but at this moment, she seemed even more dazzling than ever. 

   “You don’t need to watch me cook, Shachou,” Risa said after a while, a smile forming at the corner of her lips.  “You can do other work to keep yourself busy.”

   “I’m watching because I want to,” Reina replied, placing her chin on her hand.  “I’ve never seen anybody cook before.  I suppose it’s… interesting to me.”

   Risa looked up from the counter, catching the younger woman staring at her with a small smile.  Risa smiled a little too, then looked away.  That woman… she was so lonely.  She had no family, no friends, nothing.  Hell, her entire house was white, the only decorations being pencil sketches of dresses and faceless models.  How someone like her could remain strong enough to uphold an entire company, much less continue to live on by herself, was a mystery to someone like Risa who had led a generally average life.  At this thought, the bean’s hand squeezed the knife tightly, as if she had come to some sort of resolution. 

   “Tanaka Shachou,” Risa started energetically, “did I ever tell you the story of how I moved out of my parents’ home?”

   Reina blinked, slight taken aback by the random question.  “No, I don’t believe you have.”

   “It was after I graduated high school,” the bean said, returning to chopping her vegetables.  “My parents told me that when they were little, they had to provide for themselves right after high school.  So they were going to do the same to me.  And then they actually kicked me out, no money, no support.  Can you believe it?  I had to get a job and pay off my own tuition for college.  It was rough.”

   “It sounds rough,” Reina replied, still bewildered at how the woman had started to prattle on, nonstop. 

   “Especially since I didn’t really know how to do anything,” Risa laughed.  “I only got into fashion during college years and then I realized, I wanted my life to be about that.  I guess I have my parents to thank for that.  It was because I couldn’t pay off one semester’s dorm costs that I started to sleep in the fashion workshop at night.  I had to sneak in but… it worked out in the end.  And now I have a roommate.  I’ve never told you about her either, have I?”

   This time, Reina just chuckled a little as she answered, “No, but I have a feeling you’re going to tell me right now.”

   “Oh, Aika is a great person, really,” Risa exclaimed, grinning at her boss.  “I used to be her babysitter a long time ago but now, I feel like our roles have switched a little.  She’s only a freshman in college but she’s way more mature than I’ll ever be.”

   “That’s hard to imagine,” the kitten mused.  “You’re pretty mature, too.”

   “Maybe,” Risa laughed, “but not like Aika.  She’s really focused and caring and smart…  She’s a really great friend.  I think you would like her too, Shachou.  I have a feeling I’ll get to introduce her to you one day.  She’s always with me anyway.  But she has a serious thing for dogs and…”

   As the bean driveled on continuously about her family, her friends, stupid childhood stories, so on and so forth, Reina could help but simply watch the woman and be mesmerized by her.  She was talking and cooking, all at the same time, yet she never lost her smile.  Most people couldn’t do that in front of President Tanaka, the strict and cold businesswoman.  Even Junjun, who was one of the rare people, if not the one and only, who was comfortable around the kitten could not smile and talk like that, with her guard completely down.  Reina herself had never felt the need to be so bright like that either.

   “Nee…”

   “Hai?”  Risa answered immediately, her hand still moving crazily around the busy kitchen.

   “… Why do you always smile?”

   The movements stopped as Risa slowly looked up at her boss.  Reina was still staring at her but this time, with intense curiosity.  “Pardon?”

   “I asked, why do you always smile like that?” Reina repeated.  “I mean… I can’t find something particular to be smiling about right now.  Am I missing something?  Is there something amusing?”

   Silence ensued.  Reina didn’t take her eyes off the older woman for one second.  Risa also stared back blankly.  But then, she cracked a small smile, that same smile again.  “I guess…” she started, “there are a lot of different meanings to it…”

   She then took the time to lower the fire of the stove and shut the pot filled with whatever she was cooking.  She washed her hands and wiped it with a paper towel and opened her mouth again. 

   “There are so many things weighing us down in this world.  Sadness, anger, regret, stress…  And who is truly to blame for all of that?  There no one making us feel that way.  No one but yourself, Shachou.”  She paused a little, observing her boss’s reaction.  Seeing that Reina’s face remained unchanged, Risa continued.  “I think there’s definitely a part of everybody that fights with themselves.  So first, it’s about not losing to that ‘self’.  If you smile through all the hard times… you win, right?” 

   “… Is that so.” 

   Reina looked down now, falling into deep thought.  Was Niigaki Risa talking about her right now?  Is she trying to say that Reina is only bringing herself down, every time she gives into regret?  Regret over her mother, her dream…

   “But I guess none of that matters either, right?”

   Reina looked up again at Risa who was smiling at her again.  “Excuse me?”

   “I mean, in the end, none of that bad stuff is going to matter either,” the bean repeated.  “Because when we look back later, we’re going to realize there were much more important things that actually mattered over the bad things that we focused on.  Life is just too short, Tanaka Shachou.”  Risa leaned forward against the counter, taking a more casual position.  “So if you ask me why I smile… I guess I do it because I might as well.  As I keep in mind that, when the end comes, it comes fast.  As I keep in mind that I want to… spend the time that I have left preciously.”

   As the short-haired woman continued to grin, Reina could not avert her eyes from those lips, that brightness.  She just seemed so… happy.  Almost stupidly happy, but any kind of happy was better than not being happy.  It was most certainly better than whatever Reina usually was.  Niigaki Risa just shined by herself because she had that mindset.  That smile was just an additional asset that she didn’t need, but had.

   “Aren’t you a happy person,” the kitten said quietly.

   “I try,” Risa shrugged, laughing.  Then, she went back to her cooking—opening the pot cover and stirring the mixture with a wooden spoon.  Reina was still watching her but her hand on the table balled up into a gentle fist.

   She wanted her.  That smile, that brightness, that light… she wanted all of it.  It wasn’t jealousy or anything petty like that.  It was desire.  She would’ve never thought this just ten minutes ago, but now she knew for sure.  She could accept it and she wasn’t ashamed.  The proof of it was obvious: her chest felt like it was going to burst through whenever that woman smiled at her.  She could feel her fingers twitching, her eyes traveling whenever that woman got close to her.  She wanted her everything—her laughter, her warmth, her affection…  She wanted it all.  She wanted Niigaki Risa.  She loved Niigaki Risa.

   “And… it’s done!”

   Reina blinked as if she broke out of a trance and put her attention on the woman in the kitchen.  Risa was starting to deliver dishes of food to the dining room table from the kitchen.  There were eggs to fishcakes to vegetables to meat…  And finally, she brought out the bowls of rice with fish sauce on top of it.  Reina could not close her mouth as her eyes examined the table.  She had never seen it covered with so many different kinds of food before.  Did normal families usually eat like this every day?

   “Niigaki style, home-cooked meal!” the bean announced, sitting down across from her boss.  “It’s not much, but I hope you like it.  Please try it, Shachou!”

   “Un…” Reina nodded, picking up her chopsticks.  “Itadakimasu…”

   Slowly, the kitten reached towards the tamagoyaki and took a piece cautiously.  She felt like she was exploring unfamiliar territory.  As she started to chew, she ate some rice along with it as well.  Risa watched intently as she bit down on her lips.

   “How is it?” she asked meekly.

   Reina covered her mouth suddenly, her hands closing tightly around her chopsticks.  Risa made an alarmed expression but the kitten quickly shook her head, indicating to her that it wasn’t what she was thinking.

   “It…” she mumbled, “it’s really good…  Like, really, really, good.”

   Risa’s worries swiftly turned into joy as she grinned.  Looking closely, she could’ve sworn she even saw the president blush a little.  “Is it really?  You like it?”

   “I’ve never really had food like this before,” Reina mumbled.  “It’s great, Niigaki.  Really.”

   Then, as if to prove her claim, the kitten’s chopsticks quickly swiped a little of everything on the table into her rice bowl.  Her pace picked up as she started to eat heartily, enjoying this new type of food.  Risa, feeling proud of herself for what she had done, picked up her own chopsticks and started to eat as well.  In between bites, Reina occasionally glanced up at the bean, who would sometimes be looking at her with a satisfied smile.

   There was no denying it.  She was in love with her.  Tanaka Reina loved Niigaki Risa.  It was something that Reina never would’ve thought would happen to her, nor would acknowledge, but it was true.  And now, there was no going back.  She could only act on this and continue forward.  As she stole another look at the girl across from her, she thought to herself. 

   Well, then… what do I do now…?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GOD okay i don't know what but writing out this chapter just gave me goosebumps XD

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - TRAILER + Chapter 19 - (1/18)]
Post by: maikeatoot on January 18, 2013, 06:35:13 AM
 that was a fast and interesting chapter LoveLove-Sama !!! oh my .. tanagaki was just so ..  :ptam-aww: :wub: kyaaaaaaah !!! they're so cute together !! but how about Aichan :( haaaaaaay ..

and SayuEri !!!!!!!! yay hehehe !!! hope you update again this weekend :)  :on gay:




P.S. : KameShige  :on crazygran:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - TRAILER + Chapter 19 - (1/18)]
Post by: arisa03 on January 18, 2013, 07:37:17 AM
All these TanaGaki. I keep laughing whenever I see them together (Romantically or not). LOL. I just don't know, why, I laugh. LOL. Anyway ;A; Risa's probably being a bit confused now, and I also thought that AiGaki 'were' together. LOL In any case ;AAA;


*creys by the corner*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - TRAILER + Chapter 19 - (1/18)]
Post by: MsSmigge on January 18, 2013, 09:01:24 AM

it's what the trailer was meant to do, actually.  just tear up that inner takagaki lover you have... :twisted:


 :OMG: :frustrated: :pleeease: :scared: :shock: :stoned: :tantrum: OMG, I could never!!!!!! *Protects her inner takagaki fan from SarangAi's evil thoughts*


Reina must have had hard times in past I guess. Poor kitten. :O2 And damn, she's in love with Risa, though who could not? XD She's just so lovely~


I go cry to the corner as well BUT,


I won’t let you go.  Never.


You better remember that one too XD My hope lays in that sentence.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - TRAILER + Chapter 19 - (1/18)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on January 18, 2013, 09:09:52 AM
And here I begin to fret. A part of me really wants Reina to win Risa over, so long as she doesn't turn into the villain to do so, and if only so Ai will fight harder for the bean. Doushiyo~!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - TRAILER + Chapter 19 - (1/18)]
Post by: risa_ai on January 18, 2013, 01:38:27 PM
 :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: Tanagaki.... WHY. WHY WHY.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - TRAILER + Chapter 19 - (1/18)]
Post by: korin48 on January 19, 2013, 02:56:24 AM
Wow! TanaGaki!  :mon inluv:
What about Ai-chan!?  :mon scare:
I want to know what happen next!  :mon ref:
Please update soon!  :mon pray2:



PS: I am the new reader here in H!P Fanfic... ^_^
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - TRAILER + Chapter 19 - (1/18)]
Post by: yellow on January 19, 2013, 09:41:43 AM
after reading ch.18, i feel like straggling certain bean... 8)2

after reading ch.19, i am intending to now... stupid bean, what about aichan? :catglare:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - TRAILER + Chapter 19 - (1/18)]
Post by: SarangAi on January 21, 2013, 09:55:11 AM
@maikea: ahh i missed the weekend but i was close enough XD

@arisa: lol i know it seems like they're officially together but they never confirmed it which is dumb i've been careful trying to keep them from talking about it  :lol:

@MsSmigge: LOL well i'm prone to breaking my promises...  :twisted:

@rndy: that, my friend, is self-confliction.  :P

@risa_ai: ahahahaha it's a story, don't be mad :P

@correne: welcome~~~! :welcome :cow: lol good to see you commenting! i hope you enjoy reading the rest of it too!  :D

@yellow: lol yeah i'm making them all be idiots :lol:

@nora_nora: dudeee it's been a WHILE.  :lol:  stick around, gosh.  XD



Thank you for all the comments and the thanks~~  :wub: :twothumbs

I'm working so hard to make this story move forward lol sorry if it seems rushed :nervous

But it's ALSO because i'll be leaving home again soon, and then i'll get busy again.  So i'm trying to write a lot while i can! :yossi:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 20 – “Juliet was truly frightened of Cinderella”

   “I don’t know, Aika, I just felt really bad for her at that moment, you know?  I mean, she’s never had a home-cooked meal before.  What kind of person living in Japan has never had a home-cooked meal before?  I just think that she’s probably lonely all the time… Can you imagine living alone in this big giant building by yourself?  I don’t even know how she does it.  Honestly.”

   “And you think that you cooking for her and eating dinner with her will somehow make her less lonely or something?  Gaki-san, you’re a lot of things but you’re not a house keeper.”

   Risa groaned in frustration as she let her body fall backwards onto the sofa.  She turned her body so that she was lying on top of it with her foot dangling off one end.  She had been on the phone for the past hour or so, explaining to Aika how she had spent her past couple of days.  When the topic of her cooking dinner for her boss came up, Aika had been less than eager to rejoice in her behavior. 

   “I’m telling you, it’s not like that,” the older woman emphasized.  “Look, I think she just needs company.  Everyone does.  And I’m being that for her.  Do you have any idea how lonely her job is?  She works so hard, too.  She left for a business trip today, Aika.  On a Sunday.  On a disgusting, rainy, Sunday.  How terrible is that?”

   “Okay, so her life isn’t the most wonderfully happy fairy tale ever,” Aika said over the phone.  “My sympathies.  But it doesn’t mean you have to volunteer for this job to be her… her friend, or dinner-buddy, or whatever you are.”

   “Well, why not volunteer?” Risa argued back.  “What’s so bad about making another friend?  Tanaka Shachou is, contrary to popular belief, actually a normal person.  And a very nice one.  She has another side to her.”

   “Gaki-san, I’m not doubting your boss’s character,” Aika explained.  “I understand that she is a very nice person from what you’ve been telling me.  But that’s not the point!”

   “Then what is?”

   “You’re supposed to be with Takahashi-san!” the younger girl said, sounding slightly annoyed.  “You chose her over Tanaka Shachou so now, you have to stick by that choice.”

   “… I’m not seeing the connection,” Risa said slowly.  “What does Ai-chan have to do with me making a new friend?”

   “… Please tell me you’re not blind.”  When no answer came, Aika groaned again.  “Okay, you’re blind.  So I’m going to make this clear and precise for you: Tanaka Shachou is so very obviously still interested in you, Gaki-san.  And you eating dinner with her every night might give her the wrong idea.  Especially if she doesn’t know that you’re going out with Takahashi-san yet.”

   “… Well…” Risa mumbled, “I told her I’m not.”

   “… You what.”

   “She asked, and I told her I’m not.  I’m not going out with Ai-chan.”

   “… And why would you say that?”

   Risa sighed, squeezing her eyes shut before answering.  “Because… because we’re not, okay?  Ai-chan and I aren’t in a relationship.  We’re not committed.  We’re just… together.  Just together.”

   “… Something happened.”

   Risa exhaled deeply again.  Aika wasn’t asking.  She was saying.  She already knew.  The girl was always a sharp one, especially when it came to her.  Even when she was just a little kid, she could read Risa like a book.  It was a useful asset, but also a bit frightening at times.  It always put the bean in a situation where she would have to tell the girl everything.  Even when she left out a little detail that she wanted to keep for herself, Aika would realize that there was more she hadn’t heard.  So was Risa’s fate.  And so was what she had to do now.  She repeated every little word spoken in the phone conversation between her and Ai when they had discussed their relationship, practically venting out all her inner feelings while she was at it.

   “I mean, what was I supposed to do, right?” Risa moaned.  “We had never confirmed it or talked about what we really were!  But she didn’t disagree with me either!  She just said we were together.  How was I supposed to react to that?  Insist that we were a couple?  I couldn’t do that, Aika!”

   “Can I just say that this is really dumb?  Of both of you?”

   Risa remained speechless for a while, completely caught off-guard by Aika’s quick and harsh interjection.  “Um.  Okay.”

   “Look,” the younger girl sighed, her tone low with forced calmness, “you made a mistake in telling Tanaka Shachou that you and Ai-chan aren’t in a relationship.  But then you made a second mistake in telling Takahashi-san what you told Tanaka Shachou.  You should’ve just told her what you wanted.  But that’s not even my point.”

   “What’s your—”

   “My point is,” Aika cut in, not waiting for her friend to finish, “if Takahashi-san isn’t willing to commit to you and just you, than she doesn’t deserve you.  She should be willing to have this bond with you if she truly feels strongly for you as we all thought she did but I don’t really see her fighting for you right now.”

   Risa sighed again.  She ran her fingers through her loose hair, hoping to help with the headache that she was starting to get.  “But Aika… I love her.”
“I know you love her, Gaki-san, but… you deserve more.”

   “No, you don’t understand,” Risa said, shaking her head.  “You’re talking as if I have a choice.  I love her, okay?  I love her.  She loves me too but I love her back.  I need her as much as she needs me… no, more than she needs me.  Don’t you see, Aika?  I’m not in a position where I can afford to choose.”

   “… Can I just say that I think you’re an idiot?” 

   Risa kicked her heel against the sofa with a grunt of aggravation.  She could practically see her young friend rolling her eyes at her.  “I know, I know…”

   “Okay, fine, whatever, you do what you want, Gaki-san, I have to get to class anyway,” Aika sighed in defeat.  “But… I still think that you should keep some distance from Tanaka Shachou.  Don’t let it get to anything more than a relationship between that of an employer and an employee, understand?”

   “Hai, hai,” Risa answered half-heartedly.  “Don’t be late to class.  Take an umbrella, it’s raining pretty hard.”

   “I will.  Ja ne, Gaki-san.”

   “Un.  Mata ne.”

   Risa hit the end button on her phone and let her hand drop by her side, her muscles happy to be finally relaxing.  Grumbling for no particular reason, Risa twisted her body to the side to change her position on the comfy sofa.  But just as she did so, her phone vibrated again.  Risa checked the incoming call, raised her eyebrows, then quickly picked up.

   “Moshi-moshi?  Ai-chan?”

   “Gaki-san, what floor do you live on in Bijou?”

   The bean blinked, taken aback by the unexpected question.  “What?  Why?”

   “Just tell me what floor!”

   “Um… 28th?”

   “So this is the right place!”

   The signal clicked off without another minute’s warning.  Risa remained frozen before starting to stare at her phone, utterly confused.  “What the—”

   Before she could finish her thought, a series of quick knocks came from the front door.  Risa shot up and rolled off the couch.  She bolted to the door and opened it without a moment’s hesitation.  Could it be…?

   The first thing Risa saw was flowers.  A bouquet of it, to be precise: pink roses.  As she gasped in complete utter amazement, the flower bouquet sank a little lower to reveal the face of her dear one behind it, smiling.  There were droplets of rain still running down her skin but that didn’t hinder her natural beauty at all.

   “I hope this isn’t a bad time,” she said, shrugging innocently.

   “Even if it was, I wouldn’t say so,” the bean laughed.

   “Great, then,” Ai grinned.  She held out the bouquet in her hand along with a flat rectangular box that she had been holding behind her back with a plastic bag.

   “What is all this?” Risa breathed, receiving the gifts slowly.

   “Flowers for the beautiful lady, chocolates for the lonely girl, and rented movies for two hopeless women who have nothing else to do on a rainy, Sunday afternoon.”  She leaned in and kissed the younger woman’s cheek.  “Not that we would rather do anything else in the first place.”  She winked with a smile, automatically making the bean smile back.

   “Of course not,” she agreed, kissing her visitor on the lips.  “Thank you, Ai-chan.  This is very sweet of you.”

   She motioned for the woman to come in as she went into the kitchen.  Her past worries had melted away as soon as she saw Ai’s face.  And how could it not?  Just the image of her smiling was enough to make Risa lose her mind sometimes.  It almost made her think that it was okay to leave things the way they are, despite Aika’s protests.  She had Ai and Ai had her.  What more did they need to confirm?  I mean, the woman brought her flowers with chocolate and movies on a rainy day.  This was enough, right? 

   After some adventurous explorations through the kitchen that she had yet to become familiar with, Risa managed to find a large bowl in the cupboard which she put in the sink, filled with water, and carefully placed the stem of the bouquet in. 

   “It’ll have to do since there’s no vase here,” she sighed.  “By the way, shouldn’t you be at work?”

   “Eri gave me the day off,” Ai said from the living room while turning the television on.  “Said something about it being too beautiful a day to not stay indoors at home or whatever.”

   Risa raised an eyebrow.  “Interesting logic.”

   “She has her moments,” the older woman chuckled.  “But she also said I should take advantage of this oh-so-beautiful day to stay in with you.  Which, in my book, is absolutely wonderful logic.”

   “Couldn’t agree more,” Risa smiled. 

   “So,” Ai said, holding up a couple DVDs, “should we go comedy or horror or sad or sappy?”

   “Sappy?” Risa questioned.

   “I don’t know, the girl at the movie rental place strongly suggested it,” the older woman explained, shrugging.  “But it seemed like she was quite the… melodramatic type.”

   “We’ll take her up on the suggestion,” Risa grinned.  “Let’s go sappy.”  Hopefully, the movie was boring enough that she could focus on something else other than the actual film. 

   “Sappy it is,” Ai laughed, cracking the case open.  As she got the DVD into the machine and somehow figured out how to change the channel so it would appear on the screen, Risa dimmed the lights and made herself comfortable in her couch and opened the box of chocolates.  After a short while, Ai was snuggled up by her side, helping herself to a piece of the milky candy she had brought. 

   The movie did not disappoint them: it was as sappy as they came.  It was one of those old, black-and-white, American films that had many romantic and gushy moments that were, simply put, not possible in the real world.  Just by watching it, Risa could imagine exactly how much of the “melodramatic” type the movie rental girl who suggested this was. 

   Even so, the bean would normally try to appreciate this sort of film but today, with total lack of concentration, she did not feel even an inkling of obligation to give the movie her attention.  She was too preoccupied with the arm that was around her, holding her shoulder gently but firmly.  In fact, she was pretty hyperaware of the rest of where the arm came from, it being the woman that she was cuddled up next to. 

   Ai didn’t seem as distracted as her companion, her eyes glued to the television.  Occasionally, she would notice the bean looking at her and smile and start playing with her hair before they settled down on her shoulder again.  But there was no doubt that her first priority seemed to be paying attention to the film.  Well, not if Risa could help it.

   “Nee, Ai-chan.”

   “Hm?”

   “What are you gonna do after the movie?”

   “I don’t know.”  Ai thought for a while before answering, “I might go back to Tresor.”

   “I thought Kamei-san gave you a day off?”

   “She did, but I feel bad about it,” Ai said guiltily.  “I’m supposed to be there, working with her right now.  Rain makes business a little slower but… still.”

   “I see…”

   Risa mumbled to herself as she let her head fall on Ai’s shoulder.  After about a minute of silence, the older woman grabbed the remote and paused the movie.  Risa looked up at her with a questioning expression.

   “Ai-chan?”

   “I don’t think you’re really enjoying the movie,” Ai said.  “Do you want to watch a different one?”

   “No, no, it’s fine,” the bean replied.  “You like it.  We can finish it.”

   Ai wrinkled her eyebrows.  “What makes you think I like it?”

   This time, it was Risa’s turn to scrunch up her eyebrows.  “You… don’t?”

   “Well, I don’t hate it but I don’t like it either,” Ai said.  “I thought you liked it.”

   “What made you think I liked it?”

   “You picked it, Gaki-san…”

   Risa blinked a couple times.  “… Oh.  I did, didn’t I?”

   Ai laughed at the girl’s expression.  “Gaki-san, if you didn’t want to watch it, why did you pick it?”

   “I only picked it because I thought it would be boring enough that we’d be able to do other stuff during it,” Risa admitted, a hint of frustration in her voice.

   “Other things?”  Ai laughed again, raising an eyebrow.  “Really, Gaki-san?  Really?”

   “Not that kind of stuff!” Risa retorted, hitting the older woman gently on her head.  “I mean like… just talking.  I just thought that we could talk.”

   “Talking’s good, We can talk.” Ai turned her body towards the bean, indicating that she had her full attention.  “What do you want to talk about?”

   “I don’t know…  Anything,” Risa sighed.  “I feel like we haven’t had much chance to talk to each other this week.  We’ve both been busy and I’ve been getting used to this and all…”

   “True,” Ai agreed.  “It would’ve been nice if you just stayed at my place.  We could’ve seen each other more, then…  I could never say that in front of Sayu, though.  She is fully appreciating our home these days.”

   Risa laughed a little.  “I’m sorry I couldn’t stay.  Were you upset?”

   Ai’s face hardened a little at this, almost as if she was angry.  But she shrugged nonchalantly instead.  “Not really.  I guess, a little.  But you had no choice; it’s never a good idea to disagree with your employer’s idea.”

   Risa smiled half-heartedly, fairly disappointed that her leaving hadn’t affected Ai as much as she had wanted it to.  “I guess you’re right.  It was all of the better, I think.  I think it’s safe to say that I’m on Tanaka Shachou’s good side.  I really hope this means I can get a permanent position here.”

   “I hope you get it, too,” Ai nodded.  “You definitely deserve it.”

   Risa nodded as well in response, expressing her thanks.  This conversation wasn’t exactly going towards where she wanted it to.  But a part of her couldn’t deny the fact that she was relieved that it was like this.  She wasn’t sure if she wanted to touch upon the subject of their relationship right now.  Yes, Aika had insisted she must talk this out with Ai but it was easier said than done.  What if things go wrong because of this?  That was something Risa would not be able to bear.  She treasured Ai more than anything else in the world now, and that was what made her so frightening.  To her, Ai was the loveliest, yet the scariest person in her life.

   “Ai-chan.”

   “Yes?”

   Her eyes rose up until it made contact with Ai’s gaze.  “I really like you… you know.”

   “I like you, too,” Ai replied casually. 

   Then, Risa reached forward and grabbed the collar of Ai’s shirt and pulled her in, kissing her lips softly but firmly.  Ai seemed a little surprised by the sudden action but didn’t back away.  Slowly, Risa leaned back until her back hit the sofa cushions, making it so that Ai was on top of her.  She broke away to breathe in a little air without breaking her eye contact for even a second.  They were the same dark brown eyes that she had met, seen, and known for months now, but the spark was always there when she gazed into them.  It was what got her heart racing, every time, without fail.  It was the reason why Risa could not escape.

   “I love you,” she confessed.

   “I love you, too,” Ai whispered without missing a beat.

   And that’s enough for now.

   Keeping her thoughts silent, Risa kissed her love again, slowly and sincerely, being careful with every move.  Ai graciously followed her pace, allowing her to lead.  Neither of them knew how it happened but they eventually ended up off the couch and standing somehow.  With their arms still wrapped around each other, their lips locked together, their feet automatically led them away into the bedroom where they would experience a replay of their passion from a past night.

**  **  ** 

   “Here’s the coffee you asked for, Tanaka Shachou.”

   “Ah.  Arigatou gozaimasu.”

   Reina smiled politely at the stewardess who placed a steaming cup of coffee down on her little pull-out table.  She shuffled the papers that she was going through into a folder and shoved it into the seat pocket in front of her for the time being, deciding that now was a good time to take a small break.  Even while traveling in an airplane, President Tanaka’s work never stopped.  Or rather, she didn’t let it stop.  It wasn’t too bad though; at least she had plenty of space and all the comfort she needed in the first class.  Plus, she was a VIP.  She was treated like royalty on most planes. 

   After a small sip of the coffee, Reina looked up to find that her secretary had approached her.  She wasn’t dressed as formally as she usually was today, what with it being a traveling day, but she was still presentable enough in a classy business-like dress with low heels and her hair pulled back in a neat ponytail.  She bowed her head a little in greeting and handed her boss a yellow file.

   “I got you what you asked for,” she said.  “It took a while but I got it.”

   “I knew you would be able to do it,” Reina smiled.  She opened the flap and pulled out the contents, flipping through them swiftly but thoroughly.  “Everything else I asked for is settled as well, I presume?”

   “The investigation is going to take a little longer, but the bank is confident that it will draw to a close, eventually,” Junjun answered.  “And of course, they were willing to cut a deal with us.  So yes, everything is set.”

   “Excellent.  Thank you, Junjun.”

   The panda stood for a little, hesitating without going back to her seat.  “Ano… Shachou?”

   “Hm?”

   “Are you sure about this?” she asked carefully.

   “Of course I’m sure,” the president replied immediately.  “I’m always sure.”

   “I know, but… may I ask why?”

   “Do you have a particular reason as to why I can’t?”

   “No, that’s not it.”  Junjun sighed, taking a pause before she continued.  “It’s a kind gesture, no doubt, but the gesture itself, Shachou, to me, seems a bit too… big.”

   “It’s a very small gesture compared to what she’s done for me,” the kitten said, putting the papers back into the yellow folder. 

   “And exactly what is that?”

   Reina smiled.  “She’s given me a new taste in life.  Quite literally.”

   Junjun frowned.  “I’m… not following.”

   “Don’t worry about it.”  Reina chuckled to herself as she picked up her coffee and took another sip.  “Thank you for your concern, Junjun, but I’m absolutely sure of what I’m doing.  It’s something I truly want to do for her right now.”  Anything for her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 20 - (1/21)]
Post by: risa_ai on January 21, 2013, 12:45:37 PM
So right now, Risa wants Ai to get her home but Ai thinks Risa is really happy and everything is just WSKNPFCOIANS:NMV SAPPY. Whatever it is LOL XDDDD



RISA JUST SAY WHATCHU WANNA SAYYYY
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 20 - (1/21)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on January 21, 2013, 01:57:20 PM
Something tells me that Reina will be feeling quite a bit less generous when she finds out what her employee has been doing all day.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 20 - (1/21)]
Post by: arisa03 on January 21, 2013, 02:44:16 PM
I think I just went @_@ then DDDD:

now I can't express myself in words. LOL
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 20 - (1/21)]
Post by: korin48 on January 21, 2013, 03:19:01 PM
What is really happened here??  :banghead:

Ai-chan and Risa are not couple? Just together? Risa saying is serious? Oh nooo....!

Please update soon! ^_^
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 20 - (1/21)]
Post by: MsSmigge on January 21, 2013, 04:53:41 PM

LOL well i'm prone to breaking my promises...


 :on cloudeye: It's evil to do so.....


   “… Well…” Risa mumbled, “I told her I’m not.”

   “… You what.”


*High fives with Aika*  That's exactly what I said.

AAAARRGH!! I'm so sure you're just messing with us... Soon Risa and Ai will argue and then Reina comes and rescue with her money and then she will coo Risa on her side and then Risa will be with Reina and Ai is all alone and I am going to cry so long that I have no more liquids in my body and...... XD

I still have hope.... Takagaki wont die so easily!!!

to reveal the face of her dear one behind it, smiling.  There were droplets of rain still running down her skin but that didn’t hinder her natural beauty at all.

   “I hope this isn’t a bad time,” she said, shrugging innocently.

   “Even if it was, I wouldn’t say so,” the bean laughed.

  Her past worries had melted away as soon as she saw Ai’s face.  And how could it not?  Just the image of her smiling was enough to make Risa lose her mind sometimes.  It almost made her think that it was okay to leave things the way they are, despite Aika’s protests.  She had Ai and Ai had her.  What more did they need to confirm?


   Her eyes rose up until it made contact with Ai’s gaze.  “I really like you… you know.”

   “I like you, too,” Ai replied casually. 

   Then, Risa reached forward and grabbed the collar of Ai’s shirt and pulled her in, kissing her lips softly but firmly.  Ai seemed a little surprised by the sudden action but didn’t back away.  Slowly, Risa leaned back until her back hit the sofa cushions, making it so that Ai was on top of her.  She broke away to breathe in a little air without breaking her eye contact for even a second.  They were the same dark brown eyes that she had met, seen, and known for months now, but the spark was always there when she gazed into them.  It was what got her heart racing, every time, without fail.  It was the reason why Risa could not escape.

   “I love you,” she confessed.

   “I love you, too,” Ai whispered without missing a beat.

   And that’s enough for now.

   Keeping her thoughts silent, Risa kissed her love again, slowly and sincerely, being careful with every move.  Ai graciously followed her pace, allowing her to lead.  Neither of them knew how it happened but they eventually ended up off the couch and standing somehow.  With their arms still wrapped around each other, their lips locked together, their feet automatically led them away into the bedroom where they would experience a replay of their passion from a past night.

See all this? Even you can't deny it, for you keep on writing about it all the time! XD

Lol, I ended up ranting again.... Sorry, but I am again in A BIT MOODY. :doh:

Anyways, great chapter, keep up the good work and don't you dare to mess with Ta.... *Smacks inner fan*

Yah, I'm waiting for more  :nervous
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 20 - (1/21)]
Post by: maikeatoot on January 23, 2013, 03:38:12 AM
 As long as they're together :)  :ptam-aww: as long as they love each other !!! TakaGaki !!!!!!!!!!!  :ptam-ok: you know loveLove - Sama , when will you update again ? haha i always get excited yet worried right now !!  :nervous :panic: hehe .


P.S : KameShige :)  :on crazygran:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 20 - (1/21)]
Post by: yellow on January 24, 2013, 01:51:45 AM
Quote
@yellow: lol yeah i'm making them all be idiots :lol:
:rofl:  :grin:

about this chapter, i am at least satisfied to know there is actually a place in Juilet's heart for the Cinderella.  :pimp:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 20 - (1/21)]
Post by: SarangAi on January 24, 2013, 06:32:56 AM
@risa_ai: it aint that easy hun :P

@rndy: LOL that just killed me :rofl:

@arisa: lol story of my life, it's okay.  XD

@correne: haha yup~ that's the way it is for now~  :twisted:

@MsSmigge: dude you are SHARP.  read this chapter.  :w00t:

@maikea: hehe i'm trying to update as fast as possible while i can!  :D

@yellow: awwww positive energy! yeah!  XD



Thank you for all the comments and the thanks~~  :twothumbs

I present to you the next chapter~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 21 – “Cinderella could never do as much as Paris could do for Juliet”

   On the outside, no one doubted that anything was out of place with Niigaki Risa.  Walking down the hallway at a quick pace, she was greeting every employee that she encountered with a polite smile and a small bow.  She was on her best behavior and in the most presentable appearance she could manage.  But even if her act was able to fool everybody in Bijou, she knew she could not fool herself.  Despite trying to hold it together, Risa was very much aware of the turmoil within her. 

   And who could blame her?  She was conflicted in the most confusing way.  So confusing that she wasn’t even sure what the conflict was.  It was probably her inability to make, or rather stick to, the decision that she would not discuss the nature of their relationship with Ai.  She kept on telling herself that she was so sure that she did not want to talk to Ai about this, for fear of the risks that it came with, but there was a desire deep within her that wanted to just clear up everything with her.  It was a desire that she was relentlessly pushing down, even with Aika constantly yapping at her to talk to Ai about this, saying tt was something she needed to do.  The girl was probably right—Aika usually was—but Risa was desperate enough that she had continued to knowingly push the voice of reason away.  And now she had to deal with the consequence of having that strange, unsettled feeling at the pit of her stomach every moment she was awake.  Even while she was in bed with Ai, she couldn’t get rid of the discomfort.

   Keeping her robotic smile plastered on her face, Risa grabbed a hold of the door handle of the conference room that she was assigned to for the day.  Ready to greet her fellow interns with a cheery shout, she energetically swung the door open.  And in no way prepared for what was on the other side, her mouth naturally dropped open in shock. 

   On the other side of the table, right in front of her eyes, were the two younger interns, wrapped in each other’s arms, in the middle of some heavy making out.  The older one turned head towards Risa first, alarm evident on her face, and blushed bright red.  The younger blonde turned to look a little slower with less surprise than the girl in her arms, but seemingly still caught off guard. 

   “… Ah… Ano…”

   Risa stopped there.  She didn’t exactly know what more to say.  Not that she could anyway, for her throat felt very dry all of a sudden.  She just stared for a couple more awkward seconds before Saki finally pushed herself away from her friend and proceeded to leave the room.

   “I-I’m going to go get something to drink,” she announced meekly, unable to lift her head as she walked through the door. 

   Risa just nodded as she continued to stare at the blond girl left in the room.  Miyabi noticed her stare and just shrugged before casually take her seat.  Risa exhaled sharply, still trying to make sense of what she had just seen.  She took the younger girl’s example and slowly sat down as well. 

   “Should I be congratulating you?” she finally asked.

   “You can,” Miyabi shrugged again, a small smile appearing on her face this time.

   “Congratulations,” Risa said, smiling but raising an eyebrow at the same time.  “May I ask exactly what happened?”

   “I took your advice,” the girl grinned.  “I told her about how I felt, right to her face.  She was reluctant at first: she thought she would drag me down.  I assured her multiple times that wouldn’t be the case and then… bam.  It just happened.”

   “Wow…” Risa breathed, still in awe of what had just happened.  She was surprised that her little advice had actually helped Miyabi to such great extent.  Frankly, she didn’t really remember exactly what she had said to her.  But hey, it worked, right?  She must’ve said something pretty cool.

   “Niigaki-san, your phone!”

   “Eh?”

   Risa blinked, finally realizing that her ringtone had been going off.  She stood up and took the phone out of her bag and checked the caller ID.  She unintentionally let out a small gasp at spotting her bank’s name printed on the screen. 

   “You still have time before Junjun-san gets here,” Miyabi assured, realizing that it must be an important call.  “Go in the hallway.”

   “Un,” the bean nodded determinedly.  “I’ll be right back!”

   As she picked up the call, Risa quickly made her way out of the conference room and leaned against the wall.  “Moshi-moshi?”

   “Is this the cell phone of Niigaki Risa-sama?”

   “Yes, it is.  Are there news?”

   “The investigation as to your account hacking is still in process,” the kind female voice informed.  “We are doing our utmost best to work out the situation to your favor.  We hope to bring you some good news in time.”

   “Ah… I see…”  Risa bit her lips, unable to hide her apparent disappointment.

   “But we do have a pleasant surprise for you at the moment,” the woman continued.  “In regards to your home, the late bills have all been paid and cared for.  In addition, your future bills have been funded by a generous donation.”

   “What?”  The bean furrowed her eyebrows, unable to comprehend the unexpected situation.  “What does this mean?”

   “It means that your residence is back under your name and it belongs to you,” the voice said.  “The expenses will be paid for by your donator until your account is restored.”

   Risa could not believe her ears.  She had no idea what was going on.  What donator?  Her house was hers again?  Her account was currently empty.  How in the world did this exactly happen?  Who would do such a thing?”

   “Ano… may I know where this donation is coming from?”

   “It’s recorded here as… ‘Bijou’.”

   “Bijou…?” 

   Then, it hit her.  Of course, who else had the money to cover such expenses?  Risa felt her muscles tightening.  Exhaling slowly in a failed attempt to calm down, she bid the bank representative farewell and hung up.  And before she knew it, her feet were already taking her straight to where she needed to go to.  She vaguely remembered hearing something about there being a big meeting in one of the larger meeting rooms, which was where Junjun was supposed to be before she was to meet with the interns.  There was a fair chance that the person Risa needed to see was at the very same meeting.

   At the furious pace she was going, Risa was in front of the correct door in no time.  Without the slightest hesitation, she burst through the door with a hard expression.  There were quite a lot of people sitting by the long table, all of whom turned to look at the sudden intruder.  At the head of the table was Tanaka Reina, looking fashionably splendid as usual, who was staring at the bean with a surprised yet amused expression.  Her secretary, on the other hand, who was standing by her right side, did not seem so happy.

   “Niigaki, what do you think you’re doing?” Junjun said harshly.  “This is an important meeting; it’s no place for someone like you.”

   “Please excuse me for interrupting,” Risa apologized, bowing, “but I must speak to Tanaka Shachou immediately.” 

   A wave of whispers bustled through the room, questioning who this person was and what her inquiry was.  Junjun seemed simply speechless about the bean’s attitude; she was most certainly not this type of person, normally.  In fact, Risa was surprised by herself as well.  She had no idea where this courage was coming from.  Possibly anger.  That simmering feeling at the pit of her stomach…  Oh yes, it was most definitely anger. 

   “Niigaki,” the panda said threateningly, scowling, “I suggest you—”

   “I’m so sorry to have to say this, ladies and gentlemen,” Reina interrupted, standing up, “but you’ll have to excuse me for a brief while.”

   Junjun turned her head towards her boss, stunned by her words.  “Shachou—”

   “It seems that one of my interns here have a very urgent matter to discuss with me,” Reina continued, successfully ignoring her secretary’s protest.  She smiled amusingly as she bowed her head slightly to her board.  “Please forgive me; I’ll be back in a moment.  Niigaki, if you will please step outside.”

   The bean nodded and gave another deep bow to the people present at the meeting before stepping out of the room.  Soon, the kitten followed her out and closed the door.  She faced her employee in a relaxed manner, her expression being that of full interest.

   “Now what’s this all about?” she asked. 

   “My home,” Risa stated simply.  “You bought it.”

   “Don’t tell me you interrupted my meeting just to tell me what I already know,” Reina said, chuckling. 

   “Shachou—”

   “Yes, I bought it,” Reina confirmed.  “And yes, it’s under your name again.  So you can go back home.  It’s yours.”

   “I didn’t ask for you to do that, Tanaka Shachou,” Risa said grimly, her hands balling into fists. 

   “I know.  I simply wanted to.”

   “Well, I didn’t need you to!” Risa yelled.  She immediately sighed and dropped her head, regretting her action.  “Shachou, this is too much.  I can’t accept this.”

   “Of course you can,” Reina insisted.  “Think of it as a gift.  It is a gift.  From me to you.”

   “A house does not fall under the category of ‘gift’, Shachou,” Risa argued.  “I’ve done nothing worthy of deserving such a prize either.  I don’t need you to do this for me.”

   “But I want to do this for you,” Reina protested.  She placed a hand on Risa’s shoulder, begging her to meet her eyes.  “Look.  You’ve done more for me than you’ll ever know.  Please accept it as a token of my gratitude.”

   The older woman sighed.  “Shachou, I can’t—”

   “If you want, I’ll let you repay me,” Reina offered quickly.  “Just… take it for now.  You can pay me back slowly, little by little.  I’ll even let you pay interest, if you want.”

   Risa pursed her lips, thinking this through.  Her president’s eyes were soft and pleading yet hard enough to be determined.  Deciding that she wasn’t going to be able to have it her way, Risa sighed as she nodded. 

   “I’m going to pay you back,” she warned.

   “Excellent,” Reina smiled.  “The deed and all the documents that you need are already at your place.  Most of your belongings by now should’ve been delivered, too.  You can go back today.”

   “Arigatou gozaimasu,” Risa thanked, bowing respectfully to her boss.  “Please excuse my rudeness for interrupting an important meeting.”

   “It’s fine,” Reina shook her head.  “I needed a break anyway.”

   Giving one last wave and a satisfied smile, the kitten reentered the conference room, leaving Risa to ponder her decision on the matter. 

**  **  ** 

   “So we’re going back to your place because you own it again?” Ai inquired, raising an eyebrow.   “Because… Tanaka Shachou bought it for you?”

   “Yeah,” Risa answered.  “And she paid off past and future bills.”

   “… Huh.”  Ai nodded slowly, comprehending the situation.  “And… you need me to go with you, why?”

   “Just… because.”

   Risa shrugged as she started to walk a little faster.  It was a frail attempt at trying to get her companion to focus more on picking up the pace than the topic at hand, but nevertheless, it was an attempt.  Just like how the answer she gave was quite the frail one but still the best answer she could give Ai at the moment.  And this was because, frankly, Risa herself had no idea why she wanted her to be there when she went back home.  It was supposed to be her own house, yet there was a certain sense of uneasiness about returning.  She felt as though she wasn’t supposed to go back, as if she shouldn’t go back, because it was no longer hers.  Which wasn’t true but… still.  It was how Risa felt.

   “Kind of odd though, isn’t it?” Ai inquired casually.  She shivered in the cold night air and shoved her hands inside her pocket.  “That Tanaka Shachou would reacquire her intern’s home for her…  I mean, you’re not even a full employee yet.  Even if you were, it’d still be odd.”

   Risa licked her dry lips and pursed them together, not wishing to reply to her friend’s comment.  She knew she was right.  Of course, it was odd.  Even though she was the one who accepted the “gift”, she still found it odd.  But what was she supposed to do?  She couldn’t very well continue to debate with her boss like that in the hallway, could she?  For heaven’s sake, she was her boss.  So naturally, Risa didn’t wish to be judged in any negative way because of her receiving this overly generous gesture.

   Even so, she couldn’t deny the small part of her that wanted Ai to be mad at her.  She wanted her to scold her for accepting the house and money, tell her that she doesn’t want her to accept anything from anyone, unless it’s from Ai herself, because she belongs to Ai and Ai only.  Even if it was through a burst of anger, they were words that Risa had truly wanted to hear.  Yet, the older woman was reacting as nonchalantly as she usually did, breaking what little hope Risa had into pieces.

   “Well,” Ai sighed, breathing out a puff of cold air, “it’s a good thing I finished work a little earlier today.  Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to go with you.”

   “Un… Sou da ne.”

   Ai glanced at the unusually quiet bean whose eyes were glued to the sidewalk, seemingly determined to focus on walking.  A hint of guilt flashed across the older woman’s face as she realized that she could probably tone down the attitude a bit.  Feeling sorry, she took Risa cold hand in hers and put it in her pocket.  Risa looked at Ai with a hint of surprise in her eyes to which Ai reacted by simply squeezing her hand gently.

   “You know I would’ve gone with you either way,” she said.

   A slow, relieved smile spread across Risa’s face.  She squeezed Ai’s hand back as she nodded.  “I know.”

   Sharing the same pocket for both of their frozen hands unintentionally brought them closer together.  Some people stared or glanced and whispered with each other but the two women successfully ignored all attention.  As they walked through the town, they kept their gaze straight ahead, their destination being the only thing in their mind.  And with that sort of resolve, they reached the bean’s home in no time.

   Risa pushed her key through the doorknob and entered her flat swiftly so she wouldn’t waste time on pointless hesitation.  She looked around the place, astounded.  Her home looked… normal.  Too normal.  Everything was in its right place—well, almost everything—including the furniture, the television, the pictures…  It was as if they had never been taken in the first place.  Was this another kind gesture of Tanaka Shachou? 

   “Wow,” Ai remarked, standing behind the bean.  “It’s like you never left.”

   “I thought everything would be in boxes…” Risa mumbled.  She turned into the kitchen and of course, just like the living room, found mostly everything in its rightful place.  On the table was a yellow file.  Risa opened it and pulled out a stack of papers. 

   “What is it?” Ai asked.

   “It’s the deed to the house,” Risa said, “and the receipts to all the bills.”

   She dropped the folder back on the table and walked back to the living room.  She slowly turned in a circle while standing in the middle of the room, laying her eyes upon everything she saw.  The clock and the picture frame were hanging on different places, but she could fix that later.  The DVD shelf was switched with the album shelf… but they were all there.  Everything had returned to its place without a single thing missing.  Risa couldn’t help but stare in awe at her home.  Her lovely home that she had lived in ever since her college years.  Her home and no one else’s.  And despite the guilt she felt about accepting her kind proposal, Risa couldn’t help but be grateful to Tanaka Reina for what she had done. 

   “I think I should go home now.”

   Risa turned around to face the older woman who was standing by the front door.  She smiled as she motioned around her face.  Confused, Risa touched her own cheeks and felt a wet sensation at the tip of her fingers.  That’s when she realized that she had been crying with the most idiotic smile on her face.  Not crying, as in bawling, but tearing enough so that one could tell she was honestly touched.  Sniffling, she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. 

   “You’re leaving?” 

   “I just remembered,” Ai said, “Sayumi needed me home tonight for something.”

   As the older woman started to put her shoes back on, Risa quickly headed towards the foyer.  Before she could say anything, Ai simply embraced her silently.  Then, she wiped away a stray drop of tear from Risa’s face and smiled.  It was a perfectly sculptured smile, the type of smile that was simply painted on the outside but not on the inside.

   “I’m glad you got your house back,” she said.  “I’ll see you later.”

   With that, she disappeared from Risa’s sight before she could be stopped, leaving Risa to stand alone in an empty apartment.

**  **  ** 

   Takahashi Ai shuffled out of the building with a grim face.  She looked like someone who had absolutely no intention to stop walking any time soon.  She could’ve been going the wrong for all she knew but she didn’t care.  She just had to keep going, away from this place, away from her. 

   After a couple minutes, she came back to her sense and stopped wherever she was and looked around.  She hadn’t gone too far; she was still in the neighboring apartment complex somewhere.  She had probably walked in circles.  But it didn’t matter.  She was far away enough.

   Looking around one more time, she eyed the nearest apartment building.  Without a second thought, she marched right over and punched the concrete wall with her bare hands.  A painful shock ran through her arms and into her body but that was the least of her concerns.  Ignoring the scraped skin on her knuckles that revealed traces of blood, Ai pressed her back against the wall and slipped down to the ground into a crouch, hanging her head.

   Why?  Why couldn’t she be the one to make Niigaki Risa happy like that?  The girl had cried.  She had actually cried because she was happy, touched, relieved.  And she hadn’t been the cause of it. 

   Why was she so helpless?  Why couldn’t she just be useful for once, at least to the girl she loved?  She was willing to give everything up for the girl but that just didn’t seem to be enough.  Even with that kind of mindset, she was powerless.  There was nothing she could do for her that someone else wouldn’t be able to do.  Yes, that someone was better than her.  She was better for her.  It was something she didn’t want to admit but had known all along.

   She could never do as much as Tanaka Reina could do for her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

okay.  this MAY be the end to my chapter-updating rage :nervous

I'm leaving my home again in a day or so and i don't know how often i'll be able to update after i leave  :(

But i shall try my best!  because this is the point where the story gets interesting!  :cow:

 :byebye: :sleep:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: maikeatoot on January 24, 2013, 07:15:06 AM
 uh !  :on shady: you're too obvious reina !!! wew ! and LoveLove-sama will be leaving soon again  :stoned: :shock: :stunned:  :on blackhole: but it's okay !! just update when you can !! we can wait ! how long ? 1 month ? haha !  :lol:
but really i feel sorry for aichan.  :bath:



P.S. : KameShige !  :on crazygran:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on January 24, 2013, 07:59:32 AM
Such a wonderful triangle :wub:

Somehow, I would have thought that Reina's gift would have served to push Risa away from her, but, even more advantageous, she pushing Ai away from Risa!

Oh god, am I rooting for Tanagaki?
 
Ah, well, I'm just glad SakiMiya worked things out!

We'll be waiting for you when you get back~!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: risa_ai on January 24, 2013, 01:11:19 PM
Aichan come here. ;__; Lemme give you a huggie. LE ME KNOWS EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL BECAUSE. ;___; Because le me and fwen.  :cry: :cry: :cry:

This. All my namidas. TOO MUCH. *takes plaster and pates on heart* *gives Ai three*
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: arisa03 on January 24, 2013, 02:33:30 PM
Ai-chan DDDDDDDDDD:

All these tragic.

I cannot express myself in words #2
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: korin48 on January 24, 2013, 03:24:59 PM
Wow! Reina bought house for Risa...  :shock:
Poor Ai-chan!  :on speedy:
More TakaGaki!  :ding:

Please update soon! :byebye:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: yellow on January 24, 2013, 03:50:56 PM
i am totally stoned after reading this chapter  :stoned:

quickly, maikea, come and console Cinderella  XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: MsSmigge on January 24, 2013, 05:08:07 PM
I knew Reina would play her money card for Risa...

AI!!  :fainted: Damn it, fight for your girl and show her how much you can give to her!!!

For some reason, I have an odd feeling about how Risa's house was in so good order, as it was said, like she had never left it. *a lot of thinking*



   She could never do as much as Tanaka Reina could do for her.


Bu****it.  XD You can do a lot more Ai~

Again, I have a very very bad feeling where this is going... But I'll be still waiting for more, even though it might take a bit longer time for the next update.
Write more when you have time.  :)

Till next time~
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: yunagi on January 27, 2013, 07:18:46 AM
Gonna take five from all the emoticons.

Chapter 18

Geez, talk about complicated relationships. Instead of a love triangle this one should be called a love zig-zag. Reina likes Risa, but Risa loves Ai and Ai loves Risa, but they both can’t admit that they’re in a relationship. Sayu adores Ai, who only sees her as a sister.

Then there’s Eri, Aika and Jun. Will they be part of the zig-zag in the near future? Say yes :D

Ah, the magic of guilt. Makes people do things they secretly don’t want to do for the sake of others.

Totally agree with the title. What the hell you two? Somebody’s gotta take the initiative to do something about this ‘relationship block’(couldn’t think of a proper term). But it looks like that somebody isn’t going to be one of the two who’s actually in the relationship.

Then again, Tanagaki ain’t a bad combi…

Chapter 19

Awkward silence in the “new” empty room… *looks around own room* … Room’s too messy for me to feel the awkwardness of being alone, and it’s not new.

White room? Now this definitely sounds familiar.

Quote
  “… Shachou?!”  Risa found herself automatically straightening up properly as if her boss was in the room with her.  “Um… is there something wrong?”
Lol. There’s just something about hearing the boss’s voice that makes employees straighten up, whether they’re right beside you or three floors up. It’s like once we hear their voice the mind’s like “It’s the boss! He/she can see you. Quick act like you’ve been doing work since earlier.” even though he/she is speaking via phone.

Quote
The tiny kitten shuffled around in her home, her hand squeezing her phone.
I don’t know why but I had to reread this three times before my mind could process that the tiny kitten was referring to Reina and not an actual kitten. And here I was thinking a kitten had gotten ahold of a phone and was trying to squeeze it to death with its tiny paws.

Quote
  In fact, this was probably the first time her kitchen was ever being used.  The sound of the sink water running and the stove lighting up was strangely unfamiliar.
Coming from a family full of cooks I couldn’t help but go “eeeeehhhhh?”. Nothing could top a quality home-cooked meal. The best part of eating is the grueling wait for the meat to cook while the scent of the meal’s just urging you to forget cooking and just eat the damn thing.

Reina eating – Like I said, nothing beats a home-cooked meal. There’s just that special something that makes it more appealing to the palate, especially if someone you like made it. Wouldn’t even matter whether it taste like it’s been through the dead sea and back or dipped in all sorts of sweetness that your blood sugar would spike faster than you could finish the dish.

Which reminds me… I haven’t had diner yet.

Chapter 20

Quote
“Well, why not volunteer?” Risa argued back.  “What’s so bad about making another friend?  Tanaka Shachou is, contrary to popular belief, actually a normal person.  And a very nice one.  She has another side to her.”
Cause to Reina she’s not looking for a friend when it comes to Risa. Damn, Risa’s going to be breaking hearts with her realizing too late(or not at all). It’s cruel… I like it.

Quote
“You’re supposed to be with Takahashi-san!” the younger girl said, sounding slightly annoyed.  “You chose her over Tanaka Shachou so now, you have to stick by that choice.”

   “… I’m not seeing the connection,” Risa said slowly.  “What does Ai-chan have to do with me making a new friend?”
Oh dear Lord. Looks like Aika’s gotta spell it out for Risa.

Quote
  “Can I just say that this is really dumb?  Of both of you?”
I concur.

Quote
“No, you don’t understand,” Risa said, shaking her head.  “You’re talking as if I have a choice.  I love her, okay?  I love her.  She loves me too but I love her back.  I need her as much as she needs me… no, more than she needs me.  Don’t you see, Aika?  I’m not in a position where I can afford to choose.”
Well just tell her already! -_-

Quote
  “… Can I just say that I think you’re an idiot?”   
And again I agree. I like how Aika thinks.

Quote
The first thing Risa saw was flowers.  A bouquet of it, to be precise: pink roses.  As she gasped in complete utter amazement, the flower bouquet sank a little lower to reveal the face of her dear one behind it, smiling.  There were droplets of rain still running down her skin but that didn’t hinder her natural beauty at all.
Aw… that’s so cute and sweet and with Ai slightly drenched in rain.. so hot. Yes! Go Ai! That’s what I’m talking about.

Quote
She had Ai and Ai had her.  What more did they need to confirm?  I mean, the woman brought her flowers with chocolate and movies on a rainy day.  This was enough, right?
Well if Ai would ask Risa to be her girlfriend it will.

Quote
  “But she also said I should take advantage of this oh-so-beautiful day to stay in with you.  Which, in my book, is absolutely wonderful logic.”
And again Eri had to get things going for there to be any progress with these two. On a side note, good going Eri.
 
Throughout the first part of the talk I just wanted to slap Ai senseless. Come on, read the atmosphere why don’t cha?  Then the thing about who liked the movie? It was like kids arguing over something like whether the sky was blue or light blue. Pointless, but funny none the less. The end of the talk was definitely the highlight of the night. Looks like Risa’s missing “personal time” with Ai. Aw yeah, another round of sexy time. Too bad there’s no extended chapter...

Reina’s so head over heels in love with Risa. This ain’t gonna end on a happy note.

Chapter 21

*realizes that it’s the fourth chapter she’s read and is face palming for not checking for so long*

Sorry, I’ve just been busy for the last… I don’t know how long.

Woot! Miyabi  took Risa’s advice and got some Saki action. I can just imagine Risa’s face when she unintentionally walked into the two new couple’s oh-la-la activity. And then Saki’s reaction to getting busted for their *ahem* activity. Priceless!

Phone rings- it’s the bank. I wonder how Risa will react when she finds out what Reina did, assuming I’m right with thinking Reina bought her house for her…

I figured she would be shocked, and a bit upset, but suddenly intruding in the middle of a meeting, more so your boss’s meeting, is a bone headed move. Good thing Reina’s got a thing for Risa.

Hearing someone bought something for your special someone is not a good for ones ego. Especially when you know this something is special to your er.. special someone, and you know there was no way for you to afford it. This is going to be a hard blow to Ai.

And Risa unintentionally crying due to extreme happiness is just that additional weigh to tip over the scale. It’s already bad enough to know you couldn’t afford something but knowing someone else made your specialsomeone so happy she cried, it’s like a stab to the heart.

Got a feeling there’s going to be a devastating break up in the near future, like super near.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: carzung on January 30, 2013, 06:42:41 AM
Hi, I'm a new one who reply (sorry about that  :doh:) but I always read your fic.

I love your fic a lot.

This story make me giggling like a crazy (everyone always wonder what's wrong with me), I like both of TakaGaki and TanaGaki.

I hope you'll update soon  :) 
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: Koei on June 21, 2013, 07:29:38 AM
Prepares powers:  :shakeit:

 :wigglypanda:

Prepares even MORE power:  :shakeit:

 :mon roll:

SUPERRRR GALAXYYYY GIGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA BUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMPPPPPPPPPP BREAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKEEERRRRRRRR
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


 :mon zoom:

 :cool1:  All the way. From the far corners os the Universe; one stands tall and reads and re-reads an awesome piece of work. Then one comments at 1 in the morning in an insomnia induced madness.

 :mikilaugh:

Anywhoo XD  Just passing by to say hello! I'm reading ! XD like I just finished your first (for the nth time XD) and am going through the second (for the 3rd time XD) and am goin through this one (for a second time) XD

AND BUMPING FOR THE LOVE OF FICS and FIC WRITERS! XD
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on July 31, 2013, 04:45:08 AM
Hey~ i forgot where i had stopped at so i am rereading and i am currently at chapter 12. I absolutely love Sayu in this fic and i am glad there are more chapters... I love your fics! You should get a fandom award for your contribution! Thank you thank you thank you thank you! :thumbup

*edit*

I just finished Ch. 19 and i am totally cheering for Reina! I hope she gets her love. I dunno how u make me care about members i dont even like but wow!

As for Sayu, i am torn! I want Ai to know her feelings but i wonder if Sayu can start to care for Eri!

When you started this fic i was worried it would not be at the level of your other too. It seemed to build slowly but the payoff and the level of angst is off the charts! The pairings are all to my liking and everything seems so balanced! I can't wait to see what will happen next!

*edit*

OMG! What important thing does Sayu have to tell Ai? Are you going to write a scene where Sayu is bandaging Ai's bloody knuckles? Like i just want them together right now!

I am totally shipping Reina and Risa so hard in this fic... Strictly for this fic only.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 21 - (1/24)]
Post by: SarangAi on October 28, 2013, 08:18:30 AM
What this is still here what what what? :mon ghost:

wow. it's been a REALLY long while, hasn't it? :sweatdrop:

I don't even know if people are still following this... but what the hey.  I'm on leave from school and I have way too much time right now so.... I'm writing! lol :nervous

Thanks for those who left comments ancient times ago and a bit more recent as well. I live for you :bow:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 22 – “Paris made his brave proposal to Juliet”

   Never had Mitsui Aika felt so incredibly uncomfortable in her own home.  True, this place wasn’t really “home” since she would credit that title to where her parents lived back in Shiga prefecture, but this place was as “home” as she could get while she stayed in Tokyo.  Yet “home” did not feel like “home” anymore, as it carried a certain foreign air now.  Yes, everything was arranged the same—well, almost the same, with the few exceptions of picture frames and such—yet there was a sort of change to this place now, a change that she could not get used to.  Everything just seemed much… classier.  It felt as though nothing in the apartment should be touched, as if they were artifacts in a museum.  In fact, this unusual pressure was so strong that the poor girl could only sit in her chair with her arms wrapped around her knees, balled up as tightly as she could in an effort to limit the amount of space that she was taking up.

   Wrinkling her eyebrows with envy, Aika watched her older friend move around the kitchen freely.  Despite the recent series of shocking events, the bean seemed very casual, busily preparing their breakfast.  Had she already gotten over the initial shock of having her house returned to her out of the blue?  By her boss, nonetheless?  How could she be so comfortable already?

   “I still don’t think you should have,” Aika remarked, cutting through whatever random tune Risa was softly humming to.

   “Should have what?”

   “Accepted the house.”  The younger girl pulled her knees in even closer and placed her chin on top of it.  “It’s unnatural.  For your boss to buy your house back.”

   Risa sighed as she scooped up the scrambled eggs from the frying pan onto a plate.  “I know, I know…”

   “I know Tanaka Shachou is fond of you, to say the least,” Aika continued, “but this sort of gesture is a little too much, don’t you think?”

   “I do…” Risa mumbled, bringing the food over to the table and sitting down.  “But what was I supposed to do?  I couldn’t exactly refuse her generosity.  I couldn’t disobey her.”

   “Yeah, I know…” Aika nodded, sighing out her frustration.  “You had no choice.  But I still don’t like this.  Accepting Tanaka Shachou’s grand gift while still being with Takahashi-san… you realize there’s something odd with this picture, right?”

   “I know…” Risa mumbled again.  “Ai-chan, she… she was acting a little odd too, when she saw that I got my house back.”

   “I don’t blame her,” Aika shrugged.  “I would’ve been worried if she hadn’t acted weird.”

   “I guess…”  Risa swallowed as she quickly picked up her fork and seized some scrambled egg, chewing on it as if she was recharging her battery.  “I swear though, I’m going to pay Tanaka Shachou back.  She may have thought I was joking but I wasn’t.  I really am going to repay her.  Little by little.”

   “I guess that’s the best you can do for now,” Aika agreed, smiling a little.  “I’ll help, too.  After all, I live here as well.”

   “Thanks, Aika,” the bean grinned.  “Come on, eat up!  We both have a long day ahead of us.”

**  **  ** 

    “You know, being at home is such a wonderful thing!” the pale bunny remarked, biting into the melon bread in her hand.  “Don’t you agree, Eririn~?”

   “Your excessive happiness is creeping me out, Sayu,” the turtle replied, watching her friend twirl around in her store as she fixed a hat set upon a mannequin.

   “Oh, don’t be such a party-pooper!” Sayumi said, sticking her tongue out.  She skipped towards the counter and sat herself on top of it playfully.  “You know, I’ve never fully appreciated the idea of home.  Sleeping in your own bed, using your own bathroom, eating in your own kitchen…  It’s great being back home!”

   “You’re gonna have to get down from there when a costumer comes in,” Eri warned, walking over to the counter as well.  “I’m running a business here, you know.”

   “You’re no fun at all today, Eri,” Sayumi grumbled, frustratingly biting off another huge chunk of her melon bread.  “And after I made the effort to bring snacks all the way here…  How lame.”

   “Actually, I distinctly remember telling you on the phone that you really… really didn’t need to come by,” Eri remarked, smiling mischievously.  “So whose fault is this, hm?”

   “… Oh, shut up.” 

   Sayumi mumbled out her frustrations under her breath as she ripped her bread apart again with her teeth, chewing furiously in a manner unfit for a lady.  Eri snickered as she celebrated a silent victory against the bunny.  Despite relentlessly teasing Sayumi, the turtle could actually tell that the girl seemed to be much happier these days.  After being kicked out of her home for a little while, she seemed to have discovered some sort of newfound gratitude towards the fact that she lives with the person she treasures the most in the world.  The little bunny had grown. 

   “Tell me, though…” Eri continued, her tone changing, “what’s up with Ai-chan today?”

   Sayumi raised an eyebrow.  “What do you mean?”

   “Well… she just seems… different.” 

   Eri nodded her head towards her friend who was minding some of the mannequins on the other side of the store.  Sayumi turned and observed her stepsister.  After she got beyond the fact that the woman looked ever so naturally beautiful, as usual, she noticed something was indeed off upon paying closer attention.  At one point, Ai would be organizing the clothing racks or straightening out a wrinkle in a mannequin’s shirt, as she should be.  But the next moment, she would suddenly freeze in place, look down, and sigh as she blanked out.  After a minute or two of that, she would do a little head jolt as she came back into reality and continued her work silently. 

   “And what’s up with her hand?” Eri asked, concerned.  “Did she hurt herself?”

   Only then did Sayumi notice the white gauze wrapped around her sister’s hand, weaved around each finger.  When had Ai hurt herself like that?  What had exactly happened for her to have gained such an injury?  Sayumi bit on her bottom lip, unable to help feeling beyond pathetic.  How could she have not noticed that her loved one was hurt like that?  She shouldn’t have needed Eri’s mentioning of it.  For god’s sake, she lived with the woman!  She should’ve known that Ai had gotten hurt and the reason for it.  She was a failure as a sister and anything else that she may ever hope to be. 

     But what could she have possibly done to help, even if she knew why Ai was acting peculiar?  She was just Sayumi, just the little sister, who has a completely different life than her older sibling despite living together.  In comparison to Ai who worked two jobs, did all the household chores, and was an orphan, Sayumi was unemployed, living off of her mother’s money, and was always pampered.  Someone like her could never understand a scarred person like Ai.

   But still, she wanted to try.  Whatever little things she could do, she wanted to do it for her.  Even if she can’t make much of a difference, at least it’ll let Ai know that she cares.  At least, she can hope it will.

   Deciding to act upon her instincts, Sayumi hopped off the counter and grabbed whatever her hand first touched inside a plastic bag of snacks that she had brought.  Then, she marched straight up to her stepsister and jabbed the food into her face.  Ai flinched as she looked at the bunny in surprise, unable to decipher what was going on.

   “Sayu?” she blinked.  “Wha—”

   “It’s for you,” Sayumi said quickly, shoving the bread into her face again.  “Melon bread.”

   “I’m not very hungry…”

   “Just eat it!” the younger girl insisted, opening the plastic wrapping and offering the food again.  “Sweet things are supposed to make people feel better…  It’ll make Nee-chan feel better…  So eat it.” 

   Sayumi looked away as she spoke, unable to get herself to meet her sister’s eyes.  What was she thinking right now?  Could she be thinking that this is childish and unnecessary?  Maybe she was being a little ridiculous…  Was it too late to go back to her nice little area on the counter? 

   “… Arigatou.”

   The bunny looked up at the sound of a warm voice, making contact with an equally warm gaze.  Ai smiled as she received the melon bread and took a small bite. 

   “It’s delicious,” she commented.  “Sweets really do make people feel better, huh?”

   Sayumi immediately looked away just in time to conceal the blush in her cheeks.  “I-I don’t know, it’s not like I said it first!” she said, trying to sound harsh but ending up with a series of stumbling words instead. 

   “Either way,” Ai laughed.  She reached out and gently patted her sister’s head, allowing the bunny to blush even more as she looked down.  “Thanks for letting me eat this, Sayu.”

   “D-don’t… touch me… baka…”

   Despite her mumbled words, Sayumi showed no intention whatsoever of moving away, which she could’ve easily done.  Eri chuckled to herself as she watched this scene, shaking her head.  It was hard to believe that the helpless girl who was frozen in place right now was the same girl who could spit out poisonous words at will.  Looking at her now, she seemed so childlike with only the purest intentions of making her sister feel better.  Either way, Eri knew, Sayumi was Sayumi.  The gap in her character was what defined her.  It was nice to know that it was possible for the girl to actually have a soft spot for something—or rather, someone.  It was only regrettable that the certain someone was a person she could never have.  Or at least, one would think. 

**  **  ** 

   There were few moments in Niigaki Risa’s life when she felt like she had done something good in her past life that allowed her to gain something equally precious in retribution.  This was one of those moments as she silently celebrated her excitement in the calmest way she could manage without getting up and dancing on the table.   The reason?

   “You will all receive your own work space by tomorrow,” President Tanaka informed.  “We just need to open up more space since we were only planning on hiring one intern, but ended up keeping all three.  So, ladies, I give you my official welcome to the Bijou family.”

   Boom.  Fireworks and applause exploded in Risa’s head as she formed a restrained smile on her face.  She bowed her head slightly in gratitude along with her two colleagues, who also seemed quite excited as well.  After a long, long wait and hours of hard work with low pay, Niigaki Risa had finally been promoted as a full-time employee at her dream job.  With this, she could finally start dipping her soul fully into her passion and also start paying off her debt to her boss.  This was the first step to her newly acquired independent life.

   “Though your work spaces remain unprepared,” President Tanaka continued, “I have decided to give you your assignments in advance.  Each of you will only need to focus on the individual project that is given to you.  This may involve working under certain departmental chiefs, in which case, you will be expected to strictly follow their orders.  Junjun?  If you would do the honors.”

   “Hai.”  Nodding her head, the secretary stepped forward and put down a set of manila folders on the table.  She handed the first one to the girl sitting closest to her. 

   “Natsuyaki-kun,” she said, “your first project will be street research.  Observe the streets of Tokyo and check out summer hair styles.  The Hair department’s chief will have more details for you.  Report to her office on the 14th floor after lunch.”

   “Hai!” Miyabi answered brightly, hugging her folder tightly.  She was obviously overjoyed at being assigned to something hair-related, which was where her passion lied.

   “Shimizu-kun,” Junjun continued, passing the folder to the aforementioned employee, “your department is the cosmetics department.  They’re in the midst of putting together a summer makeup tutorial issue along with new products from various companies, including ours.  You’ll be assisting in that project.  Floor 16.”

   “Hai,” Saki answered shyly, her face blushing in joy.

   “Lastly, Niigaki-kun.”  Junjun slid the final folder towards the woman who was keeping her fingers crossed underneath the table.  “You will be assisting in coordinating the models for the summer spread.  You must be present at every photo shoot.  Your schedule will be available with your chief, 5th floor.”

   “Hai,” Risa nodded, pulling the folder close to her while making a serious effort to not tremble.  Every photo shoot, she says.  Coordinating the models, she says.  This was all Risa could ever wish for: a direct, hands-on experience in fashion!  Her dreams were starting to be realized!

    “That is a special post that was created for you by Tanaka Shachou so please make sure to carry out your duties diligently,” Junjun noted. 

   Risa blinked as she looked up from the table.  Her colleagues seemed just as confused as she was as they suspiciously eyed back and forth from the bean to their president.  Reina remained in her seat, smiling calmly.

   “What better way to learn the business than charging into it head on, yes?” she said.

   Risa wrinkled her eyebrows as she quietly agreed and thanked her boss.  On one hand, she was grateful for the president’s care.  But on the other, she was incredibly uncomfortable with the extra attention that was being given to her, especially now that it was very visibly obvious to her colleagues and probably whoever else was in the company as well.  It was hardly appropriate.  Why was the president intentionally drawing so much attention?

   “Niigaki, is something wrong?”

   “Huh?  Oh, it’s nothing, nothing at all…”

   “You’re not sick, are you?” Reina asked, looking concerned.  “You do seem awfully tired.”

   “No, I’m okay, Shachou, really,” Risa mumbled quietly, feeling the same discomfort rising again from the unnecessary attention. 

   “Well, don’t overwork yourself,” Reina continued, either ignoring or not noticing her employee’s embarrassment.  “Take breaks if you need to, okay?”

   Risa nodded silently, sensing all eyes in the room landing on her.  Damn it, she hated this!  If her boss didn’t ease up soon, the entire company was going to find out about them!

   Wait.  Stop.  Find out what about them?  What were they anyway?  They weren’t anything!  There was nothing between Niigaki Risa and Tanaka Reina, as far as the older woman was concerned.  There was nothing for her to be embarrassed about.  But the president’s behavior was, nevertheless, not going to go unnoticed by the other workers. 

   “So that’ll be it for now,” Junjun said, deciding to wrap up the meeting before the atmosphere got even more awkward.  “Lunch break for all of you.  Then report to the locations you’ve been assigned to.”

   “Hai!”

   Risa immediately got up and started to gather her things at the speed of light.  She had a bad feeling that if she didn’t escape soon, another inevitable would happen…

   “Niigaki!”  There it was.

   “Shachou?” Risa answered, reluctantly turning around to face her boss.

   “With me.  Now,” Reina curtly ordered, walking past the bean and out the door.  Risa’s eyes widened as she stood frozen for a second, looking around for help.  Junjun just simply raised an eyebrow and walked out, making a smart decision to not take a part in this.  Miyabi and Saki shot looks of confusion at their co-worker, to which Risa shrugged casually with an effort. 

   “Niigaki!”

   Jumping at the sound of her name, the bean quick shoved the rest of her belongings in her bag and quickly left the room and briskly walked down the hall to catch up with her employer.  For a tiny woman, she could really walk.  And at such a speed, before Risa knew it, she was following the kitten out to the parking lot towards a familiar black car.  With the click of her keys, Reina unlocked her vehicle and stepped into the driver’s seat.  Risa froze in front of the car, clutching her bag to her chest, unsure of what was going on. 

   “Shachou, I… what… where…?”  Though she tried to phrase some sort of question to this situation, she had no idea where to start.

   “Stop mumbling and get in,” Reina said, sticking her head out the window.  “Lunch break doesn’t last forever.”

   “But—“

   “Niigaki,” the kitten said sternly, “you know I don’t like repeating myself.”

   Sighing, Risa helplessly clambered into the passenger seat and put the seatbelt on.  There was no way out of this game, was there? 

   With a satisfied smile, Reina revved her car into gear and drove off and entered the main road.  At some point, she took out a pair of sunglasses from a compartment and put them on.  Risa glanced at her boss who looked way too young to be an entrepreneur and stylish enough to be a pop idol.  Really, her entire being was such a mystery.  How could Risa possibly root out what was going on in that little mind of hers?

   “Ano… Shachou…?”

   “Hm?”

   “If you don’t mind me asking… where are we going?”

   “Isn’t it obvious?” Reina chuckled.  “I’m taking you out to lunch.”

   “Haa?!”  Risa wrinkled her eyebrows.  “But… no, I mean, you don’t need to do that!”

   “I want to,” Reina shrugged.  “For that delicious homemade dinner you made me that time.”

   “That and more was already paid for when you bought me my house back!” Risa said, in utter confusion. 

   “That’s that, this is this,” Reina said.  “It’s different.”

   Risa’s mouth remained dropped open in disbelief.  Really, did this woman’s brain just run on a different frequency than everybody else’s?  How was treating someone to dinner and buying someone a house unmatched in the level of favors?  What kind of math did she learn in school?

   Before Risa could further argue, the car came to a stop as Reina stepped out of the car without a warning.  The bean hurriedly followed out as a man in a vest got into the driver’s seat.  Valet parking.  Oh boy, this was definitely one of those restaurants that Risa could only afford in her dreams.  Yikes. 

   “Don’t get lost, Niigaki.”

   Risa looked up from her spaced out thoughts and found her boss already at the entrance of the restaurant, smirking.  The bean quickly caught up to her as she entered the building and greeted the waitress there.  They were immediately led to a table with considerable sunlight beaming down on it, making the small flower case in the middle of the table shimmer.  Risa couldn’t hide her awe as her head spun this way and that, catching a glimpse of every fancy white curtain and majestic designs of the ceiling and the well-dressed waiters. 

   “You can pick whatever you’d like,” Reina said.

   Though it was a kind gesture, Risa found such an offer useless, as she understood none of the dishes listed in the menu.  It was still Japanese but it was in a fancy culinary language that she could not figure out.  Alas, she had gotten nowhere when the waiter came to take their orders.

   “I’ll have an iced strawberry-peach lemonade,” Reina said, “and herb-roasted capon chicken.  With a side of salad.”

   “And for you, miss?” the waiter asked politely, turning towards the bean. 

   “Uh…  I’ll have the same.”

   “Very good,” the waiter nodded, writing down the order.  “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

   As soon as the waiter walked away, Reina leaned in towards the bean with a smile and whispered, “You know, if you didn’t understand the menu, you could’ve asked me.” 

   “I understood!” Risa retorted back, her cheeks turning red.  “I just… I trust your taste in food so I wanted to get what you were getting.”

   “Uh-huh.  Okay,” Reina laughed.

   Risa blushed brighter, she was sure, but somehow, she still felt comforted by her employer’s teasing.  The way she laughed wasn’t meant to make her feel even more foreign to such a high-class atmosphere, but rather to loosen her up more.  It was something Risa could appreciate. 

   And the rest of the lunch went along the same way.  The drinks arrived, Risa had taken less than a liking to it, and noticing this, Reina ordered a different, less sweet drink.  The salad arrived and Reina made sure that the waiter gave Risa the first scoop with all the croutons she wanted (which she claimed was none, but Reina, of course, saw through her politeness).  The main dish arrived and when Risa accidently dropped her fork on the ground before she could even touch the food, Reina put her own fork in the bean’s hand first before asking for a new fork for herself.  This lady was not planning on holding back the least bit in kindness and care for the bean.  And the more consideration Reina showed, the more confused Risa became.  Though she tried to question the reason for such attention, the president would continuously direct the conversation towards elsewhere.  Even after the meal, when they were on their way back to Bijou headquarters, Reina made sure to continuously chatter or ask inconsequential questions of her own to give Risa no leeway whatsoever.  So by the time they were stepping out of the car in the parking lot of the Bijou building, the bean’s mouth was itching to finally get an answer out of the kitten, once and for all.

   “Shachou,” Risa started, blocking Reina’s way.

   “Niigaki,” Reina answered, walking around her employee.  But Risa sidestepped to stand in her way again. 

   “Why are you doing all of this?”

   Realizing she wasn’t going to get away with it anymore, Reina faced the older woman.  “Doing all of what?”

   “You know what!” Risa said a bit louder.  “Giving me a place to live in when I got evicted?  Buying me back my house?  Taking me out for lunch?  All of this and more.  Why?”

   “Couldn’t we simply leave it as random acts of kindness?”

   “No, Tanaka Shachou,” Risa answered, “because we both know it’s not that.  And if it is, I don’t want it.  I don’t need your charity, Shachou.  I’ve been supporting myself for a long time and I can still do it.  I don’t need pity points—”

   “You think I pity you?” Reina interrupted with a small scoff.  “Please, pitying you is the last thing I’d do.  No, I respect you, Niigaki.  Like you said, you’ve been living by yourself for so long, it’s a mystery how you made it by yourself in Tokyo.  Though it may have seemed impossible at times, you followed your risky dream of getting into fashion and now here you are, interning at Bijou.  You’re the oldest intern we have but also the most hardworking.  I respect you, Niigaki.  And I admire you.”

   “But why are you—”

   “And I love you.”

   With that, the world stopped.  Risa froze mid sentence as she stared blankly at the woman in front of her, this woman whose cat-like eyes pierced back into her fearlessly. 

   “… What….”

   “I said, I’m in love with you,” Reina repeated without a moment of hesitation.  “Niigaki Risa, I’ve loved you for a while now.  And I’d like you to go out with me.”

   Risa didn’t say a word.  All of  Aika’s future I-told-you-so’s echoed in her head along with flashbacks to every moment of her time spent with Reina, the clues that she never picked up on.  But the most present thought in her head was of Ai.  Takahashi Ai, her close… ‘friend’.  The one she truly wanted to be with.  The unsettled confusion between them, the unsaid words, the unclear borderlines.  Nothing made sense in Risa’s head as a series of films just ran through her mind.  She couldn’t think, she couldn’t see, but she could hear. 

   “Please go out with me.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOOM. come back.  :yossi:

Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 22 - (10/28)]
Post by: Tian_Yuan on October 28, 2013, 02:59:24 PM
OMG THIS CHAPTER WAS AWESOME!  :twothumbs

You totally made my weekend complete posting this update!


I was laughing so hard during the Risa/Reina part.  Reina is so thoughtful and nice and using her position to spoil Risa  :oops:

And Sayu was perfect as always.  I love this fic!  I hope you will update more soon especially since now you are rearranging everyone and I can finally get some Ai/Sayu  :otomerika: maybe  :nervous
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 22 - (10/28)]
Post by: yunagi on October 28, 2013, 03:29:29 PM
Oh ma gash! You updated! Welcome back! Been waiting for this since forever (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/crazy-monkey/crazy-monkey-emoticon-017.gif?1292792382)

Quote
How could she have not noticed that her loved one was hurt like that?  She shouldn’t have needed Eri’s mentioning of it.  For god’s sake, she lived with the woman!
I guess that’s what you call “blinded by love”, like literally. But Sayu seems to have grown up after having been temporarily kicked out of her own house… though she sure still has a funny way of showing her concern.

Quote
  “That is a special post that was created for you by Tanaka Shachou so please make sure to carry out your duties diligently,”
I wonder if the sachou will be in every photo shoot “watching” every session.

Quote
the entire company was going to find out about them!

   Wait.  Stop.  Find out what about them?  What were they anyway?  They weren’t anything!
Oh the drama… and the mini spazz attack in Risa’s mind.

Holy Fu-dge brownies with sprinkle toppings! She confessed! (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/crazy-monkey/crazy-monkey-emoticon-006.gif?1292792379p)

And argh… Cliff hanger(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/crazy-monkey/crazy-monkey-emoticon-112.gif?1292792408)
Totally awesome chapter though.
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 22 - (10/28)]
Post by: MsSmigge on October 28, 2013, 07:58:25 PM
When I first noticed the pink new label behind this story I just thought that someone had left a comment like "WHERE ARE YOU??!!" And such. But when I noticed the date and a word update, my mind went like this:

 :stunned: :on gay: :wriggly: :hee: :hiakhiakhiak: :farofflook: :mon dance: :mon angel: :banana: :pepper:  :panic: :cow: :bow:

Yeah, lol  :lol: I was very excited...

But aww man! What is going to happen to Takagaki???!!! Don't break them!!  :bleed eyes:
And Reina confessed to Risa?  :shocked Risaaaaaaaaa, listen to your heart (the one where Ai is~) and don't fall for Reina! But hey, though Reina confessed the first thing Risa thought was Ai.  XD Lol, I'm trying to convince myself that Takagaki is still possible.
And though I'm not so fond of Tanagaki (no, it really doesn't show at all...) the lunch with Risa and Reina was hilarious  :lol:

Nice to "have you back"! Hopefully you will have more free time so you can update this story more often  :lol: Very great job!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 22 - (10/28)]
Post by: maikeatoot on October 29, 2013, 02:13:04 PM
  oh my gosh lovelove -sama ! WELCOME BACK ! IT HAS BEEN 10 MONTHS ?!
 
AND THEN YOU CAME BACK WITH A SHORT UPDATE  :)

 SHORT BUT IT WAS FULL OF SURPRISES !
 
 OKAY :)

 I THINK I'M STARTING TO LIKE TANAGAKI :)

 BUT WAIT, IM STILL A TAKAGAKI FAN :)

 AND KAMESHIGE OF COURSE :)

 KYAAH !!`

NO REINA, YOU GO OUT WITH JUNJUN !!!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 22 - (10/28)]
Post by: rndmnwierd on October 30, 2013, 01:12:23 PM
 :O :shocked :shocked :shocked asdasfsdgfh jfc! Holy crap and what a come back it is. I want the Tanagaki, but, but, the Takagaki, too~! Wait, I remember this feeling, damn! I thought I could fight it, but you bring it back full force~!
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 22 - (10/28)]
Post by: dan77 on December 10, 2013, 09:09:43 PM
BOOM ! !
konichiwa~~~

I always love your fiction SarangAi.. :wub:  :bow:
i read chigatte, kokoro no uta and this fiction too.. I even read them a few times (especialy takagaki part  :P) but I seldom post comment  :oops: :oops: sorry.. but I will post comment whenever I see you update this fiction.. so please give us update  :bow: :bow:  :bow:

IMHO, Juliet and Cinderella's story is really unique and interesting! using famous old story as the background, and translate it into modern era.. It's very creative changing a ball into a club party, using a best friend to do fairy godmother's part, etc.. I'm not really familiar with romeo and juliet story, I just know it is a romance story, the ending is both of them die tragically.. you won't let gaki die right?   :mon scare:

I love takagaki couple! :mon inluv:
but after reading this fiction, I dunno why, but I think tanagaki is lovely too.. :panic: tanaka shachou is very lonely  :cry: and it looks like she is willing to do anything for gaki :cry: :cry: in the other hand, Aichan is soooo  #$@÷%^&!*€£¥₩?; don't have the guts to express her feeling, her tought to risa about their status and other things. :mon headbang: (But Aichan is still no. 1 for me in momusu eventhough she already graduated lol)

I want to know how risa answer tanaka shachou confession :panic: :panic: :panic:
will she accept it? or reject it? I'm kind of wish risa accept reina's confession.. hihihi

ahhhhhhhh, pleasd update soon...!!!!!  XD XD

LoveSarangAi  :heart: :heart:

btw, it looks like Aichan always be the one suffer a burden because loving Gaki in your fictions.. poor Aichan  :gyaaah:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 22 - (10/28)]
Post by: Dyh_18 on April 29, 2014, 06:53:15 PM
hello \o/ I'm a new reader
I started reading and I enjoyed  :inlove:
I'll be supporting and Please update soon!  :kneelbow:
Title: Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 22 - (10/28)]
Post by: JiSher2013 on May 15, 2014, 03:47:40 PM
I'm with the new one!! In fact I read the story for quite some time - without being a user - I registered a few days ago.
Your writing is amazing. Seriously, if I had a hat I'd take it off, and bowing several times.
I'll support any story that you will write and I'm more then requesting- I'm begging you (*cute papy face*) please, please, please keep writing this fanfick (*keep going withe the papy pace*)
\Going away with hope that you really read this post though you not updated since 2013\