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Author Topic: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 22 - (10/28)]  (Read 91359 times)

Offline SarangAi

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 8 - (5/22)]
« Reply #160 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:

avii&sig by the wonderful kawaii beam~!

Offline maikeatoot

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
« Reply #161 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!!!
« Last Edit: June 20, 2012, 07:37:38 AM by maikeatoot »

Offline rndmnwierd

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
« Reply #162 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!

Offline risa_ai

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
« Reply #163 on: June 20, 2012, 07:53:23 AM »
*Puts hands up for TAKAGAKI* ANYONE? Hello?! xD

Offline yellow

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
« Reply #164 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:

Offline arisa03

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
« Reply #165 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 ;
Like I’m the most calm... Like, it must definitely be because, Like when we enter, I’ll be hurrying. But Because Junjun is older, I can calm down? I don’t really know, Like I just absolutely want her there beside me. Whenever we go abroad, if Junjun is absolutely not beside me, I absolutely won’t go. Something like that. -- Tanaka Reina about Junjun.

Offline Shiawase_Honoo

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
« Reply #166 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:

Offline Kuji

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
« Reply #167 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? I'm kidding, but for sure, life happens so no pressure.

Offline SarangAi

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
« Reply #168 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

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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:

avii&sig by the wonderful kawaii beam~!

Offline MsSmigge

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
« Reply #169 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:


Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.

Offline rndmnwierd

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
« Reply #170 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!

Offline yellow

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
« Reply #171 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:

Offline risa_ai

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 9 - (6/20)]
« Reply #172 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.

Offline maikeatoot

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
« Reply #173 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 :)

Offline kawaii beam

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
« Reply #174 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:
please visit kawaii-chan's avie's and siggies!

Offline all6th

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
« Reply #175 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

Offline arisa03

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
« Reply #176 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
Like I’m the most calm... Like, it must definitely be because, Like when we enter, I’ll be hurrying. But Because Junjun is older, I can calm down? I don’t really know, Like I just absolutely want her there beside me. Whenever we go abroad, if Junjun is absolutely not beside me, I absolutely won’t go. Something like that. -- Tanaka Reina about Junjun.

Offline sakura_drop_

  • サクゲキと読んでください | Sakugeki to yonde kudasai~ | Please call me "Sakugeki"
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  • YukoRena(Geki) & AtsuYuu shipping all the way! ♥♥♥
Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
« Reply #177 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:
"人間みんな変態だから" - 古川愛李, SKE48 新高柳チームKII 「シアターの女神」千秋楽公演, 2014.04.18 <"Because all people are perverts." - Furukawa Airi, SKE48 New Takayanagi Team KII [Theater no Megami] Last Stage, 2014.04.18>

My Blog: J-Pop and K-Pop Abode   The list of my fics in JPH!P: My fics   Let's have fun here: Acchan48   My home and family: United Nations Society of Adorkable Writers



My KamiOshis: Yuuko-sama, Rena-sama  Oshimen: Yuihime Other favorites: Mirukii, Juri-tan, Ripopo

Offline Shiawase_Honoo

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
« Reply #178 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.

Offline SarangAi

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Re: Juliet and Cinderella ~ [UPDATE - Chapter 10 - (6/27)]
« Reply #179 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:

avii&sig by the wonderful kawaii beam~!

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