EPILOGUE: THREE MONTHS AFTER
The perception of time is something that can alter from individual to individual. It can also have different definitions depending on said perception. Most humans, though, go by the typical given explanation of it: An indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events have a nonspatial continuum in an apparent irreversible sequential order. But had those who decided on this most logical definition asked Niigaki Risa for her interpretation on the subject, we can rest assured it would be much bleaker. Her opinion on said theme was simple and direct. For this particular Morning Musume, time was an inescapable prison set up to torture souls who had committed transgressions against those they loved. Time was the obstacle that teased and gave a constant reminder that there was nothing she could do to change the past. Time was what gave proof that she could never undo what she had done. Thankfully though, time had proven to not be a merciless master.
Three months had passed since that emotional rollercoaster of a night took place. Six months since the night Niigaki took Fujimoto home. Half a year that had oddly passed by quickly, in a way, too quickly. So much had happened from then to now that memories had now started to feel a bit numb, cold, and distant. Throughout the passing days, a shared feeling of nervousness had spread through the group. It almost felt like they were new members all over again, that feeling of anxiety, the uncontrollable facial expressions, the random laughs, the morning stomach aches, the nausea, the fidgeting and the sped up heartbeats were all mix and match feelings they all experienced when they stepped on to the work van. This morning, of course, was no different.
“Risa, did you eat your breakfast?” her younger sister asked.
“No, I’ll eat at work” Gaki slipped into her awaiting shoes and opened the front door.
“Risa! You really need to stop that! You’ve been having horrible eating habits for a couple of months now” her sister shouted. Suddenly the door shut close. “Risa?” her sister stood up and walked to the door, no one was there. “What the… be like that!” the younger of the Niigaki family huffed and stomped her way back to her breakfast.
Humidity hit Gaki like a tidal wave the moment she stepped out. It was barely 8 in the morning and already it was turning out to be a crappy day. She sprinted from her front door, through her gate door and jumped into the work van. “I’m really sorry!” she exclaimed landing beautifully in it. Everyone just starred at her slightly freaked .
“That’s fine” Yossy called out “Just close the door so we can get moving” Gaki quickly turned and closed it and making sure it was secure. She made her way to the back of the van, where the members she regarded the closest sat at.
“Here, I brought you some breakfast” Konkon handed a bagel to the late girl.
“Ha? How did you know?” Gaki took the food into her hand.
“Your sister text us all about a minute ago, complaining you haven’t been eating right” Mako answered. “Konkon made four bagels this morning, two for her and two for me. When we read the message we decided to share” she bit into her own warm, toasted delight.
“Just make sure to eat it quickly” Ai warned “Yoshizawa-san smelled it the moment Konkon got on and out of blue got cranky. It seems she might be going through bagel withdrawal.” Ai looked slightly scared. Gaki quickly glanced up to were Yoshizawa sat and two big eyes with a sniffing nose stared back at her.
“WHAT?! You also brought bagels?” Yossy almost stood up from her seat. “THAT’S IT! New rule! No one is allowed to bring bagels if you’re riding on the work van!”
“Yocchan” a voice that still gave Gaki nightmares spoke up. “Don’t be getting all pissy attitude with the kids just ‘cause your manager said you can’t eat bagels anymore” she pulled the leader closer to her. “Just turn around and let them eat” Miki quickly looked over at Gaki, giving a reassuring wink and smile.
“No, it’s not fair” the taller girl argued. .
“Yocchan, if you handle these first few days without bagels I promise to…” she leaned into the others ear and whispered something. Apparently going through withdrawal suddenly seemed worth it, a smile bigger than the Grand Canyon spread on Yossy’s face.
After that affectionate display between the leaders, the car ride went into to its typical awkward silent mode. It never failed to happen, especially if both Gaki and Eri were on the work van that day.
‘Funny how things change’ the youngest of 5th gen thought to herself. She leaned forward and took a bite of the charity food that was given to her. She rhythmically chewed the mass of food in her mouth and her observant eyes looked around the cabin-like sitting area of the van. It was a typical morning indeed. Yossy and Miki were sitting up in the front whispering to each other. For a couple of months now, Gaki had noticed an increase in their quality time. As expected, at first it had irked her. Seeing Miki flirt shamelessly with another in the exact same way she did with you would naturally annoy anyone. Soon though, Gaki saw how a naturally light smile would show up on Miki, a smile that she had always wanted to see on her. Seeing as Yossy was the only one to giver her such a carefree grin, made Gaki silently give her blessing over the developing relationship. Even if they did deny fact that they were a “something”. Suddenly, there it appeared, once more, that smile that convinced Gaki that she had indeed made the right decision.
A burning sensation over her right cheek caused Gaki to quickly glance over to that area of the van. A very familiar stare was observing her, it was Eri. Gaki’s stomach gave way as if it had either shrunk five times its normal size or it completely disappeared. Realizing that she had been caught, Eri quickly looked away. Gaki, though, did the opposite. The bagel eater leaned back in her seat and took another bite from her food. She crossed her arms, slouched down in the seat and continued starring. This morning, as every other recent morning, Eri was sitting next to Sayu. In front of the two, Reina was talking to them while Koharu leaned against the window trying to catch a few Z’s before the work day started.
The past three months had been very awkward between Gaki and Eri. At least with Miki, both the Rokkie and Gokkie could still communicate a bit more normally with but when it came to each other it was a different story. There was a large gaping hole between them and the more they stayed quiet, the more distant they felt from one another and the harder it became to try and patch it up.
Though it was willing, the time Eri had asked for was the most excruciating event Gaki had ever lived by. Had it been up to the senior, she and her kohai would’ve been reunited once and for all. Yet she was more than willing to comply and give time. All the time Eri needed, no matter how long, even if years passed, Gaki promised herself to wait. Such was the love she held for Kamei.
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“1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7, 8” the choreographer counted off. “Konkon, you’re slacking!” she called out. “And 1, 2, 3, 4” she clapped her hands in sync with the beat. “Miki, stop groping! 7, 8” she stalkingly walked up and down the hard wood floor, eyeing the kinetically charged bodies from head to toe. Making sure everyone was moving as perfect as possible. “Risa! For the last time, left to right! LEFT to RIGHT! Not right to left.”
“Mou~ Sensei…” the somewhat breathless Gaki-san spoke “I don’t understand what you mean by left to right” she bent over, placing her hands over her thighs for support.
“Niigaki, you really don’t understand? You know what, everyone stop!” The dance instructor ordered. Making her way back to the front of the room, calling out two names “Niigaki-san, Kamei-san come to the front” the two girls stiffen at hearing their names be said in sequence. Instinctively, they glanced at one another, waiting to see who would move first. “Any time now…” the choreographer was looking annoyed.
“Hai” Gaki nodded and walked up to her.
“Kamei-san, now!” She bellowed. Quickly Eri ran up to the front as well.
“Niigaki-san, start from the first chorus, I’ll count you off. Kamei-san, study her carefully and spot her mistake” a panicked looked flickered across everyone’s faces, especially Eri’s.
“Sensei, I don’t know if I can” Eri tried to weasel her self out of it.
“Seno! 1, 2, 3, 4 and” the instructor ignored Eri’s remark. “Spot it, Kamei-san! 7, 8, 1, 2, 3…” Eri nervously examined the way Gaki moved, twirled and shifted her feet. Then, immediately, she spotted it.
“Your torso!” she exclaimed. The dance instructor stopped her count.
“Good job” she nodded at Eri “Niigaki-san, your torso needs to move accordingly. This is what you’re doing” the teacher demonstrated “this is what I want you to do, Kamei-san, now you start dancing at my count. 1, 2, 3, 4, and…” Eri quickly found her step; she closed her eyes and moved with the voiced beat. Gaki studied intently, every muscle flex, each foot stomp, arm wail, the sway of her hair, the head’s sharp movements. It had been almost an eternity since she had laid eyes on Eri, let alone have to study her dance at such close proximity. Unsurprisingly, she soon was captivated by poetry in motion that was Kamei’s dancing. Finding it hard to learn from it, when all she wanted to do was admire it “and stop” the choreographer instructed. “Did you get it?” she turned and faced Gaki. “Niigaki-san, daijoubu?” Eri fluttered her eyes open and spotted a randomly crying Gaki. Filled with concern rather than logic she went up to her ex.
“Gaki, what’s wrong?” she worryingly asked. Gaki took a few steps away from Eri, the proximity was a bit to much for her right now.
“I-I need a break” the teary girl voiced as she ran to the door and out of it. Eri stayed starring after her.
“Niigaki-san!” The choreographer called out “NIIGAKI-SAN!!!” she sighed deeply and shook her head. “Everyone, we’re taking an hour break and NOT because Niigaki-san needs one… I need one.” She strolled to the door and placed her hand on the knob “I’ll be in the lounge if anyone needs me.”
“Don’t worry Sensei, we got it” Yossy called out.
“Whatever” as the dancer was about to leave the room someone called her once again.
“Sensei!” Koharu piped. “Sensei, I have a few questions, do you think I can go with you?” she innocently requested. The choreographer gave her a once over and shrugged. “Sure, let’s go” and both figures exited the room.
Before allowing the room to go into awkward silence, Miki clapped her hands and hollered orders. “Alright ALRIGHT” she shouted “You all get an hour break, take advantage of it. Leader and I have a few things… to… um… discuss” she walked over to Yossy, grabbed her hand and ran for the door. It was the same routine they had been pulling for the past few months during break
“Pfft, can you believe Miki?” Reina walked up to Eri, who was still motionless and staring at the door through which Risa had left.
“Beilieve what?” Sayu joined them. They were currently the only three in the room. Konkon and Mako had left to eat, while Takahashi had her ear attached to her phone. Ever since everyone found out about her relationship with Goto, she hadn’t been very shy about it.
“Gaki, whom she was ‘involved’ with” she made air quotations with her fingers “just ran out the door crying her eyes out and she, uncaringly, left the room to go have some private time with Yoshizawa-san” she shook her head.
“Reina!” Sayu reprimanded, discreetly pointing at Eri. “Don’t say stuff like that”
“Oh, sorry” she scratched the back of her head “didn’t mean to bring that up”
“I have to go after her” Eri finally came alive.
“What the…? Eri, are you paying attention?” Reina looked at her off handedly.
“I have to go after her now” she proclaimed, glass eyed and with determined features.
“A-are you sure?” Sayu asked.
“I have to go, I have to move” Eri stated.
“Then move” Reina suggested.
“But… my feet… won’t move” her muscles flexed with intention to shift but they just wouldn’t budge.
“I said MOVE” Reina rammed into Eri and shoved her body into motion. The turtle ran towards the door, opened it ferociously and sprinted away. Sayu and Reina just turned to look at each other.
“So, do you think she finally decided?” A knowing smirk morphed on Reina’s lips.
“She did, actually. Today is the day” Sayu nodded.
“Why are you so sure?” Reina started to walk towards the mirror.
“She told me today, in the van” Sayu followed Reina and faced the mirror, they both starred back at their reflections. “Should we practice the dance?” Sayu stood in position.
“Mmhmm” Reina answered “So she told you on our way to work?” she took a few steps to the left then to the right.
“Yep, she said that after thinking through things, letting time pass, wounds heal and experiencing different things, she now feels confident enough to talk to her.” Sayu moved in unison with Reina.
“What do you mean ‘experiencing different things’?” Reina gyrated to the left.
“Well, let’s just say she proved to herself that revenge isn’t the best option to make yourself feel better” Sayu then gyrated to the right. A slight scowl was now appearing on Reina’s face.
“What, she tried to physically hurt Gaki?” Reina asked.
“Mmmm, not physically… emotionally. She tried hooking up with someone else.” They now placed their hands on their back while swaying to the counted beat in their heads.
“Really?” and edge of discontent coated the young yankee’s voice. “Did she…. kiss them?”
Sayu stopped in mid-motion “You heard us on the van today, didn’t you?” She placed her hands on her hips.
“Of course I did!” Reina also ceased to move. “Kitty cats have good ears and can hear everything that bunnies and turtles say” her eyebrows furrowed. “Why hadn’t you two told me about your kiss?” she was getting more upset by the minute.
“Because” Sayu thinned her eyes “It was none of your business” she turned her back on Reina and crossed her arms.
“What are you talking about?” The younger girl walked around to face the other’s eyes. “I know you and Eri are closer to each other than to me but I thought we were in this together. I thought that at least, when it came to this subject, we would talk to each other about it. Now, I repeat, WHY THE HELL DIDN’T YOU TELL ME THAT YOU KISSED ERI?” the sound of a phone clicking startled both girls. They turned to the side to catch a mouth gaping Takahashi Ai starring at them. They had completely forgotten that their senior was still in the room. Ai slowly stood up feeling the shocked powerful gaze of the two on her.
“I… didn’t hear anything” She dashed for the door and left.
“Great” Sayu sighed.
“Don’t think you’re off the hook, you owe me details” Reina poked Sayu’s shoulder.
“I owe you nothing” Sayu stated dully
“Yes, you do. You need to tell me why you kissed Eri? Are you into her, too?” Reina stomped her foot.
“First of all, stop saying I kissed Eri. She was the one that kissed me”
“SUuuuuUUre” Reina stated sarcastically “Did you think I forgot who I’m talking too? You’re almost as bad as Fujimoto when it comes to groping. On top of that, you really like to randomly kiss people.”
“The fact that I like to randomly kiss people to show my affection is very different from purposely kissing someone to demonstrate I have romantic feelings for them” Sayu glower. A puzzled expression came over Reina.
“D-Don’t be using those big words on me!” she hollered. “and if you weren’t the one that started it, then, why did she kiss you?” she pointed an accusing finger.
“Ugh” Sayu rolled her eyes. “Do you really wanna know?” she softened her tone. Reina pouted innocently and nodded. “Fine” she bent her knees and sat on the floor. “It happened about two months ago. She and I were in her room conversing about random things. The topic of Gaki came up and she just went off on a rant. She was soooo angry and if you ask me...” Sayu looked around the room “She might have been a bit off her rocker at that point. She kept on going about how she hated being the only one betrayed and so on. She wanted to hurt Gaki back just as bad as Gaki had hurt her. I clearly pointed out that she couldn’t just randomly pick someone and sleep with them and that’s where it got weird” she shook her head.
“Yeah, I can see how that would” Reina joined her on the floor.
“She looked at me funny, it scared the hell out of me. I was about to ask her something when she suddenly jumps on me and forcefully kisses me. I slapped her off of me and she fell to the floor. I guess that’s when some sense finally proccessed in her.”
“Dammit!!” Reina slammed her fist into her hand.
“What the hell is wrong with you now?” Sayu stood abruptly. “Pissed that it wasn’t you she kissed?” she dusted off her pants.
“No, it’s not that” Reina also stood up, ignoring the dust on her pants.
“What do you mean it’s not that? Aren’t you mad that she finally decided to execute her revenge and instead of going to you, she kissed me?” Sayu had a come-on-now face.
“When you say it like that, it’s just insulting, but no” Reina answered.
“Right, well anyways… today on the van she got a TEXT from Gaki’s sister, saying that Gaki’s been having horrible eating habits lately and that again today she didn’t even touch her breakfast. The moment Gaki got on she didn’t take her eyes off of her. It wasn’t until Gaki starred back that she freaked. Finally, as we were reaching work she told me she was gonna talk to Gaki today. She shocked me. That’s when she started telling me about what gave her this change of heart” Sayu shrugged. “So, I’m assuming that’s where you heard us.”
“Yeah” Reina nodded.
“Well, that’s it, I don’t have anything else to tell you” Sayu started walking towards the door. “I guess I’ll just go have lunch”
“Hey, Sayu” Reina stopped her. “Did you like her kiss?” she asked.
“Oh my God” Sayu rolled her eyes “No!” she proclaimed loudly. “Are you sure it doesn’t bother you? You’re not mad that she didn’t kiss you?” Sayu opened the door.
“I’m mad at who she kissed but not because it wasn’t me” Reina shifted slightly uncomfortably.
“Ha?” The bunny was lost “…Listen, you’ll have to explain that to me later. I’m too tired to figure it out right now” she took a step for the door.
“Wait!” Reina shouted as she ran to where Sayumi stood “you’re not really going to the cafeteria, are you?” she smirked. “You’re going to go spy on them… aren’t you?” she took a step closer to her 6th gen counter part.
“Um… ME? Go spy?” The fake innocence that Sayumi Michishige could sometimes produce was so amazingly well acted, that if there was such a thing as an award for it, she’d win every year. Luckily, Reina could see right through it. “Ok, yes you caught me. What are you going to do, stop me?” she stood in a “trying” position.
“Nope” Reina lifted her hands behind her back. “I’m going to join you” she paraded out of the room. “Plus” she spun around and winked “I know where they’re at”
“You do?” Sayu exclaimed.
“Yep, but if you want to know… you’ll have to keep up” Suddenly Reina took off like a bullet that had just been released from its chamber. Sayu had to act quickly; she took off just as quickly, following the girl that would lead her to her desired destination.
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The vibration climbed up her legs every time she stomped on the floor for propulsion, drowning out the beat of her heart and reminding her self that she needed to take the next step to keep on moving. She couldn’t allow her body to stop, at least, not until she reached Risa. She lifted the next leg and prepared it to pound on the floor, pushing her close to her goal. The foot, though, never got to land. Instead a powerful sharp pain spread through Eri’s body and unexpectedly found her self on the floor. The sound of someone shouting from the pain snapped her out of her daze.
“Itai!” a voice that still caused her nightmares fluttered in the air. She opened her eyes and confirmed to whom it belonged. Miki Fujimoto stared up at her from the floor. Eri found herself basically sprawled on top of Miki. She slightly lifted her self up and supporting herself on her hands and knees.
“Aa, Fujimoto-san” She stated with surprised at the irony. Miki was the last person she wanted to see. “Gomenasai” she nodded.
“Gah, it’s okay” ther older rubbed her head “Next time, watch where you’re going” she raised an eyebrow “Damn you’re in hurry. Thank goodness you’re not in a car. I’d be dead.” She laughed. Eri just smiled back courteously. “Where are you heading for?” Miki asked nonchalantly, placing her hands behind her head. Completely ignoring the fact they both were on the floor.
“Um… I was heading for the roof of the building… but to be honest I’m not sure where the door that leads up is” she winced.
“I see” Miki smiled “Any particular reason why you’re going to the roof?” she asked. Eri was now getting slightly annoyed. She was on a mission and all this empty chit-chat was delaying her.
“Fujimoto-san, I don’t have time for this” realizing they were still on the floor, Eri started to lift her self up.
“Whoa, there” Miki slid her hands around Eri’s hips, forcing her to stay in place. “I need to talk to you”
“Could you please let me go?! I don’t have time to talk to you, I need to go find Gaki” she tried to push her self up once more but instead found her self being pulled down once more by Miki.
“So it is Gaki after all” She laughed out loud. Eri mentally kicked herself.
“Yeah, so what?” She scowled. “I’ve decided it’s finally time to talk to her. Even if the two of you ruined our relationship.” she venomously stated.
“And you still hold a grudge against me” Miki successfully noted. “This pretty much proves it” she wrapped one arm around Eri, making sure to make it impossible for the younger to get up. “You and I gotta talk”
“I can’t talk with you right now” Eri all but screamed. “I need to go find the girl that you don’t give a crap about anymore. Now that you’ve climbed up the Morning Musume latter and bagged yourself the leader” she glared at the person that in more ways than others was very similar to her.
“I guess I can’t get mad at you for thinking that way, which is what I’ve been trying to play across” Miki shook her head. “Eri, I want you to know something” she gazed into the other girl’s eyes “You were always the epitome of what she wanted” she spoke in reference to Gaki. “What she and I did together was more of a substitution thing. I…I never really wanted her” she lied “and I know for a fact that she never really wanted me.” She exhaled “I hope that one day, you can finally forget all this mishap and we all can go back to how we should get along.” She placed her hand on Eri’s head and ruffled it up “I know you don’t like me right now” she gave a brilliant smile “But I like you and I know one day we can be friends again. I recognize that…in my heart… I won’t be at easy until we can again. It was never my intention to hurt you and I can guarantee you it was never Gaki’s either.” She released the girl she was holding hostage. Eri slowly pushed her self off Fujimoto and stood once more. “Help me up, nee” Miki extended her hand. Eri hesitantly looked at it, she then extended her hand and grabbed a hold of Miki’s. As the cheating accomplice stood, she said something a bit shocking to Eri “For what it’s worth. Even though I know you were really hurt, I think the one that came out completely losing wasn’t you or me. It was Gaki.” She leaned back into a wall.
Eri felt a warm sensation develop itself in her. It was the first time in a long time since she and Fujimoto had a sincere heart to heart conversation. In ways it made her rejoice, in others it made her bitter. But facts were facts and this was the first step to them salvaging what little friendship they had. In the past, Fujimoto had been someone she admired greatly. Even now, after all that had happened, she was still someone who exhibited admirable traits. Deep down in her emotional essence, she wanted things to be okay with Fujimoto but she didn’t deny the fact that it would be a process, in which both would have to work at it. “Fujimoto-san” Eri looked up at her with sincere eyes “I hope one day we will”.
“Good” the groper smiled. “If we both hope for it, then I don’t see why it wouldn’t happen” she pushed herself off the wall and started walking back to the rehearsal room.
“Demo, matte!” Eri shouted “Where is the door?”
“Look at where I was leaning on” she cracked a smiled. Eri quickly flipped around and spotted the door that she had not noticed before. She took a few steps forward and placed her hand on its knob. Taking a few deep breathes, she finally turned it and pushed door open. She was met with cold crispy air and the sight of stairs that lead to the roof floor. Not closing the door behind her, she slowly crept up the slacks of concrete that took her to a higher elevation with every step she took. As she continued onward, she started to catch a glimpse of a girl leaning against the safety rail, just staring out into the open.
“Gaki-san?” the girl called startled spun around.
“Eri” she breathed.
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“CHOTTO!!!” Sayu screamed “Slow down, will you?” she demanded.
“Hold up!” A taller girl lifted her hand in front of the running two “Where are you two going? “
“What’s it to you, home wrecker?” Reina got into a yankee stance. Miki’s left eyebrow twitched.
“I’ll show you home WRECKER” She pushed up the sleeve on her right arm. Reina hadn’t expected this reaction and quickly her true colors showed. She freaked and ran back towards Sayu. Quickly, Sayu lifted her arms defensively, trying to protect herself and the scaredy cat behind her (no pun intended). All of a sudden, a phone chimed, Fujimoto snapped back to her non-berserk mode. “Oh, It’s Yossy… she’s waiting for me” a stupid smile was plastered on her face. “I have to go…. But Reina” her voice went low and deadly “Next time you say something as stupid as that… you’re dead” She flipped around and skipped back to where she was being waited for.
“Phew” Reina sighed
“That was close” Reina stated “Too close of a brush with Death herself! Reina, next time you’re facing her wrath alone” Sayu argued.
“Right… heeeheee gomen” the Scaredy cat yankee nervously laughed. “Okay so where is that door?”
“Actually, before that… could you let go of my back please”
“Oh right” Reina released Sayu.
“Better, as for the door” She quickly looked around “It’s there” she pointed at an opened door. Both of them ran towards it, suddenly coming to a halt as they heard the voices that belonged to those they were looking for.
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Gaki was shocked to see Eri. She was sure that no one knew about her hiding spot.
“H-how did you find me?” She slowly turned and completely faced Eri. The air around them blew softly, simultaneously coursing itself on both girls’ skin and gently throwing about Niigaki Risa’s hair. The set sun caused a blue tinge to fall upon the area but it wasn’t enough to cover up the redness from her puffy crying eyes. The scenery of the city behind her made the moment simply breathtaking. Never had Eri been so taken by a moment. Gaki was sweaty, with messy hair and tear streaks running down her cheek, but she had never been more beautiful to Eri. Everything moved as if it were in slow motion and now it was Eri’s turn to stare admiringly.
“I knew where you were” Eri’s voice was breathless. Gaki kind of smirked and looked around diffidently.
“Um… how did you know I was here? That’s what I meant” A rouge color climbed up in Eri’s cheeks.
“Right… that… I’m not sure if you know but everyone else knows your hiding space” she side smiled.
“USO~” the Reaction Queen… well, reacted. “How?” keeping her shocked face.
“Ai-chan let it slip one day” Eri shrugged.
“Geesh, should’ve figured” she slightly giggled. “Well, I’m really shocked to see you here. I’d be shocked if it were anyone else, but I’m extra shocked that it’s you. Know what I mean?” Gaki mumbled through.
“Yeah… at least I think I got most of what you meant” she laughed.
“Kame” Gaki softly said out loud. “Why are you here?”
“I-I needed to talk to you” Eri repeated for the hundredth time. At the sound of those words, Gaki was filled with anxious energy and ran up and down.
“You’re ready? You’re really ready?”
“Yeah, I’m ready to talk… finally” Eri joked.
Gaki gave a little twirl to demonstrate her happiness “It can be here, right now, right?”
“Yes, it can” Eri laughed.
“What do you need to tell me?” Gaki looked at her with expectant eyes. A feeling was bubbling up in Eri. She raised her hand and hesitantly reached for Gaki’s cheek.
“I know that you realize the wrong you did. I also know that, in its own logic, you were probably hurt the most, but I want you to know that… thanks to the time you’ve patiently given me” Eri bit her lip “I reflected enough and realized how much I need you and how much I was missing you. What you did was wrong, but I can tell you’ve been really trying to redeem yourself” she spoke straight form the heart, lisp and all. “With that said, do you think your heart can ever take me back?” Gaki’s body, mind and soul filled with exuberating happiness.
“Kame” she lifted her hand and placed it over Eri’s “You never left.” Tears of joy build up in the slightly younger girl.
“Gaki…”
“Kamei, before I met you I didn't know about grief, suffering, tears. I was very happy. Kindness and tenderness were what I was familiar with. I lived very well. When I met you, those things I already knew just became brighter and better. When I met you, they became something beautiful, something so divine and full of happiness. You filled my life with joys I never thought imaginable. When you left, though…” Gaki became silent and looked away. Eri slowly turned Gaki’s face so that they looked at each other.
“When I left, what?”
“When you left I learned the true meaning of solitude. Life without you is painful and almost unbearable. Nothing has its same shine or worth. You may not be my everything, but everything is meaningless without you.”
“Risa, I want us to try again. Please, let’s try again.”
“Eri” she grabbed a hold of the figure in front of her, enveloping it into an inescapable hug. “Eri… Eri” her voice cracked and her eyes stung with the sudden rush of tears. “Eri, my love” she lightly gripped the homebody member’s head, reassuring herself that she was actually hugging her. The sudden overwhelming burst of emotion that originated from her chest and spread out to her limbs could be seen beaming out of each tear drop her eyes expelled, in each relieving exhale, in every syllable she enunciated.
The familiar feel of Eri in her arms was the most gratifying sense she had ever experienced. It was a feeling she never wanted to stop living with. Finally, the person she had been longing for, the person she had and had lost, was once again by her side. And never again was she going to allow her to leave. Eri was hers once more, and this time around, she wasn’t going to make the same mistake she did again.
“Gaki… I” Eri too was holding on to her with the same vigor. The slightly older girl gripped on to the other’s shoulders, releasing her just enough to look her in the eye.
“It’s okay” she freed one of her hands and with its back caressed Eri’s moist check. “You don’t need to say anything else. I love you too” and with that she slid her hand behind Eri’s head and brought it closer to hers. The kiss, to be honest, was not the best… it was warm, salty, wet and a bit hard to breath, but… it was true.
They finally released each other “My love, my love” Gaki repeated “Watashi no ai” she squeezed Eri tightly. Abruptly Eri stiffened in her arms.
“Excuse me?” Eri slid her hands upward and slightly pushed Gaki back. “What, are you making it a trend to call me other members’ names now?”
“no, No, NO” Gaki’s worry-o-meter went in over drive. She couldn’t believe she had screwed things up so fast. “I didn’t mean it as the name, I meant it as the noun. Like love, you’re my love” cold sweat now pricked her back. To her relief Eri started to giggle teasingly at her.
“It better be” she smirked sexily, grabbing Gaki’s shirt and pulling her in for another quick kiss.
“You’re mean” Gaki smiled and hugged Eri once more. “But… seriously Reina”
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A/N: So here's the epilogue... I already started on the alternative ending. Though this is the real ending... I'm kinda liking the alternative more. :lol:
Anywho, there's a deleted scene from this post. I didn't add it in cause it would ruin the flow of the story. But for those of you who want to read it (which I suggest you do!) here's the link: DELTED SCENE: Nakazawa's Stash (http://forum.jphip.com/index.php?topic=16280.msg492221#msg492221)