Chapter 8
”I don’t quite get why Ai-chan doesn’t seem to like you…”
Risa hugged herself as she walked out of the studio all bundled up in her jacket and coat. Winter was closing in, and she’d be crazy to be exposing her bare shoulders and whatnot at this time of the night. Ai had been giving their new make-up artist the cold shoulder and a really poor attitude lately, causing Risa to feel terrible for the new comer. She couldn’t help but want to apologize on the elder’s behalf when she has the chance.
“Don’t worry about it, she’ll open up soon.”
“I hope so… I do feel strange hanging out with someone my best friend dislikes though.”
“If you’re that worried, you could’ve turned me down earlier.”
“Yeah but… I’d feel bad if I turned down Sakurai-kun too, since you were so sincere at inviting me out.” Risa admitted, inwardly uncomfortable when she’s reminded of the last time she referred to the man with intimacy. It was just out of friendliness, so there’s nothing wrong. That’s right, there’s nothing wrong with referring to friends that way, and Ai was only overreacting the other day. Risa just kept telling herself that.
“Aw, Ai-chan’s so lucky to have you! Risa-chan’s so kind.”
”Have m-me? But we’re just… Sakurai-kun!” Risa squeaked, overreacting again by fidgeting with her fingers, then the hem of her top, and basically becoming restless. Sakurai could clearly see that she was embarrassed at the way he had phrased himself. Miscommunication does generate interesting results sometimes.
“Heads up!” He suddenly stopped and shouted, but Risa was too occupied with her train of thoughts that she couldn’t see the low solid neon signboard hung outside some night shop.
BANG! ... Click! … “Owww!!”
Everything happened within seconds. There was a loud crash and the entire signboard shook quite violently. Risa fell backwards from the impact and Sakurai rushed over to catch her by the shoulder. It was a close call considering how the ground wasn’t exactly flat and comfy.
“Oooh… that lump there is not going to be pretty.”
“Uso~! ...Sakurai-kun, I didn’t know you have a twin!”
“Twin? I don’t have a… Risa-chan?! … RISA?!”
Everyone started to crowd around the duo, wondering why there was a girl lying unconscious in the arms of a feminine man. It wasn’t as serious as it looks, but waiting for her to wake up might take awhile. Midnight was coming close in an hour or two, but it seems that the night had only just begun.
On the other side of town, Ai had been sitting on her bed and flipping the lid of her phone continuously. The last time she spoke to Risa was only last night, but it felt like nothing more than perhaps a late night’s imagination. As real as it was, she refused to admit that Risa was with Sakurai then. She flipped open her cellphone again.
“11.19… PM” She read out loud, wondering if her best friend was already home.
They haven’t seen each other for days, and Ai was quietly resenting how they get split up so often lately for different events. Despite that, she was quite aware of the younger girl’s schedule. She started dialing familiar numbers, deciding to take the initiative this time. Wishing hard for something good to come out of it this phone call.
“Obaachan?” Ai greeted, recognizing the voice after having grown friendly with the aging grandmother of Risa over the past few years. “I’m sorry to call you this late at night, but is Risa home?”
<i>“Ai-chan?”</i> The woman on the other line sounded surprised. <i>”It’s okay, I’m not about to sleep anyway. Risa? No, she’s not back yet. That girl... always out so late and making me worry.”</i>
“Heh…” Ai had a dry laugh, “I’m sure it’s because of work. Don’t worry about it.” To be honest, she was a lot more worried for her co-leader than the old lady was. Who knows what could happen to a young girl out on the empty streets.
<i>“She always tries so hard, huh?”</i> Ai could hear a soft sigh from the other line and responded with a soft ‘Yeah’, <i>“Oh, sorry, I got carried away. Do you want to leave a message for her anyway?”</i>
“Huh? No… No, it’s all right. I’ll just call back tomorrow. ”
<i>“I’ll remind her that you called then.”</i>
“Thanks. Do sleep early, your health is important.”
<i>“Such a nice girl you are. Risa’s really fortunate to have a friend like you.”</i> Ai contemplate the truth of it. <i>”Guess I’ll turn in soon, goodnight Ai-chan.”</i>
“Thank you. Good night to you too. Rest well, Obaachan.” Hanging up, she was a little despondent by the results of the call. Why was life being so hard on her lately?
Looking at her cellphone again, Ai scrolled down the address book and dialed a different number. It rang once, twice, maybe a few times more before someone finally picked up.
“Hello?” A foreign male voice came from the other line, immediately sending Ai into a fluster.
“Ah! S-sorry, I must have dialed the wrong number!” She stuttered quickly and hung up. She looked at the highlighted name on the phone’s address book and wondered.
<i>”Strange… this is her number so why did someone else answer? Gaki-san, where and what are you doing right now…”</i> Ai shut her eyes tight and leaned back against the wall, the arm that had her phone in hand fell limp against the table top as she sighed deeply. <i>’Should I call again?’</i>
A/N: And this is the start of a horribly broken relationship built on misunderstandings. I know, it has nothing to do with the storyline... but then again, it does in a evil scheming way. I'm leaving takagaki out of the main plot for now to concentrate on Yocchan/Rika/Miki/Evil Spirit. I'm going to make chapters shorter and easier to read..
Topic: Dream's Last Chapter // 11 (Read 25600 times)