Amarghetta:
Thanks for the update, it helped with my terrible mood
really?

hm, I wonder what mood this update inspires...heh
ayase909:
Misunderstanding again! argh! could they just admit they like each other flat out.........because it's really hurting rika-chan...........

actually...your right...they kinda need things spelled out for them huh?
maverickpanda:
Just wanted to say, I love the fic. I ope that Rika and Miki can work things out. the more I read of this story, the more I like the pairing.
thanks, and hopefully the they things ares worked out make sence.
Yukari:
poor rika
miki is a st****
don't worry Miki will come around, she's just wasn't there yet last chapter.
JFC:
Miki's flirting just comes so naturally that she probably doesn't even realize it.
lol it's that playfullness that comes out when she's with Rika.
strawb3rrykream:
I have to give Miki lots of credit for wanting to not hurt Rika

exactly, Miki is genuinely trying to do the right thing...too bad it's actually the wrong thing lol
Kreuz_Asakura:
wow!
heh, didn't see it comming, right?
kRisZ:
ouches
indubidibly
stefy:
I wub how you wrote Rika.. she's soo uke here yet so assertive! But I cringed when I try picturing Yossi and Konchan... sorry.. just can't.. get it though my mind. hah. Well but Yossi is very sweet to Konchan here, which is darn adorable. AyumixAya was a real jaw dropper tho. Those two.. for some reason, I can kinda picture haha.
lol, I guess Rika came out that way because I can't seem to decide which one she is so she became a little of both. and Yossy and Konno is a really hard pairing to like, maybe because they never really seemed that close to begin with. but Ayumi and Aya was an accident that turned out to work out really well together. Don't know why though...
Yankii Heart:
Update, please?
I miss this story too much
sorry it took so long, this chapter was already written and buring a hole in the bottom of my purse. I seriously don't have the time to type it up. As it is I'm staying up right now to post this even though its 2am and I have to wake for work at 5:30am...lol what I look like--->
sweeety:
If you update I promise you will reach your 100th post! PWOMISE!
Wah!! I didn't even realize! too cool!

thanks for the heads up.
CHAPTER 17
Miki eyes searched Rika's frantically, trying to see if there were any falsehoods there. "Is that the truth?"
Rika nodded slowly. The sincerity of her exclamation etched solemnly across her face. "I love you, Miki." she reiterated.
Miki raised her hands and placed them on Rika's arms. With quiet resignation, she gently pried Rika's arms from around herself.
Tears sprung into Rika's eyes at the subtle rejection. "Can't you love me back?"
Miki's own eyes warmed with tears. "I...can't."
Rika jerked back as if Miki's word had delivered a physical blow rather then an emotional one. "Of course you can't..." Rika turned away stiffly. "Sorry to have bothered you."
Miki quickly grabbed Rika's shoulders to stop her from walking away. "Please don't leave, won't you give me a chance to explain?"
Rika remained silent; not trusting herself to speak.
Seeing that the other girl didn't immediately pull away, Miki decided to tell Rika what she had to say. "Rika, its not as if I don't have feelings for you. It's just that I don't know exactly what I'm feeling. What I feel for you is leagues apart from what I feel for Yossy." Miki took a shuddery breath and slowly released the other from her grasp. "To me Yossy's like an exquisite diamond. The more you see her the grander, and harder to achieve, she appears. While you're more like a lump of coal..."
"What?!" Rika screeched, interrupting what Miki was saying. "How am I like a lump of coal?! Ishikawa Rika is an Idol! I am not some dirty piece of coal!"
"It's just an analogy!" Miki shot back.
"A dumb one!" Rika exclaimed.
"You don't even know what I was going to say!"
"I know I wasn't going to like it!"
"Argh!" Miki threw her hands into the are in frustration. "This right here, Rika. This is what makes you a piece of coal. Can't you just listen to me for a second without picking a fight?!"
The tears that had been building in Rika's eyes since earlier, now flowed freely down her cheeks. "No. I guess I can't. Well don't worry, Miki. This piece of coal will never again be so stupid as to let herself fall in love with someone so hurtful ever again. Thanks for curing me of those dumb feelings before it was too late."
"Rika...don't..."
"Good luck with your diamond." That said Rika stormed away, wiping angrily at her cheeks.
Miki stared agitated and perplexed after Rika as she walked away. She desperately wanted to call her back to make things right, but truthfully had no idea what to say. All she knew is that a little part of her died on the inside knowing that she may have just ruined her relationship with Rika forever.
"Wow," A imploring voice spoke out suddenly. "Did you drop the ball or what? I've never seen anyone get burnned so badly. Seriously, a piece of coal? You followed Rika all the way here, asked her to dance, just so you could call her a piece of coal?"
Miki glared hotly at Eri. her venom dripping with extra death, as she unleashed her anger towards pretty girl standing there in Rika's coat. "Shouldn't you be knocked out right now?"
Eri shook her head.
"Then do you want to be?" Miki threatened darkly.
Eri 'eeped' and turned heel to run and catch up with Rika.
Miki decided that Eri must have been faking it, because she certainly recovered quickly for someone who had supposedly passed out from too much alcohol. Then again the girl did suddenly veered off course, running dizzily into some bushes, flipping clumsily over them. Normally Miki would laugh at such things, but right now it was hard to find joy when her heart was blackened by such misery.
***
Later that evening, Miki paced her room anxiously as her thoughts raged hotly in her head. "Rika loves me..." She whispered agonized. "That's what she said." Miki pushed her hands into her hair. "but I love Yossy...right? Argh! I don't know!" Miki felt like her whole world had just been dumped on it's head. "Rika hates me, but she said she loves me..."
Miki paused and placed a hand over her racing heart. "Do...I lo-like her? Then what about Yossy?" Miki cringed. Certainly she couldn't believe that she could fall in and out of love so fast. "I am not a horny teenage boy (I just play one on TV). My feeling are as sincere as the next person. Well, at least I thought they were..." Miki felt so confused, she had wanted Yossy for so long now it was scary to think her feelings could so easily change to the pink loving girl that drove her crazy. Miki looked at the door that conjoined her room to Yossy's. She licked her lips and furrowed her brow. It was late and the other would be asleep. Miki felt herself being slowly drawn to the door, nervousness and doubt playing havoc within her. She gripped the handle and turned it to silently open the door.
She didn't know exactly what she was going to do, but she had the need to do something. She needed to know if Yossy's touch could set her on fire the Rika's did. She needed to know if time would stop and if her heart would swell like it did when she kissed Rika. She needed to be sure.
Miki opened the door a crack and slipped inside. When she re closed the door she took care to keep the handle turned so that it wouldn't click as it went back into place. She paused for a moment to listen to the silence in the dark room and let her eyes adjust till she could see some shapes. Satisfied that there wasn't any stirring from the bed, she began to carefully advance on the sleeping figure that was turned away from her.
One kiss, just one and Miki knew she would have her answer. So with her heart racing, she moved to stand next to the bed and leaning down she reached around her target to grasp the other girls chin and very slowly began to lift it. Suddenly the girl turned toward Miki to lay on her back. Miki clamped her eyes closed with fear that Yossy would wake and ruin this opportunity. Luckily there was no further stirring and so Miki decided to move on with her plan. She opened her eyes just a hair, so she could focus in on the lips that were under her and she began to close the gap. When she felt the steady breath of the girl against her mouth she paused. Miki suddenly realized something. She didn't need this kiss. Even if the kiss was amazing, even if the worlds aligned and time stopped, it wouldn't matter. Miki would still want Rika. No matter what, she wanted Rika. Right now, tomorrow, and forever.
It suddenly felt as if a barricade in her heart had been broken and sweet, joyful feelings of love coursed though her. Her heart was free of doubt and free to feel. "I love Rika." she whispered, and began to retreat. It was a little too late, however, as the sleeping figure suddenly lounged froward and wrapped her arms around Miki's neck and with a soft sigh of "prince", pulled Miki into an impromptu kiss.
Miki eyes widened in surprise as the inexperienced lips moved across hers. A tongue found its way into her mouth and began exploring. That was when Miki finally managed to break free. She gasped for air before hissing angrily. "What the hell?!"
"Fujimoto-san?" the girl underneath her asked with stunned intonation.
"Koharu-chan!" Miki felt her stomach roll as she realized who she shared that kiss with. "Why are you in Yossy's room?!"
Koharu didn't answer because she had an even bigger question to ask. "Um...why did you kiss me?"
Miki shuddered horrified. "I didn't kiss you, you kiss me!"
"Well, when I went to sleep I wasn't being kissed, and then when I woke up I was being kissed. So obviously you kissed me." Koharu pointed out logically.
"Come on, Koharu," Miki groaned plaintively. "Why would I want to kiss you?"
"To make me your girlfriend, duh. Everyone knows that when you kiss someone they become your girlfriend." Koharu giggled suddenly and fell back against the bed. "It must be because of how hot I am!"
Miki cringed. "Hell no! I do not find prepubescent girls hot! And if that kiss thing were true then Rika would be my girlfriend..."
Koharu looked at Miki thoughtfully. "If Rika's your girlfriend, then shouldn't you be sneaking into her room to give her kisses instead of me?"
Koharu's simple statement touched home and Miki nodded with finality. "You're right. That's exactly what I should be doing!" Miki turned to leave. She was on a mission.
"Hey wait!" Koharu cried out hopping up on her knees. "You can't just kiss me and leave! You should take responsibility!" Koharu lowered her voice and added. "You even put your tongue in my mouth."
Miki winced and turned around slowly. She was more then a little queasy at being reminded that she had just had her tongue down the throat of a girl that was still in training bras. "Koharu that wasn't like...real tongue. It was...just, uh...friendship tongue." the last part came out deadpan.
Koharu stared at Miki curiously. "Friendship tongue?"
"yeah...." Miki ran a hand through her hair. "Look, Koharu, sometimes when two girls like each other in a friendly manner they'll...stick their tongues into each others mouth. Its their way of saying 'I like you...as a friend.' Its kinda like blood brothers except you use your saliva instead." Miki mentally shook her head for using Aya's lame friendship tongue excuse.
Koharu chewed over Miki's words with a level of excitement. "So what you're saying is that you and I are now...silvia sisters?"
Miki closed her eyes as she was overcome with just how retarded that sounded. "Uh huh, right, saliva sisters..."
"Wow! That's great news! Now I have to become saliva sisters with all the other girls. Yay, I'll be so popular!"
"Okay, uh, good luck with that...I'm gonna go now." Miki took the opportunity to flee while she had the chance trying not to think about what she may have just unleashed on the rest of the girls in hello project. "Maybe if she works hard she can beat Yocchan's record."
***
Miki strode purposely towards Rika's hotel room door. The hour was late and the hallway was empty and silent. Her heart was racing inside her chest at the self reevaluation that had come to her while she was with Koharu. The realization that she was in love with Rika, and that she was a damn fool for not seeing it sooner. As she approached the door her new concern was that she hoped she wasn't too late to accept Rika's feelings. She had hurt Rika several times through all this, and she wasn't exactly sure what to say that could make it right between them. Nevertheless, she raised a trembling hand to knock at the door. When there wasn't an immediate answer to the gentle probing, Miki felt a whole new wave of anxiety fill her. Was Rika avoiding her? Would Rika forgive her for being a big idiot? She licked her lips subconsciously as she silently prayed for Rika to answer the door. Just as she was about to get cranky and start screaming that Rika better get this door open before she broke it down, the door make a soft clicking sound as someone turned the handle.
Miki dug her nails into her thighs impatiently. She couldn't believe how slow Rika was a opening doors, but when it was finally pulled back the sight that awaited her stopped her heart. Rika had been crying. "Rika..." Miki whispered hoarsely.
Rika embarrassingly wiped at her tearful eyes, not wanting the other to see such weakness. "Um...I was just watching a really sad movie." She explained quietly. She kept her eyes turned downward, afraid to look up and revel just how much Miki's presence affected her.
Miki stared at Rika's down turned face and felt her chest swell with unexplainable yearning. She needed to tell her. Right here, right now. She knew, with determination blazing hotly inside her, that Rika needed to know that she was loved in return. She wanted to tell Rika that her feelings for Yossy are in the past and that the only one her heart and body aches for is the pink loving, infuriating girl standing quietly in front of her. Yes. She knew she needed to say these things to Rika, but for some reason she couldn't seem to get the words out.
Screw it, Miki had always been more of the direct 'lets just get to the point' type anyways. Grabbing Rika she yanked the other girl into a hungry kiss. However she soon found herself violently push away, and man oh man did Rika look pissed. Needless to say seeing Rika angry made Miki angry as well, but mostly out of reflex. "What?"
"'What?!' You keep toying with me going hot to cold and back again. How dare you act like the angry one!" Rika grabbed a handful of Miki's T-shirt and dragged her into the room. Once inside she changed direction and began pushing Miki back. using the other girls body she shut the door and then shoved Miki against it. Rika's furious eyes gazed hotly at Miki's defiant ones. "I can't stand you." She stated blatantly with tears in her eyes, and without another word lounged forward to capture Miki's mouth with her own.
Miki returned the kiss but slowed it and made it gentle until she was lightly tracing Rika's lips with her tongue asking for entrance which was willingly given. Miki took a moment to pause and whisper, "You may not be able to stand me, but you need me almost as much as I need you."
Rika's only response was to wrap her arms around Miki's neck and allow the other girl to begin edging her backwards. Rika felt so intoxicated by Miki's taste, but was also aware that despite Miki's words just now there was no way Miki's level of emotional desperation could match her own. Miki may be moved by passion, but Rika was moved by love. She needed to remind Miki of that so semi-playfully she taunted "I just hope you can remember who you're with this time..."
Miki froze, and her lips were suddenly unmoving on Rika's neck. A spike of regret pierced though her, and she suddenly pushed Rika forcefully.
Rika gasped as she fell backward to land atop the surface of the queen sized bed, bouncing slightly. She was surprised to see that there wasn't anger on Miki's face, but resolution and determination. She watched curiously, and lustfully, as Miki unceremoniously yanked her t-shirt off and kicked her jeans to the floor. The dark blue bra that she was wearing shaped perfectly around Miki's bust and was a nice offset to Miki's creamy complexion. Her torso was soft and white and the black tiny boxer like shorts she was wearing were so hot, but Rika only got a glance as Miki was already climbing on top of her lying position on the bed. Rika reached out her hands to caress the parts of anatomy that came within touching range as Miki advanced over her. "So beautiful..." Rika sighed.
Miki sank down to eclipse Rika's body with her own, her mouth quickly going back to work against the sensitive arch of Rika's jaw. Miki could feel the gentle vibration of Rika's throat as soft moans escaped from her. Miki's lips traveled fleetingly towards the direction of Rika's ear in which she whispered. "Of course I know who I'm with. It's Ishikawa Rika, the girl with the worst taste in clothes," Miki began to release the buttons on Rika's pajama top. "Ishikawa Rika, a girl who laughs at the most random things." Miki bent down to kiss at the flesh that she was slowly revealing. "Rika who always does what she wants, cause she's damn pigheaded..."
"I'm not pig-anything..." Rika whimpered irritably, although it was hard to rebuke the girl who was doing such amazing things with her tongue.
Miki simply smirked as she lifted her head just enough to remove the annoying barrier of Rika's bra. "Ah yes, Ishikawa Rika who is always picking fights with me...making me want her till I think I'll go insane with lust." Miki's lips made a moist trail across the swell of Rika's breast as they made their way to the aching tip that most wanted her ministrations.
Rika gasped and let her head drop back her hands gripping at Miki's back. her fingernails digging subconsciously into Miki's back. "Ahh...Y-you always start the fights."
Miki moved from one tip to the other, sucking gently before moving downward along Rika's ribs. Her lips making the slightest contact as she spoke. "Rika who makes me smile, who makes me want to be braver, smarter."
Playfully Rika teased, "I think I like this game of you saying my name over and over again." Rika grabbed Miki's head with her hands bringing her back up so she could kiss her.
Miki allowed herself to be dragged up, all the while her hands were working at the drawstring of Rika's sweat pants. She broke apart to look Rika in the eyes. "Rika who would let an idiot hold the map even though it got them completely lost. You know why Rika did that? Because she cares about the feelings of others."
Rika wrapped her arms around Miki's neck pulling her closer. "I'm pretty sure I know what goes on in Rika's mind."
Miki didn't allow herself to be kissed this time as she had something important to say. "Rika...you make me so crazy, when I'm with you I want all of your attention. When I'm away from you I wonder what your doing and if your thinking about me as much as i'm thinking about you..."
Rika looked at Miki perplexed. "What are you trying to tell me?"
Miki briefly kissed Rika once, then twice before saying. "Diamonds are nice, they're beautiful, sparkily, hard to get a hold of, and lots of great things...but...they're pointless. No where in your life are they any use to you but as decoration. Coal is different. On the surface it's all dingy and rough, not at all what you think you want. Yet times come where you realize some things really matter while other things you can do without. maybe its hard to see its value, because you take it for granted. You think its just a piece of coal, but then you realize its importance. When you're suffering from harsh winters, its there to protect you. You can't live without coal in your life, because if you don't have it you will die from the cold. And when you realize that you see that there was a diamond in there the whole time that shines brighter then the one you thought you wanted..."
"Heaters."
"Huh?"
"No one uses coal any more. "
"You're missing the point!" Miki groaned, burying her face into the nape of Rika's neck.
"I don't care! Can we please go back to having sex now."
"I love you." Miki whispered quietly.
Rika froze. "What?"
When Miki raised her head she had tears down her cheeks and she smiled ruefully down at the girl lying stunned underneath her. "I love you, Rika." Miki rested her forehead against the other girl's, who now had tears spilling from her eyes as well. "...and yes we can totally go back to having sex now."
****