@cogi_yoshi: Isn't it funny that Risa is the Korean fan yet Reina is more into Kpop
@rnd: Yup, unfortunately Ai is caught between 2 amazing women. Should she be considered lucky? TLAB was pretty badly written. Not to say I've improved much since then
@kRisZ: It wasn't Reina who went to Disneysea
@Estrea: It's just that a taxi is easier to get involved in an accident than a train
@Ame: I never seem to be able to get around to writing about the 8kkies. I really should change that. I would next make the girls fly out of the MGR. Unless they were flying towards me
@badsaints: No matter what Ai does she's gonna end up hurting people. Damn, that's the worst role to play
@Sukoshi-chan: Well, Ai is trying her best to make up to Eri. I wonder if it's gonna work
@kuro-san: I hope you don't mind me calling you that
Thanks for reading this and gomen for hurting so many people. I can’t help it.
-----
Merry Go RoundChapter 14 "I don't get it. YOU invited me, why am I the one paying for everything?"
Grumbling to a beaming Sayumi as she pulled out bills from her purse and counted them before handing the money over to the cashier, Risa sighed when the victorious bunny jerked on her elbow and guided the way out of the theme restaurant.
"The senpai is supposed to pay. It's how things work!"
Not convinced by the weak evidence presented to her, Risa could only roll her eyes helplessly. There was no point arguing with her kouhai. Sayumi could be annoyingly stubborn when she wanted to be and the resigned sub-leader didn't feel up to having a long drawn argument. She'll let it slide...this time. All of a sudden, the beanheaded young woman was reminded of another stubborn lady.
~Flashback~ "But I want to do this!"
Stomping her feet childishly, the older announced, acting like a small whiny child when her actual age was far from one.
"We're already running late. We might miss the last train if we delay any longer."
Checking the time on her watch repeatedly, the more mature of the two explained, trying her best to convince her companion that they shouldn't disrupt their original plan.
"Then you can leave. I'm going up the hill. With or without you!"
And with that, she began her ascend, increasing her strides with a determined pout on her face. There was no way she could leave her on her own. What's more she was climbing some isolated hill in an unfamiliar part of the area. What if she got lost or worse, hurt when night fell? Cursing under her breath at the agency for not providing transport to the various prefectures when Morning Musume had a concert, Risa jogged to catch up with the stalking girl.
"Ai-chan wait up! I'm coming with you."
~End of flashback~ "All that just to watch the sun set."
Mumbling her thoughts out wistfully, Risa completely forgot that she wasn't with a certain monkey-like woman but was with her bunny group mate.
"Gaki-san!"
"Huh?"
Her eyes refocused back on the taller dark haired young lady standing before her who was presently waving her hands in front of her face and it was only then when Risa realized she had been daydreaming.
"Sorry. I got a little distracted."
Noting the sudden awkward atmosphere, Risa bumped Sayumi with her shoulder.
"Didn't you want me to show you the parade? Well, let's go!"
-----
The line of bright, dazzling floats drove leisurely down the avenue as hordes of tourists and visitors lined up neatly on the two sides in wait of the oncoming visual spectacular in awe. The delightful music, energetic dancing and colorful display enthralled all who were watching the incredible show. Not satisfied with the view she was getting as it was obstructed by several heads complete with bushy hairdos, Risa glanced to her right to see if Sayumi shared her plight. Surely enough, she was bouncing up and down, trying to rise above the annoying heads.
"Come on."
What happened in the moment immediately after was a blur to Sayumi as she allowed her sub-leader to pull her forwards, directly into the path of the oncoming procession.
"Isn't the view from this angle much better?"
I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?
Risa didn't wait for Sayumi to reply and she tugged her along again, this time in between two rumbling floats. One had Cinderella and her prince dancing gracefully on it while the other featured Snow White and the 7 dwarfs.
Although the float starring Aladdin had not yet arrived, Sayumi could hear its familiar tune wafting in from the distance. Tightening her grip on Sayumi's hand, Risa began weaving in and out of the numerous dancers in the parade. Many of whom had bewildered expressions on their faces at seeing a pair of young women running in between the moving floats.
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride
As though their actions coincided with the song lyrics, they ducked under the low hanging portion of a random float. These magnificent twirling creations with their vibrant colors and intricate designs were fully worthy of being called wonders and being able to see them at such close range was something Sayumi never imagined herself to be doing.
Amazingly, none of the theme park’s workers caught up with them nor did anyone reprimand their behavior throughout their unbelievable experience.
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming
As she felt the wind blow through her hair, Sayumi smiled at sensing the millions of stars sprinkled across the night sky. Then she did something she thought she’ll never do outside of karaoke bars. She sang.
“A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
that now I'm in a whole new world with… you.”
Hearing Sayumi sing so boldly, the normally level headed second oldest member of Hello! Project's flagship group joined in enthusiastically.
“Now I'm in a whole new world with you.
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
When they were at the end of the line, Risa turned backwards with her hand still linked to Sayumi's. Grinning at her for a moment, she proceeded to climb on the last float, dragging the stunned younger with her.
"Gaki-san! This isn't allowed!"
Not wavering in her climb, Risa only stopped when she reached the top of the beautifully decorated craft. Spreading her free hand outwards, she motioned for Sayumi to look.
A whole new world
Don't you dare close your eyes
A hundred thousand things to see
Hold your breath - it gets better
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be
A whole new world
Every turn a surprise
With new horizons to pursue
Every moment red-letter
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you
Turning to face Risa, Sayumi snaked her arm around her college’s waist and leaned in until their bodies fitted perfectly against each other’s contours.
"A whole new world
That's where we'll be
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me."
Sayumi finished the song on her own and when she was sure a pair of brown eyes was gazing back at her, she took the initiative to plant a kiss on those plush, enticing lips.
“Thank you for tonight Gaki-san. I‘ll never forget this.”
-----
*bump*
The noise created was soft. Nevertheless, Reina managed to pick up the faint thud. Pausing in the midst of packing her make-up pouch, she replaced the small bag on the spot where she had first retrieved it. Proceeding to creep quietly towards the source of the sound and then placing one hand on the handle, the yankii swung it open in one swift move.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
The crouching figure trembled when she heard the tremendous bellow. If there was a moment in time when she wished she could turn invisible, this was it.
"Tanaka-san...I'm searching... for my contact lens!"
"You don't wear contact lens."
Mentally smacking herself on the forehead, a habit that one of her seniors was prone to exhibiting, Aika gulped. Her current situation was definitely not good. She had been caught red handed and it appeared that she would have no way of getting out of it unless she spoke the truth. Why in the world had she not come up with a better excuse beforehand?
"Tanaka-san...I...I...Niigaki-san...."
-----
"Ai-chan! Thank you!"
Her eyes sparkled and shone with happiness whilst Eri clasped her hands together, gazing fondly at the arrangement laid out on the table. In spite of the candles attached to a gleaming candlestick holder placed on a fancy tablecloth, wine glasses and polished cutlery, the food prepared was simple. It was neither steak nor foie gras.
"Ummm, it's delicious!"
"It's only omelette fried rice Eri."
Ai’s original intention was to prepare a delicious meal for her deserving girlfriend who never complained when the twenty-three year old didn't have time to accompany her. Unfortunately, while she was cooking dinner, a past memory surfaced in her mind.
~Flashback~ “When are you going to teach me how to make your famous omelette rice?”
It was a lazy Saturday afternoon, one of the rare times when both leaders of the group had a day off.
“What about right now?”
“Now?”
Shifting slightly in her horizontal position of lounging next to Ai on the sofa, Risa cracked open one eye, looking up at the owner of the apartment who was currently returning her glance.
“Yes now. Get up you lazy butt!”
Rolling off the couch, Ai took the opportunity to smack Risa’s behind before pulling a mischievous face at the somewhat confused figure.
“Last one into the kitchen does the dishes!”
~End of flashback~“Did I say something amusing?”
“Wh--at?”
“You were smiling.”
Realizing that she had allowed her thoughts to drift away from her date with Eri, Ai apologized. Her admission of guilt comprising much more than what she let on.
“I‘m really, really sorry.”
From her position across Eri at the table they were seated at, Ai stared, taking in every detail of her partner’s face. She should be thankful someone as good as Eri would want to be with her. How could she think of another woman in her presence? Especially when Risa was a good friend to both of them. None of them would emerge unscathed should she mess up this complicated state of affairs.
Before she agreed to enter a relationship with Eri, Ai never anticipated that the dynamics of Morning Musume would change so drastically. Risa no longer hung out with her and was often seen with Sayumi. She missed her. She wanted to see Risa’s smile again, to feel her breath on her skin when she stood too close and smell the sweet scent of her hair or perfume. Even Reina was acting strangely in the recent days. What was wrong with everyone?
Shaking her head to clear the chaos that had erupted inside her head, Ai sighed. There was no point is seeking the answer behind her yearning for Risa. Eri was the one she was with now and she would not, could not hurt her. Pursing her lips into a thin line, Ai declared with surprising resolve.
“Move in with me Eri. Let‘s live together.”
Topic: Merry Go Round - Chapter 23 (110615) (Read 80844 times)