Chapter 10The echoes of her footsteps reverberated through the empty hallways as Risa made her way to the student council room. Her weary mind lightens up to the thought of finally meeting her girlfriend in the said room after being separated for the whole day by their cruel schedules and student responsibilities.
As she placed her hand of the wooden door, she heard light giggling and chatting from inside the room. Risa felt strange as all other committee members should have gone home by now. Quietly pushing the door, she was welcomed by an unpleasant view of Linlin sitting very very close to her Ai-chan. So close that Risa could see their knees touching each other. Furthermore, Linlin had her hand touching her Ai-chan’s arm. Risa feign a cough to make her presence known to the two girls who were obviously lost in whatever conversation they were so engrossed in. That caught Ai’s attention as Ai gave her bright smile to Risa in recognition.
“Oh Risa, Linlin was just telling me about the latest games she’s been playing. Turn out Linlin is a gamer as well,” Ai said excitedly, grinning at Linlin.
“How exciting,” Risa walked towards the couch that Ai and Linlin were sitting on, her strained smile plastered on her face.
Linlin stood up and looked at her watch, “It’s getting late. I’ll make a move first. I’ll pass you the game tomorrow Takahashi-san; and bye Niigaki-san”
Risa gave a half wave as she settled down next to Ai. She frowned as Ai went through the files on the coffee table, smiling and humming to an unknown song.
“Stop frowning, Risa-chan. You’re gonna get wrinkles that way,” Ai playfully pinched Risa’s cheek.
Risa pouted. Shouldn’t Ai try to pacify her? She glanced at the files spread on the tables. She saw the reports that the dean requested from them yesterday all completed.
“Send me home, Ai” Risa spoke sternly to Ai, resulting in a baffled look from Ai. Ai nodded and quickly cleared the table.
The drive home was heavy with silence as neither one said a word. Ai frequently glanced sideways to Risa, unsure if she should start any conversation. Risa has been acting weird ever since she came to the room. Ai tried to recall any incident that she had accidentally stepped on Risa’s tail, anything that could have caused her girlfriend to be mad at her. The car came to stop as they reached Risa’s home. Ai was contemplating if it was alright for her to give Risa a goodbye kiss when Risa turned towards her and said,
“Come in for dinner?” Ai just nodded and followed Risa into her home.
“Mum, I’m home,” Risa grabbed the wide-eyed Ai’s hand and pulled her into the living room.
“Welcome back Risa. Oh you brought a friend home?” Mrs Niigaki smiled at Ai as she walked out of the kitchen.
Risa was about to introduce Ai to her mother when a younger girl ran down the stairs, almost knocking into Ai.
“Oops sorry Ai-san,” the young girl apologise to Ai. Ai wondered if she had met the girl before.
“Airi! How many times do I have to tell you not to run down the stairs like that,” Risa chided her younger sister, “how do you know Ai-chan anyway?”
“The pictures in your room duh,” Airi rolled her eyes and whispered to Ai, “plus she just can’t shut up about you.”
“Airi!” Risa tried to cover Airi’s mouth, but the younger girl had anticipated her sister’s action and quickly hid behind Ai. Risa crossed her arms, sulking whilst Ai and her mother laughed at her.
“Hi Ai-san, I’m Airi, the indisputable cute and lovely younger sister of this household,” Airi grinned.
“Not to mention irritating,” Risa grumbled.
Mrs Niigaki quickly stopped her daughters’ squabbling and herded the girls into the kitchen, where dinner awaited them. Risa was disappointed that she could not introduced Ai to her father who had to work late that evening. Sipping her drink, Ai allowed herself to bask in the pleasant warmth of this family; something that was lacking in her own.
“Mum, can Ai sleep over tonight?” Ai raised her eyebrows at Risa, not expecting her girlfriend to want her to spend the night there as well.
Mrs Niigaki allowed Risa’s request, provided Ai’s parents has no objection. Ai informed Mrs Niigaki that her parents are out of the country for most of the time and would not have any problem with it. Ai thanked Mrs Niigaki for giving her the chance to enjoy the home-cooked dinner. Mrs Niigaki insisted that Ai rest for the night and wouldn’t let her help with the dishwashing, citing that Ai was their important guest of the day. Thanking Mrs Niigaki again, Ai followed Risa back to her room with Airi in tow.
“Oh that’s the bear I gave you for your birthday last year,” Ai excitedly pointed to a lone brown bear sitting on Risa’s bed.
“Yeah, she sleeps with it every night. She won’t let anyone else touch it,” Airi teased. Risa turned her head in embarrassment.
“Okay that’s it. From now on, you are barred from my room,” Risa quickly pushed Airi out of her room before Airi exposed any more embarrassing secrets of hers to Ai. Turning to Ai, “And you my dear, change your clothes and go to sleep.”
“You sure act strange today Risa. Is there anything wrong?” Ai finally voiced out the question she’s wanted to ask Risa since they left the council room.
“You know, I should be asking you that. I wished you would depend on me more,” Risa said sullenly.
Ai looked at Risa confused, not understanding what her girlfriend meant. Risa wiped a tear from her eyes and lamented how she could not help Ai in something as simple as the student council matters. That Ai rather burned the midnight oil on her own and would not ask Risa to help. That she was scared that Ai would not need her anymore. Walking slowly to Risa, Ai hugged Risa and hushed her, trying to ease any insecurity her girlfriend may have.
“I’m sorry for whatever I did. But you are here with me, that’s more than I can ask for,” Ai kissed her girlfriend’s nose and smiled.
Risa smiled back, feeling silly now that she was worried for nothing. “Nee Ai-chan, you didn’t sleep last night, right? Let’s go to bed.”
Ai nodded, suddenly feeling tired. She let Risa tuck her in to bed, waiting for Risa to join her. She felt her eyes leaden as she lost consciousness, wrapped in Risa’s arms. She could hear a faint whisper of love before she leave for slumber land.
~~~
Aika chuckled, seeing Reina was laughing in merriment over a joke she made. It has been a long time since she saw Reina this happy. The reason did not matter to her, as long as she can see the happiness radiate from her best friend once more. She wanted her Reina, her princess back. That’s all that matters to her.
“Nee Aika, I want to see the pictures you took,” Reina reached for Aika’s camera.
“You can’t!” Aika grabbed the camera from Reina’s hand. Seeing the stunned look on the girl, Aika reasoned, “The photographs have to go through my editor before anyone else could view them. Sorry Reina-chan. I promise I’ll show you next time.”
Reina grinned, nodding her understanding on Aika’s position.
“Hmm it’s late. Kamei-san hasn’t come home yet,” Aika looked at the clock, deciding to change the topic in an attempt to reduce any awkwardness.
“Eri is spending the night at Sayu’s place, so she won’t be home tonight,” Reina glanced at Eri’s room, not understanding why she was feeling a slight void at the moment.
The barely noticeable change of expression did not escape Aika and she decided to lightened the mood by telling Reina how Sayu agreed to model for her in exchange for cakes and information about Reina. Reina laughed at how Sayu-like that was, amused by the antics of the devilish bunny.
Aika decided to take full advantage of the time that they can spend alone together...
~~~
“Bye Grandma! Enjoy your dinner date with Grandpa,” Eri waved the elderly couple as they walked to their car.
“Yeah Grandpa, make sure you don’t get up to anything funny,” Sayu grinned mischievously.
“Sayu!” Eri smacked Sayu’s hand. Sayu faked a pout, igniting a giggle from the turtle.
A soft piano sound could be heard from the house next to them. Eri closed her eyes, appreciating the melody that she found familiar.
“Isn’t that your favourite song?” Sayu stood next to Eri, looking at the place next to hers. It housed a newly-opened Chinese restaurant.
Like Sayu’s family, the owner also resides in the upper floor of the restaurant. Sayu had heard that the family has a daughter of Sayu’s age though Sayu had yet the chance to meet the girl. Oh well, there’s always an opportunity for that later.
After locking the front door to the restaurant, the two girls walked up the stairs to Sayu’s room. Eri made herself comfortable on Sayu’s couch, clicking the remote for any interesting television channel she can watch. Sayu, on the other hand, just stood at the door preparing herself for the conversation she was about to initiate. Taking a deep breath, Sayu asked,
“Eri, what’s going on between you and Reina?”
“Huh?” Eri almost choked on her orange juice, surprised by Sayu’s question.
“Are you girls dating or something? It’s just that I often see both of you come of you come to school together in the mornings, and I’ve seen how you look at each other. I mean, if you are, I can truly understand and I won’t bother Reina” Sayu bit her lower lips thinking of how to continue the conversation. Eri tilted her head, torn between confusion and amusement. She carefully scrutinised her best friend’s face.
“Sayu, do you like Reina? This is the first time I’ve seen you act this way.”
Sayu blushed and looked down. She admits that she had never felt that way towards anyone before. She felt Reina was special from the first time she laid her eyes on the petite girl.
“Reina and I, we live very near each other. That’s why we go to school together, which is why you see us together in the mornings. Reina did help me get over my feelings for Risa. I guess that’s how we got close. But Sayu, we are just friends. Despite being her Royal Grouchiness, Reina is a very nice person. You should confess to her if you really like her,” Eri grinned at Sayu, her encouragement earned her a bear hug, or should I say, rabbit hug from her best friend.
Sayu beamed, relieved by her best friend’s words. She decided that she would go after Reina, especially since Reina has warmed up to her from the date they had recently.
“Oh guess what, Aika has asked me to be her model! Finally someone recognises my cuteness,” Sayu bounced happily onto the couch.
Glad to see a contented Sayu leaning on her, Eri turned her attention back to watching the television. However, her mind could not concentrate on the story, too distracted by the thoughts on her housemate.
“Just friend, huh?”~~~

~~~
Oooh I love comments!
@rndm-chan

- Haha the little devil is a hint for something, though I won't divulge what it means
@22 - I wasn't really thinking of anything pervy when I wrote this but yeah, you can imagine what happened after the date

@Baby Sticky - Flirting is a form of (useful) art

5* to grandpa for passing the skills to Sayu

@Sancho - I'm so happy you got the chapter down

@Hammy - yeah it was Ai who was looking at Risa's pix. No worry, I do get confused sometimes too so I normally read the previous chapters for the fics I'm reading to recap

@Fushigidane - Wow Tanakame is a popular choice, aren't they?
@KRisZ - Oh dear, panic attack?! *brings oxygen mask for you* Don't worry, nothing will happen to Takagaki (for now

)
And now, I shall do the disappearing act for a while. Badsaints signing off 