Taking Chances-Epilogue-updated 12/26, Alternate Ending - 12/29

[rndmnwierd]

Gaki's showing interest again!  I was starting to get worried. Now, though, I am worried about Sayu. What did Eri do?

@ rndmnwierd:   I don't know what to say, plans changed?   Awww you make it sound like if it wasn't Tanagaki you'll be disappointed, now what do I do ? 

I will be very disappointed, but I understand. I'll just have to go cry in my own corner then. j/k j/k! Though from the first chapter I kinda envisioned the story being Reina struggling with her feelings, then getting together with Gaki, then they break up for some reason and Reina's sad, then they get back together and Eri gets clobbered over the head by Sayu and happy endings for all.

When it comes to Reina pairings, Tanagaki is first, mostly because it's just so out there. There's almost no hint of it IRL, but you can just find ways to make it work. Tanashige is next, because they so obviously have awesome chemistry. Especially when it's just the two of them. My favorite scenes of them together are in Alo Hello 3 (?) where the girls are all split up in Hawaii and have to find their way back on their own. Even Reina says she could only have so much fun because she was with Sayu, which was so adorable.

After that it's probably everything but RenAi and TanaKame, which are last on my list and only when written by certain people. RenAi I like better than Tanakame, because it's Ai and, well, Ai makes everything good. TanaKame is my least favorite because it's such a fine balance between romance and dependency. Though I don't doubt they get along really well IRL.

When it comes to Risa pairings, TakaGaki first and Tanagaki second. I don't think I need to explain the obvious for Takagaki. Next is Gakishige, which I just think works for some reason. Kinda like Tanagaki, it's just so out there. Then everything else except for GakiKame. That is last definitely and again with the fine balance. Though, also again, good friends IRL.

Wow, I did not mean to turn this into an essay.... I was trying to make a point somewhere, what was it?

Oh yeah, my point was, despite all of this favorite pairings and such, whatever you write will ultimately be good, so don't let yourself be too, too, TOO influenced by your readers. Not a very convincing point, huh? It's definitely better than my other point, which was I don't think I like Eri much, so keep that bitch outta shit.

[pretend_2besome1]

Should you start worrying??? Well it depends, are you for the drama or would you like to stay away???

I don't like reading a fic halfway so I don't think I'll stay away (unless it was too extreme for me). I just don't have the heart to see anyone got hurt here, but it seems somebody will, ne? 

hopefully I get the flow of the story and complete by December.

December? That was fast! And no, I'm not complaining at all 

I don't know about the mass drama because well the story started with the Rokkies joining and since it plays on history, then of course the new members have to be introduced no??

True, but that's also like introducing an upcoming drama?

‘Egotistical perhaps? Typical Sayu!’

Yeah, though Sayu IS cute! Sorry, can't help it. She's been growing on me rather fast lately

I'm normally not a TanaShige shipper (TanaKameist to the core!!), but in this story they sound cute together, being the broken-hearted ones together.

Exactly! *also a TanaKameist* but I don't really like Eri in here, she's somewhat annoying?
Yet seeing the TanaGaki interaction in this chapter made me want to go for TanaGaki as well because of their cuteness!
Such a hard choice!

See?! Someone already got hurt somehow, and its Sayu! but don't worry Sayu, Reina's gonna be there for you! Reina to the rescue!  or not? I won't know until next chapter, who knows you might surprise us

*is praying for either TanaShige or TanaGaki*  and if the prayer didn't work

JK!

[FaqU]

@ aussie: Hmmmmm.....well that puts me into a predicament....mental note about how many want Tanagaki, TanaShige, KameShige, GakiKame........

I never realized the amount of possibilities that I have created 

@ rndmnwierd: If you cry in your own corner, I promise to give you tissues, just don't hurt me 

You're mini paragraph is good, I should be more aware of the different pairings that get to people because I would put them into consideration for future projects or not because most of the time I think of what type it would be and then insert characters as I go along.

Not very convincing though  However I am starting to have an idea as to what direction I want but I am trying to figure out how to make it work on paper so I hope sooner or later the final pairings will be revealed 

@ pretend_2besome1: Sad to say but in relationships there is bound to be someone hurt regardless if it is in fics or in real life, someone will be bothered or upset.  However, I will make sure to make this clean and not too extreme because if I did I probably wouldn't know what to do with it at that point.  It would've been too confusing that I lost it somewhere.

Because school starts in January (if I pass my entrance exam) so I will be pinned down with too many things to do so yes I am aiming for December.

Now I know how the writers feel when we see or hear things like this, you really start to worry  *Please don't hurt me*

Surprises??? who me??? I never have any surprises in my fics, I think you've mistaken me for someone else 

Chapter 23

Throughout the ride in the van towards the hotel the girls were all chatting about what to eat or how their interaction with the new members were…except 2, Sayumi and Reina.  Reina didn’t ask Sayumi anything yet but noticed the sadness behind her eyes.

Once Sayumi got off the van, she zoomed right into the hotel.  Eri walked up to Reina in confusion, “What’s wrong with Sayu?  She didn’t even say goodnight like she usually does”

“I think she mentioned she was very tired so I guess she forgot” lied Reina ‘I should be asking you what happened’ “But you girls enjoy yourself I’m going to hit the sack too” Reina eyed all her members, especially Risa, in an apologetic look.  Risa just looked at her for a brief moment, then turned her attention to Ai-chan.

‘Chee I wonder what’s bothering her? But first things first, find out what’s bothering the bunny’ as Reina rushed to her room

When she walked in she was shocked…the room was a mess with Sayumi’s possessions thrown around. 

‘What the hell?!  Sayu better clean this up later because I’m not going to help her clean it up.  Where is she anyways?  I can barely see anything in this mess.  Is she even here?’

*Sniff Sniff*

‘Scratch that I think I’ve found her whereabouts…I think’ as Reina tried to make out the direction where the sniffing was.  As she closed in on the sound, she thanked the gods for giving her kitty cat hearing.  She walked towards the direction and piles of tissues were more evident on the carpeted floor. ‘Eww! Definitely not picking up after Sayu!’ Reina finally found Sayumi leaning against her bed sitting on the floor drying her eyes and blowing her nose.

“Sayu!  What the hell happened here?  Why did you mess up our room?!  I’m warning you I’m not going to…”  Reina stopped her lecture as a new batch of tears were flowing down Sayumi’s face “Hey, hey I’m sorry if I sound harsh but…”

“Reina…What would you do if Gaki-san tells you she fell in love with someone else?” asked Sayumi cutting off Reina’s sentence.

Reina thought about it “I don’t know really.  I mean I expected it and accepted the fact that there can never be us so I guess nothing”

Sayumi turned to face Reina, red-shot eyes and all “How would you feel though?  Wouldn’t you be upset?”

“Does this question have to do with Eri?  Does…does Eri love someone else?”  Reina used her foot to swat away some used tissues and sat beside Sayumi

“I guess I never thought that Eri would actually confess she will fall in love with someone else, so it hurts to know”

“Well how do you know that?  Are you just basing this on assumptions?”

“She told me Reina!!!!  She told me in my face!!!” Sayumi’s tears starting out faster now as Sayumi spat out her statements.

Reina put an arm over Sayumi’s shoulder “Hey now, you haven’t lost yet, you can still go after her right?”

Sayumi shook her head “I can’t when the person she loves is someone I know and hold just as dearly”

“EH~! It’s one of your friends?” asked Reina eye’s wide open but Sayumi just kept crying “How did that happen?”

“What would you do if Gaki-san told you she loved one of our?” The question was sudden and caught Reina off-guard.

“I…I…I don’t know?  I suppose I couldn’t bare to see them together but it’ll be hard because we work together and…and…wait a minute!!!! Does Eri love a member?” Reina asked in shock as she pieced Sayumi’s questions together.  Sayumi nodded “Oh my god Sayu!”  Reina hugged Sayumi fully understanding the dilemma that Sayumi was facing.

Reina just let Sayumi cry it all out, not knowing how to console her fellow Rokkie. ‘Wow!  What a predicament!  I can imagine how awful I’ll feel if Gaki-san tells me she fell in love with a member but to actually know and hear it.  I don’t know how that’ll actually feel’

“What are you going to do about it?” asked Reina as a means to see what kind of mentality Sayumi had at the moment, totally remembering that Sayumi did have an evil side to her.

“I honestly can’t decide what to do!  Should I confess even when I fully know that she doesn’t love me back?  If I keep quiet and they get together will I be okay?”  Reina sighed, she didn’t know how to answer Sayumi all she could do was sit there and be there for her.  “Reina, have you ever thought about giving up on Gaki-san?”

“Honestly Sayu…no.  But don’t take it the wrong way, I won’t give up on Gaki-san because I doubt these feelings will go away anytime soon but it also doesn’t mean I’ll ever confess to her either.  I’m not as strong as you or at least not as brave as you.  I don’t think I’ll ever have the courage to confess my feelings because…because I’m afraid.  I may look strong and everything but I don’t know if I can deal with rejection or I don’t think I can deal with Gaki-san avoiding me or feel awkward around me after it all.  Like you’ve said I don’t want to lose this feeling or relationship I have now with her”

[rndmnwierd]

Both girls are in a bind. You know what would be a total kick in the pants? If Eri wasn't in love with Risa and actually love Reina!

[Kuji]

I'm sort of torn between TanaShige and TanaGaki... >_>;
But I kind of want to see the fallout from if Eri likes Gaki, I mean wouldn't that be really weird for Reina and Sayu if Sayu's crush liked Reina's crush? o_Ô ...haha, they'd be like... "What are the odds?" though it would keep with the trend of the two of them being in the same boat and offering mutual support.

Hm... even though I'm hoping to see the results of Eri -> Gaki feelings, I don't know who I want Risa to end up with since TakaGaki is the only pairing I'm ever sure of and that doesn't seem to be in the running here. 

[pretend_2besome1]

Sad to say but in relationships there is bound to be someone hurt regardless if it is in fics or in real life, someone will be bothered or upset. 

True, so no worry about it.

Now I know how the writers feel when we see or hear things like this, you really start to worry  *Please don't hurt me*

I won't, we still need you to complete the story. But maybe after......

Seriously though, don't feel pressured. Write your story freely and good luck!

Surprises??? who me??? I never have any surprises in my fics, I think you've mistaken me for someone else 

Surprises as in like how your story was rather unpredictable with all those possibilities, so it was a good kind of surprise

Both girls are in a bind. You know what would be a total kick in the pants? If Eri wasn't in love with Risa and actually love Reina!

That would make a new possible (would it?) pair, TanaKamei! whoops! My inner TanaKame just pop out of nowhere 
but then with

“I can’t when the person she loves is someone I know and hold just as dearly”

I mean who else Sayu hold just as dearly? The first person that comes to mind was Reina, Sayu didn't seem to be as close to other member as she was to Eri and Reina, so there isn't many candidates

Now my head is full of "could it be" thoughts......

That thought aside, this chapter was full of TanaShige-ness! 
*random mode on* looking through the smileys, this one --> kinda remind me of Sayu. Pink, mirror in hand, and sparkles of narcissism, crown in the head? OMG, it's princess Sayu! *just ignore me, I'm weird like that* 

[FaqU]

@  rndmnwierd: that would definitely be a kicker wouldn't it  arg!!!! you guys have so much creativity!!!!!  I don't know what to do anymore 

@ Kuji: Sorry Kuji-san, unfortunately Takagaki is not running here....I think but now that everyone mentions it, I am contemplating about what to do with the story as a whole, maybe I need time off from it all......

@ pretend_2besome1: Awww even when I finish, there is that possibility??? Maybe I should never finish now Not only is your head full of "could it bes" but mine as well 

Let's have a vote here: I have just thought of a way to satisfy all, is if we do the whole choose your own story deal, I have a count of 3 different pairings.  I don't mind writing for all 3 however I am wondering how to post it so that it doesn't get confusing for the readers.  What do you guys think???  Most likely after the pairings are set, I will have the next chapter for all 3 at the same time as opposed to some readers waiting and others not.  Otherwise I will stick with one pairing and the others would have to wait for future projects.

The balls in your hands!

[aussie]

I'm a TanaKameist, no other pairing comes close to TanaKame for me (RenAi could give a close run for their money but TanaKame still prevails~~), but somehow a TanaKame ending in this story doesn't quite fit in. I'm not a TanaGaki fan because I just can't picture it as well as TanaKame or even RenAi, and I just find it a little weird how Reina is pining for Gaki. TanaShige I can tolerate a bit more (but usually overshadowed by my love for TanaKame  ), and I wouldn't mind see them get together at the end of this story.
(But if you can find a way to sneak in TanaKame somehow I'm all for it )

My guess is that the member Eri fell in love with is Reina. What else could torment Sayu more than hearing from Eri she's in love with their fellow Rokki, and who else could she hold more dearly than her fellow Rokkies? Now if Reina could only move on from her unrequited love for Gaki all would be well 

[pretend_2besome1]

@ pretend_2besome1: Awww even when I finish, there is that possibility??? Maybe I should never finish now

I'm only kidding! 

Not only is your head full of "could it bes" but mine as well 

Got too many scenarios running in you head now? 

At this point I really don't know which pairing I should choose, TanaShige or TanaGaki
But since you said you don't mind writing the other different pairings, why not making the most voted pair as the official fic couple, then the other as an "alternate" one? It's like playing a simulation dating game
The idea of running the next chapter at the same time for all the 3 was great, I would definitely read all of the 3 different pairing chapter, in fact for me it would be more satisfying that way. I can have both TanaShige and TanaGaki at the same time! Now how could you not love that?

Oyeah, maybe you should specify who those 3 pairings are. I was kinda lost to who the other pairing is, KameShige? GakiKame?

As for who I voted......god, do I really need to? Okay, okay, it's TanaShige!
It was a tough battle 

[FaqU]

Sorry the 3 pairings are:

1) Tanagaki
2) Tanashige-1 vote so far
3) Tanakame-1 vote so far

If I do all 3, expect delays on posting time because I have to use 3x the brain juice 

[pretend_2besome1]

3) Tanakame-1 vote so far

So there is a TanaKame pair!

Is it possible to Re-vote?  *my inner TanaKame is crying*

[rndmnwierd]

Tanagaki!!!

[FaqU]

Great I have 1 vote for each, maybe I should just incorporate all of them in one but then again that is soo much drama....I am going to flip a coin to see who wins the voting 

[rndmnwierd]

The story ends with a hot orgy of gorokkie love? That would be something.

[FaqU]

  I didn't mean it like that!!!!!

However that would be something!!! 

[lil_hamz]

That spy talk was linked to the BUONO pv remember? And who you would want in your "team" so to speak.

C20

Although Sayu is always portraying her poison tongue character, I can see her as the vulnerable one
Wow, Eri sure is excited over meeting the Chinese girls.
I'm actually kind of liking the KohaAika-ness that is spilling over with sugur

C21

Now it's Sayu's turn to be excited
Hmmm, Reina seems to notice JJ quite a bit.

C22

OMG! OMG! Maybe Risa did want Reina to go! *is all excited* Which means Gaki   Reina

C23

DAmn, I was so hoping Sayu would tell Reina who Eri is in love with. If she does then Reina would know where she stands. Oh but hey, what if Eri didn't like Risa but...I'm gonna go with a crazy guess and say she loves Koharu Kidding kidding. How about Ai? Imo, Sayu would break if it's Reina whom Eri loves. But that seems unlikely cuz if that were the case, she would have flipped out at Reina. So the most probable scenario is Eri   Risa.

Am I too late to vote? Just so you know, I'm with rnd on all her pairings except for KameMame. I love that one  

Since readers are given 3 options here, I'll go with either a TanaShige or a TanaGaki

[FaqU]

The lords have spoken (more like my coin tossing) so now I have an idea of my final pairing....Finally!!!!!

@ lil_hamz: Ahhhh yes yes I remember our conversation on that and I also remember my team.  Oh boy, you had a dream after our conversation about that??? Should I be scared about what was happening in your dream??? If it is as crazy as our talk and my ideas for the team then that can be real painful.

Lexlyp let slip that you might like this KohaAika-ness and also wanted me to ask you about what the overall opinion about 7 & 8th gen pairings were.

Reina is paying JJ a little more attention isn't she?? I wonder why??? 

Ahhh!  Detective Mame-chan quite an analysis you have there, I like I like 

I kinda figured you'd choose that 

Chapter 24

Sayumi opened her mouth a couple times as if she wanted to tell Reina something but was contemplating about whether she should tell her.  Reina fully knowing her fellow Rokkie, could sense that this thing that Sayumi may be contemplating may affect Reina, so she took a deep breathe “What is it Sayu?”

“Reina…what would you do if one of the members tell you they love Gaki-san?”

Reina closed her eyes, she had a hutch where Sayumi was going with this question, but still she hoped that it wasn’t what she was thinking about.  Reina’s silence was all Sayumi needed to know the answer but she continued “What if Eri loved Gaki-san?”  Reina’s heart ached at the question because it confirmed her suspicions.

“Does…does Eri love Gaki-san?” asked Reina with her eyes still closed, taking deep breaths “Is this why you said it was important?  Is that why we are having this 20 questions session?  Because Eri told you the member that she loves is Gaki-san?”

It was now Sayumi’s turn to be silent.  Reina’s mind went racing ‘What should I do?  What can I do? Eri’s one of my bestfriends and she’s fallen in love with Gaki-san.  But…but that doesn’t mean Gaki-san will accept her right?  Maybe there’s a chance that Gaki-san will reject her.  But if she does reject Eri, then Eri will be upset.  Arg!  Why is love so complicated!!!!  Breathe Reina, Breathe!  I’ll have to worry about that later, first I have to calm Sayu’

“Sayu…have you ever wondered what if Gaki-san rejects Eri?”

Sayumi’s eyes popped out almost, she had never considered this as an option obviously.  “No I haven’t, but its Eri we are talking about here!  She’s just too cute to say no to and with the amount of time they have been spending with each other I doubt that will be the case” explained Sayumi as if stating obvious facts

“O~okay….Well I don’t see Eri like that so have you ever considered it?  Sayu, listen to me, you’re getting all worked up about something that hasn’t happened yet and since it hasn’t maybe you should take this time to decide on your course of actions.  Unless Eri and Gaki-san announces it, you still have a chance right?”

“But…but Reina what if it does become true?  What should we do? Eri is my crush and Gaki-san is one of my respected senpais who was there for us from the start, guiding and talking to us.  I just can’t seem to choose what to do anymore”

“I have thought about it briefly when I thought you liked Gaki-san and the thinking is the same if it was Eri.  I will not interfere nor will I confess to Gaki-san.  However if you ask  if I am ready for reality to occur, I can’t answer it but one thing is for sure, I love Eri like my family, I don’t want to do anything that will harm her so if the case is that she starts dating Gaki-san then I will back off.  I don’t want to lose 2 friendships because of this, they…they mean too much to me” said Reina as she placed her hands over her heart “they weigh a lot here.  I can’t tell you what to do because I don’t know if I can handle it but worst case scenario is that I won’t go near Gaki-san unless necessary.  Please Sayu don’t do anything that you’ll regret later” Reina stared at Sayumi hoping she was listening clearly to what Reina was saying.

Sayumi looked or more like stared at the carpeted floor in silence before she looked up at Reina.  “You’ll do that?  Are you sure you’ll be able to withstand not being able to be close to Gaki-san?”

Reina smiled a bit “This kitty cat is a lot tougher when it comes to pain.”  Sayumi giggled but Reina turned serious “Sayu don’t worry, I’ll be here like I have been for the last while.  We can go through this together”

Sayumi used her sleeve and wiped away her tears, since she ran out of tissues, “Uhn…you’ve been a very good friend in my time of need Reina and I can’t thank you enough for it.”

“We Rokkies stick together nee?”

Sayumi nodded, as she nodded she realized the condition of their room “Oh my gosh!  Did I cause this?”  Reina just gave her a ‘Duh...Yeah!!’ look “We’ve got to start cleaning this up!”

“We?  Wait a minute!  Hold on!  Rewind!  Where was the “we” in creating this mess?”  Reina narrowed her eyes, placed her hands on her hips and waited for Sayumi’s answer

“We didn’t create it but Reina wouldn’t want Sayu to have panda eyes and look ugly tomorrow do you?” Sayumi looked at Reina with pleading eyes

Reina threw her hands in the air “Fine, fine.  You owe me one for this you know” Sayumi smiled as she and Reina started cleaning up

[rndmnwierd]

Reina as she placed her hands over her heart “they weigh a lot here.

I really like that line for some reason.

Reina sure seems adamant about her course of action, will she really be able to stick to it?

[pretend_2besome1]

The lords have spoken (more like my coin tossing) so now I have an idea of my final pairing....Finally!!!!!

You do? I wonder which one that is....

“Sayu don’t worry, I’ll be here like I have been for the last while.  We can go through this together”

yes, together Sayu, together. 

I’ll have to worry about that later, first I have to calm Sayu

Even with all her confusion, Reina still think about Sayu first 
Sayu you really should fall for Reina...

“We didn’t create it but Reina wouldn’t want Sayu to have panda eyes and look ugly tomorrow do you?” Sayumi looked at Reina with pleading eyes

Reina is such a big softie, she just couldn't resist any girl's pleading eyes. First Gaki now Sayu. I can only imagine how whipped she'll be if she has a gf

[FaqU]

@ rndmnwierd: I love that line too only because I know that line is what causes my downfall sometimes.  I weigh things in my heart more than I should but only because I feel like they are important.

Good question will Reina survive??? I think she is tough enough don't you???

@ pretend_2besome1: You'll have to find out and you will soon enough 

Everyone should fall for Reina, just because her charm attracts you 

Damn!!! I didn't mean to make Reina whipped!!!!   

I am feeling great today so I'm updating another chapter today

Chapter 25

The Next Morning

Reina and Sayumi had gotten themselves ready but before heading out the door, Reina stopped Sayumi.  “Now Sayumi, I know it’ll be hard but before you come to a conclusion you have to be yourself.  Are you ready to face them?”

Sayumi took a deep breath “Usa-chan Peace!!” smiled Sayumi “I think I’m ready”  Reina laughed at her companion before heading out the door with Sayumi in tow

As soon as they reached the lobby, Risa and Eri approached the duo, “Sayu are you okay?  Did you sleep enough?” asked Eri

Sayumi grabbed onto Reina’s hand but didn’t change her facial expression “I’m fine!  Sorry to worry you guys but I was really, really tired last night”

Reina noticed Risa’s gaze on Sayumi’s hand which grabbed Reina’s but didn’t bother to shake off Sayumi’s hand.  Sayumi needed her and Eri loved Gaki-san, Reina has to pretend and ignore these signs of hope for her.

Throughout practice, Reina would stick to Sayumi’s side whenever it was during breaks or meals, especially when Eri was around Sayumi, Reina felt that she should be around in case Sayumi did anything irrational.  Eri, on the other hand was oblivious to the pain and uneasiness of Sayumi which in some cases, makes Reina thankful.  Reina couldn’t imagine what kind of drama would explode if Sayumi was to…explode.

**************************************************************************************
It has been a week since Sayumi found out about Eri’s secret and Reina  can honestly say she is proud of Sayumi.  ‘The week started out troubling, but I believe Sayu is dealing with it quite well.  She had put up a strong front but I am surprised about what she told me her conclusion was…’

Flashback

“Reina”

Reina looked away from the television “Yes Sayu?”

“I…I think I’ve come to my decision” Reina turned off the television indicating that she was giving Sayumi her undivided attention. “I’ve thought about what you’ve said and you’re right.  Eri hasn’t confessed yet so me getting all worked up is not helping and if Eri does confess and Gaki-san accepts there really isn’t anything I can do about it.  They too weigh a lot in my heart, not something I can afford to lose so I will keep it to myself.  It would be more awkward if I do confess and Eri accepts just for me to find out she never did love me.  I’m not tough enough to be that selfish nor tough enough to deal with that so I will only associate myself with her if necessary.  You can call me a coward but until I move on and drop these feelings for Eri I just can’t face her.  I’m…I’m going to give up on her.”

“Are…are you sure you want to do that? You still have time to consider”

Sayumi nodded “I just want to be loved and I want to be loved by someone who will truly love me.  Since Eri doesn’t, I don’t want to dwell and avoid her forever, she is still one of my bestfriends but I also need to distinguish that.  This week has been tough but slowly and surely I know I can move on and with my cuteness I’m sure I will find that someone”

“Alright Sayu…if that truly is what you want, and only if that is what you feel will be best for you” stated Reina with a hint of doubt.

“It is!” confirmed Sayumi with as much sincerity she can muster “What about you??? Will you give up on Gaki-san”

End of Flashback

‘I hope Sayu doesn’t regret it though.  I just don’t understand how she can just give up her feelings for Eri.  Maybe it is for the best though, within this week , it was entirely an emotional roller coaster at the countless nights she had cried and the hurt she faced when she saw Eri with Gaki-san.’