[one.]
[Universe Z]
Girl S.S and Girl M.Y, hands interlocked. There on their little fingers of the interlocking hands was a single red thread that connects the two individual.
[Universe X]
“That’s really cunning of you, Mii-tan. . .” Saki responded to Maimi’s sudden kiss on her cheek as she grabbed onto the taller girl’s wrist and pulled her closer to herself, not giving Maimi any chance to slip away before she return the goodnight kiss the taller had given.
“It’s a consolation prize for me, Saki.” Maimi reasoned as she wriggled Saki’s grip off her wrist and pulled the shorter girl into her embrace. “Since we are unable to spend the night together.” Maimi continued.
“Is that really enough as a consolation prize?” Saki asked suddenly as she titled her head up and met Maimi in her eyes.
“Hmmm?”
Without giving another second for Maimi to react to the statement made by Saki, she felt a soft warm touch on her lips. Blinking her eyes in surprise, the next moment that was capture in her eyes was a puppy eyed Saki giggling at her with her childish smile. “This is then a better prize for you.”
“And now, who is the cunning one over here?” Maimi teased for a moment as she leaned downwards, allowing her nose to touch the Saki’s nose.
“I don’t know?” Saki giggled again. She snuggled her face into Maimi’s shoulder and slipped her arms onto Maimi’s hip. “I’m sorry for making you so worried about me. . . I will be more careful the next time on stage.” Saki continued, this time with a serious tone as she was truly apologetic about she herself being clumsy and causing so much trouble and worry to the ones around her.
“You don’t have to be sorry about that. . . It’s out of your control, given the fact that the shoes they gave you are almost 1/9 of your height. . .” Maimi consoled as she tried to cheer the older up with a small joke. And indeed it did. A small smile was plastered on Saki’s face as she heard Maimi’s statement about her given shoes. “You should go back and get your hair dried before you catch a cold.” Maimi continued as she released her hold on Saki’s waist and took a step backwards when Saki released her grip on her. “Good nights. I will see you at the next Hello concert.” Maimi finished as she patted on Saki’s forehead.
“Good nights. . . “ Saki waved her hand slightly as she watched Maimi down the hallway and to the elevator as the latter’s room was at the other level. After watching Maimi entering into the elevator, Saki then returned back to her room where she went over to check out on Risako.
’Such a silly girl. . .’ Saki thought in her mind.
’She’s going to catch a cold with this state of sleeping position.’ Saki thought in concern. Risako had fallen asleep on top of the blanket. Saki saw the younger girl squirming up into a ball and that told her that the younger girl was feeling cold from the air conditioner. She tried pulling up the blankets, but had failed due to the sleeping girl on it, so she went over to the other bed and rolled the blanket up, carried it over to where Risako slept and covered it over her.
’That’s better now. . .’ Saki thought to herself.
Just as she covered the blanket over the younger girl, she heard Risako mumbled something under her breath. “I want to eat . . . Hamburger . . . again . . . “ That brought a smile to Saki’s face.
’She’s sleep talking again . . . Last time round it was bulgogi. . . Now it’s hamburger. . . It’s seems like she had not went on to treat her issue of sleep talking. . .. ‘With the smile still on her face, Saki turned around and made her way back into the toilet where she began to dry her hair up with the spare towels and not the hairdryer as she did not wish to wake Risako up. So it took her a little more than half an hour before her hair was dried to a favourable state.
When she returned back to the room, Risako had already shifted out of her crouching position and was now lying on her back, still sound asleep. Saki made her way to the bed, where she prepared to slip in to the little space between the wall and Risako since she had took the blanket of the other bed for Risako, the only place she could sleep for the night was that little space. As she climbed onto the bed, she heard Risako mumbling again.
“Like . . . Like . . . “
A gentle smile wiped passes Saki’s face. “Ri-chan, good night . . . It seems it’s still a little more while away that you may solve this issue of sleep talking. . . “ Saki whispered out as she snuggled into the blanket.
“Like . . . Like. . . “
While Saki was getting to fall asleep, Risako continued to sleep talk. It took the older girl less than 15 minutes to fall asleep due to the fatigue accumulated throughout the whole week. As Saki fell asleep, Risako still continued to talk in her sleep. This time round, there were something more.
“Like. . . I like you, Captain. . . . . . When will I ever have the courage to tell you that. . .”
[Universe Z]
On the leg of Girl S.S was another red thread, connected to another girl, Girl R.S, who was seated alone at the corner of the space, looking out afar to where Girl S.S stood.
[Universe Y]
*Boooommmmmmmmm boooooommmmmmmm*
Ai tried to block the loud sound that had been echoing into her room for the past 15 minutes out of her ears by hiding her head under her pillow. “What time is it now?” Ai mumbled in irritation as she held the ends of the pillow and pressed it down, trying to muffle the sound out of her ears. “Rather, what’s that sound in the first place?” Ai pondered out aloud.
Though her actions, the volume of the sound did not decrease. Instead, it had gotten a lot louder than what it was 15 minutes ago. Suddenly, her door went wide open, bringing the noise to blast out 100% to the max.
“Argh!” Ai groaned as she sat up in an annoyed state. She sent a noxious stare to her guest at the door, who was so intrigued in her task of vacuuming the floor that she had failed to notice the treatment the owner of the room was giving her. Ai turned her attention to the alarm clock that was placed at her side table and she was surprised by the time she saw on the clock.
“Did the sun just rise from the west today?” Ai thought out aloud.
Eri stopped the cleaner as she could not hear Ai. “What did you just say?” Eri continued asking.
“I said, did the sun just rise from the west today?” Ai repeated herself for Eri.
“What do you mean? Doesn’t the sun rise from the west?” Eri was absolutely clueless about what Ai was teasing about.
“No my dear girl, the sun rises from the east and sets to the west.” Ai narrowed her eyes a little, as she couldn’t stomach the fact that her beloved housemate had a really bad common knowledge.
“Is that so?” Eri was genuinely amused and silence filled the room before Eri spoke again. “So why then did you ask whether the sun just rose from the west today?” Eri looked over at Ai with a confused look.
Ai sighed deeply, completely hopeless at her friend’s stupidity. “What time is it now, Eri?” Ai blurted out, as she begins on her explanation.
“6 in the morning?” Eri answered. “Ah, no. That’s the time I woke up. I think some time has passed since then. Maybe 6.10 in the morning?” Eri continued as she corrected herself.
“And what’s the usual time you wake up?” Ai continued with her attention fixed on Eri.
“I don’t know? You are the one who usually wakes me up. . . “ Eri innocently answered.
“I usually wake you up at 8. . . “ Ai enlightened Eri the time she usually wakes the latter up.
Eri nodded her head to Ai, acknowledging the response Ai gave her, following which was a moment of silence before Eri decided to speak again. “And what has it to do with whether the sun had just rise from the west?” Eri asked innocently.
Ai sunk her head back into the pillow upon hearing the response from Eri. “Eri!!” Ai groaned. “Why are you so clueless?” Ai continued in desperation. “I was just trying to say that it is so rare for you to be up so early in the morning, what’s more doing the housework.” Ai explained to Eri a single word by single work in emphasis.
Eri took a moment to digest what Ai had just said. Her eyes shot big as realisation struck. “So that’s what you were trying to mean!”
Ai gave Eri an uninterested look in response as she felt total helpless about her friend’s stupidity. “I’m going back to sleep.” Ai declared as she pulled the cover over her head, making the decision to shut Eri’s existence in her room, and her reasons for waking up so early in the morning.
“No you are not going back to sleep!” Eri dropped the vacuum cleaner on the ground and rushed forward to Ai, pulling the cover off her head and body. “Since you are up, you are going to help me out!” Came the command from Eri as she pulled Ai up from her bed.
“But why?” Ai whined like a little child.
“Well, the new tenants are coming in today. . . Of course we have to make the place to the best to leave a good impression in them! Then there will be no chances that they are going to back out in their decision of renting the place from us. Then we will be able to afford more things rather than having to cut down our expenses due to the rents we have to pay for this house.” Eri reasoned to Ai while the latter’s eyes remained closed like a straight line. Ai nodded her head in response to Eri with her eyes still closed. “Wake up!” Eri called as she shook a couple of times in a vigorous way.
And Ai gave in, knowing that once Eri was determined to do something, she would make sure that that happens. Ai dragged herself off her bed and began to help Eri out with her task, starting with the packing of the spare rooms and changing to the bed sheets.
They were done with all the things Eri wanted to do in just an hour’s time, with Ai’s assistance. And after they were done, the duo slopped themselves onto the living room couch, all sweaty and tired after all the tasks they had done.
“I’m tired.” Eri stated as she rested her head on Ai’s shoulder. Ai held her breath as Eri did so.
“You should go get wash up and prepare to get to work, Eri.” Ai suggested. However, she received no response from the other girl. Diverting her attention to her shoulder, she found Eri lying on her shoulder, eyes closed. “I guess you are really very tired.” Ai suggested to herself. “A short nap won’t hurt, I guess.” And so, she allowed Eri to sleep on her shoulder as her eyes wandered around the living room. Soon before she knew it, she was too deep sound asleep, with her head resting on top of Eri’s head, who was resting on her shoulder.
An hour had passed before Ai opened up her eyes again. The hour felt like minutes so when Ai realised the time, she was utterly shocked. “Eri?” Ai startled.
“Hmmm?” Eri stirred slightly from her rest on Ai’s shoulder.
“I think you are really late this time round.” Ai continued as she stared at the big round clock that was hung on top of the television.
That statement made Eri shot her eyes big. “Oh my!” Eri scrambled off the sofa and hurried her way up the stairs, only to trip herself on the steps and causing herself to fall forward. Thankfully, her reflexes were fast enough to prevent herself from gaining any major injuries.
“Are you alright?” Ai concerned.
Eri nodded her head in reassurance. “I have to hurry up. I still need to catch a shower before heading off to work!” Eri rumbled out. With that, she got back onto her feet and began to climb up the stairs, 2 steps each time, and back into her room.
A gentle warm smile embraced Ai’s lips as she watched Eri’s moment of panic and rush.
’She hasn’t changed at all, isn’t that so?’ Ai thought in her mind.
’And this part of her. . . Is the reason why . . . I had fallen in love with her. . .Her innocence, her stupidity. . . it just makes me want to protect her even more. . . ‘ [Universe Z]
Girl A.T had her right arm linked Girl E.K’s left arm. Between them was a loose red thread wrapped around their ankles.
[Universe X]
“Yaji-san, Good morning!” Members of C-ute greeted as the oldest girl in the group entered the rehearsal studio.
“Good morning!” Maimi returned the greetings. “What are you all gathered together so early in the morning?” Maimi asked in interest. “Is there any important news that I had missed?”
“Of course not!” Chisato reassured their leader.
“We are just discussing about the cheese bagel MV that was uploaded to hello station last week,” Mai added on.
“The effects and the editing was really great, isn’t that so?” Airi continued. “You really can feel the sense of happiness emitting out from the MV. . . “
“Yeah! Especially the part where Yaji-san and Nacky were bitting off the bagel at the same time.” Chisato continued on from where Airi ended as she directed her attention towards Maimi and Nacky.
“Really?” Maimi rubbed the back of her head shyly as she placed her bag at the corner of the room and settled down beside Airi.
“That’s real!” Mai nodded her head feverously in agreement to what Chisato had just mentioned. “It almost felt like you were a pair of real couple.”
“What are you saying, , , “ Maimi slapped the Mai slightly on her shoulder as she laughed in embarrassment. The placement of her as the centre of attraction is making her self-conscious of her surroundings. “We were just acting out what the director had asked us to do.” Maimi continued as she tried to explain for herself.
“Of course we knew about that, Yaji-san. We were there at the scene as well.” Mai teased.
“Alright girls! I think it’s time for us to get our warm up and stretching done! The rehearsal is starting soon!” Nacky, who remained all silent all these while since Maimi entered the room, cleared her throat and informed, prevented the ongoing conversation to get anywhere else.
“That’s right!” Maimi came into agreement with Nacky, who was already up on her feet and heading towards the centre of the room, where she stood right before the huge mirror and began on her warm up exercises and stretching. “The dance teachers are going to come in any minutes from now. It’s better that we get prepared before they get in.” Maimi continued as she stood up and began to go around pulling the rest up on their feet.
Nacky’s attention had never left the reflection of Maimi which was captured by the mirror. The innocent smile on Maimi’s face brought a wave of sadness to the younger’s heart.
’Everything had change since that day. . . that night where we almost kissed. . . But it seems like it hadn’t affected her as much as it had affected me. . . Well, that’s because Mi-tan is being Mi-tan. . . the absolute airhead amongst us. . . . There’s no way she could have realised, . . this unrequited love I had for her. . . ‘ [Universe Z]
Girl M.Y was attached to Girl S.N by a tangled and knobbed red thread by their arm.
[Universe Y]
Ai stood alone outside near a glass door of the airport, arms crossed and back against the glass wall. She looked around her surroundings and checked the time on her watch occasionally, eyebrows furrowed each time she saw the time.
’Where is she?’ Ai wondered silently in her mind as she looked at the time on her watch again.
A vibration from the pocket of her baggy pants brought her attention away from her watch. Slipping her hand into her pocket, Ai pulled out her mobile phone –the source of the vibration- and checked on it.
’Ah, a mail from Eri.’ {Ai, my shift was extended for an hour. I can’t meet you up at the entrance at our usual time. So I guess you should get home first and get prepared to welcome our new housemate. Please make sure that you welcomed them well. They are our hope for a better life.– Eri.} Ai chuckled lightly at the message Eri sent her. She picked up her backpack where she had placed against her leg and slung it over her shoulder before making her way back home. It took her about a half an hour walk before she reached the district where they lived. As she approached the main gate of the rented house, she saw a brown middle length hair girl, seated on a huge luggage with another smaller one by her leg, waiting outside her gate.
“Hi?” Ai shyly greeted as she was unsure who that girl was. “You are?” Ai continued asking as she approached the girl.
Upon seeing Ai nearing her, the girl stood up from her luggage. “I’m Niigaki Risa. . . Are you Kamei Eri?” Risa introduced herself to Ai before affirming the identity of Ai, whether or not she was the one who had answered her the night before.
“I’m not Eri. I’m Ai, Takahashi Ai. Eri and I have known each other since our years in university and have been renting this house to stay together since our graduation. It was until lately that the landlord had decided to increase the rents to an unreasonable figure that we had decided we should get more people to share the rents, since this place is really close to our working place.” Ai began to introduce herself, and without her knowing it, she had already revealed the reasons for them to put up that notice yesterday morning.
“Ah, I see. . .” Risa trailed off into silence as she answered. An awkward silence began to fill the space. Risa was stealing glances at the shorter girl, only to find Ai staring at her. That made Risa even more nervous and began to divert her attention all over around but not to Ai.
Ai, sensing the awkwardness in the atmosphere, cleared her throat and spoke up. “Shall we move your stuffs in first? Then I may show you where your room is. . . “ Ai suggested with an angelic smile, hoping that would ease the tense and awkward atmosphere between her and her recently met new housemate.
“Sure.” Risa smiled a reply before she bent over and try to lift her luggage up, only to fail as she stumbled forward.
“You need some help?” Ai offered as she made her way towards Risa’s side. Without waiting for the latter’s reply, Ai wrapped her hand over the handle of the large luggage and began to lift it up the short fledge of stairs that leads to the main door of the house.
Risa was surprised by the amount of strength Ai had as she was able to carry the luggage up the stairs without much effort or stumbling. Her shock did not last long as she realised her need to catch up with her new housemate.
When she did managed to catch up with Ai as she struggled to carry her smaller luggage, she was already in the house with Ai making her way down the main stairway. “I have placed your luggage in one of the two empty rooms. You can come up now to choose which of the one you would prefer.” Ai informed as she made her way to Risa’s side. As she did, she took over the smaller luggage Risa was struggling to balance in her hold. “I’ll help you with this too.” Ai offered her help again. She then took a few steps forward. “Let’s go?” Ai turned her head back and looked at Risa.
Risa hurriedly nodded her head in acknowledgement as she rushed forward to Ai and followed closely behind her. “You are really strong, aren’t you? Do you go to gym or?” Risa could no longer contain her curiosity and asked Ai.
Ai giggled slightly at Risa’s question. “No I don’t. I guess it is part of the requirement of my job that I had gradually built up all these strength.” Ai answered to Risa’s curiosity just as they reached the second level. “These two rooms on the left belongs to Eri and I. The empty rooms are on the right side.” Ai began to lead Risa to the room she placed the latter’s luggage in. “Feel free to look around and make your choice.” Ai finished.
“I’m pretty easygoing with such stuffs. . . Since my belongings are in this room, I will take this then.” Risa made her decision to stay as it is.
“Okay.” Ai smiled back to Risa. “Let me show you around the house. . .”Ai continued to orientate the new girl around the house, starting for the shared bathroom to the living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry room, and lastly, the backyard. “This is where we like to hang out during autumn nights. . . “ Ai finished her orientation and turned her attention back to Risa. “Any enquires or such?” Ai asked as she blinked her eyes and smiled.
Risa shook her head in response as both of them settled down on the outdoor bench swing. Silence began to fill the atmosphere yet once again with Risa playing with her fingers nervously.
Ai broke the silence as she sensed the growing anxiety in Risa. “Why not let’s introduce more of ourselves to each other?” Ai proposed. Risa nodded her head feverously in agreement, absolutely elated that Ai was helping to break the ice between them. “What do you work as?”
“Ah.” Risa was startled for a moment. “I’m a nurse in a paediatric ward in the hospital in downtown. . . “
“Downtown?” That caught Ai’s attention. “That’s really far away from this place. . . “ Ai continued while Risa rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. “How did you managed to know this offer then? We placed it on the bulletin board near the airport. . .” That sparked Ai’s curiosity.
“That. . . “ Risa trailed off. “I have just returned from a trip overseas and had just happened to see that notice. . . “ Risa explained.
“Ah. . . . I see. . .” Ai pouted her lips slightly as she nodded her head in acknowledgement.
“So . . .Are you working near the airport then?” Risa mustered the courage to overcome her shyness as she asked.
“I’m working in the airport.” Came the reply from Ai. “I’m working in the engineering department as an aircraft technician.” Ai further elaborated.
“Eh?” Risa was genuinely surprised. “That’s – that’s cool. . . “
“Surprised?” Ai guessed from Risa’s reaction. Risa smiled awkwardly and nodded her head lightly. “Your reactions speak your thoughts.” Ai teased.
“That’s what everyone told me too. . .” Risa embarrassingly acknowledged to Ai’s statement.
“You don’t have to feel embarrass about that. . . I think it’s really cute to have your thoughts expressed through your expressions. . . At least you are being truthful about –“ Before Ai could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by an hungry growl of a stomach.
“Ah, excuse me. . . that’s me.” Risa’s cheek blushed in fresh shade of red.
Ai checked the time on her watch only to realise that it was already 30 minutes past 7. “Woah, it’s 7.30 already. . . Time really flies. It’s no wonder that you are hungry. . . “ Ai realised. “Let’s get in and let’s see what we can order for dinner. Maybe some pizza would be a good choice for dinner tonight. . .” Ai recommended.
“I’m fine with that plan.” Risa nodded her head in agreement.
With that, the duo stood up from the bench swing and began to make their way back into the house. When they were back into the house, Ai retrieved her mobile phone from her bag and dialled the number for delivery. “Should I get the share for the other new girl as well?” Ai wondered out aloud to herself. “Rather, why isn't her here yet?” And the concern grew. She checked the time on her watch again, and it was 7:35 pm.
’She said she will be here at 7 . . .’ It was like speaking of the devil. Just as Ai had thought of the absence of the supposed arrival of the new housemate, the doorbell rang. “It should be the new girl. Eri has keys.” Ai thought out aloud again as Risa sat on the couch and watched her. So Ai made her way to the door and pulled the door open, only to find a black haired girl, hair all up in a bun and dressed in an air stewardess uniform, panting to breath before her. “Are you –“
“Sorry I’m late! I was called up to cover one of my colleague’s duties while packing. So I have leave now since I’m running late for the meeting before flight. I will leave my belongings here. I will be back in 3 days time.” The black haired girl gave Ai no chance to neither speak nor introduce her own self. She rumbled off what she had wanted to say and had rushed off with her cabin luggage before Ai could respond to her in any way.
As the girl rushed down the down winding road, she bumped into another girl who was hurriedly making her way up the road.
“Ouch!”
[Universe Z]
Now surround Girl A,T and Girl E.K was another two girl, Girl R.N and Girl S.M. They were looking at each other at their eyes, looking right into each other souls as their story strives to begin.
An update!
Still trying to build the relationship lines over here. . . . so it may read dull =X hehehe
@ rndmnwierd : Yupps, I'm back! hehehe Glad that you had took interest in the story line. It's my first time writing in such a style. . . Hopefully it won't turns too much complicated.
@ twintt : I'm glad that you like it
hehehe because Captain and Maimi stirred my emotion =X looking at the two shots they share on their blog, it always gives me a different view . . hehehe
@ darkacex99 : Yupps ! I'm back! You're eyes aren't tricking you
hahaha. and I updated! hehehe hope you would like this chapter
@ H!PShipper : Thanks for the comment! Hope this chapter is interesting to you too ^.^
De wa, until the next time then!