[kaoruyo's OS] LOCKED (wMatsui) (Apr/03)

[kaoruyo]

Hello, kaoruyo is here!

Edited: I'm going to conclude my fic in one thread, so here it is. 

The Frog Song and Rainy Days (wMatsui)
Snowflakes (MaYuki)
The City of Rain (wMatsui)
Cross Identity (wMatsui)
First Drive (SayaJuri)
LOCKED(wMatsui)

So, this one is my favorite fic. It's wMatsui and it's an angst. I hope you all can enjoy it. As always, forgive my grammar mistakes  Happy reading~~

The Frog Song and Rainy Days

I stood in the pouring rain. The water drop came down hitting my cheek, mixed with the tears that I unconsciously shed. The sky was dark blue, with gray clouds hanging loosely on it's surface, hid the sunlight from me. My cheeks turned slightly warmer when I imagined you approaching me with smile plastered on your face and an umbrella in your hand.

'What are you doing?' you would ask me.

'Don't you feel cold?' That was what you would say when you reached my numb hands.

'You're getting cold.' The smile on your face would change to a frown as you saw how white my hands had been.

'C'mon. Let's go to somewhere warm.' With that familiar grin, you would take my hand and guide me away from the rain.

'I love you!' If only I can shout it out loud, conveying my love for you.

But, as I opened my eyes, you weren't there. It was just me, hand hanging to grab void with the rain that told me to be real. You were not there. You're never there.

____________________

Matsui Rena is a persona I really admire. She was. That admiration soon turned to be a feeling of love. I first knew her when I entered high school, she was the student council's president, and I was a freshman. Her speech was amazing, despite her looks, she could speak that confidently in front of hundreds of people. I admired her just that fast.

Our first encounter was when I was going home. It was raining, hard. I was running to the bus stop when I saw a silhouette dancing around in the rain. With the rain coat and an umbrella in hand, she danced weird moves while humming random song. She stopped when she saw me nailed to the ground, watching her from afar.

She then approached me, the way she ran was funny. She extended her hand, offering the umbrella she was holding at the moment. She shook her hand impatiently as I was too surprised to react. She smiled when I took the umbrella. Before I could mutter a thank you, she went running elsewhere. The fog was thick so I couldn't point out which way she went.

That was when my admiration changed to the feeling of liking.

The bus stop near school was our meeting place. The place where I first met you. You were funny, sometime reserved and shy but mostly you would laugh at whatever I did to entertain you. Even though I knew my jokes were mostly failed.

"Nee, Jurina, do you know the frog song?"

"The frog song? What kind of song named as in 'frog' song?"

I raised my eyebrow, it sounds stupid. I bet it was another random song you came up with.

"It is, it is. It was the song to call the rain. Do you want me to sing it for you?"

Seemed not budged with my sarcastic response, you continued talking about the song. You sometime stopped while smiling sheepishly.

"I don't want it to be raining. It’s cold, you know. Better sing it when the sun is up."

You pouted. You love rain. You love it like it is the best things that could ever happen in this world. The side of you that I found funny yet charming.

"But, I love rain. Don't you like it, Jurina?"

I like you who talking energetically every time you stated that you loved the smell of the grass after rain. Or how the frogs will sing when it was raining.

"I... Like it." If you were there with me.

The curved of her lips came back to life as she answered me, "Right? The rain is us, that's why."

You went back staring at the clear sky, while I kept staring at you. Your random statement, your meaningless words, were precious for me. The way you talked were funny.  You would laugh and sneering when you were with me. If only I could convey this feeling. But I was scared. I was scared of losing you if I did.

I followed you staring at the sky. The light blue sky with white cotton painted the canvas.

You began humming the said frog song. Your voice was lovely. The sounds of love emitted from her, warmed every living being stayed beside you. It never fails to warm me up.

Soon enough, the water began to drop. Your smile got wider when you felt water touched your face. You got up from the chair and skipping around the street, it was a relief that the road was usually empty.

"Don't you want to join me?"

You offered me your hand.

I got up from the chair.

"Of course."

_______________________

One day, you came up to me. I was waiting for you at the bus stop. I readied myself to welcome you with a huge grin. But you didn’t look so well. Your face was pale, hidden in a muffler. Your hair was messy, the same with your uniform. Your eyes were puffy and swollen. I lost my intention to smile. What came to me were worries.

“Rena, what happened?”

I hold your shaking hands. It was so cold. Had you been staying out in this winter?

Instead of answering to me, your eyes sent another pile of tears. You were crying. I’d never seen you cry.

I was at lost. I’d seen numbers of other girls crying in front of me, whether because I broke up with them, or they were just wailing from their problems. But I never expected her to cry. You were always smiling. You always keep your unbreakable facade.

Begged you to speak was useless. I knew that much, so I took you to my embrace. You stopped sobbing for a second, but started again as you wrapped your hand against me.

I never know what actually happened that day. You didn’t tell me and I was waiting for you to tell me yourself. But it never happened. Rumors said that you were dumped by your boyfriend. Another rumor said that one of your relative died. Other rumor was that you were bullied. I didn’t know which one was true.

The next day, you came to the bus stop. The usual grin plastered on your face, like the other day incident wasn’t real. You acted like how you always do. In my heart I was asking. Questions popped up in my mind. But I was scared. I was such a chicken. I didn’t have the courage to confront you. It was only the simple ‘what happened?’ but I couldn’t spill it out.

You seemed indifferent. And so I acted the same. The bus came not so long after a few words exchange. We rode it together. We were still chuckling for her previous frog song. I sang the song and you said I was off tune. But I kept singing and with that, you couldn’t stop laughing. We didn’t care about pairs of eyes that were watching us. Nor I care about the grandma who let out a small chuckle while looking at our direction. It was what we always do. Our days. I never expected it to be the last time we sat in the same bus.

____________________

I never know how it turned out to be like this. I never think that I would spend my time sitting at the same bus stop while staring at the empty street.
I was waiting.

People told me to stop. They said you were gone. You won’t come back. But I stayed. I knew you would one day come up with that grin plastered on your face, umbrella in hand. You would be all wet and breathless. You would offer the umbrella to me, like the first time we met.

‘Jurina, you have to stop coming there.’

My sister’s voice rang in my head.

The same sentence I heard from numerous people.

I never listen.

I’ll soon graduate high school. I’ll soon leave the city where I spent time with you. You had left, years ago.

You never came back to our meeting place, even though I waited there. Sitting while staring at the sky, wondering whether the rain would come or whether the frogs would come out and sing, along with you.

You disappeared. The town folks said you left your home. You left the city. I didn’t know what forced you to go. You said nothing. Was I not worthy to be shared one of your story? Or it was because I was such a coward that I couldn't ask you what's wrong?

In my hand was the frog doll I knitted for you. You like it, don’t you? I was going to give it to you at the day you came up to me, crying. I lost my chance. I won’t ever know whether my feeling overlap with you.

I felt a drop of water caressed my palm. Was it rain? Or was it my tears?

The rain had come. Like the other days. The city of rain, you named our home. I got up and danced. The weird dance along with the random song you always hummed. I felt the water embraced me, wrapped me in a comfortable wetness.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw a light coming fast. I saw you running to me, with that bright smile and an umbrella hanging on your hand. Your eyes illuminated the road, like lamps. You disappeared, changed with our usual bus charged through me. The light is gone.



Okay, that's the first part. Thank you for reading. Reviews are always welcome~~ 

[kurogumi]

Is jurina got hit by bus???

I want part 2 and 3 !!

Angst story

But still hope a happy one

[Kirozoro]

Please update more

I want to know ehat happen to Rena and Jurina

I hope they together at the end

[DC2805]

sounds like a tragic story.. hope the ending is not too depressing 

[gek geki]

IM WEAK IN ANGST STORY BUT ALSO LOVE IT
UHG LOOKS LIKE JURINA DIED,WHO'S NOT AFTER GOT HIT BY BUS?
WHERE'S RENA?DONT TELL ME SHE DIED TOO THAT'S SO CRUEL AND TRAGIC FOR WMATSUI COUPLE
HOPE RENA HAVE A GOOD REASON FOR HER LEAVING,CAUSE SHE MADE JURINA SO SAD,HALUCINATING AND YEAH GOT HIT
IS THERE'S OTHER COUPLE?? YOU KNOW THE THIRD,PERSON WHO GLUED THE STORIES...I MEAN THIS TWO HAD A FRIENDS RIGHT?

[yuuyu]

A part of me wants the next part so we can find out what happened to Jurina (and Rena? Where the heck did that girl get to?)

but another part of me is just going NO NO THIS NO MY HEART I CAN'T.

[kaoruyo]

@kurogumi: in some sort of way, maybe~~  . Don't worry, I'll post it right away. 
@Kirozoro: hmm, maybe happy, or not? 
@DC2805: I hope so too. 
@gek geki: Well, all those questions will be answered in the next chapter(s).  I wish it's not too depressing for you.
@yuuyu: Which one do you want? Anyway, this is the next chapter~

Thanks for everyone who have read my story!  and for those who gave me reviews too. I'm going to post the second chapter and the third chapter now, so, Happy Reading~


The 2nd chapter is somehow 'unrelated' with the 1st chapter. And it's actually Mayuki instead of wMatsui. 
I hope you like it. 
P.S.: I add some music terms here, I hope it's not too confusing.

Snowflakes

It was the same lazy day of winter, as cold as the other days where only a few people were roaming on the street. The quite yet boring day was soon turned lively as the shrieking sound of brake stomping filled the air. Soon enough the siren sound followed. People moved from their lethargic activities just to witness what was happening. The crowd surrounded a certain spot of road which beside it was a large bus with broken lamp.

With difficulties, the police officer finally managed to broke through the curious group of people. Behind him were the medics prepared with stretchers and medical kits.

On the snowy road was a poor young-girl with void looking eyes. The snow around her was turning red as the blood couldn’t help itself to stop pouring out from the girl’s wound. The lifeless girl was soon carried out from the scene, stalked by prying eyes of the bystander. Fallen down in the process was what left of a blood-stained red muffler. It lay on the cold asphalt, left to be stampeded by road users while soaked with the wetness of rain and snow.

___________________

“Do you like snow?”

“Yes.” because it resembles your name.

“How much?”

“So much.” as much as the amount of my love for you.

She smiled at my answer, the smile that warmed my heart as soon as it appeared on her fair face.

We were on the rooftop, together. Our fingers were entwined to each other. Around our neck was a red muffler she gave me as my birthday present last year. It was cold, yet warm. As long as I’m with her, the coldest day is the warmest.

“Let’s eat, before our bento turned stale.”

“Mmm.”

Right on cue, our hands were separated. A tinge of disappointment filled my lung but soon, I met with a sausage wiener presented before me.

“Aaa~” she said.

I felt the blood rushed into my face. Being fed like this was not so unusual, and despite the empty space around us, I couldn’t help but to feel embarrassed.

“C’mon.” she shook her chopstick upon me. I didn’t have other choice but to swallow it down. It was not that her care was not to my liking.

“Is it good?”

“Mmm.” I nodded while trying to chow the sausage. It wasn’t bad but it was kind of hard to bite, winter effect.

“Yokatta. I thought it gonna fail like the other time.”

My mind flew away to the day when she presented me the same kind of sausage. It was… disaster. I tried to eat the whole things, and then ended up staying in the toilet for a full long day. She kept apologizing for the next whole week.

“Don’t worry. It’s… err... edible.”

“Mou! Can’t you at least say it was tasty?”

She pouted at my answer. She was so cute that I wanted to pinch those cheeks of hers.

“It’s… okay.” I can’t hold my laughter anymore. Teasing her was so enjoyable.

Her pout changed to a frown. She soon began hitting my upper arms, playfully. My laughter went even louder. Lovely days, I hope these days would go on forever.

___________________


“Mayu-chan!!”

Those loud voice.

“Mayuyu!”

Those annoying tone.

“Mayu mayu mayu!!”

Those grin I could see even though my eyes were glued.

“Watanabe Mayu!”

“Argh!! Stop shouting my name in front of the school!”

It was irritating, a lot. I turned around to face the source of my irritation.

“Well, it was because you won’t answer me.” That same peculiar grin, oh how I wanted to slap her face, wiped away those grin off her cheek.

“I don’t see any obligation to answer to your call”

She pouted, and then she put her ace weapon, the puppy eyes. Not that it could affect me.

“Stop pouting, it won’t work.”

She sighed, deserved her that way. I smiled in victory; even the popular Matsui Jurina won’t be able to shake my heart.

“Nee nee, how was your date yesterday?”

The red tint appeared on my pale cheek. The image of me and her running around the amusement park never fail to heat my heart.

“It was exciting then. And I’m sure you did uncountable lovey dovey acts.” She was smirking, so wide that I thought her cheek was ripped.

“It’s none of your business.” I kept walking through the front gate, ignoring her, completely.

“Don’t be ashamed. Just say that you were kissing in the gondola.”

Wait. We were what?

“How…” the fact popped in my brain, “YOU WERE SPYING ON US?!”

My face turned bright red, mixed of embarrassment and anger.

“You know, it’s not good to kiss for that long. Imagine how much germs were traded at those minutes.” She made a disgusted expression on her face, can’t I slap her already? “and, you know, it could be followed by other act, not to mention you were in public. I would like to watch you having… err… some experiences with her though.”

“MATSUI JURINA!!”

Enough. She was so damn annoying. A good smack in the head might be able to fix her head. But she was too fast for me. She was the ace of athletic club, of course she was fast.

“COME BACK HERE!!”

I chase her but I got tired after a few steps. Need-to-work-out, mental note.

She turned smaller and smaller and soon she disappeared from my eyesight. I bet she was laughing so hard that she won’t be able to breath. And soon, the entire school will know. Sigh.

“Are you okay, Mayu?”

I gasped. The certain girlfriend the kid mentioned was standing behind me. I wouldn’t fail in recognizing her melodic voice.

“Yukirin…”

“What did Jurina say? She teased you like always, didn’t she?” She looked at me with those sympathetic eyes. But then, her smile rose and she chuckled.

“Not you too, Yuki.” I forgot she loved to tease me as well. Not that bad as those ignorant badass though.

“Sorry sorry. It was just too funny.”

Okay, I’m leaving.

“Eh, wait! Mayu~”

____________________

After school was one of my favorite times of the day. The reason was simple. It was because I would have a practice season with Yuki after school. It was our routine since I enrolled in this school this spring. She would accompany me with her piano playing while I played the violin.

I found her upstairs, in front of the upperclassmen’s class. I was about to call her when I saw her talking to her classmate. It looked intense. Too intense. I knew her. She’s Jurina’s love interest. She had had crush for her since the first time we stepped on this school’s ground. For me, she’s a weird girl who love singing in the rain. She’s pretty, indeed, but still it’s unnatural to dance around in the pouring rain, right?

“Well then, we’ll talk later.”

She seemed to notice me as she hastily finished her conversation with Yuki. I raised my brow. Was it something I must not know?

She excused herself from Yuki just in time before I reached Yuki’s shoulder. She was taken slightly aback. It was not her usual over-reaction, but it seemed even more real. I wondered what they were talking about just now.

“Ah, Hi Mayu!” her cheerful tone of voice brought the tension within me down. She was just as perfect as always.

“Yo. What are you talking about with Rena?”

“N-nothing. Anyway, we should go to the music room.” She averted her gaze. She always does that when she’s nervous. It made me even more curious. However, she rushed to collect her things and within seconds she was ready to go practicing.

Soon enough we were already in a tense jam session in the small music room we always used to practice. The melodies of the instrument blend with the air. It took us away from the reality to the land of notes. I forget all the things that worried me. It was just me and her, and our own instrument.

“Mayu, it would be better if we you give a decrescendo before the end of part two. Along with a ritardando. Then, don’t forget to you need not only fast but also soft. You need to pour your feelings into it.”

“Yes. I understand, sensei. You had told me yesterday.” I rolled my eyes. It wasn’t that I didn’t know what she meant but sometimes I didn’t like to be lectured.

“I’ve told you, but you kept doing the same mistakes in the same part. Don’t forget you need to do the last part playfully. Your staccato is too harsh. Playful, remember? I’ve told you to take down notes. Have you done it?”

That! That demanding tone!

“Don’t sulk. The competition was just a week away and you haven’t even mastered any part of the composition.”

Yeah, I knew the competition was nearing. That was why I can’t play nicely. The nervousness was too much to be handled.

“Don’t say you were just nervous and such! Mayu~ You should focus!”’

She read my mind.

“I AM FOCUS. Mou! Practicing with you didn’t get me any better. You were too detailed, Yuki.”

“You MUST be! You asked me to help you practice, so I did! At least, listen to my advice!”

She raised her tone, something she doesn’t usually do. She only raised it when she was surprised, that kind of shrieking screams. I flinched at her statement. I knew she was right but I was too irritated to even reasoning calmly.

“Oh?! So you feel forced to help me? Why wasted your time to tutor me? You’re not that good with your piano playing anyway!”

She winced at my statement. It was a sensitive topic. Lately, her piano playing wasn’t that good. Despite it was her last year of high school and she had the competition a few days after mine. It was her last chance to get a scholarship in a certain music university. If she failed, she would focus to the national exam. She was actually more than kind to fulfill my selfish request.

She went silent for a few seconds before staring at my eyes intensely. I found a tiny bit of sadness in her eyes, but my ego shrug it off and, to my regret; I continued bombarded her with my dense comment.

“You don’t have the right to tell me anything. Do that after you proof yourself!”

“Mayu!”

I sighed. We were going to have a fight. No, we were having a fight. The competition pressured us both. I went over board, which I shouldn’t ever do.

“Sorry about that.”

I apologized. I was not fair for her or me. We shouldn’t fight just before the important competition.

“It’s okay.” She answered me after a moment of silence. She was hurt. Her eyes spoke it all.

“Sorry, Yukirin. The competition drove me nut. I shouldn’t say something like that.”

Finally, she smiled. A feeling of relieve washed over me.

“I understand.”

I replied her with a small smile. At least I didn’t feel forced when I did. The anger had subdued.

“I think we should train on our own. We need to focus.” she suggested.

Somehow I disagreed, but I knew that was for the better of us both.

“Okay. We’ll meet at the competition. You don’t have to force yourself to watch mine, just focus for your own competition.”

She shook her head, “no. I’ll come. I will be there to root for you.”

She said she will root for me, and so do I, “mmm. I’ll root for you too.”

Her facial expression hardened when I told her that, I was wondering why, but soon she was back with smile on her face so I brushed it off.

“Let’s do our best.”

___________________

The next few days were the worst. I was literally practicing 24/7. Yuki was right. I still haven’t mastered the composition. I was worse than I thought I was.

Each hour seemed so heavy and so slow. I stopped coming to school, most of the student of music division did this in competition season anyway. Sometime encouragement messages were sent to my phone. Those were from Jurina or from Yuki or my other friends. I kept exchanged messages with Yuki but not much, just a few words. We both were too occupied with our own competition.

Sooner or later, the competition’s day was head on.

I was wearing a simple white satin dress with a black ribbon attached on the waist, acted as belt. I was readied for the intense competition. At least, I thought I was. The other competitors broke my mental bit by bit. They were great, and I wasn’t ready.

My turn came at last. I prayed for the best and walked to the stage. I looked around the audience. It was not my intention but my eyes met with Yuki’s. She looked contained and tired but her smile reassured me. She mouthed ‘do your best’ from the middle of the crowds.

I took a long breath and began to play. The melodies of ‘Spring Sonata’ of Beethoven mesmerized the audience. It should be. I need them to.

In one sip of breath, the song ended. It was long yet it finished in a blink. I squinted as the audience gave their applause. It was over. I could see Yuki clapped her hands excitedly. Her over-reaction calmed me. I would laugh if only I wasn’t standing on the stage.

I bowed down and left. The result wasn’t a matter anymore. I got to see Yuki’s excited face. It was more than a prize.

____________________

In the end, I didn’t get any position. That what should had happened. But, that was least of my concern.

The day had finally come, the day of Yuki’s competition. I hadn’t seen her since my competition. She said she wanted to concentrate so I didn’t bother her. I was excited to see her piano playing. I’d root for her, like how we promised.

I reached the venue one hour before the actual performance started. I want to give her a surprise before the actual performance. However, she wasn’t there.

She wasn’t in the list of participants.

Mixed feeling of confusion and worries filled my restless mind. We didn’t contact to each other since our last meeting. I definitely hadn’t heard anything about this.

I needed a confirmation. I reached for my phone and dialed her number. Bad luck. She didn’t pick up the phone. Actually, the usual woman on the phone said that the number wasn’t even listed. Panic rushed in. What happened?

I needed to ask. Then a certain rain girl’s face popped in my mind. But to not so bad luck, I didn’t have her numbers. But, Jurina might have it.

“Jurina, do you have Matsui Rena’s phone numbers?” I pushed my sentence as soon as she picked up my call.

“Rena-chan? I have it. I’ll send it to you. But what business do you have with her?”

“Please send it to me ASAP.”

“He—“

I hung the phone, cut her sentence before she even managed to finish one word.

The next second, a mail with Rena’s contact reached my inbox.

I dialed the number as fast as I could, she must know.

“Matsui-senpai? It’s Watanabe Mayu. Do you know where she is? I didn’t find her in the list of participants. You know today is the competition, right?”

“…”

She went silent. It was strange. But I bet she knew.

“Do you know where Yuki is?”

“She’s gone.”

Blood rushed to my down part of body. Her words were ambiguous, yet my brain had processed for the worst possible answer.

“She’s—“

“gone.” She completed my choked words. ”She left to Vienna two days ago. She tried to tell you but she can’t. I have told her to do so but in the end her time is up before she managed to tell you”

“WHAT? She’s in Vienna? But I thought…”

“Her mother took her there. It was sudden. She tried to tell you but she can’t. I’m sorry Mayu, I should have told you myself.”

My cellphone fell from my palm. She was aboard. I never knew. She never told me. I felt anger, then sadness. Why didn’t she tell me? I didn’t understand. She could tell me. I wouldn’t be mad. Was she afraid I would burst off like when we fight last week? We indeed promised that we would attend the same university but still it was hurt.

I hung the phone call and dialed her number. It was useless. In the center of the cold plaza, I tried to call her over and over again. But it was useless. She wasn’t between my reach anymore. I sat there, crying. The mixed of anger, sadness, confusion, disappointment mixed with the tears. The falling snow was my company.

__________________


2 years later.

The coldness of this city never changes. The same street, the same crossroad, the same snow. I inhaled the chilly scent of winter. It had been 2 years. The 2 years of hard work, tears, and despair. The days way in Europe weren’t bad at all. It was satisfying. Sure, it was hard. Harder than I thought it would be. But, my career won’t do any good if I stayed in Japan. My mother didn’t let me go back here so soon, moreover if she found out my main reason. But I need to. I escaped her while she was in her tour. I need to find Mayu.

I missed Mayu so damn much. I left her without any word. She must be angry. I couldn’t tell her where I had gone. I couldn’t. My mom cut all my connection to her. I tried to contact her via everything I could think of. The territories which my mom wouldn’t be able to touch. But still, no answer. I got worried but I couldn’t do anything. My mom sent me away as soon as she found out about our relationship. She was opposed of it. It should have been perfect. I would tell her that I was going after my competition. But my mom found out and dragged me there. I couldn’t even tell Rena what happened.

I sighed.

That was all in the past now.

Mom thought I had forgotten about Mayu. She recognized me bit by bit. I gained enough popularity and my career rose to fame. But yet I felt empty without her.
I must find her. In this city of rain (that was how Rena named the city). Talked about it, I couldn’t contact Rena as well. I wondered what happened but it was the least to my importance.

I walked to her home. It wasn’t that far from the station so I reached it within minutes. Strange enough it was empty.

“Hello? Anybody’s home?”

Thought about it the street was unusually empty. Our city was never crowded but it was emptier than usual.

“No one’s there.”

I heard a soft voice of woman behind me. I flinched when I saw her unusual outfit. A black kimono, the sign of mourning.

“And then where they would be?” my heart thumped faster, I had a really bad feeling about this.

“They went for the funeral, they were at the city cen—“

The woman didn’t manage to finish her words. I saw the sign that I overlooked on the door, the sign that the family of the house was mourning. I dashed through
her to the city center, a funeral usually held there, in our city.

It can’t be. It can’t be. I muttered  to myself all the way to the city center.

Images were flashing through my occupied mind. She would not die on me. No, before I explained what really happened.

I ran out of breath when I reached the door. People were leaving. All were wearing black suit or black kimono or school uniform for student. Some of the students were chuckling when they descend the stairs. I sent glares at them. How dare them!

With the last of my power, I ran through the stairs and I finally reached the room.

I saw the black wood coffin. It was sealed properly. Beside it was a muffler. A red one. It was stained with blood and dirt that mixed with the color of red but it can still be seen.

I fall down to my knees after seeing the muffler. The red muffler I gave her for her birthday present. I grabbed it and hugged it. Tears began to betray myself. It was pouring out like flood. I regretted all the things that had happened. I didn’t have the chance. I should have done better. I should have forced my way to break free from my mom’s cage. But it was too late. She had died. She can’t listen to my explanation. She won’t ever talk to me again. She won’t ever call my name again.

“Yuki?”

Huh?

I felt my ears betrayed me as well. I began to hear the voice I want to hear the most. Hers.

“Yuki? Oh my God! It’s you!”

Huh?

I must be hallucinating.

“When did you come here?”

Huh?

I turned around slowly. I was not readied to meet her… remains.

But she was there. I felt the blood left my face. I’ve never seen ghost and I hoped I didn’t need to. But she was standing there with shocked expression on her face. I must be the one who shocked.

“Yuki? Are you alright? You look pale.”

She approached me and shook my shoulder.

“D-Don’t touch me.”

I stood up in reflex. In result, she was thrown, hitting the wall. She looked hurt, both physically and mentally. Huh? No, not physically, ghost didn’t have any physical body. Huh? But I definitely heard the loud thump when she hit the wall.

“Geez! What are you doing? You came back after 2 years and the first thing you said to me is ‘don’t touch me’? I can’t believe it!” she looked… angry. Her face reddened. In the end, she muttered something like ‘and you left without announcement.’ But it was too small that it was inaudible.

“I-I’m sorry. I was just afraid. I meant, I never see a ghost talking to me.”

This time, her furious look turned into confusion.

“Ghost?” she muttered. Then, the next second she burst out laughing. So hard that I wanted to remind her that we were in a funeral.

“You thought that I am a ghost?” she said between her laugh, “you thought it is ME who is dead?”

She wiped her tears that formed after so much laughter.

“But…” I showed her the muffler I had been holding.

“Oh my, Yukirin. You should look at the nameplate before the muffler. Moreover, there IS a BIG photograph in front of you but all you can see is that muffler?”

I looked down and I was taken aback. It was neither her name on the nameplate nor her face on the photograph.

Surged of relieve washed over me. However, a wave of anguish, and surprised followed.

“Jurina.”

“I lent her that muffler since she was persisting on staying in the bus stop, waiting for Rena who would never come back. I never think she would do such foolish thing as throwing herself to the incoming bus.”

I didn’t notice Mayu’s panda eyes until now. She must have crying all night. Jurina was her best-friend and cousin. For the joyous Jurina to do suicide never cross my mind, but she was there inside the coffin.

“I’m sorry.”

I was sorry, for Jurina and for what I did. But for now, I should pray my respect for her.

“Where have you been?”

Mayu asked me after I finished my pray.

“Vienna.”

Mayu rolled her eyes, “Yes, I know that much.”

I brought my head down. I didn’t know how to start.

“I’m sorry, Mayu. I couldn’t tell you. I planned on telling you after my competition but my mom dragged me to Vienna after she found out about our relationship.”

She looked surprised. She didn’t know.

“I tried to contact you but I can’t even tell you a good bye. My mom cut my connection to Japan. I tried to contact Rena instead but I couldn’t either.”

Mayu turned gloomier when I mention Rena.

“Of course you can’t, no one here managed to contact her.” She mumbled some cursed words, “you can’t contact me either. I was so angry at you that I changed all my contact address and blocked you from anything you could us to contact me.”

She sent me her well-known death glare. It made me nausea yet homesick. She was still the same old Mayu.

“I’m sorry, Mayu. I escaped here while my mom on tour. This time, let’s exchange contact, shall we?”

“You won’t stay?” she pouted.

“I can’t. I’ll stay for 2 weeks at most. But I have to comeback.”

She looked hurt but she didn’t look so surprised.

“I understand. You had your recital not so long for now.”

We both went silence.

I used that moment to memorize all the things about her. She changed so much. She was taller. She didn’t tie her shiny black hair in twin tail anymore. But she was as pretty as before. She was prettier to be exact. She emitted a matureness more than 2 years ago. I fell in love to her once again.

“Anyway, I get to see you again. That is what important. I’m in mourning period so we can’t do too much exaggerated thing, but at least we get to be together once more.”

She let out a gentle smile. She looked weak and fragile, yet she was shining.

She was my princess, my angel, and she would be once again mine.

“Of course. I won’t leave you ever again. No matter how many kilometers turn us apart.”

“Mmm! But before that, let me made sure of one fact. I am no ghost.”

“Mayu~”


Fiuh! It was way longer than the previous one. Thank you for reading this. I'm going to post the next one soon.

[kaoruyo]

So, this is the last part. I hope it's not boring.
Well, enjoy!

The City of Rain

The city of rain.

I once called my hometown that way.

The city was small, almost no bigger than a village. That’s one of the reasons why most of the town folks knew each other. It was such a lovely city. Moreover, the rain I love comes more often than in the other cities.

It had been a long time since I left. Never have I thought that I would step on my home ground once again. I guess I missed her so badly.

From the clear window, I watched the scenery changed from cornfields to houses, then back again with cornfields. It never changes. It was beautiful like how it used to be.

Within minutes I arrived at the bus stop. I was so eager to meet her that I toppled when I got off from the bus.

Looking back and forth, I couldn’t found her. I shook my head and laughed. No way she would be there. I left her for years; no way she would be there still waiting for me.

“Rena!”

I halted my steps. No way!

Slowly, I turned around.

She was there.

That silky short hair with parted bangs of hers, those cheeky grin yet awfully awesome smile, it didn’t change over years. That boyish outfit fit her perfectly; she is
as cool as always.

I miss you.

“I come back, Sae!”

XXX

The city didn’t change. The barber shop around the corner of the street was still operating. I used to cut my hair there. The taiyaki shop uncle greeted me in surprise when I passed his shop. His trademark mole was still there on his face. His voice was still loud yet gentle. I reminded myself to pay his shop a visit later.

After around 5 minutes walk from the bus stop, I faced an intersection where I turned left. Three houses from the intersection was a Japanese restaurant, it was Sae’s house.

“Irrashaimase—Oh my God, is that you, Rena-chan?”

The owner, who is Sae’s mom greeted me as I entered the shop. She rushed to me then she shook my shoulder in disbelief. Fortunately, the restaurant was empty so no more people who would be rushing and shook me.

“When did you come? Why you didn’t tell me that you’re going to come?”

“Mom! Rena has just come here. She’s tired, don’t bombard her with questions.”

True enough, Sae’s mom made my head spin with her train of questions.

“I-it’s okay, Sae.”

“Oh my, sorry. I’m just surprised.” Sae’s mom released her grip.

“Geez, Mom. Stop over-reacting.” Behind me, I felt Sae was furrowing her eyebrows, “anyway, I’ll take Rena upstairs. Don’t bother us!”

Sae took me hand in hand and then dragged me to her room upstairs. She was throwing death glare to her mom in the process. The thing I found funny. She didn’t change.

“So, could you tell me what happened?” she asked me as soon as I dropped my body on the tatami.

“What do you mean?”

She rolled her eyes in annoyance, “you wouldn’t come back here if nothing happened. Please Rena, I’ve known you for too long.”

I averted my gaze. She was right. Something happened.

___________________


She was there. She never leaves. The longer she stayed, the more I afraid that I would one day hurt her. And I did.

I met her by coincidence, no, it was my dirty trick. She was going home in the rain, so I lent her my umbrella. I had my raincoat so I would be fine. She tried to mutter a thank you but I ran before she could say it. That was my first step.

I wished I didn’t lend that umbrella. Neither had I purposively waited for her every single day at the bus stop.

She was always smiling when she saw me sitting there. The more she smile the more of guilty feeling crept to my heart. Her jokes were funny. They were silly to be exact. Being with her was comfy. She never fails to amuse me. Around her, I felt my shell was broken. I could be myself.

I told her that I love rain. She didn’t. She said she like it but I knew she didn’t. Too bad, this city is filled with so much rain, like my hometown does. But she never rejects my offer to drench ourself in the rain. She was so kind. And I was too cruel.

There were times, when she took me to her home. Her home wasn’t too big yet not too small. It fitted perfectly for the three members of the family. Her mom’s meatball spaghetti was delicious. She often protested about how her mom talked too much when I was at their home. But I could see the family love exchanges between them. I envied her.

“Tadaima. Ah, you’re here, Rena-chan.”

My eyes met a pair of big round brownish eyes. Along with it was a squirrel-like smile that welcomed me.

“Yuko-senpai.” I greeted her.

“Hyaaa~ you are so cute.”

She launched her attack. She began groping my, err, breast. I tried to pry her hands while her sister shooting her curses (and pieces of meatball). The only thing which could stop her was a hit on her head from a table-spoon her mom was currently holding.

“Stop being such a nuisance to our guest.” Matsui Mama’s voice was stern yet I detected a hint of chuckles in it.

“But Rena-chan is so cute, I can’t stand it.”  My face reddened, not only from embarrassment, but also from the heat transferred from our close distance. She was hugging me and the touch sent me a tingling sensation.

“Just brush off, nee-chan. You make Rena-chan uncomfortable. Shooh shooh.”

“Yada! I want to be with Rena-chan.”

“Onee-chan!”

Seeing her pouting, she released her hug from me, to my disappointment.

“Fine, fine. As you wish. But we’ll talk later right, Rena-chan?" she winked at me before she left. If only she knew that my heart couldn’t stop beating so fast since she came. That wink KO’ed me.

“Geez, such a moron.”  She shook her head and continued eating her half-finished dinner.

I forgot to eat the rest of my spaghetti. My mind was too occupied to a certain person, Matsui Jurina’s half-sister, Oshima Yuko.

XXX

Oshima Yuko was my senior in high school. Like how I was Jurina’s 2 years older senior, she was 2 years older than me, and she was my inspiration.

I knew her when I entered the school. I was broken at the time. Poor, broken, homeless, and moreover, had just lost what was the most important thing for me, no, for girls.

She was great. For other people though, she was a rebel, but a genius delinquent. She grew in unfortunate situation, born from a mistress of Jurina’s late father. Her life changed though, when she was taken to the Matsui household when she was about to enter high-school.

I saw her as a genius pianist. The rebellious yet awesome pianist. My best-friend, Yuki, admired her. And so I did.

She wasn’t the easiest person to be approached to. For most of us, freshmen, she was so distant. Despite her soothing eyes when she played the piano, her eyes were icy cold when she fought. Yes, she was often involved in gang fight. And rumors said, only her sister who could stop her from fighting.

I tried to talk to her several times but I couldn’t. I didn’t have the courage to.

Time flies, she was getting a scholarship to a university in the capital. She was going to leave yet I hadn’t move any inch closer to her. So I used her sister.
Jurina was much easier to approach.

XXX

“Do you like the rain?”

“I do.”

She smiled. Another smile that broke my heart. The more she smiled to me the more I hurt her.

She was totally transparent. Everyone could see how she was madly in love with me.

I begged her to stop. I begged her to stop loving me. Yet it was all in my mind. I couldn’t say it.

“Rena-chan, you come again.”

I was at the Matsuis home when her sister came. She was on her holiday from the music university.

“What have you been doing?”

Her cheeky grin crumbled my resolution to pieces. I couldn’t stop loving her. I couldn’t tell her little sister that I was just messing with her.

“Something wrong, Rena-chan?”

Her smile turned to a pout. She caressed my cheek, wiped away my tears. I didn’t realize that I was crying.

“Why are you crying?”

She sat beside me. Her muffler was half hanging on her neck. She was taking it off when she halted and forgot what she was about to do.

“Did something happen?”

She looked at me with those brown orbs that I really like. Her eyebrows were perfectly framing her eyes, even though it was furrowed.

“Rena-chan, stop crying. You look better when you smiled.” Again, she smiled. Her calloused fingers were stroking my hair gently. I leaned in to the touch. If only it could last forever.

“Do you get into fight with Jurina? You know, she’s hard sometimes, but she truly loves you.”

No! You’re wrong!

I couldn’t hold it anymore. I took my bag and excused myself. She looked confused but she said she understood when I told her it had nothing to do with her sister.

I ran. I ran as soon as I stepped on the asphalt. The smiling moon was mocking at me.

XXX

It was raining when I reached my apartment. Back to the cold room of mine.

“Tadaima.”

No one answered. It should be.

“Okaerinasai. Long time no see, Rena.”

I was stunned. I knew that voice. It was familiar. No, it was more than familiar. Even though I haven’t heard it for more than 2 years, it was like yesterday. My mind betrayed me as it began to replay the memories I wanted to erase the most.

“You look healthy.”

I turned around, as slowly as I can. I wished the time would stop. I wished it wasn’t happening. But it did.

My utmost fear was there sitting in my couch. Grin was plastered on his face. His leg was crossed at each other.

“Don’t you miss me?” He smiled, showing me his yellow teeth,

Panic began to kick in. My hand was trembling. I felt beads of sweat running through my back, mixed with water drops from the rain earlier.

“You’ve become prettier, Rena.”

He stood up and approached me. I backed off as he was getting closer, until my back touched the kitchen’s table.

“Shall we have fun again? Like the other day.”

His whisper sent electric jolt all through my body. All parts of my body began trembling, because of the cold from the rain and because of his stinky breath that was blown to my ear.

His hand was up. He was going to caress me. He was going to devour me. He was going to taint me like he did 2 years ago. He was going to break me, for the second time.

“NO!”

It happened so fast. I took the knife from the kitchen, the sharpest of all. Without hesitation, I stabbed him, again and again.
He was screaming for help. He was screaming for mercy. My father was screaming for me to stop. I didn’t.

Blood was gushing out from his wound, stained my uniform. Strange enough, I was giggling. It burned me with excitement. I didn’t stop, even though he was now unmoving. I didn’t want to. He deserved it. He deserved to feel the despair I felt this last 2 years.

I stopped after no drop of energy was left. I was breathless, yet I was laughing. I was laughing like a maniac. It was so damn enthralling.

For minutes I kept laughing, until I was out of energy to laugh. I looked around. My white carpet had turned red. Some of my furniture was broken. And I was drenched in the stinky red liquid.

“Rena! What have you done?!”

I looked at the open entrance. Stood there was my caretaker. She was the one who helped me escaped from this man years ago.

“Shinoda-san…”  Her voice calmed me. It brought me down from my high.

She approached me and took the knife from my hands. She threw it to the other side of the room. She then checked on me. When she was sure I was okay, she checked on the body beneath me.

“He’s alive.” said her, I caught a hint of relieve in her voice. She took her phone and dialed a number.

“Yes. Could you come here? Yes. Her house. Okay.” She hung up her call.

She sighed and then she took the emergency kit from the cupboard, I wondered how she knew I put it there. She bandaged the man’s wound and then she taped him to the floor. Maybe she was afraid he would suddenly wake up and attack us.

“You! Come with me!”

She dragged me to the bathroom. In the matter of seconds, she had finished undressing me. Without waiting for the water to get warmer, she flushed me with water. In silence, she cleaned me until no blood scent was left on my body.

XXX

The next day, I was walking to the bus stop. I wondered myself why I went there. I had a thousand and one reason against me coming. I even wore my uniform, in spite of not attending the classes. My feet automatically brought me there, like other every single day.

As usual, she was waiting for me there. She was playing with a green frog doll. I guessed she knitted it herself. She looked so happy that she couldn’t stop giggling.

What is this feeling?

My chest hurt, so much. It throbbed and I couldn’t stop it. I felt like I was going to vomit. Why was that? The longer I looked at her the more I felt my lungs were going to burst.

My eyes felt poignant. My eyes’ lids were getting heavier. My view turned blur. Why is that… you keep smiling even though I keep hurting you?

She seemed to have noticed me coming as she hurriedly hid the doll. She showed me her row of white teeth, but soon she left it agape. She put her doll down and ran to approach me.

“Rena, what happened?”

She held my hands. Too  tight, too warm, too comfortable, it contain too much care. I didn’t deserve it.

The tears were running down through my cheek. It was not my intention to cry. Not it front of her. She must not know. She must not care. She…

She enveloped me in her embrace. It shook me. My throbbing heart was beating even faster. Her strokes on my hair were soothing. Her scent was alluring. I took a liking for her natural scent since quite a long time ago. It hit me hard. I like it so much. No, I love it.

Her way to sooth my pain was like her sister. Yet it was different. I thought I didn’t want it, I thought I was just playing around. But, I fell to her protective embrace. She didn’t know a thing yet she held me like I was the most precious thing in her life . It hurt me. I hurt her too much.

I wrapped my hands around her waist. It didn’t matter. What had happened last night didn’t matter. In that moment, I was with her and she stayed with me. It didn’t matter. Let me be by her side for that single moment.

XXX

I shouldn’t have come. I should have gone immediately after Shinoda-san told me to go back to my hometown. I shouldn’t have moved my feet to the bus stop. She was there. She looked worried. Her usual charming grin wasn’t there. I hurt her. More and more.

“Jurina.”

She wasn’t expecting me to come. Her shocked expression was funny. I couldn’t help but laughing.

“You’re drooling, silly.”

I wiped her mouth. She could be so childish some time. Her cheek was flushed. It made my smile grew wider. She was so interesting. I won’t get bored to be with her all the time.

The bus came, too fast.

We took the steps to our usual seat. The rearmost seat at the back. There, we could chat more freely, not to mention we could see the scenery from the back as the bus moving.

“Hey, I dare you to sing the frog song, could you?”

She raised her brow at her sudden challenge.

“Of course! There’s no song I can’t sing!”

She began to sing. It was nice to listen to her voice. She should have taken the music program when she entered the school. She could be a good soprano. Or maybe not.

“You’re off tune.”

“Hee. I think I sang it quite well.” She scratched the back of her head, oh, she should see her own face, “listen to me carefully. You are not paying attention, that’s why.”

She began to sing again. It was even worse than the first one. She moved her brows along with her face muscles as she sang. Rather than singing, she looked like she was making weird face. It was funny. I couldn’t help but to laugh.

I laughed until my breath left my lungs. I forgot about him. I forgot about my awaiting journey. She was there, so I stopped moving.

She stopped when she lost her breath. Her face turned red after the exercise.

“Congratulation! You’re tone deaf!”

She furrowed her eyebrows.

“I’m not. It was just you who couldn’t listen properly.”

She turned her face away in a funny way. She was pretending to be angry.

I laughed it off, “Yes yes. You’re not tone deaf, you’re a good singer, Ju-ri-na-chan!”

I pinched her cheek in a playful manner, forced her to smile. It made her face even funnier.

“Good! Now you realize! I’m the diva, Juritan!”

She held her hands high, mimicking the pose of a superstar (which I found more like the Statue of Liberty).

“Yes, the diva, Matsui Jurina.”

My statement made her smile. Her trademark smile.

The bus was coming to a stop. My heart sank. It was our parting. Maybe forever.

“See you tomorrow!” she said cheerfully as we took off from the bus.

I was pondering whether I should tell her or not. But her cheeky grin assured me for a decision.

“See you tomorrow, Jurina.”

I couldn’t.

Her figure was getting smaller until it melted with the darkness. My hands stopped waving. My smile faded. I would not see her again. She would not see me again.

I turned around and walked home. It was just occurred to me that not even once the name of Oshima Yuko crossed my mind that day.

_____________________


“Oh my, Rena! You have gone through a lot!”

Sae embraced me in her hug. I’d concluded my story. She seemed pretty shaken. She must be. I left my hometown years ago, leaving her and my relatives. When I came back, I came with another gloomy story.

“It’s okay now. You are saved here.”

I was stunned. I was not my intention to stay. I didn’t want to.

“I can’t stay here. I don’t want to be a burden for you. Beside, he would know if I stay here.”

“Don’t be silly! You’re no burden. You can’t keep running. You need a place to stay.”

She warped her hands on my cheek. It was her way to show that she was serious.

“I...”

“Don’t go, Rena. I miss you so much. I never stop thinking about you since you left 3 years ago. I need you here.”

Her hug was protective, like an older sister. No. It was different. And yet, I couldn’t return her feeling. I couldn’t, yet I engulfed myself in her warmth. I hugged her back. For now. Just for now, I’ll be here. Until I could compose myself and I could go back to where I belong.

____________________


It was raining. The rain always welcomed me. The name of the city of rain fitted this city as well as my hometown.

I was wondering myself, why I was coming back there. I lived comfortably in my hometown but one day I decided to go back, after 3 years had passed. I made a promise to myself that I would come back. But I never think I would be swayed with the warmth of the people in my hometown that I forgot it for years. Sae was persisting that she needed to come along. I used quite a lot of persuasion skill to keep her staying home. I needed some time alone.

Now I know why I love this city. It smells like rain, more than my hometown. I only live here for a few years and yet it had a magnet that made me homesick.
I took my first step leaving the bus stop. I was going to meet her. It won’t take long to reach her house. Her home was close to the bus stop.

However, what I saw startled me. The fence was rusty, like it wasn’t painted for years. All the plants and flowers were died. It was Matsui Mama top priority, she wouldn’t let them untended. Moreover, the nameplate was gone. The kanji of Matsui wasn’t on the place where it was usually hung.

“Matsui Rena.”

I turned around to meet an icy stare. I almost jumped in surprised. Fortunately, I could still compose myself.

“Watanabe Mayu.”

“What are you doing here?” her voice tone was cold. She was well-known as the cyborg, but she didn’t usually talk that way to me.

“I—“

“—am looking for Jurina?” her voice turned sarcastic. Did I do something wrong?

“Yes. But what—“

“She died.”

I was stunned.

“You…” she stammered, “YOU KILLED HER!”

I was taken aback. Her voice sent gigavolt shock to my bone. She was what?

She was now wailing. She was sobbing but I couldn’t calm her. I was nailed to the ground. My head was spinning.

“Sorry it took me so long, Mayu. Are you co—”

Behind her, was my best—ex best-friend, Kashiwagi Yuki. In her hands, were two cup of coffee. Her eyes widened when she saw me.

“Rena…”

XXX

In front of me was a tomb stone, Matsui’s family tomb stone.

My head felt so light.

Mayu’s words were ringing on my head. She was right. I killed her.

Her mom moved to the city where her eldest daughter was. She left the city of rain that couldn’t wash off her scar. It had been a year since she died. No, I killed her. Not the bus, not her, but it was me.

I never realize. When I did, it was too late.

Her smile. Her laugh. Her failed jokes. Those were memories.

I never realize. It wasn’t her who was trapped in my charm. I was.

Slowly but sure, her persona changed her sister’s. I never realize. I denied it. Silly me.

In my palm was a doll. A knitted doll of frog. The green color of it had slightly faded. Yuki gave it to me. She said it was for me. I was silly. I should have come back earlier. I left her freezing alone in the rain. I was too late.

“It must be cold.”

“Your body must be trembling.”

“Were you frozen?”

“Your hand must have turned numb.”

“It must be hurt.”

“I am sorry, Jurina.”

How come the tomb was located near a cliff?

Because it was the perfect place to follow your dearest.


Then... it's settled! The last part of this 3 shots! It's a total angst, I guess? 
Hope you like it! Thanks for reading!
As always, I'm waiting for reviews~

[Shinoki]

Rather than any of this being boring...
It was amazing...and angsty...
....WMatsui....*cries*
A huge mountain of angst just collapsed onto me...

[yuuyu]

[kurogumi]

Just want to know thing, is it rena already realized the one she loved is jurina and not yuko anymore?

Well at least rena lived juri in the end

[no-chan]

uwaa....you made me cried.....
btw,nice story.....

[kaoruyo]

@Shinoki: Thank you!  I love angst so... sorry if this is too painful to read.
@yuuyu:  
@kurogumi: hmm..it's complicated. well, if you love someone for quite a long time, then you start to love someone else, wouldn't it be confusing? it's up to you how you want to interpret it. 
@no-chan: don't cry~   thank you for reading~~

[kaoruyo]

Hello~!

I'm back~~

Okay so, this is the fic I wrote recently. It's wMatsui with a bit of Yukirin, and Mayuyu. 
Also, thanks to Sherin for proofreading this.

Jaa... happy reading!

Cross Identity

A slap. As powerful as it could be, the slap painfully hit a pale cheek of a girl. The rain didn’t help. It only added the misery of the girl. A deep excruciating misery.

“You… I hate you!”

Flares were glowing on another girl’s eyes. Hatred.

The girl who just got slapped, stared at her ex-friend with blank face. She felt numb. She could feel nothing. Nothing but pain that was too much to bear. Too much.

__________________


Rena felt inhuman force shook her body. It was truly annoying. She was in her dream land—being a princess with a handsome prince smiling beside her—quite a while ago before a great gigantic black hole sucked her up. At least, that was what happen in her dream.

The cold breeze of morning blew through her, especially her legs, thanks to her habit of wearing shorts when she goes to sleep. Her hand tried to grab her soul mate—blanket—back, but it seemed to move further the more she tried.

“Erggh…”

Rena let out a loud, harsh, moan, as a form of protest to whoever had enough gut to disrupt her currently rolling movie.

“…na…ke up! Wake up! You don’t want to be late!!”

Rena grumbled in her sleep. Eyes still glued closed.

“Whatever. I have woken you up. Don’t be angry if you’re late!”

Following heavy stomps of the interferer was a disheartening sound of closing door, instantly forced Rena to open her eyes.

Grumpily, Rena straightened her body. She glanced by the table clock beside her, 07.00 a.m. Why the heck should she wake up in this hour on her precious day-off?!

Rena cursed her roommate and promised to kick her ass when she meet her later. No choice, she couldn’t get back to sleep—no, no way she were going to meet her dream prince anymore—so, what left her was to wash her face to wipe away her bed face.

Half-asleep, Rena proceeded to the bathroom after picking up her towel from the back of her door. Slowly, she dragged herself until she was standing in front of a mirror.

Oh, she had a bad bed hair. Her short jet black hair was sticking out here and there. And there were pimples grew here and there on her forehead. It seemed last night she slept quite brutally, since she almost couldn’t recognize her face. She couldn’t stay still when she sleeps after all.

Wait.

With toothbrush still hanging in her mouth, Rena looked up to face the mirror. Along with her widened eyes, she slammed her hand on the mirror, almost breaking it in the process.

As her toothbrush fell down from her mouth, her heart also almost stopped beating.

“How long are you gonna stay there? You’ll be late for sure, Jurina.”

In front of her was a woman in her late forties, wearing apron above her pajamas. She was a total stranger.

“Why do you look like you have seen a ghost? C’mon. You’re drooling, Jurina.” The woman wiped her mouth with her palm, erasing the traced of toothpaste.

“Oh my, you haven’t finished brushing your teeth? Go gargling. Come down when you finish.”

With that, the woman left Rena agape. She swore to the God, she didn’t know who the woman is.

When she took a better look of her surrounding, Rena came to realization that she wasn’t in her own room. She wasn’t even in her dorm (her dorm definitely not using pink as wall paint).

Once again, Rena took a peek on the mirror in front of her. If not for the toothpaste in her mouth, she would have shout crazily (she ended up gulped most of it anyway).

It’s not a bad dream, right?

It was indeed not.

Staring back at her was not herself. It was not her. It was not Matsui Rena.

Later, she realized whose cheeky grin that was mocking at her right on her face. It was none other than her eternal enemy, Matsui Jurina.

__________________


Don’t go! Please, don’t leave me!

I’m sorry…

Jurina’s eyes snapped open. Her pajamas were wet from her sweat.

The pair of mismatched brown orbs moved uncontrollably, right and left. She rubbed her bridge of nose to loosen the tension. It somehow worked as she straightened her body and got up for a refreshing glass of water.

“Ouch!”

Thanks to the dark room, she got her pinkie crashed with whatever lying on the floor. She took the perpetrator and found out that it was a box of imported cookies. When did she buy this again?

“Are you okay?”

Along with sudden brightness, a sleepy voice asked her.

Jurina was beyond surprised to find someone else in her bedroom, it was more surprising when she looked up and saw the source of the voice. She was… umm… no, not naked, but almost. The girl was in her underwear, black lacy one. Jurina couldn’t help but gulped. Despite being a girl, the one standing gloriously in front of her was… oh well, she didn’t want to think about it.

“Rena, are you okay? Hello~”

The girl shook her hand in front of Jurina’s face, made sure that she was still there.

“Ah, umm, I’m okay.”

With the help of the unknown girl, Jurina got back up on her feet.

“Geez. It’s still early in the morning and you woke me up. You gotta treat me lunch for this, Rena.” The girl said with a grin on her face.

Looking closer, Jurina did recognize the girl’s face. Yet, she couldn’t pinpoint who she was.

“Rena~ Stop spacing out.” The girl called her once more, “you look messed up. Bad dream?”

Jurina stared at the worried girl. She wasn’t sure how she herself felt. But, she must make sure about one thing. First thing first.

“I’m going to wash my face.” Jurina announced blankly, ignoring the girl’s question.

‘There’s a bathroom inside the bedroom, how convenient.’ Jurina thought. She was then sure, she wasn’t in her own room. She had no memories on how she came up in a different bedroom, with an occupant she barely knew who called her with a different name. A name Jurina had not heard for years.

The reflection that was staring back at Jurina widened her eyes. She couldn’t believe that her long lost frie—ex-friend was, for once, standing before her. Through a mirror.

___________________


RENA

There should be a mistake. It MUST be a MISTAKE.

Matsui Rena couldn’t stop cursing all the way to school. The school she once admitted to. That day, she was supposed to spend all her day lying in her bedroom. Or watching some anime she hadn’t had time to watch. But instead, she was trapped. Trapped in a vehicle you called car that was moving towards a school she had already graduated from.

“I’ll pick you up later in evening, okay?”

The woman, whom Rena then remembered as Matsui Jurina’s mother, waved her a goodbye before disappeared along with the car. Who the hell came to school in personal car in this time and age? Well, the school was an elite school for conglomerates or public figure’s children so it was no wonder.

Anyway, for now Rena knew what she—Jurina—was supposed to do. That day was the end of the first semester, and being as unlucky as she was, it was Rena who should be taking the term report. No, she wasn’t even supposed to be here. Moreover, she was not Jurina!

Rena ruffled her hair in frustration.

What kind of dish did she eat yesterday that the next day she woke up being someone who is not her? And why it should be Jurina out of all people? (Yeah, she would be happier if she became one of those popular idols).

What worse was that she couldn’t reach her own cellphone (Matsui Rena’s phone of course). Later she remembered that she forgot to charge it yesterday and her—whoever occupied her body now—wouldn’t be able to open the phone. It was password protected. Even though it was, as silly as it seemed, used her own birthday as the lock.

“What are you doing there grumbling to yourself?”

Just about time.

The woman in her twenties, whom Rena noticed as Shinoda-san, her former dance teacher, was standing right in front of her.

“Nothing.” Rena replied heedlessly. At least, she thought Jurina would say it that way, with bored look all over her face.
It made the teacher raised her eyebrows though.

“You’re unusually unenergetic today, eh?” She teased, “Anyway, don’t forget, today you will dance for the end of year ceremony. You didn’t forget to bring your costume, did you? Meet me at the dancing room for the last practice after school. Later!”

The stylish teacher left Rena dumbfounded.

End of year ceremony? Dance?

Rena hit her head, hard.

No, she didn’t remember that the other girl was a talented dancer. And of course she didn’t know that she was going to perform that day. Not to say dance was one of her worst subject.

Great.   

She didn’t bring Jurina’s costume.

___________________


JURINA

“Are you gonna eat, Rena? I can buy you breakfast if you want to.” The girl, whom Jurina found out as Kashiwagi Yuki—apparently Rena’s roommate, offered her.

“That would be nice. Whatever you buy, make it double.”Jurina replied.

“Okay.”

Jurina continued searching for Rena’s phone as soon as Yuki disappeared behind the door. At the very least, she should contact herself. She got an important performing schedule today, and she definitely wouldn’t risk ruining it.

“Where did she put her phone?” Jurina murmured to herself. She had been scrambling through Rena’s belongings but couldn’t find it anywhere. Jurina wondered why since Rena she knew was a neat type girl.

“Ah, there is it.”

Eventually, Jurina found it inside Rena’s hand bag.

“Huh? It’s not working?”

The screen still blank even though Jurina had pushed the power button.

“Is it out of power?”

It seemed like it.

“Great. Now I have to find the charger.” Jurina complained as she was standing between the mess she had just created. It would take time. A lot of it.

__________________


It was out of question that Jurina was on her way home. Her HOME, in Nagoya. She was there last night, before magically transported to Tokyo, where Rena was studying. Only her soul that is.

The conversation she had an hour ago felt absurd for her. Listening to your own crispy voice from the other line of the phone wasn’t the nicest entertainment. It only proved that she really switched body with Rena. And no, it did not appeal as a good news.

If only other people listened at how angry the other girl was… well. No. It was definitely not a good idea.
Jurina reminded herself at the phone call she had with Rena.


“You’re coming here!”

Rena ordered in Jurina’s voice. Her voice was filled with anger and resentment towards the other girl. Seemed she had not forgiven Jurina. And it accumulated into a tantrum after the series of events.

“Eh?”

“There is NO WAY I could dance in front of those people! You gotta do something about this!”

Her voice turned helpless. Rena was begging for help.

“But it takes time to go there. You know I can’t made it. There’s no way I could show up as you and go dancing!”

It was not that Jurina didn’t want to help Rena, well, help herself. But Tokyo and Nagoya were far-fetched.

“You can take the Shinkansen. Take money from my account and board the train. The performance is in the late evening, you can make it. You have to do something about this!”

Jurina let out a desperate sigh. Of course she was worried about the performance, but Rena should know that she couldn’t do anything about it.

“Okay. I’ll be there. Just don’t do anything weird with my body.”

“Hey! That’s my li—“

Jurina hanged up the call before Rena can say anything else.

She rubbed her forehead while closing her eyes. She needed to find a way. Even if there was no way, she must find one.

Throwing Rena’s phone into an available backpack, Jurina packed some pair of clothes and slung it onto her shoulders.

“It’ll be fine.”


Jurina regretted for not waiting for Yuki to get her a breakfast. Her stomach were growling and she didn’t have much in cash. She should have taken more of Rena’s money. The one who’s eating the food was technically Rena anyway.

“Fuh…”

That Yuki girl must be searching for her right now. Since Jurina left without saying a word.

Drrrrtt!!

Oh look, a message.

‘Where the hell are you going? I thought you’re coming with me to the Disney Sea today!’

And it seemed that Rena has some sort of appointment with the girl. Great!

‘Sorry. I have an unexpected business. I’ll make it up later.’

After replying the message, Jurina thought it might be wiser to just ignore it.

Drrrrrtt!!

‘What?? Where are you going?!’

Okay, this time Jurina completely ignored the message. That was until the persistent Yuki decided to call Rena’s phone.

Reluctantly, the poor girl picked it up.

“Hello?”

“WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!”

The person in other side of the phone was shouting crazily that Jurina had to keep the phone far from her ear, to prevent a possibility of hearing impaired.

“Geez! Calm down! I said I have some businesses to take care of. You don’t have to shout!”

“Sorry. It’s just, you should have told me. Your salad has turned stale you know.”

Oh, the girl bought Rena a salad. Only a salad? No wonder Rena was getting thinner than the last time Jurina met her.

“Sorry, really. I can’t leave this. I-I… I’ll definitely make it up for you later.”

“You know you can’t. I’m going to U.S. tomorrow. Today is the last day of my holiday. And you screwed up our date!”

Date? This girl is Rena’s girlfriend?

Suddenly, Jurina lost interest in speaking with the girl.

“I’m so sorry. I—“

“Look, why don’t you tell me where are you going so we can meet up later in the evening?”

Jurina thought about misleading the girl to somewhere around Artic, but that was not the nicest idea in the book. Beside, Rena would kill her if she did.

“I’m going to Nagoya. Err, one of my old schoolmate is in trouble.”

“Nagoya? What the—! I’m going there! Just tell me where exactly you are going.”

Again, Jurina thought perhaps it was better not telling Yuki the truth, but…

“To my old high school. Look, Yuki, you shouldn’t come. I promise you tonight I’ll—“

And the line was dead.

Jurina threw her arms while shaking her head. Trouble over trouble came to get her. How the hell Rena got herself a possessive girlfriend, anyway?

The train of events started to worn Jurina out. Along with the speed train that was getting closer to her home, Jurina was slowly drifting to sleep, hoping that it was all dream.

_________________


RENA

She was screwed. She knew she is.

At least, people would see her as Jurina instead.

Rena couldn’t keep her hands from shaking. Sweat was dripping from her forehead, she didn’t know the younger girl’s usually this sweaty.

The last exchange of messages was the last contact she got with herself—with Jurina. Since she made sure the girl was on her way to where she was, Rena couldn’t contact her anymore afterward. Out of battery might be the most reasonable explanation. She cursed herself for forgetting to charge the phone last night.

“Jurina, how are your scores?”

Rena looked up to find a girl in twin-tail and sparkling eyes talking to her—in a flat tone even though she was asking a question. She would look prettier if she put some efforts in the expression section. Rena noticed her as one of Jurina’s classmate since secondary school. Rena never spoke nor greeted the girl, though.

“I—um…”

The report had been given out by the homeroom teacher that morning. Rena had had a good look onto it of course. The scores were—uh—not the brightest scores, if you didn’t want to say it flamingly. Jurina got D for most subjects, only P.E. got an A. A total opposite of Rena back in her high-school time. Jurina couldn’t get anything right without Rena to tutor her. A bit of regret popped in Rena’s heart for leaving the girl alone.

“Bad scores?” The girl asked, which hit the bull’s eye.

“Well…”

At least Jurina wasn’t that behind in the rank. The P.E. score helped her a lot.

“Geez. You should stop your extracurricular activities and start studying. We’re going to be senior next year, you know.”

The girl seemed to care about Jurina, too much. Rena began to wonder what this girl meant to Jurina and vice versa.

“I, yah. Well, caught in too much unnecessary activities.” Rena laughed dryly. She was never good in holding a conversation with a complete stranger.

The girl though, watched her with suspicious glare. Resulting in Rena being nervous even more.

“You feel hot?” the girl touched Rena—Jurina—forehead, “wow, you sweat a lot.”

The girl brought out her handkerchief and wiped off the sweat from Jurina’s face and neck.

Ok, this was really awkward for Rena.

“It’s in the middle of autumn and you are sweating so much. Are you sick?”

The girl interrogated Rena further. She wouldn’t be freed from the situation sooner than she thought. The girl piqued Rena’s interest though. How close is this girl to Jurina?

“N-no, I’m okay.”

Rena made her best effort to smile, which didn’t work.

“You are acting weird, Jurina. Something happened?”

‘Yes, I got swapped with your friend!’ But there was no way the girl would believe her. Not that Rena had any gut to speak it out.

“No, really, everything is okay.”

It was hardly convincing. Instead, it pushed the girl to ask even further.

“I—“

“Watanabe-san! Could I have you in the faculty office?”

The girls automatically turned their head to the classroom door. Oh how Rena wanted to hug the teacher right then, for saving her from being in an unhealthy pressure.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be there in a second.” The girl shouted back at the teacher.

“You better rest in the infirmary, Jurina. You look pale. Better get ready for today’s performance. See you at practice.”

The girl left the scene as she uttered her final suggestion.

Rena watched her disappeared behind the door. Questions were popping out in Rena’s mind. What’s that girl and Jurina’s relationship exactly? The last one mattered more than Rena would admit it.

The last time Rena met Jurina was at her graduation ceremony 2 years ago. After that she left for college. Rena noticed many things had changed within her old friend. She’s still a good cute puppy though. Rena laughed upon her own random thought.

Soon, her laughed turned dry.

Rena had never seen Jurina after they were separated, not even through social media or anything. They totally lost contact with each other.

A long sigh escaped Rena’s mouth.

She glanced at Jurina’s phone. It had been 3 hours since she last contacted the other girl and no news. Rena dropped her head on the table, feeling anxious.

Her thumb tapped on the touch screen of Jurina’s phone, clicking random apps. She then opened Jurina’s photo album. It was filled with the girl’s selfies, alone or with her friends; her trip’s pictures; or candied camera she took of her friends. Most were funny and it rose a smile on Rena’s face. She looks as stunning as always.

Rena closed the photo album, thinking what she should open next. She knew it’s violating the other girl’s privacy but she didn’t care.

Randomly, her thumb brought her to Jurina’s inbox. She was about to exit it until she saw most messages were from the girl earlier (she found out the girl name was Watanabe Mayu). They are indeed in some kind of relationship.

Rena swiped through the messages, Mayu, Mayu, Mayu, Mayu. It was all Mayu (sometimes Mom came up as well, though). Rena was really about to close it right then, when she found an unusual mail dated around 2 years ago.

Her face was frowning after she opened it.

“Matsui Jurina!”

A loud crispy voice awoke Rena from her daydreaming—her stalking routine. The phone almost crashed onto the floor, as Rena was caught in the act of violating other people’s privacy.

Groggily, Rena looked up to the source of the voice. It was her own voice. Her as in Matsui Rena.

____________________


JURINA

Calling her own name was weird enough, witnessing yourself (at least in appearance) approaching you with frowning face was even weirder.

“You! Come here!”

The perpetrator took Jurina’s wrist into her grab and dragged her away from curious’ eyes.

“H-Hey! W-Wait!”

Jurina had no choice but to come along with Rena. She ended up on the roof, one of the options where you could get some privacies.

“You…”

Rena’s face was red more than ever. She was definitely unhappy with their situation, neither was Jurina.

“Explain! Now!”

Jurina was pushed until her back touched the fence. Their faces were only an inch away. Too close.

“Well?” Rena forced her to speak.

How could she explain when she wasn’t even know what actually happened?

“I don’t know! I woke up and found out I’m not myself! I’m as clueless as you are!”

Rena’s expression turned from anger to shock, and ended up with a frown on her face.

“Look, for now, we should do something about the end of the year ceremony this evening. We’ll somehow find a way out of this.”

Witnessing the older girl glaring at her broke Jurina’s heart. She didn’t believe her for sure. Moreover, she blamed Jurina for everything that was happening. Jurina wondered herself how those kind of supernatural stuff even happened between her and Rena. She was sure she never asked to switch place with the girl. No matter how helplessly Jurina wanted to see her.

Jurina stared at Rena’s—Jurina’s—dark brown eyes deeply.  The said eyes stared back at her, filled with hatred and disgust. They were not supposed to be like this. They had been best friends for life. Yet some unexpected events turned everything upside down. Very much to Jurina’s disliking.


xxx

They were strangers.

Until the day when the older one came to the city, and coincidently live in a big house right beside the younger one’s house.


They were neighbors.

The older one was hiding behind her mother’s legs when they visited the neighbor. The younger one though, was never a passive kid, as much as her mother told her to behave. She was jumping around the older one and scared her. The older was about to cry when the younger one stopped and threw her a quizzical look.

Her smile was what prevented the older to cry.


They were sisters.

The older, as a 9 years old girl, spent most of her time in the other girl house. Rather than playing with her coeval friends. The younger, a 6 years old girl, was about to enter elementary school, the same one with the older. They came to school together. Ate lunch together. Played together. Came home together. Both had each other for everything they did. When the older was bullied by other kids, the younger was there to rescue her. When the younger got sick, the older was there to keep her company.


They were best-friends.

As a high-school girl, the older grew into a beautiful yet fragile girl. The younger though, she was as tomboyish as she had always been. They shared their stories with each other. They were together whenever they could. Sometimes they argued, and ended up not talking to each other for days. But a good amount of tissues spent would bring back them smiling together again.


They were lovers.

One day, the younger was coming back home after a club’s practice. She was thinking about having dinner with the older, since both of their parents were out of town. She sneaked to the older girl’s room (she jumped from her own room’s window, what a kid). She was going to surprise her with her handmade cooking.

“Rena-chan~”

She shouted as she opened the glass window. The said girl was surprised when she heard the girl’s voice. She didn’t expect her to come so suddenly.
Facing the back of the older girl, she didn’t see the older girl was busy wiping her wet eyes. She did notice though, as she wasn’t greeted with the usual cheery smile from the girl.

“Are you okay?” She asked as the older faced her with panda eyes.

Hearing the question, the older started to cry once more. And that was how she ended up telling the younger that she had break up with her boyfriend, along with sobs and a liter of tears. The younger was listening while witnessing how desperate had the girl been. It broke her.

In the spur of the moment, the younger got closer to the crying girl, and she closed the distance with her lips on the other girl. The older, though surprised, returned the kiss, mixed with tears. They forgot about the dinner.

That was when they started dating.

xxx


“Jurina!”

Jurina snapped back to the reality. In front of her was Rena with her frowning face.

“Right. We better go to the dance room.”

Without waiting for the older girl, Jurina walked away towards the roof’s door. Rena was left speechless. But in the end, ran after the girl.

___________________


RENA

Rena was never excelled in physical activities. Dancing was even worse. It did not only need movements, it needed sense of art, beauty, and aura.

The good news was that Rena was inside Jurina’s body. It made it 10 times easier for her to learn the movements. Better news, Jurina’s body had remembered all the movement, Rena just needed to synchronize Jurina’s body with her own mind.

“Good. I think it won’t be a problem. At least you know where you have to be and when.”

Rena sneered at Jurina who was sitting on the floor 5 meters behind her. The idea of Jurina talking highly at her (in Rena’s body), was not the most pleasant thing to experience.

“What?”

Jurina snorted as she realized the older girl was looking at her with displeasure. She was used to it but she preferred not to be looked at that way.

“Nothing.”

Ignoring the girl’s annoyance, Rena went to her bag and took a bottle of mineral water. She peeked at the content of the bag as she gulped the water. Inside was Jurina’s dance costume, neatly folded. She made Jurina pick it up before coming here.

“C’mon. Try dancing one more time. And pick that towel you dropped earlier.” Jurina told her.

Rena let out a tired breath.

She didn’t like the idea of Jurina ordering her around. It hurts her pride.

Hesitantly, Rena picked the said towel and put it on the nearest chair. But, instead of turning on the music, she just stood there while staring blankly into space. It annoyed Jurina even more as she got up and pushed the start button on the music player herself.

The music started.

1 second, 2 seconds, Rena kept unmoving.

“Start dancing, Rena!” Jurina began shouting at her.

Rena shot Jurina another glare.

Jurina looked away and was fidgeting with her feet. She disliked (feared) being glared at, especially by Rena.

Rena’s eyes soften as she saw how Jurina looked like a scaredy-cat. After all, she never could be angry at the girl for too long. Her existence herself was too sweet to be angry at.

Rena wondered why were things turned into a mess. They were once a nice lovey-dovey couple.


xxx

It was usual for Rena to come home earlier than Jurina. She was part of the going-home club after all. Different from Jurina who’s an active member of several clubs.

That day though, Jurina hadn’t come home even though it was already late at night. The girl had promised Rena to visit her room soon after she hit home.

Eventually, Rena fell asleep while waiting for the girl. She caught a cold the next day since she stayed by the open window, cellphone in her grip.

Jurina apologized to her after. Rena in the stead, had taken pity of her since Jurina was grounded by her parents, for coming home at 2 in the morning.

At that time, Rena didn’t realize it was the start of their sinking relationship.

Rena had heard many rumors about her girlfriend. She was one of the most popular girl after all. And that was also meant that she was liked by many people.

They kept her relationship a secret. They weren’t so sure how their parents would react.

It also meant, people thought Jurina was available. She was for everybody to be loved.

Rena would not mind if Jurina was just playing around. But, what she witnessed that certain day was more than playing around.

Rumors began to bug Rena’s ears. So she decided to pay Jurina a visit. Which turned out to be hell for both of them.

That day was cloudy. By the time Rena reached the Junior High building, it had begun to rain. Thankfully, Rena remembered to bring an umbrella.

She walked passing the empty classes. It was past school hour, no wonder. Jurina’s class was on the second floor. Jurina was still in her class, as one of the students had told her earlier, it seemed the club practice was put on hold because of the rain.

Rena skipped while humming a song. She was excited to surprise the girl. And then they would come home together, and voila, they would spend the evening together.

“Ah, her class is the furthest one.”

Rena tiptoed until she reached Jurina’s class.

Though, at that moment, Rena wished she never came at all.

In her horror, Rena dropped her umbrella. It clanked loudly as it fell.

Rena left the umbrella.

She ran. Even after her breath had run out, her legs turned numb.

Following her were shouting. And hasty footsteps.

Through the hard rain, Rena didn’t stop. She kept running.

By the time she reached the ground floor, she was grabbed.

What faced her was the girl with short black-jet hair and messy unbuttoned school uniform.

“Rena… Listen to me.”

She started.

Her voice flamed anger in Rena. She freed herself from the girl’s grip. Eyes locked on the other girl, full of anger and disappointment.

She had just witnessed her dear girlfriend embraced another girl, with such inappropriate appearance.

“Rena, please…”

That was it.

A hard, full of wrath slap landed on Jurina’s face.

Jurina fell on the ground, butt first.

Rena was panting heavily. Out of fatigue, confusion, coldness, and above everything, disappointment.

She had always known how popular the girl was.

But she wasn’t worried. She trusted Jurina. She knew that Jurina would never cheat on her. After all, she knew Rena way longer than those girls.

Rena was wrong. Totally wrong.

How long had Jurina betrayed her? How many girls had Jurina dated since they vowed to each other?

Rena kept questioning herself. The more she thought, the more she resented the other girl.

“Even though I believe you…” Rena whispered.

“You… I hate you!”

That was the first time Rena shouted out loud. The rain redeemed the noise but Jurina heard it like a lightning in a clear day.

They would never stay the same. It’s too late.

Rena then left the girl. Alone in the rain.

They turned into enemies.


"Oh, you're here, Jurina?"

The girl from before, Watanabe Mayu, was standing beside the door. In her hand was the same costume with the one Rena had.

“Are you practicing?”

It was Shinoda-sensei this time. Soon, other girls joined in. It seemed that the last practice was about to begin.

“And this is…?” Shinoda-sensei pointed at Jurina. She seemed to remember her as her former student but couldn’t pinpoint who her name was.

“Matsui Rena, Shinoda-sensei. I was around the area and thought maybe I should pay my alumni a visit. And I met Jurina on the way.” Jurina explained smoothly, “well then, I should leave now. I won’t bother you.”

With that, Jurina left the room. Leaving Rena dumbfounded.

“Let’s start practicing, girls!” Shinoda-sensei announced.

Rena turned cold-feet.

___________________


JURINA

For her utmost wish, she hoped that everything would end well. She hoped that Rena would not ruin her reputation.

Jurina was now in the school gymnasium, where the end of the year ceremony would be held. She somehow managed to snatch some girl’s uniform, and used it to sneak into the gym. The owners would kill her if they happened to know, for sure.

Soon, the performance started. Each and every Rena’s move didn’t miss Jurina’s eyes. Every jump, every smile, every wink. Each was done elegantly. Jurina was pulled into Rena’s charm, despite the one performing was physically Jurina herself.

Memories flew in. The years she spent without Rena were voided. Jurina wasn’t even sure how she managed it. Everything seemed blurry. The years without Rena were only a big long dream.

Then they met, in an unexpected way that no one could ever imagine. Her wish to be reunited was granted though with magical phenomenon. Such a luck?

The applause snapped Jurina back.

On the stage, the girl in ponytail, with her victorious and relieved smile, gleaming in sweat.

Jurina was stunned.

It was her own body, but she could feel Rena’s aura.

Rena was indeed beautiful.

After all these year, Rena was still mesmerizing.

Tinge of regret and anxiety filled Jurina. She regretted the year that passed by without them talking. She should have tried to mend their relationship harder. She should have not given up.

Accompanied by the audience cheering, Jurina left the gymnasium quietly. She didn’t realize a pair of eyes had been tailing on her since the beginning.

___________________


The breeze felt nice.

Jurina had always loved being in the back yard of her school. Under a gingko tree, she found it with Rena when she had just entered junior high-school. Sadly, she never came here again since Rena left her.

Closing her eyes, Jurina let the wind tickling her face and swaying her hair.

It was a bad idea though.

Being alone like this, memories came flowing again.

Regrets began to overwhelm her.

She didn’t mean to. Jurina kept telling herself.

But she did. She hurt Rena.

And herself.

She’s such an idiot.

“You will catch a cold, Jurina.”

Jurina’s eyes snapped open.

In front of her was Rena, standing in her dance costume, talking with Jurina’s voice.

“I won’t. Stupid people won’t catch a cold.”

Jurina grinned, showing Rena’s row of white teeth.

“You said that, but you always caught terrible cold and I was always the one who had to look after your sick butt.”

Thinking back, Jurina did get sick pretty often as a kid.

“And that’s my body, don’t forget!” Rena added.

Jurina left her mouth agape while watching Rena pouted. Mou, couldn’t she be any cuter?

“If you ever catch a cold, I’ll take care of you.”

The words successfully brought Rena’s full attention. Eyes locked with each other.

What a flirt. But I like it.

Rena’s thought flashed, which she quickly denied.

I can’t resist it if you keep shaking your head like that, Rena-chan.

Jurina’s grin got even wider.

But, I miss her.

The cold didn’t seem to bother the two. Well, their faces were warm and flushed, coldness was not a problem at the moment.

“Anyway, do you have any idea how we can get back to our respective bodies?”

Rena cleared her throat, hardly, before continuing their disrupted conversation.

“I don’t know. Maybe we should touch each other? Or bump into each other? Or…kissing?”

The last one was a whisper, of course. The older of the two heard it pretty clearly, though.

“I don’t think that would work. You touched me when you helped me practice before right?”

“Would you like to try bumping into each other?”

They eventually did.

Both extended their gap until they were around 10 meters apart. Then, they ran to each other, full speed. Though, let yourself bumped into someone wasn’t the easiest thing to do. Last minute, Rena held herself right before the crash. Resulting with a shocked Jurina who was too late to brake.

“Ouch!”

Jurina ended up lying on the ground with Rena on top of her.

It didn’t work.

It only left them in an awkward situation and silence that followed.

“Could you… explain why, why did you cheat on me?”

Rena asked in whispery voice. Her memory flew through the scene 2 years ago when she found Jurina hugging another girl with her uniform unbuttoned and messy. The scene that broke their relationship. The scene where she caught Jurina cheating on her. At least that was what Rena thought. Her mind shifted to a certain message she accidentally—purposely—opened earlier that day.

____________________


RENA

“Matsui-san, thank you for saving my life.

Thank you for opening my eyes before it’s too late.”

Jurina didn’t expect Rena to ask such question so suddenly. She gulped as those brown orbs was staring right at her.

“W-why… why did you leave?”

A question to answer a question.

Rena averted her gaze. She somehow knew the reason now. She was then realized how stupid she was. She jumped into conclusion without listening to Jurina’s explanation. Even though the girl tried every way possible to approach her. Rena avoided the girl to the extent that she blocked herself inside her room. She was saved since the graduation ceremony was near and she then left for college. The other girl then stopped trying.

And now, after 2 years, this phenomenon popped up. Strangely as it seemed, it was like God wanted them to make up. By switching their soul nonetheless.

“That day, two years ago. Who is that girl?”

Rena asked, still in her whispery voice.

The question, as much as Jurina expected, made her irritated.

Rena should have asked it 2 years earlier. Rena should have listened to her. Rena should have been a little understanding, instead of having rage overcome her senses.

“Why do you ask now? After all these years?”

A sharp pain crossed Rena’s heart. After all these years… Why? Rena asked herself.

Pride? Stubbornness? Doubt?

She should have believed more. She should have…

It was all regrets.

“Was it… a misunderstanding?”

Again, Rena asked. Her voice became more timid.

With a bored look, Jurina answered, “What do you think it was?”

“I…”

“You won’t listen to me.”

“Jurina, I…”

“For God’s sake! You never listened to me, Rena! You never gave me a chance to explain that it was all a misunderstanding! I never cheated, Rena!”

Jurina was out of breath. She was shouting, with Rena staring right into her eyes.

“The girl said you saved her life. What actually happened?”

For a second, Jurina wondered how Rena learnt of that fact. However, she decided to brush it off for now.

“She was trying to kill herself. She was about to jump…to suicide. I was trying to stop her. She pulled my shirt and we kept on struggling until she calmed down. And… you suddenly came in when we were in, uh, promising position.”

A feeling of relieve washed through her. Along with it, Rena felt like a dumb. A fool. A ludicrous girl who spent years of her life in a mistake, and even brought the one she love down with her. It was stupid.

Rena began to laugh. It was a chuckle at first, then it turned into a giggle and Rena was then laughing like there was no tomorrow. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes. Soon, water droplets were running through her flushed cheek to her chin. She began to sob.

Jurina watched Rena crying into her chest and stroked her head.

They have wasted too much time.

All for nothing.

“Rena…” Jurina whispered.

Hearing Jurina’s voice, Rena straightened herself up.

She threw her gaze onto Jurina.

Feelings mustered in Rena’s chest. It was so suffocating that Rena was about to burst into bubble of air. She regretted what had happened. But time won’t come back.

“I’m sorry…”

Jurina stared at Rena, deeply. She wasn’t angry. She couldn’t.

She never forgot Rena. Not a single day. And to know that the girl had finally forgiven her was more than enough for her.

“It’s fine.”

Timidly, Rena looked up to Jurina and found the girl smiling gently at her. It made her heart skipped a beat.

The silence came back, this time along with a cool breeze that sneakily playing tricks on them.

Slowly, Rena reached out for Jurina. She shorten their distance, readied to close the gap. Jurina closed her eyes and so did Rena. They halted their breathings while both of their hearts were beating frantically.

Steadily Rena moved closer and closer…

“Rena!”

A hurtful punch landed on Rena’s face. She was thrown back a few meters behind.

“Are you alright?”

Rena heard a faint voice, the dizziness made her temporally deaf.

However, it was not addressed to her.

Rena rubbed her eyes, and the silhouette of Kashiwagi Yuki back-facing her came into view. She was tending Jurina (in Rena’s body).
Rena wasn’t sure whether she should be grateful that Yuki didn’t know the fact that it was her who initiated to kiss her ex-girlfriend, or mad that Yuki hit the wrong person.

“What are you trying to do?! Wasn’t it enough for you to mess with Rena’s life for all those years?!”

Yuki was then fully standing on her own two legs. Her face was red, possibly because of her previous running session and the anger accumulated in her. She had been following Rena since she was watching performances in the gymnasium. She somehow lost Rena and when she did find her, the girl was about to be kissed by none other than her ex-girlfriend.

“W-wait…” Jurina, in Rena’s bo—oh well, you know it already, tried to stand up and stopped the furious girl.

“Jurina?”

Uh-oh.

The more the merrier.

Watanabe Mayu came out of nowhere. She was still in her dance costume. Her face was red. Yeah, she must have been running all the way here as well. She looked confused as she saw Jurina (Rena) was half-lying with bleeding lips. She soon grasped the situation as she saw Rena (Jurina, okay it’s tiring to write this) holding off Yuki.

Another angry (maybe to be) girlfriend.

“What are you doing?!”

Mayu came over to Rena to check her bleeding lips. She was unhappy, for sure. She whispered soothing words along with curses while tending Rena’s bleeding lips.

“Ask that girlfriend of yours. Trying to take advantage of my girlfriend here. You have quite a ‘nice’ girlfriend there, huh?”

It was throwing oil to the fire.

Mayu was flared up. It wasn’t like she’s Jurina’s girlfriend, at least not yet, but she won’t approve that some unknown girl badmouthing her friend. She forgot about tending Rena—Jurina—‘s wound. Instead, she stood up and faced Yuki.

“Wha—who are you anyway? Are you a domestic abuser? Don’t you see you have punched someone until they bleed here?!”

Mayu moved forward, hands readied to give Yuki a counter punch. It was time to play dirty. Forget about them being ladies.

“S-stop!”

Thankfully, Rena managed to stop Mayu with Jurina’s body.

However, things turned ugly as Yuki freed herself from Jurina’s grip. She was out of control, so did Mayu. She easily freed herself from the weakened Rena.

“STOP!”

Rena and Jurina joined in. It was all a misunderstanding.

Stray punches, slaps, were flying everywhere. They didn’t know who hit who. Rena and Jurina’s attempt to stop the furious girls turned out to be futile. The cat fight continued.

It was not until a great invisible force broke them apart. Away from each other.

They lied on the ground for a few seconds before straighten themselves.

“What was that?!”

Someone spoke out first.

“I don’t know.”

Someone else replied.

“Lightning?”

Another one gave out her opinion.

“We would be all dead if that was the case.”

Finally the last one sit herself up.

Huh?

The four of them looked at each other. At themselves. At their clothes. At their faces.

What?

“Is it only a dream or am I seeing myself staring back at me?” The raven hair girl pointed to the twin-tailed girl.

“What, tell me, who are you?” The twin-tailed girl replied.

“Me? I’m Watanabe Mayu!” The girl answered in horror.

“W-wait! I got myself staring at me too!!!” The youngest one with ponytail shouted.

“Yeah. Thanks to you, I’m not in my own body, again!!” The one with wavy hair shouted back.

Once more the four of them stared at each other.

“You don’t say…” Yuki—now in Jurina’s body, whispered.

“We swapped bodies?” Well, Mayu was fast to grasp the situation correctly.

“Wait, so I, Kashiwagi Yuki, am trapped in this jerk body?” Yuki, with her big reaction, stared at her body. Her arms and legs were skinnier, and her assets were…smaller.

“Yeah, you trapped in my body. Thank!” Jurina shouted in annoyance. Oh god, she had enough body swapping for the day.

“Hey, don’t shout at Jurina like that!” Mayu, in Rena’s body, shouted to Yuki, at least she thought that’s Yuki.

“You talk to the wrong person, Mayu. I AM Jurina.” Jurina rolled her eyes. Yes, thanks.

Something then clicked into Yuki’s mind.

“Wait! Why aren’t you two fazed by this? Earlier you said something about not in your body again, right? ” Yuki pointed randomly at whoever Jurina and Rena were in.

“Well done, Holmes.” Jurina crossed her arms with her typical bored look.

“If I’m not mistaken, then that means…” Yuki, with Jurina’s eyes, was glaring dangerously at the group.

Rena gulped, she knew.

“The one who initiate the kiss was you, Rena?!”

Again Rena gulped.

“A-anyway, so I ended up in another body? Oh my! Not to say, in this petite figure…” Rena quickly averted the topic. She wasn’t prepared to face her girlfriend’s rage at the moment.

“Don’t change the topic, Rena. I know what happened!” Yuki shouted, automatically towards Rena’s face, who was in fact Mayu.

“You shouted on the wrong person, dumbass!” Mayu protested.

“Hey, don’t call me dumbass!”

“Stop it, you two!” Jurina tried to cease the tension between the girls. She halted immediately though, since Yuki was pointing at her, totally outraged.

“Don’t tell me to stop, I haven’t finished with you.”

Ranting and mumbling continued. Not even until the sun set, and the sky turned dark. They were confused, and helpless.

“WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?!”

Shouted Yuki. As much as the other girls wanted to know.

Jurina ruffled his hair. She had a pretty bad day, and it got worse after she stuck in another person body, moreover, her ex-girlfriend’s girlfriend.

“CAN’T ANYONE TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED?”

As confused as she was, stuck inside a stranger’s body wasn’t an option.

“LIKE HELL I KNOW!”

That was rough, from Rena. Even rougher since she said it with the fairly angelic voice of Mayu.

The four of them looked up to the twilight sky. Pretty sure, there was only one person to blame on.

“KAMI-SAMA!!!!”

.

.

.

The End?


Thank you for reading. Reviews are always welcome~   

[Ruka Kikuchi]

Oh. My. GOD!!!

They swapped bodies!

This reminds me of Watamoto, when they DID switch bodies.

Have you seen it?

[River1721]

It's really interesting!!
How did wmatsui switch bodies? They didn't even saw each other for years, until now
Wow! I didn't expect Mayu and Yukirin to get involved with the switching bodies thing
At least Rena and Jurina swapping bodies, made Rena know that Jurina didn't cheat on her
At least something good came out of it

Stray punches, slaps, were flying everywhere. They didn’t know who hit who. Rena and Jurina’s attempt to stop the furious girls turned out to be futile. The cat fight continued.

Things got ugly, who knew that Rena trying to kiss Jurina ended up to be like this
I wonder whats going to happen next 
I hope its not the end just yet

[Kirozoro]

They switch their body

Now it time for the Wmatsui back together and Mayuki is form

Please continue

[gek geki]

NO!! NO!! WHY HANGING LIKE THIS??


PLEASE CONTINUE!! THIS I BEG YOU


BUT BUT YUKI IS GOING TO U.S?? HOW ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP HEN? I MEAN RENA YUKI OF COURSE

LOOK LIKE THEY WERE JUST MISSED UNDERSTOOD A THING

PLEASE BE A HAPPY END

[kaoruyo]

Hello~ Thank you for all of you who have read my fic. And thanks for the reviews. 

@Ruka Kikuchi: mmm..unfortunately, I haven't, yet. Is it an anime?
@River1721: like I said, God want them to make up ..poor mayuki to be involved with them, unknowingly  ..I'm sorry but it ends there. , it supposed to be funny so let it end right there.
@Kirozoro: thank you for reading.  ..sorry, but it ends there. >.<
@gek geki: oh hello.  it's because I love cliffhanger. . I'm sorry that it's the end.

Thank you again for the reviews. (I'm sorry, I love cliffhanger too much)

I'm going to post another fic later. Please read it. Thank you. 

[anakpanti]

Oh, here you are! 
I'm glad to find you here after 'spamming' your wordpress.

I often find sherin-san proofreading some awesome OS.