hello minna! some of my old readers here might already knew that i usually write special chapters for my side pairings.. surprisingly, it took me 16 chapters before i had the chance to write for the furuyanagi pair in this story
@ChrunchyCream: maybe you have to lower your voice next time so that your sister won't hear you, or tell her to read it too so that she understands.. haha just kidding
@Raizel: good decision to wait! cuz in this chapter you will finally know airin's thoughts
@vickystar: ChrunchyCream was screaming while you are laughing.. now i wonder in what way my story affects everyone differently hehe
@Haruko: a diary! why haven't i thought about that? hmm
@niineechan: bite me if you can haha.. i suddenly remember when one of my fave writers here once commented that he really wished i never learned about cliffhangers lol
@key17: i won't leave! here's the next chapter
@blackcold: cool! more time means less pressure to me
@sastio13: dramas? i bet there's plenty hehe! by the way, i heard hormones final season is coming!
@purnamazaki: here's the update now!
@junchan48: you will understand airin in this chapter.. so please enjoy reading!
The Forbidden Dance
Chapter 16 FuruYanagi SpecialI watch those petals dance with the wind as they fall down from the cherry blossom trees. I stand infront a number of students to deliver my graduation speech. I know that the piece of paper I'm holding isn't enough to let people know how highschool has been for me. When my eyes met Churi and Juritan seating among them, memories suddenly flow my mind, like those lovely petals continuously falling down.
This is the day when the three of us will start to take each our own individual path. We've been inseparable since freshman days and spent time together in the same club, our dance club. Who would have thought that our club can still have a next generation to pass on? I almost gave up and accepted that we might be the last members of it. But because of our success in the competition, our dance club have now became the most well-known club, not only in our school, but as well as with other schools. With that, the number of our club members has increased and many more students had interest in joining. And as the club president, I can say that I can graduate at ease, and leave the club in the most satisfied way.
I glanced at Churi and Juritan once more. I really thought that things among the three of us will go smoothly until we graduate. But things went a different way, and it never came to my mind that it's me who will betray them someday.
I still recall that night that we’re all still together. The night in Sapporo before Rena-san left us.
-
"Airi-san, do you have a minute?" Rena-san called me before we ride the hotel's elevator together with Churi and Juritan.
She started to walk and led me somewhere in private. The tone of her voice sounded serious and lonely. I already sensed that there's something bothering her since this morning, even before the championship started. I keep on watching her back as I followed her alone.
"I'm... not a real Matsui." She paused then turned around facing me. "Jurina-san and I... are not real sisters."
She said those words so straight forward. Not a real Matsui? Sure that I doubt her from the beginning, but that thing never came to my mind.
The first time I met Juritan's sister, the thing I most noticed on her was her eyes. There is something odd with those beautiful, cold, lonely eyes of hers. And I hate the feeling whenever I look at them, because those are kind of eyes that lie. I never felt this way before, that I already hate the person without even getting to know her first.
And before I knew it, I already found myself watching her. Was it because I don't trust her? Or was it because I wanted her to trust me and open herself? And now, Rena-san's revealing herself to me. This is what I'm waiting to happen, right? As much as I wanted to react with what she just said, I only listened and let her continue her talking.
"Jurina-san is the true heiress of the Matsui family. I transferred to your school because I planned to make her disappear. I did intend to hurt her from the beginning, Airi-san." She's looking straight to my eyes without any hesitation.
"Why are you telling these things to me now?" I asked her calmly.
"Because you once told me that everything has a limit, and I believe I already reached mine." She answered. "You're right, Airi-san. It's hard to keep everything to myself."
I think I already understand. She wanted to tell me that things between Juritan and her have changed. Even if she doesn't say her true feelings, they're already reflecting clearly through her eyes as I look at them now. Rena-san loves her... I already know that.
"I need your help, Airi-san. You're the only person who can save Jurina-san. We don't have much time left." She worriedly told me.
Then Rena-san started to explain everything. She told me that her mother and Sakippe-sensei are planning something against Juritan. She doesn't know the full details yet, but she has a feeling that it will happen as soon as we go home. She said she's forced to leave early in the morning tomorrow, that's why she's asking me to watch over Juritan once she's gone. She gave me a contact number, it says Endou Kenichi. She told me that if something happened to Juritan, I must call this person immediately. But I must not tell anyone else about this, it's only between the two of us.
That following morning, I quietly watched Rena-san ride her family car and leave. When Juritan tried to look for her, I only said that she already went home. I couldn't even look at her straight in the eye.
Juritan, Churi and I left Sapporo later that day. I was the last one who ride off the train. Juritan's house is one station away from mine. I only went home to place my baggages, after that I immediately left again. I rode my bicycle and headed to her place. When I arrived, she was exactly about to leave their house. I decided to follow her without her noticing me.
I saw her stopped by an old warehouse. I already sense that something not right was happening. I followed her and sneaked inside. Then I witnessed everything. Her mother was there, all tied up and has lost consciousness. When Sakippe-sensei appeared, that's the time I was sure that Juritan and her mother are both in danger.
I immediately called the number which Rena-san gave me. I told them the situation and instructed them how to reach our exact location. I begged them to hurry, since we don't have much time left. After I called out for help, all I can do next is wait and pray that they can make it on time.
I silently watched what's happening inside. Another person appeared, I believe it's Rena-san's mother. It was my first time to see her in person, I only saw her from internet photos when I did a little background research about Rena-san before. I listened to their conversation and started to understand the root of everything.
Finally, Rena-san showed up. I think I knew what will happen next, now that Juritan found out the truth. I'm not sure if I can still go on and watch them anymore.
Juritan despised her and Rena-san's already expecting that to happen. I can't imagine how much pain Rena-san is feeling right now. I started to pity her, I closed my eyes and tried to endure what's going on.
Finally, the rescue men came on time. They successfully captured Rena-san's mother, but Sakippe-sensei and Rena have escaped. I immediately go to Juritan's side to comfort her. But I can't tell her everything because I had a promise with Rena-san.
-
The graduation ceremony has ended. I know this is when friends spend their last remaining time at school with each other, because once we step out the gate, there's no coming back anymore. But I decided to just leave without saying goodbye to Churi and Juritan.
"Airin! You're leaving already?" Juritan caught me.
I didn't turn around. I'm afraid to look at her. I know I can no longer show myself to her without hiding anything.
"There is someone I have to meet today." I only answered, then I immediately walked away.
I ended up a coward. I lost all my courage to face my own friends. Because the truth is... I still have a contact with Rena-san. I knew how to find her, but I chose to keep this from them. It was my own choice to protect her.
I head next to a small restaurant near our school, where she's there waiting for me. I entered the place and saw her sitting at one of the tables alone. And then she immediately noticed me.
"Congratulations on your graduation, Airi-san." She greeted me with a smile.
"Thank you, Rena-san." I answered as I joined her table.
"I wished I had graduated with everyone, too." Her smile faded.
By looking at her, she got a bit thinner and paler than the last time I saw her.
"How are you now?" I asked with concern.
"Oneesama and I are still trying to live a normal life out there. We knew that Grandfa-... I mean the chairman, is still searching for us. It's not easy to hide ourselves everytime."
I can feel her, and the hardships she has gone through these past few months that she went missing. If only I can do something for her, even at least ease her suffering.
"How's her?" She then asked.
"You mean Juritan? She's still staying in the mansion. Her mother already woke up and on recovering. I heard she already accepted the proposal on taking over the company." I answered.
"I'm really glad that she's safe. I owe everything to you, Airi-san. She deserves the place where she is now." She smiled again.
"Rena-san, why can't we tell her the truth?" I asked.
"She already knows the truth." She answered.
"You know I'm not talking about that."
"She doesn't need to. There's no sense in telling her anymore."
"You know you can't hide forever. Juritan deserves to know."
"Have you seen her eyes that night? They were burning with anger and hatred because of me. Those were the same eyes I saw the first time I met her. She hates me now, Airi-san. Just serves me right."
"It is true that Juritan was deeply hurt. And it's only because the person who inflicted the pain is so much important to her. Talk to her and tell her your true feelings. I knew she'll understand."
I tried to encourage Rena-san but she just looked away. I knew she's afraid of hurting Juritan again, that's why she'd rather keep her distance from her.
"I think I already have to go." She excused. "I only had a chance to meet you today because Oneesama went out earlier. She might come home anytime now."
"I understand." I answered. "Rena-san, please do me a favor. I want you to always take care of yourself."
"Thank you, Airi-san." She smiled at me.
I walked Rena-san outside the restaurant and watched her leave the place. When I turned to my side, my suddenly eyes widened to see Churi right there.
"C-Churi? W-What are doing here?"
"Isn't it me who should be asking you that, Airin?"
The tone of her voice sounded so sharp, as well as the way how her eyes look at me. I can feel my cold sweat and my chest like being pierced.
"You disappeared right after our graduation ceremony. Jurina-chan said you're meeting someone important, so I searched for you to know who it is." She continued. "Why are you with that criminal?"
"Don't call her like that. You don't know a thing." I answered her.
"You're right, we don't know a single thing of what you're doing behind our back. All this time you knew how to find her? How could you do that to Jurina-chan!" She started to yell at me.
"Could you please at least let me explain myself first? What you think is totally wrong!"
"I'm wrong now, huh? I'm not the one who hurted Jurina-chan! That girl did and you knew that!"
Churi's emotions were filled with anger. In her state, I don't think she can able to understand now.
"This won't work. You're blinded with your feelings for Juritan. No matter how much I explain to you, I knew you wouldn't listen."
I turned my back on her and started to walk away.
"Is it really me who's blinded, Airin?" She asked and I stopped. "You're in love with Rena-chan, aren't you?"
Me? In love???
"W-What are you sayi-..."
"We've been friends for the longest time. I've been watching you every single day. You think I won't notice those sudden changes on you?"
It's true that Churi and I we're long friends even before Juritan. She was my very first friend in highschool. She's a loner the first time I met her. I assumed she doesn't have any friend because I never saw her with one. I even caught her talking to birds once. And then I thought, this girl is hopeless. So before anyone else thinks that she's crazy, I decided to be friends with her. And then sometime later that, after she watched Juritan's dance, she came to me and said, 'Let's join the dance club!' And that's how our friendship started.
I turned around to face Churi again and I was surprised to see her face and eyes both red.
"And you know what hurts more? With all those years that we're together, you never noticed me! But when that girl came into the picture, you shifted all your attention to her!"
"C-Churi, I don't understand..."
"I've always thought that the way how you don't care about the things around you is only a part of your cold personality. But Rena-chan proved it all wrong!"
"Rena-san is just a friend!" I blurted out.
"Is it really me who you're trying to convince with that lie? Look at you... I don't even know who you are anymore..."
I can't say if what she's saying is true. All I know is that, for me, Rena-san is different. I saw tears began falling down her cheeks. Churi is crying? But why...
"You're right... I do love Jurina-chan. But not much in the way I feel for you!" She cried out. "Airin, you baka!!!"
After she said those words, she ranaway fast.
What just happened? Did she just confess to me?
I thought I'm already good at reading people. How come I never saw it coming? Is that mean, Churi's even better in hiding her feelings? But everyone knows she's a loud person!
Aaargh!!! Now isn't the right time to be impressed with such matters. Things are happening so fast. My mind is slowing down, I can't easily comprehend. Then I remember that Churi might tell Juritan about what she saw today. I have no choice, but to tell everything to Juritan before she comes to her.
I decided to go to Juritan's place later that night. The very moment my bicycle reached their front gate, I saw her exactly about to leave the mansion.
"Juritan! I have to tell you something." I immediately said.
"Airin? Oh sorry, but not now please. I'm in a little hurry." She declined.
"It's late. Where are you going?" I asked.
And then she handed me a letter.
"What's this?" I asked again.
I read what's written on it. Rena-san wanted to meet her tonight?
"Juritan, wait! Are you sure you're going alone by yourself?"
"Airin, I've waited so long to hear from her again. I have too many questions to ask her." She answered.
I saw in her eyes pure excitement and how much she's longing to see Rena-san again. So, I only let her leave.
I still can't believe how fast Rena-san decided to meet Juritan, that she even missed telling me about it.
I looked up the night sky and sighed. No stars, huh? I wonder why I feel a bit empty now...
Rena-san...
I know she loves Juritan. And even if Churi's right about my real feelings for her... I'm already contented by simply being able to protect her.
I grabbed my bicycle, then head back home. When I arrived and entered my room, my phone suddenly rang.
It's Rena-san calling. I picked up the phone.
"Hello, Airi-san." She greeted. "I was thinking about what you told me earlier... that I should talk to Jurina-san..."
"That's why you decided to finally see her." I continued. "I think that's a pretty quick decision you made there. But that's a good choice. Jurina's now on her way to meet you."
"Meet me?" She repeated.
"I saw the letter you sent her earlier. You said you'll wait for her tonight at school."
"Airi-san, what are you talking about? I never sent a letter." She said.
"Huh? If you didn't... then who?"
She didn't respond. Wait... Don't tell me...
"Rena-san, is Sakippe-sensei there?" I immediately asked.
But I still didn't get any response from her.
"Rena-san?" She hangs up. I tried calling her number again but she's not answering.
Did she follow them???
Oh, God. I don't feel good about this. I have to go where they are now. Please... let me reach them on time.
つづくi was actually thinking...
did I really feature furuyanagi here?
it's more of like renairin!
thanks for reading
Topic: The Forbidden Dance Ch.21 (WMatsui) 03/23/2017 (Read 68546 times)