Pairing: Rin X Maki

Chapter: Determination

Rating: T

College AU: In which Rin tries too hard to gain recognition from Maki's parents.


Rin could tell that Maki was worried about her. The frequent creases of worry and the hesitant look on Maki's face each time they met up during their free time gnawed guiltily in her heart. She knew that the red head could see how tired she was - she hadn't even tried to conceal the dark bags under her eyes and her motor movements were slow and sloppy, unlike her usual energetic self.

She could tell that each time the amethyst eyed girl opened her mouth, wanting to ask Rin what was wrong, Maki would swallow her unspoken words back and pretend that everything was normal.

That nothing was wrong.

She knew that the red head was worried sick about her, and despite her best attempts to brush off her fatigue, she could tell that Maki didn't buy it. She didn't know why Maki didn't press the issue, but was inwardly glad that she didn't. She knew that her girlfriend would be absolutely crushed if she learnt what Rin was doing.

And thus, weeks passed by, with Maki staying silent at the often tired and haggard look the short haired girl was spotting. She knew that one of these days, Maki was going to break and demand an explanation from her - and she wasn't looking forward to that day.

Each date they had, or time they spent with each other was filled with an underlying tension between the two. The unspoken words clung onto the air like an unwanted white elephant, so much so that Rin felt smothered by it sometimes and whenever the red head spotted the look - the look that expressed a certain degree of deep sadness and uncertainty, Rin could feel her heart wrenching - so much so that she had almost blurted out everything to Maki.

She didn't like the fact that the girl she'd come to love so much was sad because of her, yet was helpless to stop it, especially so when the issue originated from Rin herself and often wondered if what she was doing was right. But when she thought about the reason why she started all this in the first place, her determination and resolved strengthened.

Without Maki's knowledge, Rin had been working part-time as a bartender at night in a bar next town. The pay was good, so were the people there. But the downside of the job was that it usually lasted till the wee hours in the morning. Between working and her studies in university, there wasn't much time for her to rest or sleep.

The only reason why Rin was working was so that she could save enough money for her future with Maki.

She knew that Maki's parents, being the head of the Nishikino Hospital, held high expectations towards Maki, as well as her choice in her future partner. On her rare visits to the Nishikino household, Mr. Nishikino had warned her that he would not allow someone below the Nishikino status to be with her daughter and that if she were to be with Maki, Rin had to be deemed worthy enough.

Thus, she had begun to work part-time secretly so that she could earn enough to purchase a house to live in with Maki. Rin knew that Maki's family had more than enough money - and could probably even buy a mansion for their daughter, yet she wanted them to live in a place that was a result of her own efforts.

She knew that her girlfriend would disapprove and would probably scold her, saying that she had no need to live in a luxurious house, that a humble small apartment was good enough as long as Rin was there, but Rin didn't want Maki to suffer from the undisguised look of contempt her parents held for Rin. She didn't want Maki to be caught between her and her parents.

The thought of Maki having to bear the brunt of disapproval and pressure from her parents because of her had caused Rin to set off to prove that she too, can be worthy of the Nishikino family.

Yet, it was also because of the want to protect Maki that their relationship had started to strain for the past few weeks.


Maki pursed her lips as she clenched her fingers into a fist, trying to quell the growing anger in her.

She didn't understand why her parents were so against Rin being with her. It wasn't as if her grades had fallen, and she still abide by the house rule set by her parents.

"I will not allow someone of such a low status-"

Maki gnashed her teeth as she banished the echoes of her father's last words to her before she had stormed off to her room in the fit of anger. She would have argued back but she didn't want to sour her relationship with her father. She understood where her father's concern came from - almost perfectly in fact. Status was important, especially in an elite and influential family like the Nishikino. Expectations from her grandfather and other elite families had always been drilled into her since she was young.

But she didn't want it to restrict who she should love and be with. It was her right to fall in love with whoever she wanted. She hated to be restrained and chained down by her family obligations especially when she's the only heiress to the Nishikino Hospital - yet this suffocation was worsened by her not wanting to disappoint her father either. Being caught and torn between her love for her family (which inevitably meant obligation) and her own heart had often caused Maki to be conflicted and guilty on both ends.

Status shouldn't have mattered much, that was what she always believed. Her happiness did. And her happiness was being together with Rin. Yet, there was always this tinge of guilt when she thought about her family, as if she had betrayed Rin by being unable to decided between the two.

Throwing herself onto her soft bed, face flat down, Maki groaned loudly as covered her head with her pillow.

I don't even care anymore...


It was already bright out when Rin woke up.

Her vision was still blurred and disoriented as she tried to register her surroundings just as her temple began to throb.

Rin gritted her teeth, pressing her palms against the large migraine that was now pounding mercilessly against her temple.

Ah...it hurts. Rin let out a loud groan. Of course it hurts. I reached home really late this morning and I doubt I even have four hours of sleep- Wait. What time is it n-

Turning to her side with a frown, the orange haired girl eyed her alarm clock.

9AM.

9AM?!

Rin immediately jumped out of her bed in panic when she realised that she was running late for her morning lecture, cursing when she tripped over the pile of clothes that was scattered messily on the floor. Managing to stop herself from falling flat onto the ground, the orange head stumbled across the room, grabbing her jeans and hastily put it on before fumbling about her desk for her phone and wallet. She grabbed her bag and immediately ran out of the house.

It took her an hour to reach her University - and despite running to the train station, she was still late. By the time she entered the lecture hall, her lecture had already ended.

Sighing loudly, Rin could only wait for her next class - which was not until 1pm. I should've just skipped that lecture... Rin grimaced as she continued down the hallway. Her migraine was still not going away and Rin wondered if she should just head to the library to sleep it off.

Just as she was about to turn to another corner, her phone vibrated against the pocket of her jeans.

Ah. It's from Maki-chan.

[Rin. Let's eat lunch together.]

[Okay!] Rin replied instantly, excited to be able to spend time with Maki, her migraine temporarily forgotten.

Since she was often busy working these few weeks, she hadn't met up with her girlfriend beyond University hours. It was a good chance to see Maki too, since the orange head had really missed her girlfriend.

[Great. I'm walking towards your Faculty now. Let's meet at the usual cafe.]

Rin was pleasantly surprised. Usually, Maki would insist that she head over to the Faculty of Medicine where the red head. This was one of the rare times that Maki had initiated lunch, much less opted to come over here. Not that Rin was complaining. Her head hurt like hell and was almost relieved that she didn't have to walk too far to Maki's side.

Ten minutes later, Rin entered the cafe and spotted her girlfriend already sitting at the far corner, two mugs of latte already on the table.

"Maki-chan!" The orange head called out with a wave.

"Rin." Maki nodded. "I already ordered for you. I hope you don't mind..."

"Ehehe Rin doesn't mind! Rin wouldn't mind eating anything if Maki-chan was the one who ordered it!" Rin grinned when she saw her girlfriend's reddening cheeks. It really was great to see Maki again.

"I-Idiot, what are you saying?!" Maki stuttered, cheeks burning brighter as she averted her gaze. Even after dating for a year, Maki was still easily flustered by such comments by her girlfriend. Although she did feel a certain degree of warmth sprouting inside her.

"Maki-chan's so cute~" Rin couldn't help but pounce towards her girlfriend for a hug. Maki was too cute for her own good, Rin thought.

"R-Rin. Let go of me! Everyone's watching!" Flustered, the red head tried to pry her girlfriend's hold on her - albeit half-heartedly. It had been awhile since she saw the orange head after all and she missed her cat-like girlfriend dearly. Not that she'll tell her given how she still had difficulties expressing her feelings.

"Mmm..." Rin snuggled against the crook of Maki's neck, inhaling some of her familiar honey flavoured scent as she tightened her hold against her girlfriend. Maki-chan's so warm...If only I could stay like this forever.

"R-Rin?" Maki squeaked out, her throat suddenly dry as Rin's breath tickled her sensitive skin.

"Rin misses Maki-chan a lot," Rin confessed quietly, causing Maki to freeze in her attempts to pull the usually loud and cheerful girl off her.

"You were the one who didn't have the time to meet me," Maki couldn't help the bitterness in her voice.

"...I know."

Maki blinked, suddenly worried when she noticed the orange head speaking in first-person pronoun. Rin's being serious...

"I'm sorry, Maki-chan," Rin continued, still hugging her girlfriend.

"Rin..."

Rin finally decided to remove herself from the red head as an apologetic look crossed her pained features, "I-"

"Stop." Maki suddenly pressed a finger against Rin's lips. Now that she had taken a good look at Rin's face, she noticed that the orange head seemed a little pale, her complexion of an unhealthy colour. Her girlfriend's lips was also parched dry and the dark bags under her eyes seemed to have darken.

"Rin. Have you been sleeping?"

"..." Rin stayed silent.

"Rin." Maki's voice rose, though the orange head was still able to detect the worry underneath the stern exterior.

"Rin was busy..." Rin murmured. Her head had throbbed even more against her temple and she had to stop herself from hissing in pain, not wanting to worry her girlfriend even further. Her head hurt so much that she was barely able to make out Maki's words with each passing second.

"Rin, please-"

"Ma...ki-chan..." Rin gasped out just as a sharp pain pierced through her head and the world started to spin around her.

"Rin? Rin!" Maki's panicked and alarmed voice seemed to fade away slowly.

"So...rry..." Rin mumbled just as she fell forward letting darkness claim her vision.


When she opened her eyes, the first thing that filled her vision was a flash of red.

"Rin?" The red figure's voice sounded hopeful and anxious.

"Ma...ki-chan?" Rin croaked out, wincing when Maki suddenly pounced forward with a tight hug, causing her head to hit against the bed frame. Bed...? Was she in the infirmary?

"T-Thank goodness..." Maki's voice quivered as Rin felt something wet and warm staining her shirt. Maki was...crying?

"M-Maki-chan?!" Alarmed, Rin tried to sit up but Maki's weight was still on her. Why was Maki crying?!

"Y-You suddenly fainted and I-" Maki choked out in between sobs. "I was so worried-"

"Maki-chan..." Rin's eyes softened as she patted her girlfriend's back gently and comfortingly.

"Why..."

"I'm sorry, Maki-chan...To tell the truth Rin was working." Rin finally admitted, unable to withstand lying to her girlfriend, or to see her cry. It wasn't fair to Maki who was worried about her all these while either. Though it did feel as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulder once she confessed.

"Working?" Maki sniffed, as she looked at Rin.

Rin nodded. "Rin...wants to prove to Maki-chan's parents that Rin too can give Maki-chan a good future."

"Rin..."

"Guess Rin over-worked huh?" Rin attempted to laugh it off, not expecting Maki pin her down again, tears still fresh in her lilac orbs. "Don't...Don't laugh it off as if this was a joke! You need to take care of yourself more!"

"Maki-chan-"

"Please, Rin. I don't care what Papa or Mama says. You're the one I love! Of course I'll stick with you to the end. Even though you may be annoying, overbearing and lazy at times...you're the one girl I fell in love with! Y-You're irreplaceable!" Maki burst out, her cheeks tinted red as she her grip on Rin's shoulders tightened, causing Rin to wince slightly at the pain of Maki's nails digging into her shoulder.

"I...I wasn't sure in the beginning," Maki whispered. "I was torn between family obligations and the love of my life...and yet you...you were working so hard for us."

It was so simple yet Maki had failed to realise that. Each day, she was battling against her conflicting feelings between Rin and her family while Rin had worked her butt off to the point of collapsing. The answer had always been right in front of her. Rin was more important to her. When Rin had fainted, Maki could feel her world coming to a halt as fear and panic rose within her. Just the thought of Rin not ever waking up again was enough to crush her heart. It was then she realised how much she had feared losing Rin, the girl she loved. It took her this long to reach that conclusion - she needed Rin in her life.

"Rin, I love you." Maki whispered, pressing her lips against Rin's own chapped lips softly.

"Maki-chan, I love you too," Rin returned the chaste kiss with one of her as she wiped the remnants of the tears on Maki's face with her thumb gently. It was at this moment, staring deep into the pools of beautiful and alluring lilac that Rin realised just how much she treasured the girl before her. How much she wanted to protect the her girlfriend's rare smiles, and how fragile the girl before her could be.

Before Maki could say anything in return, the door slammed open and a loud gasp could be heard.

"H-Ho-How s-shameless!" A girl with hair as dark as the midnight sky half-shrieked as her face burned with embarrassment at the scene before her.

"That voice...Umi-chan?" Rin spoke, perking up at the new addition.

Maki could feel herself turning redder. Given her position on top of Rin and how she had just kissed Rin, it was no wonder the newcomer (whom she assumed to be Rin's friend) had misunderstood.

"T-This is a misunderstanding!" Maki frantically tried to remove herself from the orange head, her face now fully flushed.

"What's going on-" Yet another new voice interrupted. "Oh."

"T-This isn't what it looks like!" Maki fumbled for an explanation frantically as she glanced over at the second newcomer whose turquoise eyes seemed glistened with a knowing look, begging her to understand.

"Nozomi-chan?" Rin looked towards the door and found her two friends by the door. Umi was now muttering under her breath, her eyes fixed to the ground while Nozomi was smirking.

"R-Rin, tell your friends that we weren't doing "t-that!"" Maki was on the verge of exploding from embarrassment.

"That?" Rin titled her had in confusion. What was "that" that Maki was talking about?

"So this is the infamous Nishikino Maki-chan~" Nozomi laughed. "Rin-chan is still too innocent huh? Bad Maki-chan~"

"Wha-What?" Maki didn't think her face could turn redder. Wait, why did Rin's friend call her Maki-chan?!

"Hey, Maki-chan. What is "that" that you're talking about?" Rin asked again.

"N-Nothing!"

"Rin-chan, "that" is actually-"

"Ahhh s-stop! Don't!" Maki interrupted in a huge panic.

"-se-"

"S-STOP!"


A/N:

This is also requested by an anon. Sorry, I made Maki's parents worry about Rin's status instead of them not acknowledging their relationship because they are both girls and that's a no go in the society.

Sorry that the last part turned out to be...ridiculously not serious. Umi's traumatised (sort of) and Nozomi's making fun of them. People always have to ruin the moment. It's always a cliche and part of the whole plot to lighten things up. OTL.

Just another side note and heads up when I start to accept requests again later: I'll only accept requests but not prompts about how the chapter will go with regards to pairings - meaning, y'all will request a pairing e.g. NozoEli and I'll do it. But I'll come up with the content myself. I've sort of gotten the hang of this whole one-shot thing and would like to apply the various scenarios I have in mind to different pairs. Thanks for understanding!

See y'all in the next chapter! It's probably NozoNico.


Review Replies:

Enya Talisman: Yep, and thanks! I'm not really sure if I'd done Eli's state of mind any justice - it could've been better, but thanks for the reviews as always!

GAT-X105VividPanzer: Yep, at least NozoNico is there with her! Thank you!

Guest: ...I'm sorry.

AyaseEricchii: Thanks! Don't worry, there will be fluff coming soon! :)

Kousaka Maki: :)

Dash24zappshift: Thanks! :) Do not worry, Nick will come soon ;)

SwordMETA: Thank you! Ahhh I'm sorry but I'm not accepting prompts/requests at the moment. Once I'm done with all those on hand, I'll continue to accept prompts! Sorry, and thanks for understanding!

Jaez: Awww thank you! :') The original plot was supposed to be Umi dying and leaving Eli alone, to which Eli struggles to cope with the loss of Umi - falling into depression. But when she finds out that she's pregnant with Umi's child (suppose two women are able to have a kid here) she starts to take care of herself better with the help of NozoNico.

Weesah: Thank you! :) I'm glad I was able to further your love for EliUmi - despite them not having much interaction in this chapter (save for the hallucination part) OTL.

ihavenoidea: Thank you!