Hi, everyone! Here's another oneshot for the series. I personally think there are a lot of cute moments in this one. I hope you all enjoy the read.

There are two things I'd like to mention for anime-only viewers. First of all, the owner of Fleur de Lapin was showed in the manga for the first time ever just a few months ago. She's a pretty cool looking young woman. Syaro called her "Owner-san" in that chapter so I'm going with the same addressal in this fic. Second of all, in the manga, since Maya is now in high school, she sometimes works at Fleur de Lapin, amongst other places. I believe that's all you need to know to understand what's going on in this fic.

Disclaimer: I do not own GochiUsa. It belongs to Koi.

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As Rize headed toward Fleur de Lapin, a wide grin made its way to her face. Syaro wasn't expecting to see her today and she was sure Syaro would love her surprise visit.

Rize was done with her shift at Rabbit House and she knew Syaro still had around an hour left before her shift was over. So Rize figured she might as well stop by Fleur de Lapin.

She knew Syaro would be too busy to talk to her much. But Rize was happy to just be able to see Syaro for a bit. And she knew Syaro would be happy to see her too.

Rize opened the door and stepped inside the café. She looked around, scanning the place for her favorite blonde. Syaro was nowhere in sight. Was she in the kitchen? Maybe she was on dish washing duty today.

"Hello, Rize-san. Are you looking for Syaro-san?"

Rize turned to see who it was. "Owner-san!"

To think the owner would remember her name from that one time Rize had worked here. Rize smiled at her.

The owner smiled back but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Did you come here to visit Syaro-san?"

Rize nodded. "Is she here? Her shift shouldn't be over yet."

The owner shook her head. "Her shift isn't over but Maya-san took Syaro-san back home a little while ago."

Rize creased her eyebrows. "Maya took her home? Why?"

The owner bit her lip. "I'm afraid Syaro-san collapsed today."

Rize's eyes widened. "What? She collapsed?"

The owner nodded. "She seemed very tired today. I think she fainted due to fatigue. So I had Maya-san take her back home."

Rize's mouth went dry. Syaro had fainted because of exhaustion? This was bad. Really bad.

Rize's breathing became heavy. "I, um..." Rize swallowed thickly. "I should go and visit her. See how she's doing."

The owner gave her a sympathetic smile and nodded. Rize turned on her heel and swiftly exited the café. Taking quick steps, she headed for Syaro's house.

Tears sprang to Rize's eyes. Syaro had collapsed. At work. Because she was too tired. Rize had seen her yesterday. She had even talked to Syaro on the phone this morning. But Rize hadn't noticed a thing.

Rize gritted her teeth. She was Syaro's girlfriend. Her girlfriend. She loved Syaro more than she could ever express in words. And yet she failed to notice that Syaro was so tired. So exhausted. So overworked.

Rize was ashamed of herself. She was supposed to take care of Syaro. It was her duty to make sure the girl she loved stayed well. And yet...

Rize rubbed the tears from her eyes as she broke into a run. How was Syaro now? Was she okay? Or was she too weak to get up? Rize needed to know.

Rize wasn't sure how long it took to reach Syaro's house but it felt like forever. She panted hard as she knocked on the door. She really hoped Syaro was okay.

The door opened to reveal Maya. Rize was relieved to see her. So Syaro wasn't alone.

"Rize? What are you doing here?"

"I went... To Fleur. The owner... Said... Syaro collapsed."

"Oh. So you know. Syaro was just asking me not to tell anyone."

Rize frowned, breathing hard. "Is she stupid or something?"

Maya moved to the side. "She just doesn't want anyone to worry about her."

Rize slipped into the house. "Well, I'm already worried sick."

Syaro was sitting on the side of her bed, her face set into a frown. As she looked up and saw Rize, her eyes widened. "Rize-senpai?"

Rize walked over to her and bent down so that she was at Syaro's eye level. She placed a hand on Syaro's cheek and tucked Syaro's hair behind her ear with the other hand. Rize took a good look at Syaro, her face setting into a concerned frown. Syaro looked absolutely exhausted. How had she not noticed before?

Syaro's cheeks reddened. "Se-Senpai, what do you think you're doing?" Syaro's eyes darted to look over Rize's shoulder. "Maya-chan is here."

"I don't care."

"Huh?" The blush on Syaro's cheeks deepened.

"How are you feeling right now?"

"I'm fine now." Syaro averted her eyes. "I'll take it easy for a few hours and I'll be as good as new. I promise."

Rize stared at Syaro for a moment, not convinced at all. Just a few hours? Did Syaro want to overwork herself?

Rize stood up straight. "You're not doing anything for the rest of the day."

Syaro's head snapped up in Rize's direction. "The entire day? Are you kidding me?"

"Are you kidding me? You can't possibly expect me to let you work today."

Syaro sighed. "Fine. I won't study today. Happy?"

Rize shook her head. "That's not enough. I don't want you to get out of bed today."

Syaro's jaw dropped. "I live alone, senpai. You've got to at least let me cook."

"I'll cook for you."

"Eh?" Syaro shook her head. "Senpai, you can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because... Because..."

Maya burst out laughing. "You might as well give up, Syaro. Let Rize take care of you."

Syaro looked away, a blush dusting her cheeks. "This is ridiculous. I'm fine."

Rize breathed a sigh. "I sincerely doubt it. So I'll stay with you for a couple of hours. And then I'll ask Chiya to look after you."

Syaro frowned. "Look after? Am I a kid or something?"

Rize folded her arms across her chest. "You're not a kid but you're someone who can't even take care of herself. Why did you go to work today if you were that tired?"

"Well, I need the money. And I didn't think I'd collapse."

"But why were you so tired today? Did anything happen?"

Syaro chewed her lip. "I have to study a lot nowadays. I'm a high school senior. And I'll have to take my entrance exams. So..."

"So?"

Syaro averted her eyes. "Recently, I've been staying up late a lot."

Rize frowned. "Syaro, you've got to take care of yourself."

"I know, I know. Don't worry. This won't happen again."

"It'd better not."

Maya walked over to Rize. "Want me to help you cook?"

Rize shook her head. "You can go home now, Maya. I'll take care of everything here."

"You sure?"

Rize nodded. Then she leaned down so she could whisper in Maya's ear. "If anything like this happens again, call me immediately."

Maya gave a nod. "Sure thing."

As Maya left, Rize's features pulled into a frown. She told Maya to call her if something happened but...

She hoped she didn't get that call. She didn't want something like this to ever happen again.

Rize received a call from Maya a little over a week later. Syaro had collapsed at work. Again.

Rize hastily threw her clothes on and ran out of her room and out the front door. She didn't stop running until she reached Syaro's house. Rize doubled over in front of Syaro's front door. Putting her hands on her knees, she tried to catch her breath.

Rize slowly stood up straight, still breathing hard. She knocked on the door. A minute passed by but the door didn't open.

Rize frowned. Maya had said she would bring Syaro back home after they changed out of their uniforms. Were they not here yet?

Rize looked around. She didn't see anybody. Should she head toward Fleur de Lapin then?

Rize could take only a few steps forward before she saw two figures in the distance. It was Maya and Syaro! Syaro had an arm around Maya's shoulders and was leaning heavily against her as they walked down the street. And they were moving at a very slow pace.

Rize made a dash for the two. Syaro was clearly having trouble walking. As Maya looked up and saw Rize, a relieved expression made its way to Maya's face.

Rize slowed to a stop in front of them. "Syaro, do you need to go visit a doctor? We can-"

Syaro raised a shaky hand to stop Rize. "I don't need a doctor. I'm just a little dizzy." She brought a hand to her temple. "My head hurts..."

Rize's features pulled into a concerned frown. Syaro wasn't in good shape at all. Rize swallowed thickly, her chest tightening uncomfortably. Why was Syaro overworking herself like this?

Rize took a step forward so she was standing beside Syaro. Rize put an arm behind Syaro's back and another arm behind her knees. Then in one swift motion, she lifted Syaro off the ground.

Syaro let out a yelp. She looked up at Rize with wide eyes. "Wh-What are you doing, senpai?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm taking you home."

Before Syaro could protest, Rize headed for Syaro's house. Maya walked beside her, a small grin on her face. Rize could understand why she was looking at them like that. Syaro was blushing like crazy.

Rize wasn't amused, though. Syaro had fainted twice in barely a week. Now wasn't the time to be getting embarrassed about a bridal carry.

When they were near the house, Maya ran ahead and opened the door. Syaro must have given her the key. Rize slipped into the house and walked over to the bed. As Maya closed the door, Rize carefully lowered Syaro onto the bed.

Syaro let out a groan as her eyes fluttered shut. "It feels so good to finally be able to lie down..."

Rize ran her hand through Syaro's hair. "You can rest now."

Syaro's lips curved upward in a small smile, her eyes still closed. Rize figured Syaro liked what she was doing. With a soft smile, Rize sat down on the side of the bed and continued to stroke Syaro's hair.

Rize looked over her shoulder at Maya. "Syaro seriously fainted again today? She didn't get hurt, did she?"

"She said she was fine." Maya glanced at Syaro. "But she knocked a chair over when she fell. I don't see how she could possibly not get hurt."

"I didn't faint," Syaro mumbled.

Rize lifted an eyebrow as she turned her head to look at Syaro. "Why would you lie about that?"

Syaro slowly opened her eyes. "I'm not lying."

Rize ran her hand across Syaro's forehead. "Sure thing, sweetie."

Syaro's cheeks reddened. "I'm serious. I didn't lose consciousness today. I was just feeling really dizzy. That's why I fell."

Rize looked back at Maya. "Seriously?"

Maya nodded. "She's telling the truth."

"Then why did you tell me she fainted?"

"Because she was so dizzy that she couldn't get off the floor for quite a while. It's basically the same thing as collapsing."

Syaro groaned. "Why did you have to call Rize-senpai at all? You could've just dropped me off at home."

Maya shook her head. "Absolutely not. Rize told me to call her if something happened. So I called her."

"You did the right thing by calling me." Rize turned to look at Syaro. "So why were you dizzy today? Did you not get enough sleep last night?"

"I stayed up late last night. But I got around five hours of sleep."

Rize frowned. "You should sleep a bit more than that, Syaro. But that shouldn't make you so dizzy."

"I don't know what happened, senpai."

Rize narrowed her eyes at Syaro. "You're hiding something from me, aren't you?"

Syaro averted her eyes. "No, I'm not."

"Syaro."

Syaro bit her lip. "I was really busy today. So..."

"So?"

"I might have skipped lunch."

Rize's eyes widened. "Syaro!"

"I was really busy, okay?"

Rize's shoulders drooped. What was she supposed to do? Syaro wasn't taking care of herself at all. She wasn't even eating properly.

Rize frowned as a sudden thought hit her. "Syaro, did you skip breakfast too?"

"No, I had breakfast."

"Even though you were so busy?"

"...Yes."

Rize pointed an accusing finger at Syaro. "You hesitated just now."

"Huh? No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

Syaro looked away. "You're imagining things."

Maya let out a sigh. "You're so stubborn, Syaro. Why are you lying?"

Syaro shot a glare at Maya. Maya remained unfazed.

Rize raised an eyebrow. "What exactly did you have for breakfast?"

"A slice of toast."

"And?"

"...And nothing."

Rize's jaw dropped. "You've got to be kidding me. You only ate one measly slice of toast in the entire day? What on earth is wrong with you? No wonder you're so dizzy!"

"I said I was busy, didn't I?"

Rize let out an exasperated sigh. She stood up and headed for the kitchen. "Maya, look after Syaro for a while. I'm going to make her something to eat."

Rize sent Maya back home as soon as she was finished cooking. Rize would take care of her stubborn girlfriend by herself. And she wasn't going anywhere until Syaro was better.

Rize fed Syaro a generous helping of chicken stew before essentially forcing her to go to sleep. Syaro protested at first but it wasn't long before she gave in. Within minutes, Syaro was fast asleep.

Syaro woke up a few hours later and she finally felt well enough to sit up. Rize insisted that she take it lightly for the day. No studying. No cooking. And most certainly no working.

Rize stared at Syaro who was currently sitting on the edge of her bed, her feet resting on the floor. Syaro seemed fine now. But this was the second time something like this had happened in barely one week. Rize couldn't let it happen again.

Rize walked over to the bed and sat down next to Syaro. Rize threw a glance at Syaro before clearing her throat. "So... We need to talk."

Syaro looked away. "I promise to take better care of myself."

Rize sighed. "It's hard to believe you, you know? You told me the same thing last week. But here we are."

"I've just... been very busy lately."

"Because of school and work?"

Syaro nodded. "I'm a high school senior. It's pretty tough."

"I took a lot of breaks when I was preparing for my entrance exams. Chino and Cocoa had to manage Rabbit House alone because of that. Can't you take a few breaks? Or work at fewer places?"

Syaro shook her head. "I really need the money, senpai. I can't afford to take any breaks."

Rize bit her lip. The next thing she was going to say would make Syaro mad for sure. But she had to say it. She was worried sick and she had to do something so that Syaro wouldn't have to work herself to death.

Rize took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Syaro, I know you need the money. So... Could you let me help you out a bit?"

Syaro turned to look at Rize, her eyebrows furrowed. "Help me out? How? You can't possibly work with me everywhere."

Rize shook her head. "That's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

"I meant..." Rize chewed her lip. "Could I help you out financially?"

Syaro's expression darkened. Rize gulped. As expected, Syaro was angry. Rize felt her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn't sure how Syaro was going to react. She was probably going to get yelled at.

But Rize didn't regret what she said. She needed Syaro to be safe and healthy. No matter how mad she might get in the process.

After a few moments of silence, Syaro looked away. "You should leave, senpai."

Rize's heart sank. Syaro's reaction was worse than she expected. Rize placed a tentative hand on Syaro's hand. "Syaro, I'm not trying to insult you. But-"

"But you're tired and you're saying weird stuff."

"...What?"

Syaro gave Rize a pointed look. "You've been here for a long time. I'm sure you're tired. You wouldn't be saying ridiculous stuff like that otherwise."

"Syaro..."

"Please go home."

Rize let out an exasperated sigh. Syaro was trying to kick her out of the house. Seriously?

"Syaro, look. I jus-"

Syaro abruptly stood up and took swift steps toward the front door. With a frown, Rize jumped off the bed and went after her. Before Syaro could reach the door, Rize grabbed her hand from behind.

Rize gave Syaro's hand a squeeze. "Please hear me out, Syaro. I'm really worried about you."

After a few moments of silence, Syaro slowly turned around, staring at the floor. As Rize let go of her hand, Syaro gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.

Syaro looked up at Rize, nothing but pure annoyance written on her face. "Rize-senpai, I know your family is rich. And I know that my family is not. But how could you even think I'd take money from you?"

"I wasn't exactly talking about money."

"Then what were you talking about?"

"Maybe I could buy you some stuff?"

"That's the same thing!"

Rize flinched. Okay. This wasn't going to work. She needed to think of something else.

"Syaro, you need to work less. At least for this year. So we need to figure something out."

Syaro folded her arms across her chest and looked away. "I'll think of something."

"I don't believe you."

Syaro pursed her lips. But she didn't say anything. Rize lifted an eyebrow. So even Syaro knew she couldn't be trusted about this.

Rize sighed. "Listen. We really need to figure something out. You can't just let yourself collapse every week."

No response.

"I know you need the money but... I also know you waste a lot of money on teacups."

Syaro frowned. "What are you trying to say?"

"Stop buying so many teacups. At least for this year. Then you can work less."

Syaro glared at Rize. "Oh, come on!"

"You know I'm right."

"But... But..."

"But what, Syaro?"

"You can't just take away the only thing I love!"

Rize's shoulders drooped. This was ridiculous. Most people worried about somebody else impressing their significant other and possibly stealing them away. And here she was, being overshadowed by teacups. She was losing to ceramic.

Rize pursed her lips. "Really? Teacups are the only thing you love?"

Syaro blinked. Then her eyes widened in realization. "I love you too. Obviously."

Rize rolled her eyes. "I'm seriously beginning to doubt it..."

"Huh? Don't doubt it. I'm serious!"

"Okay, okay. I get it. Calm down." Rize tapped her chin. "Let's see. What else can we do to make you less busy?"

"Senpai, you don't need to think so hard about this."

"No, I do. I really do."

Rize wondered what else could possibly be done. She couldn't study in Syaro's place. And she couldn't go to school in Syaro's place either. She could have covered some of Syaro's shifts and given her the money but Syaro wouldn't let her do that.

There was, however, one thing she could do.

"Syaro."

"Yes?"

Rize looked straight at Syaro. "There's another reason you've been busy lately. Something not related to work or school."

Syaro knitted her brow. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the fact that we recently started dating."

"...What?"

"Think about it, Syaro. We go on a lot of dates. You're already busy. I'm sure going on dates is eating up a lot of your time. Which is why you have to make up for the lost time by staying up late and skipping meals. So let's take a break from that. I think that will be for the best."

Syaro's eyes widened. She staggered back, visibly paling. Rize's features pulled into a concerned frown. Why did Syaro look like that? So scared. So shaken.

"Syaro, what's wrong? Are you feeling dizzy again?"

"You... You..." Syaro's voice cracked. "You're breaking up with me?"

Rize's eyebrows shot up. "What? Of course not. Why would you say that?"

"You... You just said you wanted a break."

"Huh?" Rize shook her head. "You misunderstood. I meant let's go on less dates. Instead, I can come over to your house and help you study for the entrance exams. I took them myself this year. I'm sure I'll be able to help you."

Syaro blinked. "You... You're serious?"

"Of course I am! How could you think I wanted to break up with you? Why would I ever do that?"

"Well, I... I was rude to you just now. I told you to leave. And... And I... I said that teacups were the only thing I... That I..."

Rize frowned. Syaro's lips were shaking and tears were threatening to spill from her eyes. Damn it. Rize felt like an idiot. Why did she have to be so bad with words? Now Syaro thought she was trying to break up with her.

Rize took a step forward and pulled Syaro into a strong embrace. Syaro wrapped her arms around Rize. Rize gently stroked Syaro's hair and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

Syaro's body shook against her. Rize knew Syaro was trying her best not to cry. But she was holding on to Rize like her life depended on it.

Rize squeezed her eyes shut, a shaky breath escaping her lips. She wanted Syaro to be happy. She wanted to make Syaro happy. And yet she somehow managed to upset Syaro way too often.

Rize slowly opened her eyes and rubbed small circles into Syaro's back. "I don't want to break up with you, Syaro. I never want to break up with you. I love you and I want to be with you for as long as I live. I know that sounds dramatic and cliché but it's the truth."

Syaro looked up at her, tears in her eyes. Rize smiled softly at her. Gently brushing a strand of hair off Syaro's face, Rize tucked it behind her ear.

The smile on Rize's face widened. "I promise you that I'll be yours for as long as you'll have me."

Syaro sniffled. "As long as I'll have you?"

Rize chuckled. "Well, I don't want to bother you if you ever get tired of me."

Syaro's eyes widened. "What? That's not possible!"

"It's impossible for you to get tired of me?"

Syaro nodded vigorously. Rize let out a laugh. That was nice to know. Really nice. And she liked the gentle warmth spreading through her chest as she stared at Syaro.

"Look, Syaro. You're allowed to get mad at me. I'm not going to leave you just because of that. What sort of person do you think I am?"

Syaro averted her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"You should be." Rize smirked. "Don't you dare underestimate my love."

A deep blush made its way to Syaro's cheeks. With a giggle, Rize pressed her lips to Syaro's forehead. As she pulled away, her lips curved upward in a grin. She took Syaro's hand in her own and pulled her to the bed.

"Let's sit, Syaro."

Syaro did as told. Rize sat down next to her. Syaro stared at the floor. Judging by the light blush on her cheeks, Rize assumed she was still embarrassed.

Rize smiled softly at her. "How about this? You don't want to take money from me and you don't want to stop buying teacups either. So please let me buy whatever teacups you want for you."

Syaro looked up at Rize with a frown. "Senpai, I can't let your family pay for my stuff."

"Huh?" Rize blinked. "Who said anything about my family?"

Syaro creased her eyebrows. "I don't understand."

"I'll buy you your teacups using the money I earn. I work too, you know?"

"Eh?" Syaro shook her head. "No way. You're supposed to use that money for yourself."

"It's okay, Syaro."

"No it's not! I can't be that selfish."

Rize sighed. "Look. I don't have to spend any of the money I earn on living expenses. My father takes care of that. But it's different for you. And that's not fair."

"Senpai..."

"I can't do much now. Not yet. Not until I become a teacher. But until then..." Rize took both of Syaro's hands in her own and held them in front of her, giving them a light squeeze. "Please let me help you out a little now. Please. This is taking a toll on your health. It's not a joke. And it's not something I can ignore."

Syaro stared at Rize, a conflicted expression on her face. She bit her lip. "What do you normally use your money for?"

"Mainly military goods. Model guns and stuff. Why?"

Syaro frowned. "And you want me to take that away from you?"

"Your health is more important to me than some model guns, Syaro."

Syaro stared at Rize with wide eyes. "Seriously?"

Rize let go of Syaro's hands and pouted. "Why does that surprise you so much? Shouldn't that be obvious?"

"Um..."

"Oh, come on!"

Syaro let out a nervous laugh. "I'm sorry, senpai. It's just that you like model guns so much that you always carry one with you. I don't want to make you give that up."

Rize pursed her lips. Syaro was way too stubborn for her own good. Was there anything she could say to convince the girl? It didn't seem like Syaro would ever agree to let Rize help her. Unless...

"Hey, I have an idea."

"What?"

Rize grinned. "I'll spend half of my money on myself and I'll spend the other half for you. I'll have to buy a little less for myself and you'll have to be happy with fewer new teacups than usual. But we should be able to sacrifice that much, right?"

Syaro chewed her lip. She was hesitating. This was Rize's chance!

Rize looked at Syaro with what she hoped were puppy dog eyes. Then, in the sweetest voice she could manage, she pleaded, "Please?"

Syaro stiffened. It was hard to say no, wasn't it? Rize was glad. That's exactly what she wanted. And now was the time to win the battle with one final strike.

"Syaro, if you don't say yes, I swear I'll feel too guilty to buy myself anything. Do you really want that? Won't it make you happier if I get to buy at least some stuff for myself? That's only possible if you say yes."

Syaro stared at Rize for a few moments before breathing a huge sigh. "Okay, fine. You win. Do whatever you want."

Rize grinned. She put an arm around Syaro's shoulders and pulled her close. "That's my girl."

Syaro pouted. "You're so stubborn."

Rize burst out laughing. Then she placed a kiss on Syaro's temple. "Trust me, sweetheart. That's not something I want to hear from you of all people."

We all know that Syaro is pretty stubborn. But I think Rize can be quite stubborn herself at times.

Read and review, folks! I'm always open to feedback and constructive criticism.