Chapter 9

Love Remains the Same

Rise sits on top of a desk, watching Nana test another experiment, which would most likely explode any second. She mixes in some chemicals from two beakers and bubbles start to form quickly, making it fizz over the large glass measuring cup. Nana backs away as she frantically grabs a paper towel to wipe everything off. However, after doing so, she sweat drops from the sight of the table being melted.

"Well…that ended well," she says as she puts a hand on the back of her head.

Rise sweat drops as she whispers.

"I didn't expect to create my own acid, to be honest. There goes my paycheck."

The quiet girl sighs as she hops off the chair to help clean up the rest of the mess. The question she always asks herself is, "Why do horrible things always happen to her?" This is what it usually results in whenever Nana tries to do experiments. But Rise got used to it soon after. When everything is clean, Rise and Nana pull up chairs and sit next to each other. Silence fills the room for a few minutes as the quiet girl looks at the floor for a second until Nana speaks up.

"So, Matsumoto," she says. "I see you've successfully made some real friends. I'm very glad Akaza-san helped you do this. I was getting worried, you know?"

Rise nods in agreement. It's been a week since she had explored the world of society. Ever since talking to Akari, she had gained enough confidence to try to befriend the rest of the girls, like the Amusement Club and her fellow student council members. Although, some of them came to her for help, she had no problem interacting with either of them. After all, the girls are nice people.

Rise rests her head on Nana's shoulder and closes her eyes, sighing with bliss. She enjoyed spending time with the other girls, but something inside her told her something was missing. She knows it well. Her heart still belongs to her beloved Nana, the teacher she loves. Sure spending time with the other girls is fun, but she still missed spending time with her.

She slowly wraps her arms around the teacher, taking Nana by surprise a little.

"Matsumoto?"

Rise whispers.

"I love you, too," Nana says as she pulls away and takes the quiet girl's cheek. "But…you know we can't be together, right?"

Rise nods and whispers.

"I know you wanted to say that." Nana looks up at the ceiling. "It's funny, isn't it? You and I love each other, yet we keep it a secret from everyone, except for the Amusement Club and the Student Council."

The quiet girl nods in agreement. Her arms remained wrapped around her beloved.

"That's why we're in a Forbidden Relationship," Nana continues. "If people ever found out about it…" She trails off with Rise knowing very well what she might finish it off with.

The raven-haired girl hugs her teacher tighter.

"It's sad, but it's the truth," Nana says. "That's why…we try to keep it a secret from everyone else. No one wants a teacher that loves her own student anyway. I'd get arrested if they found out." She looks down at her student and strokes her hair. "Besides, I don't know what I'd do without you. You're one of my most precious students, Matsumoto. I hate to see you get so lonely sometimes because of your lack of presence. But now you're making progress in making new friends, thanks to Akaza-san. You should be proud."

Rise nods as she buries her head in Nana's chest. The teacher notices some shoulders shaking a little and hear some soft sobbing.

"What's wrong, Matsumoto?" she asks. "Why are you crying?"

Rise whispers as she lifts her head up to look at her beloved. Tears fall freely from her eyes as she speaks.
"I know it's not fair, Matsumoto. But…that's just how it is," Nana says, sadly. "I wish I could be with you for real. I really do."

Rise whispers again.

"Huh? You're suggesting that we should have our own dates in private? But Matsumoto, that's…"

The quiet girl whispers.

"What if anyone ever found out that you are in my apartment…doing what other lovers do best? I mean…I have my old college friends who still visit me and…"

Rise whispers again, cutting Nana off. The mad scientist ponders for a bit while rubbing her chin in thought. From what the quiet girl is suggesting, it might not be a bad idea, but things might still be a problem.

"I'll think about it, Matsumoto," Nana says. "But I'm more than happy to spend all my time with you as your girlfriend." She caresses the quiet girl's cheek, wipes some tears with her thumb and gives a gentle smile. "After all, I love you as much as you love me. Our love will remain the same, even when we're teacher and student."

Rise nods, leans in and gives Nana a kiss on the lips. The platinum blonde immediately returns it and both pull away.

"So from this day on, we're an unofficial couple, Matsumoto," Nana says.

Rise nods again. Despite them not being together for real, at least Rise can still spend her time with Nana in private. She has no regrets. The two lean in to share one last, heartwarming kiss.

A/N: I took some of this from a Yuru Yuri story, "Motions of Love" because I couldn't think of anything else. Please forgive me. (bows in shame)

Next Pairing: Rise x Everyone