Chapter 11 – The Neglected Couple's Reunion
Rise's POV
It's been a while since I've seen Akari. A couple of weeks, to be exact. I knew she went back to school recently…but since I'm a high schooler now, it's become a lot harder to come see her nowadays.
And on top of that, Nishigaki told me that the bullying she's been getting has been so bad that she's been refusing to come back. Just staying home and not being seen by anyone.
I've really been worried about her. Ever since the accident happened. And so much so that my own grades have been slipping.
But how could I think of grades at a time like this? Akari…I really hope you're okay. I really want to see you.
Your red hair…
Your cute cheerful smile…
Your now single purple eye…
I want to see ALL of you. And have you close to me so that I could give you one big…
*BOOM*
"H-Huh?! Wh-What the…?!"
I came out of my thoughts to see smoke everywhere. When it eventually cleared, I saw one Nana Nishigaki covered in ashes standing next to a bunch of broken glass and there was this weird pink liquid all over the walls, along with some ashes.
Oh yeah. I forgot I was in the science room…
"Oh hey, Rise." Nishigaki greeted me. "Did I wake you up with that explosion?"
Was I sleeping this whole time?
"Well…y-yeah, kinda." I replied."Didn't know I was sleeping though, to be honest."
"Yeah, you were in a deep sleep. You even talked a bit. Kept mentioning Akari for some reason."
I was talking in my sleep?!
"A-And you didn't wake me?!" I started blushing from embarrassment.
"Why would I? You looked too cute."
"*whine* Jerk!"
Nishigaki is the science teacher here. I've known her since I started attending Nanamori and I've stuck by her for all three years and even now into high school.
She's also one of the few people who can hear what I'm saying. Others include my parents, my sister, Akari…sometimes Chitose. But she'll translate my words to something that wasn't even remotely close to what I said.
And oftentimes…they're perverted.
Something is definitely wrong with that girl…
"What were you trying to make this time, anyway?" I asked.
"Oh, this. Well, I forgot to bring something to drink with my lunch today. So, I was trying to make some pink lemonade. But…it backfired. By a lot."
"How the hell did you manage make pink lemonade explode?"
"What can I say, Rise? It's my natural talent." Nishigaki said with a proud smug on her face.
"That's not something to be proud of..." I gained a sweatdrop.
We then heard footsteps coming from outside the room. They got louder until the door was flung open. And standing in the entryway was Ayano in a panic state.
"Is everyone okay here?! I-I heard an explosion and…oh." She yelled for a bit…but then realized who was in the room at this very moment and calmed down with an exasperated look.
Even after becoming President, this part of her job hasn't changed…
"Nishigaki…what exploded this time?"
"Pink lemonade." Nishigaki answered nonchalantly.
"H-How…what?! How did you make pink lemonade explode?!"
"Like I told Rise, it's my national talent."
"Stop saying that with a smug look." I retorted.
"*sigh* Son of a bitch…" Ayano mumbled to herself. "…Just please don't destroy the science room again. We're not even halfway through the school year."
"So…once we do get halfway, I can destroy the science room?"
"N-No, damnit! Don't destroy it at all!"
"*sigh* Fine, fine."
She does know that if she destroys this room, she'll be out of a job, right?
"Ugh. One more year of this…" With her being tired from running all the way down here and yelling at Nishigaki (hell, even her markings glowed from that), Ayano sat next to me on the table I was on.
"So, uh…how's your first year of high school going for you, Rise-senpai?"
"Well…it's fun. For the most part, at least. It's definitely tougher than middle school, though."
"She said it's fun but definitely tougher than here." Nishigaki translated for me.
"I see. Well, that's interesting to hear. Makes me all the more eager for the following year."
"The following year?" I thought for a bit. "Oh, yeah…you and the other third-years are close to starting high school."
"She just remembered that you, Kyoko, Yui, Chitose, and Chizuru are starting high school next year." Nishigaki translated.
"Yeah, we are. I'm excited, at least." Ayano then gained a sad look on her face. "But…I'm also worried. Scared, even."
"About your curse, right?"
"Y-Yeah. That." Ayano's face grew even sadder.
I remember the day Ayano confessed to us about her curse. How it's been inflicted on her as a toddler by a woman knowing occult magic…who was hired by her own parents in an attempt to get rid of her behavioral disabilities. And when it failed, they deserted her and left her to die.
Because of that, Ayano's been highly self-cautious about herself. Both mentally and (for the most part) physically. Not letting anyone get close to her to where they could find out about it.
Again…until that day when she told us.
None of us ever expected someone like her to experience something like that. And at such a young age, too. It just proves that the world's evil can show up in even the closest of people.
"I've read that high schoolers can be BRUTAL to those who look or act differently from the rest. A single screw up and you'll be tormented and ridiculed for all three years. It's going to be rough for me…but I can only imagine what kind of suffering Akari will go through."
"A-Akari?!" I looked at Ayano with a look of shock.
"Judging from that look, I'm guessing that you've been thinking of Akari too, haven't you?"
I nodded my head yes.
"She was definitely thinking of her." Nishigaki said. "Not too long ago, she was talking in her sleep mumbling Akari's name in a very cute way."
"Nishigaki!" I started blushing.
"Sorry, sorry."
"You haven't seen Akari since that day at the hospital, huh?" Ayano asked me.
"No, not really. How is she?"
"She asked if Akari was okay."
"I'm not really sure. The last time I saw her, she was crying about how people were starting to bully her. Haven't seen her since."
"I see..." I said while lowering my head.
"You really miss her, do you?"
I simply nodded my head.
"Yeah, Rise and Akari have gotten really close as friends." Nishigaki explained. "I think it's because very few people pay attention to them."
"I-I see…" Ayano went silent for a bit. Probably feeling guilty for being one of those people who would often forget or not notice that I was in the same area as her. "…W-Well *clears throat* we've been meaning to tell you, Senpai…but we're throwing a surprise party/sleepover for Akari's birthday. We're currently keeping it a secret."
"Well, that's nice of you guys."
"All of us are going to be there. So, if you want, Rise-senpai…you're invited to tag along."
"C-Can I really?"
"Why not? You'll get to see Akari again." Nishigaki told me.
That's true…but due to my shyness, no one but her will be able to hear me. She'll spend most the time translating for me than enjoying her party.
…
But I really do miss her, though…
"Okay. I'll come."
"She said she'll go."
"That's great, Senpai!" Ayano cheered. "I'm sure Akari will be happy to see you."
Hopefully, she'll be happy PERIOD…
*RINGTONE CHIME*
"Oh, sorry. That's me." Ayano said before answering her phone. "Hello? Oh hey, Yui. What's up? She did what? Again?! *sigh* Okay, I'll be right there." She then hung up the phone and had an irritated look on her face.
"What happened?" Nishigaki asked.
"Chitose bled out again from another one of her yuri fantasies. And now we got a room covered with blood to clean up."
"Sh-She still has those, huh?" I asked.
"Yeah. She does." Nishigaki answered.
"Ugh! And we already got a crap ton of Student Council work to get done." Ayano said. "Now, we gotta added "cleaning up blood" to all of that work?"
"Well, it seems like you got a lot of work to get done. Good luck with that."
"OH, NO YOU DON'T! You're coming with me, Nishigaki!"
"Wh-What?! Why?!"
"Because if you're there cleaning up blood, then the science room will have a small chance of survival."
"B-But…"
"No buts!"
"*sigh* Fine! Can't believe I'm taking orders from a 15-year-old…I'll be right back, Rise."
"Have fun cleaning up Chitose's blood." I said with a smile.
"It's not going to be fun at all~!"
Nishigaki and Ayano then left the science room and closed the door behind them. With nothing else to do and there being still time before I go home, I decided to just go back to sleep.
Hopefully, I can see a happy Akari in my dreams…
"Rise…hey, Rise…Rise, wake up."
"*sleepy moan* Wh-Wha…?"
During my nap, I was shaken up by somebody who was calling my name. The voice sounded familiar…but I was too drowsy to recognize it at first. After rubbing my eyes a bit, though, I opened them up to someone in a dark grey hoodie standing in front of me.
And I was extremely happy to see who it was.
"Akari!"
I shot up from the table and gave her a big hug and she did the same.
"You had me worried you know! Why didn't you call me or even a simple LINE message?!"
"I know. I'm really sorry, Rise. It's just…it's been one hell of a month for me."
"Well, I can understand that much…but I really missed you, Akari. I felt so lonely without you."
"And I was lonely without you, Rise. I really did miss you."
"Akari…"
"Rise…"
We stared at each other deeply in the eye(s) before leaning forward and giving each other a long, deep, and passionate kiss. One that I haven't had since before the accident. I missed this feeling of Akari's warm soft lips on my own. It's one of the few things that makes me happy.
Alongside cheesecake. I just REALLY LOVE cheesecake!
After about 10-15 seconds, we parted our lips and stared at each other deeply once again.
"I love you, Akari."
"I love you too, Rise."
…
Okay, so…there's a good explanation as to why we just kissed and such. Akari and I have been dating for almost a year. With next week being our anniversary…which is also Akari's birthday. They managed to land on the same day this year.
We were going to do something to celebrate them both. Just the two of us. But then the accident happened…and Akari grew depressed over losing her eye…and everyone wanted to help her feel better…I'm not mad or anything. In fact, I'm glad that they wanted to help.
…
But sometimes…I just want to be greedy with my girlfriend.
"Hey…did you do something to your hair?" I asked as I was still staring at her.
"Oh, yeah…I got rid of the odango. At first, it was just to put hoodie over my head. But now I seem to like this new hairstyle. Give myself a new fresh look, you know?"
"I see. Well, it looks cute on you."
"*giggle* Thanks."
After giving each other another kiss, we held each other tightly and laid down on the table. Showing extreme appreciation for each other's presence.
It was pure silence for a good while until…
"Hey…Rise. I need to tell you something."
"Tell me what?" I asked.
"Well…a couple weeks ago, I ran into Chitose and Sakurako at the shopping district. I was feeling really miserable…and Sakurako wanted to cheer me up. So, she took me to the arcade."
"Well, that was nice of her."
"Yeah, it was. We actually had a fun time together. B-But then these high school boys came up and tried to force us off the machines we were on. And when they saw that I only had one eye, they bullied me relentlessly. T-To the point where they made me cry..."
I saw that Akari was starting to tear up from having to remember that day. So, I gave her another soft hug as a way to comfort her.
"*sniff* Th-Thanks…" She said.
"Do you want to stop?"
"N-No, it's okay. *sniff* Plus…I feel like you REALLY need to hear this."
"Well…okay, then. So, what happened?"
"W-Well…*clears throat*…wh-while I was crying, Sakurako stood up to the high schoolers and got into a fight with one of them. Ending it with one good foot slam in his…uh…"
"Manhood?"
"Y-Yeah…l-let's go with that." Akari said with a light blush.
Despite what she went through, she's still an innocent-minded little girl…
"A-Anyway…after that she took me home. Repeatedly apologizing about what happened. And as I was about to go inside, Sakurako…did and said something extreme."
"What did she do?"
That was when Akari blushed a bit more while looking away from me.
"Akari, you can tell me. I'm your girlfriend, remember?"
…
"W-Well…wh-what happened was…S-Sakurako kissed me. A-And then told me that she loved me. Ever since we first met."
…
…
"W-Wow..." Was all I could say.
S-Sakurako…LOVES Akari?! A-And even kissed her just like that?! What the hell?! I leave Nanamori for 3 months and someone's already after my girlfriend?!
"R-Rise…are you mad?"
"I'm not mad! I'm TOTALLY not mad! I'm as cool as a cucumber right now!"
"Yeah, you're totally mad…" Akari gained a sweatdrop.
"W-Well, what do you expect when you hear from your girlfriend that another girl has feelings for her and kissed her without any kind of warning?! That's a stab in the heart, damnit!" I then turned away from Akari in a pouty pissed-off kind of mood.
"Rise, calm down. I don't even see Sakurako in that way."
…
"You don't?" I asked as I partially turned back to face Akari.
"No. Definitely not. The only person I love…outside my family…is you. And nothing's ever going to change that."
"Then…you told Sakurako that you can't return her feelings, right?"
"I tried to. But she ran off crying before I could say anything."
"Sakurako…crying?" Those were two words I thought I would never hear in the same sentence.
"It looked like that secret had been eating her alive all this time. And finally letting it out must've broke her completely."
"I…I-I see…"
Now I feel guilty for getting mad earlier…
"So…what do I do, Rise? I don't want to see Sakurako sad anymore, but…I really don't' feel the same way for her."
I went silent and thought to myself for a bit. This was a hard decision. For us, I mean. But…I had an idea. Wasn't sure if Akari would go along with it, though.
"Akari…I think we should tell them. About us."
"W-Wait, really? A-Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am. We can't keep lying to them anymore. It's been close to a year at this point. And now it's more important than ever because another girl has fallen in love with you."
…
"Yeah. I guess it is."
Wow. She actually agreed with me...
"So…we'll tell them all on my birthday during the party?"
"Huh? W-Wait, how do you know about the party?"
"Ah, well…m-my cousin Kuuko told me about it. Said that she was really disgusted by their idea of throwing a party to cheer me up. And called them all names I'm not really comfortable repeating…"
"I-I see…" I gained a huge sweatdrop.
I've never met this cousin of hers. Hopefully, she isn't as much of a nutcase as the others described her as…
"I'll still act surprised, though. I've gotten really good at faking happiness lately."
"That's not a good thing..."
"You have any better ideas?"
"*giggle* No, not really." I said with a smile. "So, we'll tell them on the night of your birthday and our 1-year anniversary. Is that night okay for you?"
"Yeah. That's good with me."
We hugged and gave each other a few more kisses before lying down on the table together.
"By the way…why does it smell like burnt pink lemonade in here?"
"Who do you think?"
We giggled at the thought and continued our little make-out session. Enjoying each other's company like the neglected lesbian couple we are.
I missed this feeling. I missed it a lot.
Author's Note: Rise finally sees Akari again after a new school life and emotional downfalls take time away from that. But soon learns of Sakurako's love confession towards Akari and…decides that it's finally time to come clean about their relationship.
Not much changed with this chapter. It was mostly a rewrite. But I'd say that it's now more accurate to how a Japanese school year works. Definitely messed up in the original.
Thanks for reading. Later.