Thanks so much RihoRiho! I really appreciate your response! Luckily for you, I think you might like this chapter.
Sorry it took me so long for an update guys! But here it is!
____________________________________________
Chapter 4:
Theme song for this chapter: “30 Minutes” t.A.T.u.
Riho and Kanon are in the middle of a forest, sitting in a small open space where they can perfectly see the moon from below. Riho lies her head on her lap, staring up at Kanon with longing but unsure eyes. Kanon stares back at her, running her fingers through her hair. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were in love with me?” Riho asks as her voice drifts off. “Because...I was scared of what you would say...it felt like you were pursuing Ayumi...that you didn’t want me at all...I want you to see me as the girl you’d want to be with…” Kanon blushed and looked away from her ace’s eyes. Riho rose up from her lap to face her. She took her chin and turned it towards her face so their eyes will connect once again, “Kanon….you don’t have to feel like this...because...I’m in love with you too...it was you and I before, it’ll be you and I forever...”. “R-Really?” Kanon looked in shock. “Yes….I mean it...you’re a beautiful girl...you need to be more confident in yourself, and that’s when you will really shine…”. It was like the ace put her in a trance. She didn’t want to leave her side, so much that she couldn’t really move. The wind started to whirl greatly, making their hair flow along with it. The ace moved her hair from the left side of Kanon’s neck, feeling on the vein and the pulse that beat through like a drum. She gulped greatly, staring in hunger. “Riho-chan...why are you touching me like that..?” Kanon looked in confusion. Riho then pulled her close into her arms, sinking her teeth into her neck, leaving the younger to slowly pass out.
Kanon rose up quickly, panting as she rubbed her head and looked at the clock. It was only 3:30 in the morning. She picked up the supernatural esque book that laid beside her. She sighed and turned over, away from Riho’s face. She suddenly felt an arm wrap around her as lips began to press on the back of her neck, followed by soft moans. Her whole body froze for a moment. “Riho…?” Kanon whispered. She didn’t get an answer. She then turned, hoping to the heavens she wouldn’t end Riho’s dream by moving a little too much. To her surprise, it didn’t. Riho laid a kiss on her lips, still bound by the chains of slumber. Kanon kissed back, her hands creeping around the ace’s figure, pulling her close. “Your lips...they feel so good pressed against mine.” Riho whispered, getting slightly on top of her as her hands sloppily caressed the younger’s body. Kanon was in bliss. Her first kiss, planted by Morning Musume’s ace, Sayashi Riho. Sadly it didn’t last long as Riho woke up from her dream, finding Kanon beneath her, “Ka-KA-KANON-CHAN!?”. Kanon froze like a deer in headlights. Riho stopped as well, taking a good look at her green best friend. She noticed her shirt was halfway undone which instantly sent chills up her spine. She quickly got up and ran to the bathroom to breathe, leaving Kanon alone in the bed. She began to button to up her shirt when Erina flopped in the bed beside her, “Now I have to admit, I’ve never seen something so hot since Gakisan.”. Mizuki rose up and frowned at the comment. “I wonder what’s up with her? She’s never done anything like this in her sleep…” Kanon blushed, getting up to check on Riho. “She was probably dreaming about you in her sleep, haha. I wonder what you did to make her go off the deep end like that?” Erina chuckled as she got up and ruffled with her hair. “N-Nothing!...Riho..are you okay?” Kanon knocked on the door. “Y-Yeah...I’m fine...just go back to sleep...I’ll be there…” Riho called out from inside. Kanon shrugged it off and crawled back into bed. Riho sat in the corner of the bathroom, hugging her knees as she shivered.
The morning came by quickly and it was time to rehearse Sayumi’s graduation concert for the last time. The girls met on the stage to stretch before the first song: Tiki Bun. Ayumi watched Riho intently from afar, gazing and taking in every detail of the ace in her mind like a photograph. She gulped and walked toward Riho, sitting beside her. “Sayashi-san...are you okay? You don’t look good?” the older blue girl said, concerned. “Yeah...I’m fine...just had a bad dream last night..” the ace said. “Does it have to do with Shige-san’s graduation..?”. The ace froze for a second, feeling the weight of the word on her head. They had broken up a few days before so it wouldn’t be so hard during the actual event, but the feeling is still there. “Yes…I’m really gonna miss her ya know..?” Riho said as she went to tie her shoe. “Me too…” Ayumi paused for a moment, trying to find words to say before the moment slips through her fingers. “Duu, Sakura, and I are going to walk around town to cool off tonight, would you like to come with us?”. “Sure..why not?” Riho said as she stood up and looked at her.
“And there it is. Looks like it’s game on tonight.” Sakura said as she watched the two with Kanon. “Tell me how this is gonna get Riho into my arms?” “I set up the whole get together, Duu and Ayumi doesn’t know what’s going on. I knew Ayumi would ask Riho to come, I stalk and find out some info and you get your chance to stop it.” Sakura smiled evily. “This better work…” Kanon said. Sayumi then surprised Riho by hugging her from behind, “There goes my RihoRiho!”. Riho’s heart began to race as she slowly turned around towards her, “Sayumi..”. Ayumi’s expression started to droop, she reached out for Riho but was instantly dragged away by Erina. “See? Erina is trying to help as well. That should hold her off until it’s too late for her.” Sakura pulled Kanon into a side hug.
“Alright ladies, it’s time to start!” one of the staff manager’s said through the intercom. “Let’s make this a night no one will ever forget!”
(time skip)
The last, and hardest day of rehearsal has ended. The girls went to their dressing room to change. “Remember to keep your phone on hand okay? I don’t want you to miss anything.” Sakura turned up Kanon’s ringer and handed it to her. “Okay, have fun!” Kanon hugged Sakura, squeezing before parting. Sakura ran to catch up with the other three while Kanon went to grab her bag and head back to the hotel. She was suddenly stopped by Sayumi, “Kanon-chan...wanna walk to the hotel together? We haven’t talked in awhile, we should catch up~!”. Kanon, startled by the sudden gesture from Sayumi, couldn’t turn down an offer like this. Why not? She’s right. They don’t hang out much. “S-sure..” the younger stuttered out of her mouth, smiling softly, “Just let me get my bag.”. “Sure.” And with that, they walked out together.
Erina kabedoned Masaki out of nowhere, making Masaki jump. “I-Ikuta-san…” Masaki whimpered. “Hey Maachan...how about you and I go to a party tonight, it’s not far at all.” Ikuta examined the small girl in front of her, making any and every attempt to get back at Mizuki for liking Riho. “Why? This is a very unusual offer from you.” the younger raised her eyebrow, “Are you sure you want to dance with me?”. “Are you saying I won’t be able to keep up, little one?” “I’m not saying, I know.” “Well, challenge accepted, come with me.” Erina grabbed her hand and walked out, throwing her bag over her shoulder in a cool manner before locking eyes with Mizuki who looked on in curiosity. Erina turned her glare into a smirk before turning her head. “That was steamy.” Haruna crossed her arms and laughed. “Oh be quiet and let’s go.” Mizuki rolled her eyes and strutted out of the room.
Duu, Sakura, Ayumi, and Riho were walking the busy streets of Tokyo, talking, laughing, posting pictures on their blogs, having a good time. Ayumi locked arms with Riho while they walk, Riho didn’t seem to mind. Sakura quickly snapped a picture. “Ah, I love the sound and feel of the lively streets of Tokyo on a night out ya know?” Duu exclaimed. “Right? There’s so much stuff to do~! I wish we had all the time in the world to do em all..” Ayumi said. “We’re still young Ayumi, we actually kinda do.” Sakura reassured her with a fake smile. As they walk, they start to hear a really hot song with an amazing beat. (Raven Symone-Bump) They eventually see the crowd of people dancing and having fun in the around a big fountain. “We HAVE to go there.” Ayumi pointed at the crowd of people. Riho and Ayumi ran off together to the middle of the dance floor, leaving Sakura and Duu to catch up. “Uh oh, the dance machines are coming out tonight.” Duu chuckled. “Shall we dance?” Riho said, a smirk forming on her lips as she stares into her dance partner’s eyes mischievously. “As long as you can keep up.” Ayumi winked as she threw her hands up and rolled her hips. Riho happily took on the challenge, “They don’t call me the ace for nothing.” Riho spun quickly, her right foot stopping her when she made a full 360 before feeling on her body as she grinded the air. Ayumi started to sing along:
“Fat beat, I like to feel the drops.” They moved in slow motion when the drop happened, just like on TV, amazing the people around them, a couple of girls joined Ayumi on her side, forming a dance battle.
“DJ...never gonna stop.”
“The heat is on, turn it on some more. I knoooow~ what you’re waitin’ for.” Riho turned 180 degrees and flipped her hair as she turned to look at Ayumi.
Sakura and Duu watched on the side, Sakura snapping some more pics of the two on the dancefloor, slowly getting closer as the song nears it’s end. “You can just feel the tension in the air..” Duu mentioned, leaning against the counter. Ayumi turned around as Riho got too close for comfort as she held the older’s hips before grinding together.
Erina and Masaki enter the spot, looking around at all the dancing people, Erina forming a smirk on her face. Duu noticed the other two and looked over with a concerned face “What are they doing here?”. “Probably challenged each other to a dance-off or something.” Sakura enjoyed the drama that was about to ensue. “I’m gonna see what it’s abo-.” Duu started to say before Sakura stopped her. “Stay with me and just watch, I’m sure Maachan won’t start anything. Let it happen for a little while. You guys hang out too much anyway.” “No we don’t…” Duu turned up her lip. “Yes you do, a little space is needed in any relationship. Plus, I asked you to hang, you’re just gonna leave me here by myself?” Sakura looked up at her with doe eyes. “You’re right...sorry…” Duu leaned back on the counter as Sakura bit her bottom lip a little before turning to stalk the olders.
The ace pulled her dance partner into a spin-dip the second the song ended, followed by many applause from the people who formed a circle around them. Riho pulled Ayumi up to her feet as they laughed from excitement. “That was so much fun! I really needed that!” Riho huffed. “Well I’m glad we had this battle then. You seem to amaze me every time.” Ayumi smiled and gazed at Riho’s panting figure. Riho smiled but felt compelled to look into the crowd. She could’ve swore she saw Sayumi standing in the crowd, staring at her as the wind blew, as soon as someone passed in front of her, she was gone. “I’ll be right back.” Riho quickly disappeared into the crowd, leaving Ayumi there.. “D-Don’t go…”. Erina slipped up behind her, “Hey beautiful.” Ayumi quickly turned around, ready to fight, until she saw her senpai standing before her, “Ikuta-san! I told you not to scare me like that!”. “But it’s so fun seeing your cute expression, I can’t help myself.”
Masaki eventually found her way to Duu, leaving Sakura a way out to search for Riho. She eventually left the party once she found Riho wasn’t anywhere in sight. She eventually saw her sitting at a bench outside of a restaurant by herself. She sat down in front of her, trying to look concerned. “Riho, why did you leave?” Sakura asked. “I just wasn’t feeling too good.” Riho looked to the side, slouching. “But you looked like you were having so much fun with Ayumi, I even felt a little spark between you two.” “A spark? What does that mean?” “Well...it seems like you like each other.” Sakura leaned in. “Me liking Ayumi? She’s cute and all but we’ve never gone that far, in fact, I’ve never even thought about it until just now.” the ace said. “Okay, well that still doesn’t explain why you would just up and disappear on us, you never really do that.” “I’m...just having a hard time about tomorrow okay….? I hate that this will be the end of Morning Musume as we know it..” “You’re gonna miss Sayumi huh..” “Especially…” Sakura took in a deep breath, “I understand how you feel...I will miss Sayumi as much as you will. All of us will...but we can’t stay Morning Musume ‘14 forever. There’s always change, and at least Sayumi will get to rest.”. Riho stood up, “Thanks Sakura, but I’m getting pretty tired...I’m gonna head back to the hotel..tell the others I said goodnight…” and with that, she turned to walk home. Sakura squinted her eyes at the ace, but shrugged and got up to meet the others. The streets started to get more empty as it was nearing 11:00 at night, Riho put in her headphones to listen to a particular song she liked: 30 minutes.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Out of time to decide.
Do we run? Should I hide
For the rest of my life?
Kanon sat on her bed, looking at all of the pictures they took together, how happy they were, opening her mouth to sing:
Can we fly? Do I stay?
We could lose...we could fail…
In the moment it takes
To make plans or mistakes.
30 minutes, a blink of an eye.
30 minutes to alter our lives.
30 minutes to make up my mind…
30 minutes to finally decide!
30 minutes to whisper your name…
30 minutes to shoulder the blame.
30 minutes of bliss.
30 lies.
30 minutes to finally decide!
To decide...To decide. To decide. To decide. To decide.
To decide....To decide. To decide. To decide…
Even though the members didn’t want it to, the next morning came quickly. They got up bright and early for the big event: Michishige Sayumi’s graduation. They all rode by a small bus made just for the members and arrived to the scene on time. They did the usual vocal and dance warm-up before splitting off for a break. Sayumi went to a quiet room to think about her time in Morning Musume, the surrealness of it all. She stared outside of the window from up high, watching her dedicated fans line up, even if the event isn’t until 7 hours later. She suddenly heard the door open and close, foots softly stepping closer to her, then the sudden warm arms creeping around her waist. “Thank you...for showing me the world of possibilities I think I couldn’t achieve, for being there for me when things got tough, for making me laugh when I wouldn’t budge, for being a wonderful leader….for being mine…I wish you didn’t have to go...God knows I’ve begged for every possible way to make you stay. It hurts to know that I won’t be sharing the stage with you anymore...I’m going to miss you lots...and I know it’ll be time to move on but I want to say this before you leave for good...I love you..” the ace whimpered into the back of her neck. “RihoRiho...truth is, I don’t want to leave...but I have to...if I could...I would love to be yours forever...but I can’t…” Sayumi turned to look at the broken ace before her, she held her by the shoulders. “You’re young Riho...you and I were forbidden in the first place because of our age difference. You will find someone your own age who will love and cherish you more than I ever did...and she’s probably waiting for you right now...so please don’t cry...I hate to see you like this…” the older took her into her arms, tightly, “I love you too…”. Kanon watched the two through the window in the door, a tear fallen from her eye at the realization of what’s going on, the secret that her best friend has been holding from her. Her heart silently broke again and again for too long, “It’s time for a change..” she thought.
Sa….ya….shi…
(to be continued)