Ok, before I give y'all this final peace, I said in the previous that I was going to do 2 more post, well this should be the last post, but I feel somewhat disappointed with this first attempt, that I've decide to finish this in 3 long post post, making it a grand tally of 4 chapters to conclusion. This one plus three! I have a motto: If you do something, be sure to make it at it's highest expression! If it's good make so good that it makes earth tremble but it's bad make to screw it up to best of your ability so everyone can remember the time you made the screw-up! Since this fanfic turned out to bring 90% of negative reviews, I'll make sure to add the 10% missing in this final chapter, just by making it a 4 part special! This is my writing at its worst! Next one coming, I promise a masterpiece at least that it may be seen and liked! Goal in the next one: 70% Positive review!
Enjoy this first part of a major screw-up!!!
Wednesday arrived, and all members were
present at the Theater for the so much anticipated pairing draw. Kashiwagi,
Maeda, Takahashi and Sashihara had arrived a bit earlier than the rest. To wait
for the rest the four of them went to the café on the third floor of the
building. They sat near a window as they waited, Takahashi asked Sashihara to
accompany her buy some drinks, living Maeda and Kashiwagi to care for their
places at the table. Sashihara quickly agreed with Takahashi and left the table
as they headed to the stand and as they waited in the line they discussed a
plan to pair during the trip. They agreed it had to be done in such secrecy
that neither of them could think foul-play or tampering by a third party. They
returned to the table as if they just went to buy the drinks as they said they
would. The time for the draw arrived quickly and the gals left the café, and
headed to the theater room for the much anticipated internal and secret event
that was about to be done! When all expedition members were gathered in the
room, Togasaki unveiled a board with tables and several names written on it. He
explained that half of the group’s names where place there so only the partner
was going to be decided the draw. Kashiwagi’s name was amongst the ones in the
board, oblivious to her that Takahashi had asked for her name to be switched
with Kashiwagi if she was placed and Kashiwagi wasn’t. After a brief explanation
of how the draw was going to take place, the gals that weren’t drafter in the
board, the group included Maeda, lined up and continued their procession to
draw the name of their partner. When Maeda’s turn arrived she was very nervous
hoping to avoid Kashiwagi as her roommate, for she consider herself a threat to
Kashiwagi’s future but she also wanted to be her roommate, this contradictions
speeded up every second as she pick the number from the box. When the moment of
truth finally reached its pick as Maeda pull her number, Sashihara and
Takahashi had their fingers crossed and were holding each other intensively
when Maeda opened the folded piece of paper a read in a loud yet nervous voice “I
drew number 5”, after staring at the board for a couple of seconds Takahashi
couldn’t help but jump in excitement, the first part in their “Maeda-Kashiwagi
hook-up plan” had taken effect with the minimum amount of effort. When that
happened every one turned the attention to the obviously over-excited pair,
when they noticed the eyes on them they sat, bowed and look shamefully at the
floor. Then everyone turned back to listen to Togasaki’s words. The protocol as
long over and the gals divided themselves in the selected pairs, and as usual a
sleepover was planned between them. Kashiwagi feeling a bit unease by the
thought of spending the night alone with Maeda, she also asked Sashihara,
Watanabe, Oshima, Takahashi, Shinoda, Itano and Oota to come along.
Kashiwagi was pleased by the affirmative
answer from all of them. Their alone time could wait until they reach Okinawa. Kashiwagi
called her parents to tell them she was bringing several friends home, to which
her mother asked her with a surprised yet happy tone “Several is how many?”,
Kashiwagi paused for a moment to count how many people she had invited and
replies back “7, is that ok?” her mother laughed and said “7 it is!” Soon after
she hanged the phone Maeda approached Kashiwagi timidly and in low yet
secretive tone she asked “Yukiriso is it ok, for me to also sleep in your home?
I’m not really sure.” Kashiwagi grabbed Maeda’s hand and firmly stared at her
eyes and with a typical Kashiwagi smile and careless fashion she replied “Sure!
You’re my friend after all!” Was this a promotion of what was going to happen
at the trip? Or was it just that Kashiwagi was trying to control her own
nervousness?
The gals agreed to meet at Akihabara
station in 3 hours after they left the theater. Kashiwagi then received an
e-mail in her phone; she opened it and read the message that said:
“How
was it? Did it go as you wanted? I’m rooting for you!”
It came from a withheld number, so who
could it be? What was this person talking about? A bunch of unanswered
questions came from this. She decided to go to a nearby dinner to wait for
agreed meeting time at the train station. As she slowly walked she noticed two
familiar faces, two old team-mates from her early years in AKB. Urano Kazumi
and Saeki Mika were walking by when they noticed Kashiwagi outside the theater.
The three ladies greeted and hug each other as if no time had passed since
Urano was transferred and Saeki graduated. Urano surprised to see Kashiwagi
alone at the theater asked “Yukirin, why are here…alone I mean?” the gals
couldn’t hide their excitement about coinciding at that moment. Kashiwagi then
replied to Urano “We had a draw to see who gets partner with whom during the
trip we’re having this weekend to Okinawa!” That was something new; certainly
it was for Urano and Saeki. Then Saeki followed up Urano’s question “So why are
you alone in here Yukirin…where are the other members?” Kashiwagi asked Urano
and Saeki to accompany her to a more comfortable place to talk. They went to a
small café in front of Akihabara JR Station, were Kashiwagi was supposed to
meet with the others to head to her place for the sleep over.
They ordered some drinks and took comfortable
seat in the lounge style café. Then finally Saeki and Urano’s curiosity was to
be satisfied, as Kashiwagi answered their question “I was alone, because I
invited Acchan, Yuko, Sasshi, Takamina, Mariko, Mayuyu and Tomochin to sleep
over today, since we leave for Okinawa in 2 days, so I was waiting for them to
return so we could head home!” Urano and Saeki sighted as a sign of relief. The
waiter promptly arrived with the gals drinks, a prelude to the awkward moment,
Kashiwagi somehow knew the temptation that faced Saeki. Unsure if Urano was
aware of that topic she tried to avoid; was that an inevitable conversation?
Kashiwagi, often looked at her wrist watch
with anticipation to her friend’s arrival. The Saeki finally ended the stale
mate and dropped the bomb on Kashiwagi “So Yukirin, did you…well…you know?” she
was trying to phrase her question in a manner that wouldn’t make Kashiwagi feel
uncomfortable or make herself look like a meddler in other people’s affairs. Urano
felt as she was out of place in this conversation, so she decided to leave them
to clear whatever they had to. As she rose Kashiwagi grabbed her hand and asked
her to stay with a low yet decide tone, Kashiwagi knew she couldn’t hide her
relationship with Maeda forever, so she take to take a step and talk about it
with the people she was close and comfortable with. Kashiwagi placed her eyes
in a direct stare at Saeki, and nodded in a negative form. Saeki sighted and continued
her frank advice “Are you still unsure?” Urano attempted another escape but
again Kashiwagi stopped her and said “I think I should introduce the elephant
in the room, don’t you agree Mikachii?” Saeki was stunned by Kashiwagi’s valor,
yet she was rather happy, Kashiwagi had given the first step into acknowledging
her feelings towards Maeda. Urano was still oblivious to the impending danger
to her psyche.
Kashiwagi’s eyes opened wide seemed bigger
than usual, a know sign to Saeki and Urano that something big was going to
happen. Urano nervously sat down, breathing heavily she braced herself for
whatever crazy words could come from the unpredictable Kashiwagi’s sharp
tongue. Trying to take control of the situation as for it not to get out of
hand Saeki took bold action and finally asked properly what she wanted to know “So,
did you reply to Maeda, Yukirin?” Kashiwagi checked again her watch, and looked
back at Saeki, before she could answer Urano stood up again and asked “What’s
going on in here, care to fill me in or should I just leave!?” Kashiwagi’s seriousness
test had begun.
Kashiwagi: …
Saeki: You should tell her Yukirin…
Urano: If you two want to talk alone, just
say so I won’t get mad!
Kashiwagi: Well CinDy…you see...about four
days ago Acchan…
Urano: Yes, Acchan what…?
Saeki: This is going to take long…you still
unsure Yukirin…
Kashiwagi: No!! I’m sure about what I want
to do with my feelings…
Urano: I’m at a loss here…
Kashiwagi: Acchan confessed to me….
Urano: Acchan, confessed what?
Saeki: That she wants Yukirin to be her
lover…there the elephant is out!
Kashiwagi: …
Urano: Acchan, what!?
Kashiwagi: Yes, she said she likes me, but
more that she would like a friend.
Saeki: See CinDy, so now Yukirin has to
respond to Maeda.
Urano: So what do you want to say to
Acchan? Whatever you say is going to define how you feel and act around her
from now on. Yukirin, whatever you decide, you must be honest first with
yourself and then with Acchan. Honestly I was surprised that Acchan confessed
to you…Mikachii, is it karma that you are trying to advice Yukirin now, if I’m
correct you too had to go through the same with her?…
Saeki stood silent and smiled, she held
Kashiwagi’s hands strongly and she felt as tears would pour out of her eyes. Saeki
stood up and said her final words about this to Kashiwagi “Yukirin, you know
what you feel and what you want, then just say it with confidence! Remember you
can still count on us…I mean are friends!’ this words hit home as Kashiwagi
remembers using that same phrase with Maeda when she asked if it was alright
for her to go to the sleep over at Kashiwagi’s home. After a heartfelt
conversation, Saeki and Urano left just as the sleep-over group arrived.
Kashiwagi quickly scanned for signs of Maeda. Not sign of her made present for
Kashiwagi, she then quickly ran to greet the group. They immediately proceeded
to the waiting area to wait for the subway. The train quickly arrived, the
doors opened and everybody got in, when Kashiwagi suddenly heard a voice inside
the wagon. A voice she was longing to her, as she turned her sight towards the
voice and to her surprise, it was indeed Maeda who spoke!
Filled with excitement, Kashiwagi tried to control
herself from running to Maeda and hug her as hard as she could. But the smile
was impossible to hide, a reaction that Maeda received very gladly by returning
the smile. The ride lasted a few minutes, when they arrived at the station,
Kashiwagi’s mother was waiting for them, as she greeted them and smiled she
walked towards Kashiwagi and whispered something to her, she then turned to the
group with a brighter smile. Kashiwagi’s parents had to attend her father’s company
dinner, so they would be out until late. Kashiwagi told the news to her mates,
which just nodded and continued their walk home. Kashiwagi’s heart was pounding
as if it was about to explode, as she walk at Maeda’s side, a sensation of ethereal
pleasure and happiness accompanied both during the short trail until the
Kashiwagi’s residence.
Just before leaving, Kashiwagi’s mother
left the gals in her daughter’s room with some tea and chocolate chip cookies
talking. When her parents left, the real party and conversations began!
Suddenly in front of Maeda’s eyes, Oshima grabbed Kashiwagi’s hand as if she
was in love with her, she then said in a joking tone “Finally, Yukirin!!! Today
you’re all mine!” Kashiwagi’s eyes opened wide as a sign of shock to Oshima’s
sudden comment. Maeda felt as she was about to explode, was this a sudden
provocation by Oshima? Or was it a heartfelt comment? These questions bothered
Maeda mostly. Kashiwagi on the other hand took the comment as a joke. Suddenly
a phone rings, but it’s neither the house phone nor any of the gal’s mobile
phones. A tense and creepy atmosphere surrounded the house, the mysterious
phone still ranged. Then Kashiwagi proposed a “Test of valor” her guest,
normally Kashiwagi’s house wouldn’t be considered a place for the haunted to prey
upon, there was undoubtedly a phone ringing in the house. The gals quickly
divided themselves in the following teams:
TEAM KASHIWAGI: Oshima, Kashiwagi and
Shinoda
TEAM SASHIHARA: Watanabe, Sashihara, Itano
TEAM TAKAHASHI: Maeda, Takahashi, Oota
[Love-tan]
These teams were to search the house for
the “phantom phone” as Oshima had called it. This was also Maeda’s first trial,
for she felt uneasy about Kashiwagi’s team especially after Oshima’s blunt-joke
to the rest-statement, relating to her intensions with Kashiwagi. Kashiwagi’s
team headed towards her parent’s room and office room, whilst the other teams
checked the kitchen, living room, bathrooms and the halls. The house never felt
bigger for Kashiwagi, first her team checked the office room and found nothing,
then her parent’s room again with no result, as agreed after 20 minutes they’ll
all meet at Kashiwagi’s dormitory to relay their findings about this mysterious
phone. As Kashiwagi’s team was about to return to the room, Kashiwagi saw her
father’s dress coat emitting a light from its pocket, she quickly yelled to her
team mates: “Yuko, Mariko…” they quickly rushed to Kashiwagi’s position and saw
her standing with a huge smile “It was all my father’s mobile, which he forgot
so he was calling to see if he left it home!” the three sighted at the same
time as a sign of relieve, then ran to meet the others. When they arrived to
room, they got together sat and Kashiwagi explained what her team’s findings
were.
All that time Oshima, was hugging and
laying her head on Kashiwagi’s shoulder, things that bother Maeda…”Is Yuko
really that much into Yukiriso?” she thought, she looked around and noticed
that the others weren’t bothered at all by Oshima’s constant skin-ship with
Kashiwagi. But Maeda’s heart couldn’t bear it anymore; she stood up and asked
Kashiwagi for a moment. She took her the room and asked “Yukiriso…are really
ok, with how close Yuko is towards you?” Kashiwagi smile and sighted “Finally,
I was starting a bit antsy! I thought you didn’t care Acchan…The truth is that
Yuko is always this way with me, but with you here I felt a bit uncomfortable”
Maeda’s heart raced harder and faster than before…Could it be Kashiwagi shared
Maeda’s feelings? An encouraging sign indeed, now Maeda can spend this night
with more ease. At some point the gals decided to cook something to dinner and
discuss their perspective on the Okinawa concert and photobook shootings.
Kashiwagi: I’m so excited about this trip!
Shinoda: Yeah, I’ve never been to Okinawa
before…
Itano: Me neither, but I think Yukirin is
excited because she’s shooting her photobook there also…who else is shooting
for photobooks also?
Takahashi: I know that only Yukirin and
Acchan are doing photobook sessions…
Oshima: Well…Actually I’m also shooting a
photobook, before we met at the station Togasaki-san called and said that I’m
also going to shoot my photobook and I’ll also make a joint PB with Yukirin!
Maeda: Re…rea…really? You’re also shooting
a PB with Yukiriso?
Shinoda: You knew right Yukirin? I mean…Yuko!
You just made this up!
Itano: We’ll have to ask Togasaki-san to
confirm that!
Maeda had found another block other than
her own indecisiveness, this time it was made of flesh. Takahashi approached
Maeda, and held her hand, and whispered in her ear “Acchan, you have to be
positive and fight. Don’t you love Yukirin? I won’t forgive you if you’re weak
at heart!” Those words hit Maeda as a bombshell, her closest friend and
confidant was seeing her behaving miserably and full of self-pity. The night
passed by with lots of fun for the gals. But was it a prelude to the coming
trip? That question was stuck at Maeda’s head.
During the night Maeda woke up several
times as she was still bothered by the feeling that she found a rival. She
thought that if she had to battle it out with Oshima, she was at a
disadvantage. At least Oshima didn’t care about that both of them were female.
Okinawa was for sure in the eyes of Maeda, Takahashi and Sashihara the make-or-break
situation for the relationship between Maeda and Kashiwagi. On the other side,
Kashiwagi was resting peacefully, for though she was very lovey-dovey with
Oshima, she completely sure that her feelings were for Maeda. They all woke up
early ate a special breakfast made by Kashiwagi’s mother. They headed to the
theater to join with the other members of this “Okinawa Expedition 48” as it
was labeled by Producer Akimoto. As they left Watanabe took the chance and held
Kashiwagi’s hand as they walked, Maeda felt the pressure again and quickly
turned to see Oshima’s reaction and position. She noticed Oshima was right
behind Kashiwagi, what was her intension? Knowing how Oshima liked to performed
perverted and naughty jokes, Maeda thought that her aim was to grab Kashiwagi’s
butt.
Unwilling to let that happen and to proof
her own resolution not to let her progress with Kashiwagi be hindered and loss
her to Oshima, she rushed her step until she reach Kashiwagi’s side and started
talking with her, while she constantly checked Oshima’s whereabouts in
relationship to Kashiwagi, something Oshima and Sashihara who has next to
Oshima, notice very quickly. Unknowingly Kashiwagi was trapped in a battle for
her affection by 2 monsters unwilling to give up. When they got in the train
just as Kashiwagi sat down and Watanabe was ready to seat next to her the open
war between Oshima and Maeda was ragging on, they quickly took the spots next
to Kashiwagi. This left Watanabe wondering what had happened. Takahashi
approached Sashihara as she worried that their plan to join Kashiwagi and Maeda
in Okinawa was in danger, the 5 minute train ride felt like an eternity to
them. They gathered soon with the other gals and headed to the airport
together. Just as they disembarked from the bus, Togasaki gave them their
tickets before they entered the airport. He explained that the sitting
arrangement in the airplane was done in the same way the room pairings were
done for the hotel. That meant that Kashiwagi and Maeda would sit together, a
huge relief for the later. But it also meant Oshima was going to be close, her
seat was just in front of Kashiwagi’s.
It was going to be a long flight, Maeda
couldn’t stay quiet the entire flight, in her eyes that would give Oshima an
open door to snatch Kashiwagi away from her. Deep in her thoughts Maeda
suddenly felt something in her shoulders. When she turned to check what was it
she noticed Kashiwagi had fallen asleep and her head leaned on her shoulder,
Maeda’s suddenly turned so read. When Takahashi saw Maeda’s expression of embarrassment
she giggled. Kashiwagi’s face was so close to Maeda’s, that the temptation to
steal a kiss from the sleeping beauty was so strong, Maeda had trouble
controlling herself. She plugged her mp3 player to divert her attention from
Kashiwagi’s lips. Suddenly the pilot announces a bit of turbulence, as the
announcement is made Kashiwagi woke and when she noticed that she was laying in
Maeda’s shoulder she immediately raised her body to a straight position and
with a shameful expression she apologized to Maeda.
Three more hours remained on their flight.
Kashiwagi decided she couldn’t stay quiet, for this wouldn’t her confidence
when being around Maeda.
Kashiwagi: Acchan…how has it been since we
took off?
Maeda: …We…still have three hours left…I
think
Kashiwagi: Oh, I see…did I sleep too much?
Maeda: ….It’s ok.
Kashiwagi: Really!? What a relief…I thought
I had made Acchan feel uncomfortable…
Maeda: Don’t worry…I mean nothing happened…
Kashiwagi was a bit confused by Maeda’s
answer and prudently let it slide.
Maeda: So…Yukiriso, are you really shooting
that PB with Yuko?
Kashiwagi: Hmmm…I wonder I should tell you….
Maeda: You’re mean Yukiriso!
Kashiwagi: Ok, I’ll tell you! I don’t want
Acchan to hate me!
Maeda: I…I…could never hate Yukiriso!
Kashiwagi: Well, Togasaki-san, actually
told me, that I was going to shoot a solo PB and with Yuko…
Maeda: …
Kashiwagi: He also said that I was going to
shoot one with Acchan, and if time is available, the three of us would shoot
one together! I would totally love that to happen wouldn’t you Acchan?
Maeda: Well, I guess so…
Sashihara overheard the conversation, and
immediately asked Kojima who was seating next to Takahashi to switch seats with
her. She shared the newly acquisitioned information and started formulating a
new plan taking the PB shooting’s as a perfect setting for their “coupling”
plan to work. The pilot soon informed through the intercom, they were about to
land in Okinawa, so the seat belt sign was turned and all electronic equipment
was asked to be turned off, during this last moments of the flight, Maeda
thought about how peaceful it had been…no Oshima interventions between herself
and Kashiwagi, but that after they disembark from the aircraft was when the war
would really break loose between her and Oshima. Maeda was still unsure about
Oshima’s sentiments towards Kashiwagi, but she couldn’t let her guard down,
just the possibility that Oshima stole Kashiwagi from her, without knowing her
answer terrified Maeda. The only way Maeda would give up Kashiwagi was if she
was rejected-still them she wouldn’t desist and attempt again or so she
thought-but she was never going to give Kashiwagi to Oshima without a fight.
To Maeda the landing was the beginning of
heaven or the entrance of the purgatory in her way to delusion, either way, she
knew that she had done her part, Kashiwagi was now aware of Maeda’s desires and
passion for her. Unknown to her was the fact that their “guardian angels”
Takahashi and Sashihara were going to make sure that their “strange-love” was
fulfilled.
As they disembarked Maeda tighten her hold
on Kashiwagi to avoid losing her to Oshima’s claws. She checked everywhere for
sign of her “rival”, but Oshima was nowhere to be seen. Kashiwagi unaware of
the competition revolving around her, also tightened her hold on Maeda. Both
gals quickly set foot outside the aircraft and headed to the luggage pick-up
location. Kashiwagi hastened her step as she held Maeda’s hand, and then stared
at her and said “Acchan! Let’s walk together!” with her usual yet provocative
smile, that made Maeda blush. She felt an incontrollable torrent of happiness
rushing through her body.
Then
both gals matched down their pace, as they continue their short walk in a merry
atmosphere. At arrival Maeda quickly and spot-on noticed the presence of Oshima
who was accompanied by Miyasawa Sae and Fujie Reina, which she thought limited
Oshima’s possible actions towards Kashiwagi, which to some extent provided
Maeda a small space o breath. Sudden she heard a call from a familiar voice “Acchan,
Yukirin! Your luggage is here!” both gals turned towards the voice to find out
it was Sashihara calling, she had placed her plan into action, her accomplice
Takahashi was also making her move. Maeda and Kashiwagi quickly approached
Sashihara’s position to retrieve their luggage. Just the fact that Sashihara
was near gave Maeda another bit of relief as she tried to conquer her inner
demons completely, waking up to the reality that she’s in love with another
lass and telling her what she felt towards her was just the beginning of her
internal struggles, but know she had “found” herself in a “competition” for
Kashiwagi’s affection. Soon after they got in the bus that was chartered
to drive them to their hotel, were various staff members where waiting for the
gals to arrive.
