Illusionary Crossroads
White shoes trudged down the bustling hallway of Otonokizaka, slim body hunched over with a black school bag dragging on the dirty floor. Red hair was messy and unkempt, with visible dark circles around her pretty violet orbs- Maki looked as terrible as she felt. This whole Nico ordeal was really stressing her out, and she has only been in school for a month! Shouldering the responsibility of attempting to keep Otonokizaka open with this idol nonsense and keeping Nico Yazawa alive was becoming too much, and it showed.
From across the hall, Kotori, Umi, and
Honoka stood and watched the sad sight that was Maki Nishikino.
"She really isn't in good shape, is she?" Kotori spoke quietly, a worried expression adorning her pretty face.
"I wonder what's going on…" Umi shook her head and placed a hand on her cheek.
"Lets go ask!" Honoka smiled, running over to Maki and slinging an arm around the poor girl, causing her to jolt up in surprise.
"Maaaaki-chaaaaan!"
"H-Honoka!" The Red head shouted, stomping her foot and crossing her arms. "What are you doing?!"
"I'm just checking in, geez!" The ginger haired girl shrugged the others attitude off, smiling when the other second years joined them.
"Hello, Maki-chan." Kotori smiled awkwardly as Umi bowed in respect.
"Oh… Hello, Kotori, Umi."
"How… ah… are you doing? You… erm… look…. well…"
"Awful." Honoka spoke bluntly while pulling out a small orange compact mirror to show to the other. Violet irises widened upon seeing her appearance, tossing her bag to the side and attempting to fix her hair.
"Are you doing okay, Maki-san?" Umi spoke quietly as the girl tried to spruce herself up.
"I'm fine I'm just stressed."
"About what, Maki-chan?"
"About Ni-" Pausing, Maki realized that the others didn't know about Nico and the letters. "...About school, that's all… Don't worry though, I'm fine!" Attempting play off what she said, the first year smiled and laughed awkwardly.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm fine! I'm sorry for worrying you all."
Umi's amber colored irises met with Kotori's, both appearing to have concerned facial expressions. Maki couldn't be telling the truth, but they knew better then to pry.
"Okay, Maki-chan. If you ever need us, we're here for you." The taupe haired girl half smiled, prompting Umi to as well.
"Thank you, Kotori."
"Now that we've got that out of the way, we have rehearsal today! Come on!" Honoka exclaimed, linking arms with the red haired girl and beginning to yank her in the direction of the idol research club room. That's right… Eli agreed to the expansion of the club… but… Nico! Violet irises widening, she slammed her feet down on the ground and brought everyone to a screeching halt.
Maki forgot to talk to Nico about her sudden new members!
"Maki-san?" The second years turned toward the stiff girl, puzzled expressions adorning their pretty faces. "Are you alright?" Umi asked quietly, slightly nervous of the others response.
"O-o-oh! I'm f-fine!" Maki laughed nervously, waving her hands in the air and stepping back from the girls. "I-I just...uh… just… uh...havetogotothebathroom!" She motor-mouthed before darting in the opposite direction, taking the longest way possible to the idol research club room, hoping to not run into any 'members' talking to Nico.
White shoes ran through the hallways of Otonokizaka, heavy pants escaping from pink lips. She had to talk to her, she had to get her to agree to this dumb club! Running as fast as she possibly could, she didn't even really see where she was going or what was infront of her- all she focused on was what she'd say to the third year. Nico, let us join this club! Nico, please live!
Before she knew it Maki's butt slammed on the floor, body having knocked into Nico's again.
"Hey!" Nico yelped, black brows knit in anger as soon as she realized who had ran into her. "Quit running into me!"
Violet irises blinked, focusing on who was now attempting to stand before her. Nico!
"Are you gonna talk?! Apologize!" Scrambling up, Maki ignored Nico's shouting and grabbed her hands, moving her face dangerously close to the other's.
"Nico, you gotta let us join your club!"
"W-what?! Let me go!"
"Nico, we need you!"
"Let me goooo! I'm not letting you or your friends in my club so stop bothering me!" The ravenette screamed, attempting to pull away from the other, whose grip tightened each time she struggled.
"We got Eli to agree!"
"W...what…?" The resistance stopped, body now frozen as the two girls were face to face.
"We got...Eli to agree...We also found some others, including Nozomi." Gazing into each other's eyes caused the first year to blush slightly, almost wanting to...hug the poor girl. She wanted to be close to this girl, purely because she knew about her ultimate demise. Distracted now, Maki snapped back into reality once the other roughly pulled away from her grasp.
"What good are they now?" Nico spat, breaking eye contact with the girl and turning away. "They had chances to join, and they didn't. I don't want them, I don't need them." Turning back around, the third year crossed her arms and was now staring daggers into the other. "...And I certainly don't need you."
"W-Wha-?!" Maki began, completely shocked and appalled by her answer. Why is she being such a bitch about this?! Before she knew it, Nico had walked to the door and was about to close it. "Wait!" The red head yelped, scrambling to the door and holding it open, making it unable for the other to close it. "Why are you being like this?! Why won't you let us sing and dance and just be with you?!"
"Because I don't want you! Leave me alone, I mean it!" The third year screamed and slammed the door shut, locking Maki out. She couldn't do it...she couldn't save Nico's life.
Dejected, the small girl turned around, but her violet irises widened upon seeing the rest of the 'club members' behind her.
"W-wh-what are you guys doing here?!"
"We were here to practice…"
"Are you okay, Maki-san?"
"U-uh...I'm-"
"Is Nico-senpai not letting us join her club?"
"Well…"
"Maki, I thought you'd take care of this."
"I knew this wouldn't work out." Eli spoke bluntly, motioning for Nozomi to follow her away from this sad sight.
"Why didn't you try then?!" Maki snapped, stopping her foot and losing the slight composure she previously had. "Where were you 2 years ago when Nico started this stupid club?!"
"Maki-chan…"
"I was doing things, real things to get into a good university, Maki." Eli hissed, icy blue eyes staring daggers into the angry girl.
"Then just...then just fuck off!" The temperamental girl yelled, pushing past the gaggle of girls and running off. It was too much pressure, all of this. How can one person be responsible for keeping someone alive years down the line?!
[*~*]
A small hand twisted the complex combination to a small locker. Upon opening, a pair of brown loafers sat with a magnetic mirror on the inside of the door shined with the new light casted upon it. The owner of this locker took the shoes out and put them on, placing the white ones she currently wore in her big black bag. A somber expression reflected off the small pink mirror as she peeled it off the door, frowning once it was removed.
"Riko-chan!" A petite girl with long brown hair ran toward the other, a bouquet of pink flowers in her hand.
"Oh….Tomoyo-chan…" Riko spoke with little enthusiasm, blushing slightly when the brunette got close to her face.
"It's your last day, Riko-chan!" Tomoyo bemoaned, slight tears pricking in the corners of her light green irises. "I'm going to miss you so much!" Throwing her arms around the dark wine colored redhead.
"T-Tomoyo-chan!"
"Just stay, Otonokizaka won't be the same without you!"
"Tomoyo-chan, the school is closing anyway…" Riko spoke quietly, causing the other girl to release her and look down to the white flooring below her white shoes.
"You're right…" Tomoyo spoke quietly, hands tightly gripping onto the bouquet. "But...but you still have to visit me, okay Riko-chan?! Okay?!" The obviously emotional girl insisted, pressing her forehead against Riko's again.
"O-Of course, Tomoyo-chan…" Riko sighed, trying her best to muster a smile.
"Here, Riko-chan, these are for you,"The brunette handed the small bouquet to the other, causing a soft, genuine smile to pass her lips. "...Make sure you put them in water, take care of them and remember us back here in Tokyo...okay?!"
"Thank you, Tomoyo-chan….I'll treasure them forever."
"Yay! Oh crap, I'm running late for the newspaper club...I'll see you around, okay, Riko-chan?" Her casual 'see you around' caused Riko to sadden, knowing she really wouldn't 'see her around.' But, she had to keep a positive appearance.
"Goodbye, Tomoyo-chan." Waving, the second year began to walk the halls one last time, one last time to say goodbye to her beloved school. Amber irises scanned the posters that decorated the walls of their lively school, heart hurting that she'd never see them again. Stopping outside of the west wing of the school, she bid a silent farewell to the cherry blossom trees. Watching the pink petals whirl around in the wind, she paid attention to a particularly small blossom, one which landed in her bag.
"Wah!" The girl yelped, rummaging around her bag until she stumbled upon a pink envelope. "Hm?" Tilting her head, she pulled the envelope out, reading 'Riko' written on the back in bold red ink. Brows knit in confusion, Riko opened the envelope to find pink paper inside. Taking out the wad of papers, she unfolded the first one and read the contents silently to herself.
Dear Riko,
Hello, this might be awkward, but this is you from the future. I know you're going to be in a new school now, and this is weird for you to read, but I need you to listen. 10 years from now, a girl named Nico Yazawa will have committed suicide by shooting herself in the head. She is a friend of your future girlfriend, Maki Nishikino. Riko, I love Maki more than anything. I have sacrificed and will sacrifice anything to keep her…please, meet Maki, try and get her to talk to you…steal her attention away from Nico. She has beautiful bright red hair and violet colored eyes. I know it is so selfish of me to want Nico out of the picture, but Maki is obsessing over Nico now…please just get Maki to pay attention to you…and let Nico save herself. I, no, you need to get her to pay attention to us now, and prevent the heartbreak both her and I feel now in the future. Change the present and fix our fractured past, Please.
-Riko
"What?!" Riko screamed, dropping the letter, amber orbs widened to the size of saucers now. "Nononono...I must be...b-be dreaming…" She mumbled to herself, shakily bending down and picking up the letter, rereading it, and dropping it again. "What kind of nonsense is this!" In the midst of her blathering, her pretty eyes scanned across bright red hair that flew by her. Distracted, Riko now saw a beautiful young girl with her back face towards her, probably not even noticing Riko at all. Blinking, the soon-to-be Uranohoshi student reread the description of this Maki Nishikino, and looked back up at this mysterious girl again. Could this be...Maki?
[*~*]
"Ugh! I'm tired of this, I'm tired of everyone!" Maki yelled, furious, throwing her school bag on the floor. "They're all so needy, and rude! So what if Nico offs herself- she's refusing my help!" The redhead spoke to herself, throwing her own mini-tantrum- completely unaware of the other standing behind her. Taking a few deep breaths, Maki began to calm down trying not to seem as angry as she really was. Sighing, the first year bent down and grabbed her bag, violet irises falling upon the pink envelope that must have fallen out of her bag. "You…" The girl growled, picking up the envelope and standing back up. "This is all your fault!" Maki spoke to the envelope, opening it up and pulling out the thick papers that laid inside. Angrily taking out one piece of paper, her expression softened when she began to read the red ink on the pink pages.
Dear Maki,
Honoka attempts to get Nico to agree to joining her club, despite her previously declining her offer. Honoka asks her with tears in her eyes, even going on her knees and begging her to join. Nico yells no and slams the door in her face, causing Honoka's demeanor to change drastically after that, and even distancing herself from Kotori and Umi. I witnessed the encounter and did nothing, I truly regret that, Maki, please...please get Nico to let everyone to join her club.
Reading this, Maki felt her stomach churn. The thought of Honoka losing her annoyingly enthusiastic charm was...was heartbreaking. Plus, Maki had apparently watched all of this happen and did nothing. How awful… I can't...I can't let this happen...Stomping her foot, Maki straightened her posture and had a determined look in her eyes. She wouldn't let Nico win, Nico was gonna let her in, let everyone in no matter what. Turning on her heels, the redhead ran back into the building and to the idol research club room; but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Honoka on her knees, begging Nico to let her join as everyone else stood by and watched. Just like the letters…
"No!" clenching her fist, Maki knit her brows and brushed past Honoka, pushing Nico back, causing her to fall on the floor. "Listen here, Nico! You are going to let us in this club!" The first year leaned over the girl who was on her back who backed away with each step Maki took. "You are going to let us sing, let us dance, let us become friends, let us become stupid idols, and fucking help you!" She boomed, scowling at the girl beneath her. Silence fell throughout all the girls, eyes glued onto Maki.
Nico's red irises met with Maki's, a reddened blush dusting her cheeks. Maki cared so much about idols….hell, Nico might not even cared as much as this girl did. Why...Maki even seemed like she cared about...her…? Despite all of the yelling, Nico felt truly touched by this girl's persistence. It was awkward, sure...but maybe she could try again with her….and everyone else.
"O...Okay…" Nico gulped, heart pounding against her chest. "...Y-you...you all can join…"
"W-What?" Maki stuttered, completely caught off guard at this girls answer. She did it...Maki actually did it!
"Yay!" Honoka cheered, jumping up in the air.
"I knew you could do it, Maki-cchi!" Nozomi smiled, slinging her arm around the obviously irritated Eli. Nozomi's response caused Maki to smile slightly, but gasp upon realizing Nico was still on the floor.
"O-oh!" She gasped, taking the raven-haired girls hand and lifting her up. "Sorry about that…"
"Its...its okay…" Nico mumbled, facing away from the other to hide her blush. "B-but...but you all better be here right after school, got it?!" The third year demanded, causing everyone to giggle and agree. Its happening, its finally happening.
[*~*]
The sound of white shoes lightly patting on the school floor filled the halls of Otonokizaka, a small dark red headed girl walking to exit the school for a final time. Her head was still reeling from what she just experienced. She met her, Riko met the Maki Nishikino, 10 years before she was meant to… Of course, this interaction was kind of one sided, it only got as intimate as Maki ran past her to get back into the school. Despite that, Riko felt a strange attraction towards the girl...maybe it was because she knew eventually they would fall in love, even if Nico in the future attempted to take that away. Riko wanted to speak to her, but she seemed so upset when she saw her, she decided to wait until she had another opportunity.
"Don't worry, future Riko,...I'll see her again…" The girl spoke as amber irises reflected on the pink envelope held in her small hand. Head snapping back up, the sound of a ringtone now broke the silence in the air. "O-oh…" Reaching in her bag, the girl pulled out a light pink smartphone and answered. "Hello? Oh, mom...yes, don't worry...I'll be outside in a minute. Yes, I said goodbye to Tomoyo-chan...yes….yes...yes, I'm coming out now...bye." Lightly pressing the 'end call' button, she took a minute to look back at the envelope. She was going to change her future, even in a new town. Shaking her head, Riko confidently walked towards the doors and opening the doors and leaving one final time...for now.