Rule Four || Dream

•9•

"Do we have to go in tomorrow?" Erie questioned as Shizuka carried a blanket towards the couch in the living room.

"Of course! We have to finish the music video in order for you girls to debut!" Shizuka said, opening the blanket and throwing it on top of Erie.

The teen pouted, and Shizuka had to turn her back on her. "That's not gonna work this time. We have to go in."

There was movement behind her, and arms were wrapped around her waist. "Please, Shi-chan?" Erie asked.

"No."

"Come on! I just want to stay here and cuddle you and kiss you all day tomorrow!" Erie admitted.

Shizuka turned around in the teen's embrace. "Don't you want to debut? This is the last day until the weekend, Erie-chan."

"But...I won't be able to see you the weekend..."

Shizuka furrowed her eyebrows. "How come?"

"I have to stay home and watch my brothers. Plus my oba-san is coming down," Erie explained sadly.

She didn't want to show it, but Shizuka was a bit saddened by the announcement. She wish she could cancel tomorrow and not worry about any questions. But that wasn't the case, and Ami would ask questions.

"How come you didn't tell me earlier?"

Erie shrugged. "I didn't want to face reality. I hoped my oba-san would cancel the flight or something. Guess not."

"I'm sorry, Erie-chan. Maybe next weekend."

Erie nodded, and Shizuka leaned in and kissed her cheek.

"Just the thought of not seeing you makes me feel empty," Erie mumbled.

"It's only two days."

"Two days feel like a lifetime! Two days used to be so quick, but now they are so tortuously slow without you."

Shizuka bit her bottom lip. It reminded her of the time she dated this guy, and that's exactly how she felt. But he broke her heart by cheating on her. Now, she has that feeling again, along with Erie. Would she cheat on Shizuka as well?

The manager softly pushed Erie away. The teen looked hurt at her sudden action. Did she do something?

"What's wrong?" Erie asked.

Shizuka shook her head before walking towards the kitchen. "Nothing. I'll go and order in."

Erie, confused and slightly hurt, went and put the movie on. Shizuka's cat hopped up on the couch beside Erie, and circled before lying down at the spot. Erie stared at the cat until Shizuka came back.

"Movie on?" She asked.

Erie nodded and moved over so Shizuka could sit on her other side. The oldest wrapped the blanket around them before watching the movie.

Five minutes in, and Erie started to fidget. She always cuddled up to somebody whenever she watched a movie, whether it be to a person or even a stuffed animal. Once it was a pillow. So it was torture sitting centimeters away and not cuddling Shizuka. But she didn't want to touch her in case she was in a bad mood.

Shizuka glanced down at the moving lump under the blanket, which was Erie's hands. She wondered why Erie didn't snuggle up to her yet, since it was normal. Was Erie thinking about somebody else? A pang of hurt and insecurity washed over Shizuka. Erie wouldn't cheat. But then again, who would want an older woman who has such a busy job and rarely any alone time? She wasn't even that pretty.

That caused Shizuka to get distracted from the movie. She stared at the ground blankly.

Erie glanced over and saw Shizuka staring at the ground. Was she okay? Her mouth opened, but she didn't say anything. Maybe it was best to leave Shizuka alone. She regrets telling Shizuka about this weekend.