Rule Four || Dream

•14•

Erie didn't care about her career that was just starting. She didn't care about the stupid rules. She didn't care about Aya. She only cared about the woman in front of her.

Shizuka didn't hesitate to kiss back, because she's been thinking about these lips for days upon days. And finally, she's kissing them again. But this was wrong because Erie has a girlfriend.

The brunette hesitantly pulled away, but Erie kissed her again. Erie didn't want to stop kissing Shizuka for even a second.

"Erie...we have to...stop," Shizuka managed to say. She pushed away again and took a few steps back. "You have a girlfriend."

"I don't care about her. I had her because I was trying to make you jealous."

Shizuka frowned. "That wasn't right. She loves you, but you don't love her?"

"She's not you, Shi-chan. We don't do the stuff you and I do. I don't feel anything with her."

"But you still led her on. That's wrong."

Erie scowled at her manager. "I thought you wanted me back!"

"I do. I need you back. But you have to tell Aya-san the truth."

"But...she'll tell Nakashima-sama and get you fired. She's wanted me ever since she saw me. And she saw how close you and I were, and wanted to break us up!"

It sounded weird to be told her ex-friend wanted to get her fired. But Erie makes people do stupid things. Like quitting their job.

Would Shizuka quit her job for Erie? She wasn't sure, and she didn't want to find out.

"I still can't date you, knowing you have a girlfriend."

"Then don't date me. Let's just spend time together," Erie suggested.

"Really?"

Erie nodded.

"Meaning no kissing, no hugging, no spending the night, no cuddling--"

"Wait, what?! You can't do that! I love cuddling!"

Shizuka rolled her eyes. "She'll smell me on you. Besides, I'm sure you cuddle her--"

"Yeah, but it's not the same as it is with you! You and I can equally cuddle, but Aya-san's smaller than me, so I'm forced to cuddle her all the time. And she moves around a lot. It's very uncomfortable."

Erie frowned at Shizuka, who crossed her arms. "We're still not cuddling. That's what couples do--"

"Friends do it too!"

"No, they don't," Shizuka dismissed. "Overall, we can't do anything we used to do. No private time, no more me driving you home, no more you making me food. Nothing."

"This is going to be a long four months," Erie groaned.

"You've made it this far. Now, go call somebody to pick you up."

"Can't you drive me there? You won't have to get out."

"If Aya-san sees us, something bad will happen."

"Please?"

Shizuka eventually agreed and drove Erie to the building. It felt so weird to drive into the parking lot, but not go to work. Almost like it was a crime. Shizuka watched Erie go into the building before driving off.

What was she supposed to do all day? On weekends and holidays, she would sleep and spend time with her family respectively. But this was a random free day that was being paid for. Shizuka felt bad that she was being paid to do nothing.

Since she had gas money, she just drove around for a while, taking in sights she's never seen before. She was so used to the limited places she's gone, that she's hardly seen any other parts in the area.

I want to take Erie joyriding, Shizuka thought to herself. Even though she's sure Erie's seen more than her, she would like to think that the teen would enjoy it.

Noticing she was low on gas, Shizuka went to fill her tank up. Unfortunately, while she paid at the pump, she spotted a certain redhead a few pumps down. She kept her head down to avoid being noticed, but that didn't work. She heard footsteps coming her way, and looked up to see the redhead heading her way.

"Shizuka-chan!" Aya exclaimed, coming and giving Shizuka a hug.

What was with the affection all of a sudden? Was Aya feeling okay?

"How are you?" Aya asked.

"I'm fine." Shizuka gave a tight smile. She didn't feel like listening to Aya. Or even look at her.

"Good! Well, how come you're not at work?"

Of course. Aya wanted to see Shizuka fail. That was all. And to think their friendship dissolved all because of a girl.

But it was Erie. And if Aya was a true friend, she would've talked to Shizuka about the situation. But no. She decided to be greedy, and want Erie all to herself, and to steal the teen away from Shizuka.

"Things," Shizuka replied stiffly.

"What kind of things?" Aya pressed, dropping her smile.

"It's a bit personal."

Aya wouldn't leave Shizuka alone, no matter how many hints she gave. "Personal? Does it involve my Erie-chan?"

Shizuka scowled at the pump in her vehicle. "Aya, what--"

"I know about you and my girl. And I want you to stay away from her. Got it?"

"What? I--"

"Look, I notice the way you look at her, and I know about the little affair you two had. You can't fool me. So you back off my girl, or find yourself without a job. Got it?"

Shizuka slowly nodded, and Aya smiled sweetly again. "See you later, Shizuka-chan!"

And Aya walked away, leaving Shizuka to finish filling her tank up. The threat was useless because Ami already knew. So Shizuka wasn't worried. But she didn't want to have to worry about Aya stalking her or something.

So she knows she'll have to break Erie's heart.

Again.

·♡·

"Seriously, Shizuka?" Erie asked over the phone.

The two were at their respective homes, since Erie made Aya drop her immediately off. And Shizuka didn't feel comfortable going to her house and telling her in person.

"Yeah. It wouldn't be a good idea for us to spend time together on my suspension."

"...I know Aya did this."

The manager sighed into the receiver. "How?"

"She kept nagging me about my relationship with you. Honestly, I can be friends with whoever I want. She can't control me. So I am still coming over."

"I don't want trouble."

Erie sighed. "She won't do anything, Shi-chan."

"She will!" Shizuka exclaimed. "What if our relationship goes public because of her? Not only will we both get a bad name, but so will Ami-san! Our careers will collapse, her and I's friendship will collapse, and everything will go horribly wrong!"

There was a slight pause over the phone. "...We shouldn't have broken up..."

"Aya would've still known. Let's face it, I shouldn't have dated you. We should've had a strict manager-trainee relationship. I'm sorry I dragged you into this."

Erie groaned into the receiver. "Why do we have to love people we can't have?"

"I don't know, Erie. I really don't know..."

I'm a horrible person