The Story We Realize With You

Treasured Tenth Member

So, the living situation was like this.

Rachel, Leo and I would have a room together.

Rikako-san, Anju-san and Shuka-san had a room.

Aika-san, Ai-san, and Kanako-san had a room.

And Arisa-san, Nanaka-san and Aina-san had a room.

There being twelve of us in all, it was four two-bedroom apartments for three people, each.

Anju-san messaged me, saying to meet them in the dining hall downstairs, once we finished unpacking. It took us about an hour to finish, since we had quite a bit of luggage.

Once we were done, Rachel, Leo and I went back down to the first floor, and were greeted by Nanaka-san.

"The dining hall is this way," she said, leading us over to the rest of the members. The hall was just breathtaking. My nostrils inhaled the smell of... broth?

"Have you heard of sukiyaki?" Nanaka-san asked. I nodded my head as she smiled softly. "But, you haven't eaten it before?" I shook my head. "Well, you're in for a surprise."

We gathered at a table that was large enough for twelve, and took our seats. I sat with Rachel, Aina-san, Anju-san, Rikako-san, and Nanaka-san. Leo sat with Shuka-san, Arisa-san, Aika-san, Ai-san and Kanako-san.

"Kurisu-chan, Leo-kun," Arisa-san asked. "Do you know what to say before a meal in Japan?" I turned from Rachel and nodded to Leo. We pressed our hands together before saying...

"Itadakimasu!"

It was getting close to 11pm, and we were getting ready for bed. I headed out into the living area before I heard a knock at the door.

"Hai!" I went over and opened it, and Arisa-san greeted me with a smile. She took a deep breath before letting it out.

"Did you have fun today?" she asked, with her best English pronunciation. I grinned and nodded.

"Yes. I had a lot of fun." She giggled.

"That's good." She pulled an envelope from her back pocket, and handed it to me. "For you," she said, again, in English.

"Me?" She nodded, and motioned for me to open it. I did as she asked, and opened the envelope. What I saw inside... were three sets of tickets. I pulled them out, and I couldn't make out much of the Japanese. But, there was one thing that was written in English - well, Romaji - on the tickets.

In bold letters, the words read...

HAPPY PARTY TRAIN TOUR.

I looked from the tickets to Arisa-san, eyes wide. She giggled.

"Surprise!"

"Krystal, who's at the door?" Rachel asked, coming out into the living area. Arisa-san saw her and bowed, Rachel mimicking her action. "Arisa-san, good evening." She looked at me. "Did something happen?"

"I... I think Arisa-san is inviting us to their tour. You, me and Leo." Rachel's eyes widened.

"Are you inviting us, Arisa-san?" she asked. Arisa-san gave a nod, smiling.

"I talked with everyone, and they all agreed."

"I thought that us staying was only till the end of the month!" Rachel translated my words. "If I remember correctly, your stop in Saitama is next month, right?" Arisa-san nodded.

"I understand it's such short notice, seeing as we leave for Nagoya in... well, two days, but... we really wanted to make this special for you, Kurisu-chan."

I felt my eyes well up at her words. My emotions got the better of me as I stepped over to embrace her.

"Arigatou gozaimasu..." I whispered.

"You're welcome."

The next morning, I told Leo the news.

"Are you serious?!"

"Uh-huh!" Leo stood up from his seat at the kitchen table.

"Wahoo! We're going on tour!" He did a little celebratory dance, and I laughed out loud. "Are we gonna get to go backstage?" I shrugged.

"Arisa-san said that 'the surprises don't end there', so I'm assuming we'll get to...?" He couldn't help the smirk that curved his lips. I suddenly stood up. "Ah! Don't you dare get any ideas!"

"Whaat?" He drawled, putting his hands up in defense. "I have no idea what you're talking about!" I scowled before backing him into the wall.

"If you even so much as glance anywhere inappropriate, I will arrange to have you on the next flight back to Cali, mister!"

"Alright, alright, sheesh!" I backed off as he leaned off of the wall. "Message received," he sighed. I crossed my arms, looking away from him. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Hai!" Rachel said, standing up and going over to the door. Opening it, the girls all bowed to her. "Ah, good morning, everyone."

"Ohayougozaimasu!" I quickly stepped over to the door, Leo following closely behind.

"Good morning, everyone!" I said cheerfully.

"Morning, everybody!" Leo added. He glanced at Arisa-san, and she pressed her hands together.

"Leo-kun, sorry for yesterday!" He furrowed his brow. "For snatching Kurisu-chan away like that..." The other girls let out a collective squeal, as I blushed.

"Nngh, Arisa-saan...!" I whined. She giggled and stepped over to me, wrapping me in her arms.

"I'm just kidding with you, Kurisu-chan." Rachel chuckled.

"So, what are all of you doing up this early?" Shuka-san smiled.

"We wanted to take you all to meet some of the staff that'll be in charge for the Nagoya leg of tour!"

"They're down in the lobby, so you should introduce yourselves!" Aika-san added. Arisa-san pulled away from me, and I peered down. She placed a hand on my shoulder, and lent a soft smile.

"Something the matter?" she asked.

"I... I'm not too good with self-introductions... I can be pretty shy." I hear Kanako-san giggle.

"That's the same for a lot of us, Kurisu-chan!" I looked at her, and she grinned. "We'll be right beside you, so don't even worry about it!"

"Ganbaruby shite, Kurisu-chan!" Ai-san squealed, giving her signature Ruby gesture.

I look around at all their warm expressions. Anju-san comes up to me.

"You're our treasured tenth member, Kurisu-chan." I gasped at her words, and bit back the tears. "Let's do our best, together!"

"Uhm..." I turned to see Leo, shyly raising his hand. "Can you make that eleven?" I giggled along with the girls.

"Of course, Leo-kun!" Shuka-san said, giving a salute.

I managed to properly introduce myself to some of the staff members, without biting my tongue.

I breathed a sigh of relief, and Aika-san slung her arm around me.

"See? That wasn't so bad!" I nodded.

"Kurisu-chan!" I turned to see Rikako-san, waving over to me. I stepped over to her, Rachel following behind.

"Yes, Rikako-san?"

"We almost forgot to give you these!" She pulled out backstage passes for three people. I grinned.

"Waah, arigatougozaimasu!" I exclaimed, bowing. Rikako-san giggled.

"Don't mention it!"

First, I won UraRaji's contest, then Arisa-san invites us to go on tour with them... Now, we're gonna get to go backstage! But... wait a minute...

I slowly turn to Leo and see he's laughing it up with Shuk-san and Nanaka-san. I purse my lips, narrowing my eyes.

I better keep an eye on him...