The Story We Realize With You

Playing Into Her Trap

I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair, as I hear her chuckle.

"Were you expecting someone else?"

"If this is another ploy to try and get me to go to your photoshoot, you can forget it!" Another chuckle. "I fail to understand why that's so funny," I growled. She smirked and stepped over to me. Paces later, she had eventually backed me into the wall. My breath hitched, as she banged her hand beside my head. I shivered at her actions, and she giggled.

"Y'know, if I had gotten any closer at that café..." She reached her hand to my chin, slightly lifting it, so I met her eyes. "You understand what would have happened, right?" I clicked my tongue, before quickly ducking under her arm, and moving away from her.

"Just, what are you playing at, here, Arisa?! D'you want me to yourself?! Are you trying to break Leo and I up?" She stayed stubbornly tight-lipped. "Whatever it is, please just... leave me out of it!" I huffed out of the room, closing the door behind me.

"Kurisu-chan?" I stopped in my tracks to see Rikako standing in front of me. "That's a first — you raising your voice like that." My eyes peered down.

"You... heard all of that?" I mumbled. I glanced up to see Rikako nod. I pursed my lips, sighing. "Well, don't expect to get any answers from me; this is between me, and Arisa," I declare before walking off. I hear her footsteps pacing after mine.

"You've been acting really weird lately, you and Arisa." I didn't meet her eyes, as I kept walking towards the exit. "Is... whatever's going on between the two of you, really so bad that it has to be kept secret from the rest of us?" I groaned, turning to face her.

"Like I said, this is between me and Arisa, and has nothing to do with the other members, Rikako, so just... please... stay out of it." I turned towards the door. "And, don't expect any answers from Arisa, either. No doubt, she'll just lie about it."

"I don't feel she will." I flinched at that. "I mean... well, for starters, I've known Arisa much longer than you have." I bit down on my lip. "She's not one to lie." I blew a breath.

"Don't say I didn't warn you..."

The next morning, I lay in bed, pulling the covers close. Rachel comes into the room.

"Krystal, why are you still asleep?" she asks. "It's Day 2 of the Kobe leg, remember?" I pulled the covers over myself.

"I'm not going."

"Eh? You're joking."

"It's just one show," I mumbled under the covers. "The girls won't miss me." I hear muffled footsteps, before the covers are pulled off of me.

"If this is still about your little plight with Arisa..."

"Hey, you were the one who told me to keep my distance from her!" I yelled, sitting up out of bed. "But, thanks to that, now, Rikako's getting suspicious..." Rachel crossed her arms over her chest.

"Well, I couldn't exactly guarantee that it wouldn't go around." I furrow my brow. "You and Arisa are making it pretty obvious."

"She's the one who...!" I caught myself, before running a hand through my hair. "I'm sorry, Rachel, but I'm just following your orders, so..." I pulled the covers back over me. "If any of the girls want to talk to me, just tell them..." I paused, trying to think of an excuse. "Mm, tell them I lost my voice from last night." Rachel sighs heavily.

"You expect them to believe that?"

"In that case, I don't care what you tell them! Just make it so they don't come to see me." I looked up at her, pleading. "Please, Rachel." Another heavy sigh through Rachel's lips, and she turned away from me.

"How long d'you plan to keep this up?"

I pursed my lips. "Maybe till Saitama..." Rachel nodded.

"I suppose... Do what you think will pan out..." With that, she exited the room. I sighed heavily, and grabbed my phone from the nightstand. I opened LINE and created a group chat with the girls.

Kurisu_chan: Hey, everyone. I'm sorry, but I won't be able to attend tonight's show. I'm not feeling too well, all of a sudden. Rachel will let you all know, but I thought I should tell you beforehand. Again, I'm sorry. Give it your all tonight!

I moistened my lips before pressing "Send". I flopped back onto the bed, holding my phone to my chest. Right after, I hear a ping. I look at my notifications.

Suwawa_Nanaka: Get lots of rest, Kurisu-chan! Hope you feel better.

Saitou_Shukashuu: Feel better, Kurisu-chan! Get some sleep.

Inami_Anchan: Aww, feel better, Kurisu-chan! Take care.

Kobayashi_Aikyan: Rest up, little demon! Get your energy back, Kurisu-chan!

Furihata_Aiai: Hope you feel better soon, Kurisu-chan! Ganbaruby!

Suzuki_Ainya: Get well soon, Kurisu-chan! Get plenty of sleep, okay?

Aida_Rikyako: Get as much rest as possible, Kurisu-chan! We're thinking of you.

Takatsuki_King: Hope you rest well, Kurisu-chan! Feel better!

I gripped my phone, when I noticed Arisa was "still typing". A message finally popped up.

Komiya_Arisha: Take care.

I blew a breath before setting my phone back on the nightstand. I lied back on the bed, and stared at the ceiling.

This'll die down soon enough... Just wait. Just wait...

My phone began to ring, snapping me out of my thoughts. I jumped at the sound. I noticed the caller ID, and furrowed my brow. I decided to answer.

"Hello...?"

"Hey, there, Sissy! It's Gizelle!"

My eyes widened, though, I knew she couldn't see me. My big sister was calling me.

"Eh? Oh, hi!" I exclaimed. "Sis! How are you?"

"I'm doing fine. How's Japan?"

"It's awesome! I'm in Kobe right now."

"Ahh, you're with that group, right?" I laughed.

"Yeah, Aqours. They're all amazing girls." A slight pause on the other line.

"Mmm, why do I feel a 'but' coming after that...?"

"Eh?"

"Did something happen with them?" My eyes widened.

"Wha—? H-How did you—?"

"Even when I can't see your expression... I can tell when something's on your mind," Gizelle chuckled. I laughed.

"You just... see right through me, don't you?"

"I'm your sister." I smiled softly. I pressed a hand behind my head. "So? Tell me, angel, what's goin' on?" I blew a heavy breath.

"Okay. So, it's like this..."