CRaYon [DISCONTINUED]

Leaving, Moving In, Introducing...

  It was saddening for You to watch the precious items disappear from their room. Chika had decided to stay with her till she left for Australia and one week had never passed quicker. Her flight was in 8 hours or so, and they were about to head towards the subway having just finished boxing up Chika's stuff.

"I can't wait to ride again! It's been a while since I've kicked up this thing!" Chika sprang around energetically, starting up the old motorcycle with a soft spluttering noise. They were riding the motorcycle a few stations up as You wanted to stay with Chika a while more. Chika remains unaware of this fact.

  You grinned, her loneliness pushed to the back of her mind, and hopped on withouta second's hesitation. "Let's go!" She hollered as she slung her arms around Chika's waist loosely. Chika then proceeded to rev up the engine and take off for the open road.

  A sense of dejá vu struck You when she hugged the girl's waist which was unexpectedly warm, given that winter will be rolling about soon. She recalled how even after Chika had turned down her confession, they still remained the same as always.

  On the day of their graduation ceremony back in high school, she had removed the second button of her uniform and held it in her outstretched palm. Maybe it was because of the cold that day her hand started to tremble. The beat of silence caused You's hand to full-on shake.

  Finally, Chika responded. "I love you too, You." She had replied in such a calm tone. A burst of hope shot through You's heart and she looked up eagerly, her love-sick heart pounding wildly, the blood rushing to her cheeks.

  Chika held a bright smile on her face. However, she did not move to take the button from You's hand.

  It was not like she did not know this would happen, though. They were too close.

  An abrupt push on her shoulder jolted her out of her dreamscape. "You!? You're going to miss your flight if you keep blanking out on me like this..." "Sorry, sorry!" She apologised sheepishly, hand reaching to scratch the back of her head. With that, she said her goodbye and ventured into the airport, taking her time to look for her ol' pal, Rin.

.

  Riko lived in a fairly large Japanese-influenced bungalow in the small town of Uchiura, apparently having just moved here herself. The house was quite intimidating to Chika and she had stood there on Riko's door step for quite some time before pressing the doorbell. Inside, she could hear hurried footsteps and keys jingling as Riko swung open the door. She waved in her new roommate warmly, immediately giving her a grand tour of her- now their- new humble abode.

  When it came to Chika's room, Riko opened the door with a flourish of her free hand. The sight before her sure was a refreshing one: A spacious room with queen sized bed and a lavish study desk complimented by a mahogany bookshelf to the side and a balcony that was decorated by a lone potted plant. She was left speechless, her mouth agape. This was nothing like the small room she shared with You. The room would definitely take a little bit of getting used to.

  "Do you... like it?" Not bothering to reply Riko, Chika made a mad dash for the bed and launched herself at the middle of it, rolling around and sighing contently. Light laughter was heard from the other side of the room. "I'll leave you be then." Now it was just Chika.

  Her first move was to slide open the balcony door to take a deep breath of the fresh seaside air. It was the signature scent of her childhood, having grew up here in her family's home grown business- a still-popular bathhouse. Currently, her older sister was running the place and Chika would visit occassionally to help out.

  She impulsively decided that she would bring Riko there. Her sister will be very pleased. Huffing in pride, she peeped out of the room and wandered around the large house, doing her best to bump into Riko. Eventually, she stumbled upon a door with a wooden "R" hanging on it. Piano music began to drift through the walls, a beautiful serene melody. It stopped abruptly with a fustrated groan. 'Yup. This must be Riko's room.' Chika nodded to herself, reaching out to knock on the door.

  She heard a soft "Come in" and pushed the door gently, revealing a room that looked similar to hers. Its most notable feature was, of course, the piano. It was a jet black with gold accents. "That melody sounded really nice." Chika wanted to die right there and then. Riko, so obviously, did not like it. Her eyes shifted to Riko who turned pink- probably just the lighting of the room. She mumbled something in thanks, hastily changing the subject. Chika wanted to cry. "You wanted something?" She almost forgot about the invitation to the bathhouse. "Follow me somewhere?" Riko could only nod, being dragged out of the house by her roommate who would not take "No" for an answer.

.

  The bathhouse was very tasteful with its choice of decorations. The orange leaves scattered across the floor seemed like they were from right outside. It gave the room a very warm aura, almost as if the entrance was saying "Welcome!". "Mito-nee! I brought a customer!" Her companion yelled out. A woman with blonde hair and pink eyes hurried down the stairs angrily, and pinched Chika's ear. "Ow, ow, ow!" Riko supressed a giggle. "How many times have I told you not to yell?" She scolded Chika, turning to Riko with a welcoming smile. 'Scary...' Riko cowered slightly, hoping that her fear did not show. "Welcome! I'm Chika's sister. I'm sure this hopeless idiot here can show you where the bathhouses are. Enjoy your stay~!" She knocked Chika on the head. Chika, still recovering from her sister's attack, scampered away, leading Riko to an empty bathhouse.

  "I can't believe that's how she greets her sister after not seeing her in months!" She cried dramatically and began to... remove her clothes. 'Right.' Riko had not thought about the consequences of visiting a bathhouse. She would be with Chika. Alone. Naked. Together. 'Oh no.' She could feel her whole face burning, desperately fanning them to get herself to calm down. Chika, unfortunately, side-eyed her and laughed. "Ah? Is it too hot for you here Riko? I've worked here since I was in diapers so I'm used to the heat." Her voice bounced off the walls of the locker room as she undressed, causing Riko to spin around and grit her teeth. "Yeah, the heat is kinda bothersome, but nothing too bad." She lied without letting her voice crack- a feat for Riko, in all honesty. She, playing it cool, undressed as well and covered herself with a towel. By the time she turned around Chika was already waiting at the entrance of the hot bath. In nothing. Her curves were showing-

  "C'mon in, Riko-san!" Snapped out of her thoughts by Chika, embarrassment seared through her as she stepped into the hot bath, the steam of the bath concealing her reddened face. Completely forgetting about her problems, she sunk into the bath slowly. It was a relaxed silence for a while until Chika piped up. "Why did you move here?" Her eyes were shining with curiosity. Riko could not deny her an answer. "I'm trying to capture the feeling of the ocean in a melody for my upcoming competition in Tokyo." Her heart was heavy after she said this but Chika, on the other hand, gradually became more animated, face glowing with joy. "You mean the grandest of the grand 'Love Live'? Held in Tokyo Dome annually!?"

  Riko hesitated to answer, in fear that Chika would pass out at any moment. "Yeah. The Piano division, of course." She let out a sigh of relief when Chika suddenly sobered up and took Riko by the shoulders, getting a little too close for comfort. Riko wondered if this was a blessing or a curse. "I can help! I have a friend who's owns a diving shop nearby. When are you free?" 'Blessing.' Riko decided, her heart lifting in hope. She would not let this opportunity slip by. She answered immediately. "Tomorrow."