Chapter 16: Relinquish

The room was as quiet as it would ever be. The windows were closed, muting the raucous sounds of the city. Leaves dropped from the branches of the trees outside and birds perched on the window sill. The white walls felt duller than she had ever seen them since she entered the academy. She sat with her back against the far wall, looking straight ahead at her reflection off of the mirrored wall. She left her school and her friends (if they really were her friends) just to pursue this dream. She was praised. The best, the brightest, brimming talent. But, she failed. She faltered. One mistake. Really? Just one? Enough to smudge her chances.

The door creaked open, breaking the silence at last. It was the girl who bested her in the competition.

“Mika? Why are you here so early?”

“I'm always here early, Eiren. It's not like I don't practice.”

Ah, Eiren. The other starlet of the academy. She was odd by everyone's standards. Her social status was significantly lower than the majority of the academy. Her abilities were... poor. She couldn't handle certain situations. But why? Why was this one girl, so good under pressure? Able to weep when it was all on the line, handle a monologue when she was teetering on expulsion, and keep a smile on her face through it all? She was born with talent, even if no one was willing to admit it. A gift. Mika bit her lip. She didn't like that fact one bit.

“Well, I don't practice this early...” Eiren looked around the empty room for a moment before checking the time on her mobile. “Mika, could you help me with this play?”

“Are you the lead?”

“Yeah. The first female lead.”

“I guess I could help.” Mika stood up. “What is it about?”

“It's a play by one of our classmates. Some high school drama.”

“Something we've never experienced?” Mika said dully.

“You could say that.”

Mika read over the scene that Eiren wanted to practice. It was an unnamed high school drama starring two different couples. Eiren's character, Juria, deals with a delinquent named Terumi, who falls in love with Juria after saving her from some gang members. Mika scratched her head.

“You want me to play this guy?”

“Yeah. I don't have anyone to practice with.”

“You could, I don't know, ask the guy playing Terumi?”

“He doesn't like me.”

Eiren had a point. Mika sighed. She had no idea why she was so nice to this girl.

“Okay. What scene?” Eiren turned some pages and pointed. “Thirty-seven... Spins Juria around... A kissing scene?”

“Yeah.”

“Just kiss them. They're guys, they love it whenever a girl kisses them. Especially if it's someone pretty.”

“Thanks.”

“I wasn't talking about you.” Mika took the extra script from Eiren's hands. “Let me memorize these, then we'll do it. Just up to the kiss, though.”

After a few minutes, Mika was ready. They stood before the mirrored wall, right in front of each other.

“Ready?” Mika asked.

“Yeah. Thanks for helping me.”

“No problem. Not like I was really doing anything.” Mika waved her off and took a deep breath to center herself.

“Why did you call me up here, Mi-uh-Te... crap.” Eiren smacked her forehead.

“Really, Eiren? The first line, and you messed it up by forgetting names?”

“No, I got it, let's do it again.” Eiren took a deep breath. “Why did you call me up here, Terumi?”

“Because,” Mika said scratching her head, “I got something to tell you, Juria.”

“I don't need your words, Terumi.” Mika flinched, noticing the piercing stare from Eiren's eyes. Was she serious? Mika knew she could get into character, but she never acted with the girl before. “The love letter was enough.”

“Oh, you got it?”

“Yes. I did.” Eiren flipped her hair. “And my answer is no.”

“No? Just like that?” Mika felt genuinely defeated. It was odd. Was Eiren really making her feel this way? “Why?”

“Why? It's obvious, Terumi. You are trash.” Eiren's tone turned harsh. “You have bad grades, you are a gang member, all you do is fight, and you don't seem like you'll do anything in life. You save me once, then think that you're in love with me? Great.”

Mika felt like crying. It wasn't in the script, but somehow she was struck by Eiren's lines. She never expected Eiren to have this kind of effect on people when she acted.

“Then... Then what do I have to do before you'll give me a chance?”

“Something. I don't know. Anyway we're done here, I'm leaving.” Eiren turned around and walked the other direction.

“Wait, Juria!” Mika reached out, but Eiren didn't respond. This is where the kiss is. He grabs her arm, and brings her in for a kiss. Mika rushed over, grabbed Eiren's arm, turned her around and planted her lips on Eiren. Once she realized what she did, she pushed Eiren away forcefully. What the hell did I just do? She looked over to see Eiren staring back at her. “You happy? We're done.”

“Uh, okay. Thanks Mika.”

“Whatever.”

Mika opened her eyes and cursed under her breath.

“I fucking hate that dream.”

….

“You cleaned this place.” Chiharu was amazed. “By yourself?”

“Yeah,” Akiko said as she scrubbed down the stove with a fiber pad. “I don't want to live in a dirty place.”

“Chiharu is just shocked because she spends money on a weekly maid.” Makoto added.

“Seriously, shut up, Makoto. Though, you're kind of right. I wish I could marry Akiko. Gwen is too lucky.” Akiko blushed as she heard Chiharu's words. “So how long's it been now... Like a month?”

“Yeah. Gwen calls nearly every day.”

“Ha. She probably needs to so she can keep her sanity.”

“She calls me too.” said Makoto, looking up from her magazine.

“What!?” Chiharu glared at Makoto. “She doesn't call me!”

Makoto shrugged. Akiko laughed. Chiharu sighed and shook her head. After Akiko finished her housecleaning, the trio sat in the living room and watched some old horror movie. More specifically, The Ring. Besides Makoto though, they didn't really watch it at all.

“So Akiko, how are you holding up?”

“Huh? I'm fine, I have school and work to keep me busy.”

“Not up here,” Chiharu was pointing to her head, then pointed to her pants. “I mean down there.”

Akiko looked at Chiharu in disapproval. “Do you really have to ask that Chiharu?”

“Come on, I know you two fucked like the world was going to end before Gwen left.”

“Shut up!”

“See, I was right.”

“I don't care. My sexual escapades are none of your business.”

“What if I tell you about Gwen's, then?”

“Eh? Gwen's?”

“She wasn't always a lesbian you know?”

“Did she date any guys?”

“A few. She probably lost her virginity to guy first. Most likely.”

Akiko nodded.

“So... when did she start dating girls?”

“Two years ago, give or take.”

“Who?”

“Wow, aren't you eager to know. Well, it's not really a secret in my eyes, but it was her and I.” Chiharu pointed at Makoto.

“Wai- What, you two?”

“We... Kind of asked her to have a threesome with us when I was still with Makoto for real.” Chiharu scratched her arm and layed in Akiko's lap. “She had way too much sexual energy for me though!”

“That's because you are a harmless kitten in bed, Chiharu.” said Makoto, who didn't even take her eyes off of the TV screen.

“Fuck off, Makoto.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I feel like it? I'm sure Gwen would tell you if you asked.” Akiko nodded in response. “See, you know her just as well as we do. I guess.”

“I still wish she was here though.”

“I understand that feeling.” Chiharu looked at Makoto. “Hey, maybe Makoto can stay with you tonight?”

Akiko was surprised. “W-What?”

“Well, look at her. She's calm, quiet, has a nice body, especially her boobs, and you won't have an empty bed when you wake up.”

“I can stay if you want me to Akiko, Chiharu is actually seeing some guy. Running back to the other side.” Makoto smirked at Chiharu.

“Uhh....” Akiko was unsure of her decision, but she did need to let go a bit. She'd explain it to Gwendolyn. Makoto was a nice girl, after all. “I guess you can stay, Makoto. But, we'll sleep in the guest room.”

“Ha! I knew you would take the offer.”

Akiko threw a pillow at Chiharu. “Shut up!” The living room turned into a feathered battlefield for a few minutes, until Chiharu left to go on her date.

After the lights went off, Akiko found that Makoto was able to become a very different person when she felt like it. It was the best night she had since Gwendolyn left.

…

A/N: Heyas, hope you're enjoying SnS! Just wanted you guys to know that I have another story in the works soon. It's not gonna be in a Japanese styled setting though. More American, or something. Hope you'll read it once it goes out. (Also that doesn't mean I'm dropping this story either D:)