oh god.. I think that's the saddest chapter I've ever wrote...
No Rika's part of the story yet, sorry! :P

When Love Hurts 28
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The door of the apartment was closed behind her slowly. She left the bags on the floor and went to the room without even turning on the lights. She wasn’t tired but lately to sleep it seemed the only way to release her mind from the memories. Although she never forgot, it was less painful, but because of all what was happening the feeling of loneliness came back again and stronger than before.

Why are you always alone?

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“Eh?”

Maki was staring at the girl in front of her with a surprised expression on her face.

“So… sorry I… it’s none of my business, sorry” she said babbling.

“No… it’s just, nobody asked me that before”

She was Hitomi Yoshizawa, one of the new members. They’d never talked before alone and it was a little weird that their first words were that question. Now she was ashamed. Maki could say it because of the red on the other girl’s cheeks. She was only a few months older than Gocchin but this way it seemed just a little scared kid.

“I like to be alone” she answered finally. She was sure that if she didn’t say anything Hitomi would run away and would never dare to talk with her again.

“I like it, too” she said sitting next to Maki.

For a long time, they stayed next to each other in silence.

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When did she become so beautiful?

It was the only thought in Maki’s mind for all night. Yossi had invited her to stay over at her home, like many times before, but now, with all that weird things floating in her mind, to stay the night there it seemed a very bad idea.

“What?” asked Hitomi when she realized that her friend was staring at her.

Maki’s lips acted on her own and reached Yossi’s kissing her for the first time. It was just a few seconds before she realized what she was doing.

“Sorry!”

She tried to move away but Yossi put an arm around her waist and leaned to kiss her again, this time more passionate. Suddenly, the old shy Hitomi Yoshizawa appeared again.

“I’d never done that before” her breath caressed Maki’s lips.

“It’s my first, too”

Gocchin kissed her again, this time without hesitation, and let the sensations take the control of her mind.

That night passed without any other word said.

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“I’m sorry…”

“At least, she loves you?”

Yossi just nodded to answer.

“Then it’s ok” said Maki caressing Hitomi’s cheek with her hand “As long as you’re happy”

A tear began to roll down the taller girl.

“I don’t want to loose you” she said.

“You’re not gonna loose me. I’ll always be here for you”

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I’ll always be here for you

Gocchin rolled on the bed and buried her face in the pillow. Soon she couldn’t fight the tears.

“Always…”

To be continued...