[ Riko gives her response immediately, not really feeling like staying here. This is the place where the questioning took place. If they only knew it was just the beginning.
When Chika mentions Madoka, she shuts her eyes, trying to remain calm. The name was there when she saw the list, but she hoped that it might not have been that sweet girl she had met once. It was just wishful thinking, though. ]
[ it doesn't take long for chika to get there, and when she sees riko, she tries her best to offer her a familiar, sunny smile. she tries, she really does, but it's so forced it's almost pathetic. ]
Riko-chan...
[ chika takes a deep breath; inhale, exhale.
and then she runs over to riko and throws her arms around her, holding her as tight as she possibly can, burying her head in the space between her neck and her shoulder. ]
I'm so glad you're safe. I'm so glad... I hate this, Riko-chan. I hate it. I hate what this has done to Dia-san and I hate imagining what's happening to Ruby-chan and I'm just so glad you're here—
[ The moment Riko notices Chika, she raises her hand in order to wave at her friend wearing a small smile. That's all she can do, but when the other girl holds her, the smile is gone. ]
Chika-chan...I'm so, so glad you're here with me.
[ Everything she has just said is what's been on Riko's mind lately. Before she realizes it, she's hugging her tight. ]
I hate it so much...so much. I wish I could help somehow. Anyhow...
[ she tightens her hold on riko, shaking her head. ]
I can't do a thing. I feel so useless. As Aqours' leader, and as their best friend. I can't imagine how scared Ruby-chan and Dia-san are, and then I imagine what would happen if you were taken, too, and... I can't stand it!
I'm not hurt. See? I'm right here. I'm right here, with you. Right where I belong.
[ never mind that neither of them don't belong here; that's not the point. the point is that where she really belongs is right by riko's side. she gives riko's slender body a tight squeeze, nuzzling her shoulder. ]
You can cry, Riko-chan. It's okay. It's just me.
[ and chika hopes that riko feels safe enough around her to let her guard down. she seems like she needs it, and chika is more than willing to offer her her shoulder. ]
[ Her whole body is shaking as she's trying to hold back and not start crying for another minute or two. Tears trail down her cheeks, but Riko doesn't make a sound for a little while longer. ]
Chika-chan...
[ Clinging to the other girl, her sobbing fills the air. Chika knows more about her weaknesses than anyone else. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ Riko's voice is much, much softer than usual. So many things have happened lately, it's difficult to process them all. ]
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I think I'd rather get some fresh air, if that's all right. The park is nearby.
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[ Riko gives her response immediately, not really feeling like staying here. This is the place where the questioning took place. If they only knew it was just the beginning.
When Chika mentions Madoka, she shuts her eyes, trying to remain calm. The name was there when she saw the list, but she hoped that it might not have been that sweet girl she had met once. It was just wishful thinking, though. ]
I'll be waiting in front of the building, okay?
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[ it doesn't take long for chika to get there, and when she sees riko, she tries her best to offer her a familiar, sunny smile. she tries, she really does, but it's so forced it's almost pathetic. ]
Riko-chan...
[ chika takes a deep breath; inhale, exhale.
and then she runs over to riko and throws her arms around her, holding her as tight as she possibly can, burying her head in the space between her neck and her shoulder. ]
I'm so glad you're safe. I'm so glad... I hate this, Riko-chan. I hate it. I hate what this has done to Dia-san and I hate imagining what's happening to Ruby-chan and I'm just so glad you're here—
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Chika-chan...I'm so, so glad you're here with me.
[ Everything she has just said is what's been on Riko's mind lately. Before she realizes it, she's hugging her tight. ]
I hate it so much...so much. I wish I could help somehow. Anyhow...
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[ she tightens her hold on riko, shaking her head. ]
I can't do a thing. I feel so useless. As Aqours' leader, and as their best friend. I can't imagine how scared Ruby-chan and Dia-san are, and then I imagine what would happen if you were taken, too, and... I can't stand it!
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[ Holding back her tears, Riko forces herself to smile. ]
I'm here with you, Chika-chan. I'm not going anywhere.
[ As much as she'd like to promise her that it's going to stay this way, she doesn't know what the future holds. ]
Everything will be okay. It must be.
[ Is she trying to convince Chika or herself? She can't tell, honestly. ]
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[ chika has to wipe away an unshed tear of her own. ]
How do you do it?
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[ It takes so much not to start crying. ]
If...If I was truly strong, I wouldn't be so scared to talk to Dia-san. Or Ruby-chan.
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[ chika rubs her hand up and down riko's back in a gesture that she hopes is reassuring. ]
If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'm right here. And I'm not going anywhere. I'm not leaving your side.
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See? You're the strong one. Only strong people say such things...
[ Still, tears are forming in the corners of her eyes. ]
I just want Ruby-chan to be safe. I want Dia-san to be safe. I want everyone to be safe!
[ She feels like an idiot for wanting Chika to join the coven back then. What was she even thinking...now she's in danger, too. ]
I don't want anyone to hurt you, Chika-chan...
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[ never mind that neither of them don't belong here; that's not the point. the point is that where she really belongs is right by riko's side. she gives riko's slender body a tight squeeze, nuzzling her shoulder. ]
You can cry, Riko-chan. It's okay. It's just me.
[ and chika hopes that riko feels safe enough around her to let her guard down. she seems like she needs it, and chika is more than willing to offer her her shoulder. ]
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Chika-chan...
[ Clinging to the other girl, her sobbing fills the air. Chika knows more about her weaknesses than anyone else. ]
Chika-chan, what should I do? What should we do?!
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[ it pains her to say it, but she doesn't. she doesn't know and it tears her up inside. suddenly, chika's eyes are wet.
she didn't mean to cry, but hearing riko sob so freely... it sets her off. ]
I don't know.
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[ She presses her face into Chika's shoulder trying to hold back another sob. ]
I feel like all I can do is to cry...but it's not going to help Ruby-chan. Or anyone.
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Riko-chan, you're anything but weak.
[ compared to her... as far as she's concerned, chika is the one who's weak. ]
And sometimes... sometimes, it really is okay to cry, I think. For Ruby-chan, and for ourselves.
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[ She might not believe it but it doesn't change the fact that Chika's words make her feel a little warm. ]
I wish we could've done something. Anything.
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But at least we're in this together. At least we share the same feelings. ... Right?
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[ It's not much but they can make it work. They'll just have to do their best once Ruby is back. ]
Can...can we stay like this for a little while?
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[ a small nod. chika will hold riko as long as riko allows it. ]