A Quiet Girl's Attraction

Protagonist: Rise Matsumoto

Pairing: Rise x Everyone

Genre: Romance

Disclaimer: I do not own Yuru Yuri or any of its characters.

Author's Note: (jumps and waves) Hello, everyone! My name is Yuri! Well, after reading Major Mike Powell's story, "The Akakarin Effect", it immediately inspired me to do my own Yuru Yuri harem story. But it stars my favorite character, Rise Matsumoto. She's so adorable and I can't stop writing stories about her. Hehe~! So, please enjoy~!

Rise Matsumoto. A quiet girl who is also the Student Council President. However, there's one sad downside: she lacks presence. Mostly because she talks in a quiet, soft whisper-like voice, where no one can hear her. Except for one person: Nana Nishigaki, the science teacher. Now, no one really knows how the mad scientist can easily understand Rise's quiet whispers, but since that happened, the two became very close.

Even so, Rise still remains a lonely girl. However, not all hope was lost, for she had found some other friends. The members Amusement Club and Student Council. She was so glad that other people accept her for who she is that she practically joins them on their adventures sometimes. However, Rise still spends time with Nana to test some dangerous explosive experiments.

Though Rise is a quiet girl, she's still a kind person. Heck, she even remembers the time when she returned a lost notebook to none other than Akari Akaza. The first person she had done a good deed towards. She's happy that she did that, though, it was kind of strange that Akari would give her a cough drop as a reward. Still, it was worth it.

Rise thinks about all of this while walking in the halls one afternoon. She isn't paying attention to what's head of her because of the thought of her returning the notebook when she bumps into someone, causing her to stumble to the floor, falling on her butt. She rubs her head in pain as she looks up to see who it is.

"I'm so sorry!" It's Akari. "Are you alright!?"

Rise nods with a whisper. The red-head lets out a sigh of relief.

"That's good. I was kind of in a hurry to get to class, so…" She notices some books scattered from where Rise fell. "Oh, no! Let me help you clean that up!"

Rise wanted to tell her that it's no big deal, but Akari gets right to it. She immediately starts to pick up the scattered papers and text books that fell out of the bag. Rise decides to do the rest and picks up some papers. However, right when there's the last paper, both hands went for it. Then, there is a brief touch from the two, making both Akari and Rise blush for some reason. A simple touch also made Rise's heart race. Why, though?

Akari quickly removes her hand from the paper. "Oh! I'm sorry! You can get it!"

The raven-haired girl picks up the last paper and puts it in her school bag, whispering a "Thank you."

Akari looks over at her watch and her eyes widen in shock. "Oh, my gosh! I'm gonna be so late! I'll see you later!"

With a quick bow, Akari runs off, hopefully to get to her class on time. Rise slowly looks over at her hand, which had touched Akari's a moment ago. Her face flushes bright red. Why is she blushing from a simple touch from Akari? Sure, she's cute and all, but being attracted to her? She knows she has the heart for Nana. Shrugging, she makes her way to her next class.

After school, Rise packs her things and starts to head home. Nana got out early, which meant no explosive experiments today. She walks further down the halls when she notices Akari again. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to talk to her once more. She can always let her parents know that she's going to be a little late getting home. She approaches the red-head with a wave and a cute, small smile. Akari takes notice and smiles back.

"Hey, Matsumoto-sempai!" she greets. "What's up?"

Rise whispers and points to the line of stairs diagonal from them.

"Oh, sure."

The two girls walk over and sit on one of the steps and silence fills the air until the red-head speaks up.

"I want to thank you again for returning my notebook," she says to the quiet girl. "I would've been in big trouble if you haven't. I was sure the teacher was going to scold me for forgetting my notes." She scratches the back of her head as she laughs nervously.

Rise just nods in reply.

"Anyways, thanks again. It means a lot to me. And I hope my gift wasn't too weird or anything."

The quiet girl waves her hands back and forth as she whispers.

"Oh, you gave Kyouko-chan the cough drop?"

Rise nods.

"Well, I'm sure she's happy since she had a sore throat earlier. She wasn't feeling too good on our way to school this morning." Akari looks at the window. "You know something?"

Rise looks up at the red-head.

"I'm glad I have friends, like Yui-chan, Kyouko-chan and Chinatsu-chan. But…I just don't know why I'm being forgotten all the time. Is it some sort of curse of the Akaza family? What is it that makes me lack presence?"

Rise shakes her head sadly, indicating that she doesn't know, nor her knowing Akari that well from the start. Akari turns towards the quiet girl.

"It's alright," she says. "What matters is if I work hard enough, I'll gain presence for sure. I just have to keep trying~!"

Rise raises her head up at Akari's determination. It makes her feel that she should do the same thing if she wants to make friends. But…how is it possible with her quiet voice and everything? She hangs her head down in sadness.

"Ah! What's the matter, Matsumoto-sempai!? I'm sorry if I'm thinking about myself too much!"

Rise shakes her head and whispers. Akari looks at her sympathetically. Somehow, she can understand Rise, but doesn't know why.

"So, you lack presence, too?" she asks.

Rise nods and whispers her explanation.

"I see. Because you speak in quiet whispers, nobody talks to you."

The quiet girl nods again.

"Well, you shouldn't give up either."

Rise lets out a soft gasp as she jolts her head up in surprise.

"Matsumoto-sempai, you shouldn't let your weakness take control of your life forever. If I can be determined to make friends, then you should, too. I mean, look at the friends you have right now: me and the rest of the Amusement Club and even the rest of the Student Council. They accept you, right?"

Rise whispers.

"So, let's do this together~!" Akari takes the quiet girl's hands in hers. "Let's try to make friends and even if we don't succeed, we don't give up! We'll gain our presence again! I just know it!"

Rise's eyes start to water in tears while choking a sob. Akari gives her a reassuring smile, letting the quiet girl know that she's not alone. Rise nods and wipes her tears away.

"Hehe~! I'm glad we're in this together, Matsumoto-sempai~!"

Rise nods in agreement. As long as she and Akari work together to cover their big weakness, she will for sure is going to make new friends. Akari stretches out her arms.

"Mm~! Boy, I'm tired!" The red-head says. "Hey, Matsumoto-sempai, may I do this for a second?"

Before Rise could reply, Akari immediately rests her head on her lap with a smile on her face. Rise's ruby eyes widen in surprise at what the red-head is doing.

"I just…want to relax for a bit," Akari whispers. "Please…Rise-chan…"

The quiet girl can't help but give a small, cute smile as she strokes her hair.

"Thanks," she whispers as she closes her eyes. "We're in this together, Matsumoto-sempai. I know we can do this. So…we're going to work hard and make new friends…together." In an instant, Akari is fast asleep on the president's lap.

Rise blushes at the cute sight of the red-head sleeping on her lap. A smile still remains on her face as she continues to stroke her hair. There's nothing to worry about now that Akari had given her courage to try hard and make new friends. She and Akari will do whatever it takes. They are a team now. And that's all that matters.

Rise leans over down low and Akari can hear her whisper, "Thank you so much…Akari-chan." And then, Rise gives her a small peck on the cheek, causing Akari to blush, but smile at the same time with her eyes still closed.

A/N: Well, there you have it. I started with Akari x Rise for a reason since the episode started out with Akari first. Also, the characters will probably go in the order Rise had given gifts to, including Nana. Since this is a one-shot collection, pairings will have a repeat, but in a different scenario.

Also, Rise Matsumoto needs some more love. She's my favorite character and I encourage others to write Rise fanfics, too. ;)

Anyways, feel free to give out any suggestions, questions or concerns and don't forget to review~! ;)