Part III

Chapter 59

Eiko had never much enjoyed sports. She had no talent at any of them, and had no interest in attempting to develop any. She also normally avoided watching them, finding the games as nothing more than boring distractions from everyday activities.

However, if one of her friends was involved in a game, then she was more than willing to make an exception to watch it.

"Great pass, Minamo!"

"That was all you."

"Awesome job!"

Eiko could hear them from the small set of bleachers she sat in, Minamo's high school team mates congratulating her out on the soccer field. Their side had just scored, and Minamo had made the perfect assist for it.

"...th-thanks!"

It was the usual routine for her old friend. If there was a sports club that had openings, Minamo would join it. And, when she did, she quickly became the most valuable member of it. Swimming, tennis, basketball, she had raw talent at it all, and Eiko had always made it a point to try and watch her friend's games whenever she could. She just didn't do it to support Minamo, though, as she also just enjoyed watching her friend in action. The fellow fans around her understood that as well as they cheered, as watching Minamo at her best was a real treat.

On this day, Minamo was entertaining the crowd through soccer. Their high school team was involved in a weekend game with a rival school, and she was single-handedly winning the whole thing. She hadn't scored a goal, but she had been the key player in each one. She was a midfielder, setting up the plays, making the sublime pass for the eventual goal scorer, dictating the pace of the entire game.

And that was her typical style of play, one that Eiko knew so well. Minamo's immense amount of modesty showed through in whatever sport she played, regularly choosing to be the playmaker rather than the scoring star. If she could help someone else get applause from the crowd, then she would do it.

Within another half hour, the game was over. Their high school had trumped the other, and their fans applauded their victory from the sidelines. After getting her own cheers out, Eiko set off from the bleachers, heading down to meet Minamo. She caught up with her by their bench area, after her teammates had given her a break from all their praise. "You won the game again."

Minamo was sitting down, removing her cleats, and looked up to her friend with embarrassment. "...no I didn't..."

Eiko laughed. "Yeah, you did. Even I could tell that."

Her friend looked shyly down to the grass. Minamo's face, already quite red from the accolades of her team and the audience, turned even redder. "...I'm just glad we won."

"Well, of course you are. You'd be crazy if you didn't feel that way." Eiko placed a hand on her friend's short hair, mussing it up a bit. "Congrats, though. You were amazing, like always."

"...thanks, Eiko."

She held back a chuckle. Minamo obviously enjoyed the compliments she received, but she never had any real idea how to deal with them, outside of becoming completely embarrassed as she now was. It had even become a fun game for Eiko throughout the years, to see how flustered she could get her friend after she won a competition.

"...um, hey, Yukari isn't with you?"

"Oh, no. I don't know where she is. Probably causing trouble somewhere. Or, sleeping."

Minamo nodded, giggling. "You're probably right. I was just wondering if she came to watch."

Eiko shrugged. "She really hates school. She seems to want to stay as far away from it as possible, even on the weekend." She smiled. "I can try and get her to come to your next game, though."

"...no, don't force her to come. I was just wondering if she was with you..."

She couldn't at all hide the smirk that came on her face then.

Minamo appeared puzzled at the expression. "...um, what did I say?"

Eiko shook her head. "It's nothing. Oh, looks like your fan club is coming this way. I don't want to get caught up in that, so I'll see you later, ok?"

Her friend looked down the field, a mob of her classmates making their way towards them with glee, and she grinned. "Ok, I got you! Thanks for coming again, Eiko."

After a final goodbye, Eiko made her way out of the field. When she was a decent distance away from both it and the exiting crowd, she allowed her smirk from earlier to now go wild.

"Oh, Minamo. You're such a funny girl."

No one was around to hear Eiko's words as she began her walk home, nor to see her wide grin. The source of her amusement was Minamo of course, more specifically, the rare expression she had given off when the mention of their friend Yukari had occurred.

Normally, Minamo was a plain looking girl. She had a pleasant face and figure, but she wasn't a stand out in terms of attractiveness, a little above average at best in Eiko's opinion. There was, however, one facet of her that was miles above everyone else, an alluring expression that had a greater sparkle than any diamond in existence: her smile when she was in love.

Eiko had seen it on a few occasions before. Whenever Minamo was enamored with someone, she would put on the most beautiful smile that Eiko had ever seen, the fullest extent of her happiness and ecstasy pooling into it. It was always a sight to see, this everyday girl, with her everyday looks, becoming absolutely radiant for a few short moments, whenever she was reminded of which girl she was currently crushing on.

Another chuckle left her. Eiko wasn't laughing at the fact that her old friend was gay, something she had known for a few years now. She had no qualms with her sexuality in the least bit. What was always amusing, though, was how Minamo always appeared to pretend her feelings for girls didn't exist. She never mentioned the topic to Eiko, had never told her about her past crushes. Minamo always hid that part of herself deep inside her, to the point where even she herself didn't believe it existed.

"So, so funny."

Eiko often wondered when the day would come when Minamo would talk to her about it all, finally reveal herself. She would never push the issue, but would let Minamo come to her about it. That's just how it had to be.

Until then, though, Eiko would just eagerly wait.

Eiko chose to knock on the door, keeping her friend's set of keys in her purse. It was just the polite thing to do, rather than simply letting herself in.

It didn't take long for the door to open, Minamo's student Kagura standing right behind it. "…oh, hey! Welcome back."

She smiled at the young athlete. "Nice to see you again. I'm glad you're still here with her."

Kagura chuckled. "Yeah, well. We finished getting her stuff together, so she's all ready to go."

...something about her attitude is different now.

Eiko nodded, continuing to smile at the young woman as she stepped inside the apartment, taking her shoes off as she did.

They probably talked about it. I'm sure Minamo got it all off her chest, and they both feel better about things now.

She had seen it in Kagura's eyes. There was a relief in them that wasn't there before, that had replaced the weariness from earlier. They had indeed shared something while she was gone, Eiko was positive about it.

…I sometimes wish I could place money on these sorts of things.

"…hey, Eiko."

Eiko heard Minamo before she saw her, the woman standing in front of her couch. Her old friend had her usual form of attire on, a simple t-shirt and jeans, a style that Eiko always felt fit her. Minamo wasn't a fashion guru of any sort, but, she still clearly knew what worked well for herself and her persona, and Eiko had always respected her in that regard.

She then spotted a backpack and small suitcase next to the couch, both items also showing off Minamo's personality. She had always been a light traveler, only taking what she truly needed, but still just enough to handle any sort of emergency that might come here way. "Hey there. Looks like you're ready to go."

Minamo smiled. "…yeah. I am."

…she's different, too. She's relieved, and it's not because I'm here. They talked.

Eiko returned the happy expression.

"…sorry I'm always such a burden…"

She went over to her friend and gave her a rousing pat on the shoulder. "Don't be silly. You know I'm always here for you." Her gaze went to the youngest woman in the apartment. "Kagura, could you please take her suitcase down for me?"

The girl's eyes lit up, Eiko knowing that Kagura had been more than hoping to get one more glimpse at her uncanny sports car. "Oh, sure! Yeah!"

Within a few minutes, the trio had locked the apartment and were now down in the complex's parking lot. After Minamo's belongings were loaded inside, the woman gave a long, loving huge to her student. After that, she was seated in the car by Eiko, who then went to where Kagura stood behind the car. She smiled at the girl, who was fawning over her state-of-the-art possession once more. "I'll give you a ride in it again sometime. Just keep a date open in the future, alright? I'll pick you up, and you can visit my place."

Kagura beamed at the prospect. "…man, you are too cool. I'm totally down for that!"

She chuckled, still a bit in awe at the sight before her. Years of various sports and athletic training had created quite a fit and muscled girl in Kagura, and Eiko had been more than delighted to get to know her. She looked great, had a fun attitude, and wasn't too bad of a person, either. "Excellent. I'll give you a call. Just be sure that you're up for a little drinking again, ok?"

The young woman laughed. "…yeah, ok. I guess it's worth it if I can get a spin in that thing again."

Eiko put on a sly smile, and then reached into her purse. "Of course. Oh, by the way…" She took out her wallet, and removed a few crips bills from it, presenting them to Kagura. "Let me give you some money to cover your gas, or if you had to take time off from work in order to come here."

"…oh! No, no, I don't have a job right now. I just volunteer to help coach the swim team." The young woman hesitantly took the money, Eiko insisting that she did. "…dude, I can't take this. It just doesn't feel ri-" Her eyes had only barely glanced at the value printed upon the bills, before they exploded in wonder. "Holy fuckin' shit!"

"Just keep it. Go treat your swim team to a night out. It's on me."

She couldn't help but smile with genuine amusement at Kagura, who was just staring stupidly at the bills in her hand. Eiko was more than sure that it was the largest amount of money that she'd ever held in her life.

Kagura stuttered, still stunned. "…I…dude…I can't…"

Eiko waved a hand in a dismissive fashion. "Just go have some fun. Again, I can't thank you enough for taking care of Minamo."

"…but…no, I can't…"

"Yes, you can. Go treat your friends, then save the rest for when you move out. Got it?"

The young woman still looked incredibly guilty with even just holding the money, but, gradually, she came around to accepting it. "…yeah. Ok. Thanks so freakin' much! …geez, I don't even know what to say…"

"Don't worry about it. Just go have some fun."

Kagura managed a smile as she placed the bills in her short's pocket. "You're really damn cool."

Eiko chuckled.

"…hey, um…" The girl took a moment to herself. "…uh, before you go, just...I wanna' say: please take super-good care of coach. I know you're gonna' fix her and Yukari up again, and…I feel better about things now, but, I'm still a little worried…"

"Oh, from what she said earlier?"

"Yeah, you know, the 'dead' thing and stuff…"

She gave the athlete's shoulder a few hearty pats. "I wouldn't worry about it. She was probably just a little crazy from all the sleep she's been missing. Either way, I'll be keeping a close eye on her."

Kagura smiled, real affection in it. "Yeah, ok. I really am glad she's got a friend like you."

"Well, like I told you: she's my little sister. I won't let her down."

There was a happy nod and laugh then, Kagura suddenly full of merriment.

"…did I say something funny?"

Kagura shook her head with glee. "No! No way. I just…um…I guess I'm just feelin' super relieved and happy about everything now."

Eiko studied her for a moment.

…odd. It's like I just told a joke to her. Well, whatever.

She let the incident go, putting out her own small chuckle in return. "I'm glad to hear it. Alright, we should get going. By the way, if you want to visit your sensei while she's with me, just give me a ring."

"Awesome!"

Eiko waved her fingers then, traded goodbyes, and then entered her car. After buckling her seat belt, she turned to her passenger, grinning. "I like your student, Minamo. She's a fun one."

Her friend had been watching the entire exchange from over her shoulder. "…did I see you give her some money?"

"Just to cover her gas. I hit the bank on the way back here."

Minamo waved to Kagura as they pulled out of the lot. "…how much did you give her?"

"A hundred thousand yen."

Her friend's jaw dropped. "What? Eiko, no! That's crazy…!"

"It's fine, Minamo. Relax. She deserves more than that, really." She glanced over at her. "Don't you think so?"

The woman was about to respond, but slowly, her mouth closed as she realized what the words actually meant, and she slumped back in her seat. "…I should be the one giving her money, if anything."

"Don't worry about it. You can thank her plenty after all of this is over."

"…I'm such a terrible teacher, to drag her into all of this…"

Eiko sighed. "Don't start deprecating yourself like you always do. What's happened has happened. And, really, you did foster a great student. That's the reason she came over here to check up on you in the first place, Minamo. You should be proud in that sense."

"…still…"

She took a hand off the steering wheel and patted her friend's thigh. "Hey, stop overthinking it. Like I said, you can thank her properly later. For now, you just need to relax. You've been through a lot, so let me do the worrying for the both of us for a while, alright?"

Minamo didn't seem at all happy with the plan, but eventually nodded her head. "…ok. Thanks, Eiko. I'm sorry that I'm always-"

Eiko patted her thigh again, with a bit more force this time. "No, none of that. Just stop worrying and apologizing for everything. Can you do that for me?"

"…yes, Eiko."

"Good." She tossed her another glance, a smile along with it. "Hey, we'll have some fun while you stay at my place, too. It's been forever since it's just been you and me hanging out together. We'll make the most of it, and then on the weekend, I'll go and talk to Yukari, and we'll get this whole mess worked out."

Hearing Yukari's name sent a noticeable chill through Minamo.

"What's wrong?"

Minamo bit her lip, obviously wanting to say something more, but kept quiet. After a few minutes of silence, she spoke again. "…I like your car, Eiko. I haven't seen this one yet."

She pulled onto the highway, speeding up. "Would you like to try driving it later? You'll have a blast."

"…that would be fun."

…yes, she wants to get it all off her chest to me now as well. It's pretty obvious.

Eiko kept one hand on her friend's lap as she drove, knowing that the touch would help keep her usual worrying down. It was just some reassurance for Minamo, that someone was nearby to help her keep the negative thoughts at bay.

We'll talk soon enough.

"...hey, Eiko..."

"Yes?"

"...so, are you really...ok with me?"

She looked at Minamo, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Her friend took her time in responding. "...I mean...you really don't care...that I'm gay?"

"Why would I?"

"...I mean...you're...I...don't you...um..."

"...you're wondering if I'm comfortable with a lesbian sitting right next to me?"

Her words had been straight to the point, and had caused Minamo to both blush and become frantic. "No! No...I...I mean, yes, I..."

"Should I be worried about you getting a crush on me?"

The woman's skin turned completely red then. "No! No! I...no! I didn't meant...I..."

Eiko chuckled. "I'm not sure whether I should be offended or not with that response."

Minamo was frowning now, in obvious discomfort.

Another playful pat on her friend's leg. "I'm just messing with you. Come on. You know me, Minamo. Why would I care? Do you really think I'm going to start feeling all awkward around someone that I've known for almost thirty years?"

"...but...I..." Minamo sighed. "I just thought you'd be...a lot more surprised, after all this time..."

"Why? I don't care who you love. You should know me better than that."

Minamo stared at her friend for a few moments before her eyes dropped down to her lap, appearing exhausted all of a sudden. "I mean, I lied to you..."

"No, you didn't. I don't think I've ever asked you about your sexuality, have I?"

"...I guess not."

"So how can you lie to me if I never asked you?"

"...maybe that''s not the right word. What I mean is...we've just known each other for such a long time, and, you know...I never told you that I liked Yukari, and..."

Eiko tapped a finger on one of the digital displays on the dashboard. "Is it cool enough in here for you, by the way?"

"Huh? Oh, it's fine."

"Good." She barely adjusted the temperature while keeping her eyes on the road. "Minamo, how were you expecting me to react when you told me all this?"

Minamo frowned. "...I don't know. This is different...this is, you know..."

"Oh, big deal. You're gay. Why would that change how I see you?"

"...it's not just that."

"Then, what else is it?"

Her friend looked out the side window. "...I just really hurt Yukari."

Here we are.

Eiko put a hand up. "Ok, listen: we'll talk about everything after we get to my place and get you settled. We'll have a drink or two to relax, and then we'll talk all you want. You're still too wound up about everything right now. I can tell that from your voice. So just wait a bit more, alright?"

Minamo nodded her head. "Ok, Eiko."

The woman was moping again, as was quite plain for Eiko to see, and she let out a soft, silent sigh under her breath.

Oh, Minamo. You really haven't changed at all. You're still the same old, panicky little sister that I've always had.

She considered something for a moment then, after shooting a quick glance over towards her friend.

…actually, no. I take that back. There's definitely one thing that's changed about you.

"…Minamo."

Her friend slowly looked to her. "...yes?"

"I think you should stick your head out the window."

Minamo's eyes opened wide in surprise. "...wh-what?"

"I just want to see what it looks like." Eiko chuckled. "I was just imagining you with your head out the window. You've got those puppy dog ears for bangs, and they'd be flying around everywhere. And, if you let your tongue fly around in the wind too, you'd totally look like a puppy."

There was nothing short of bewilderment on Minamo's face. "...where in the world is this all coming from…?"

Another laugh, Eiko shaking her friend's thigh. "Sorry. I thought I would try and lighten the mood. But, don't you think it would be a funny sight?"

"…umm, I guess it would be." The woman turned back to staring blankly out the window, albeit with a thin smile on her face now. "I would feel silly doing it, though."

"That's the point, Minamo. That's how people have fun."

"...it just wouldn't be me, is what I'm saying..."

"Of course it wouldn't. That's the point." Eiko sighed. "...anyway, now that I think about it, do you remember that old hair style you had? The one you tried out when you first became a teacher?"

Her friend's cheeks turned slightly red again as she recalled what Eiko was referring to. "...it wasn't a style, it was...it was just longer."

"That's a style. You had it come down to your shoulders." She peeked over at her. "I was disappointed when you ended up cutting it again. You looked so good with it."

"...really?"

"Really. Not that you don't look good with short hair, but, I just felt longer hair suited you better. You looked so elegant with it."

Despite her face being pointed towards the passenger side window, Eiko could still tell, from the bit she did see, that Minamo's face was crimson again.

"...n-no...that's not true..."

She smiled, her friend at a loss for words now. It was a simple trick, really. If you ever wanted Minamo to be quiet for some reason, all you had to do was compliment her looks, past or present, and she would forget how to speak. Her self-consciousness would permit nothing more, Eiko knew that well enough.

I mean it, though. You did look quite elegant with it. Or should I say, more elegant...

Eiko wasn't sure exactly when it happened, a little before college perhaps, but somewhere along the years, her plain, average looking little sister had bloomed into a beauty. It was a refined type of look, something that Minamo had so obviously inherited from her queenly mother. Where there was once only an athletic gait to her, there was now also a genuine regality. It was a sophisticated sense of attractiveness, from her genteel appearance to the proper way in which she always spoke and conducted herself.

"Classy" was the word really, and it made Minamo such a unique character to Eiko. She was an athletic tomboy who, at the same time, had a graceful allure to her that wasn't regularly found in anyone else.

She would never believe it, but she's more like her mother than she knows. That's why everyone loves you, Minamo. In another life, you might have been royalty.

A smirk came on her face, one she didn't hide since Minamo wasn't looking at her.

Yes, you really have become quite the catch, my dear little sister.