Part III

Chapter 63

"...and two more croissants. That will be it."

"Yes, m'am!"

Eiko smiled as she zipped her credit card through the reader, receiving a box full of breads and pastries in return. It was early morning, and she had decided to visit one of the local bakeries to get both herself and Minamo some breakfast treats. She normally only got a coffee and something light to eat before work, but since she had a guest over, she felt it was her duty to bring back something nice and tasty for her as well.

"Have a good day, ma'm."

She returned the goodbye and then took the box in hand, making her way out of the crowded bakery and back towards her apartment building. There were dozens of high profile shops around the area in which she lived, and this first-class bakery was one that she often visited. Eiko wasn't the kind who would willingly settle for less than the best, food and drink included, and so the expensive treats that the bakery created never let her down in that regard.

Hope she likes these. Even she must pig out once in awhile, right?

The foot traffic at this time of day was usually heavy, but Eiko never minded it. She loved the hustle and bustle of it all while the clean, modern buildings around her provided her with such a sophisticated atmosphere to trek in. There truly was no other place in which someone like her could live at, where pomp, class, and style were always around her in a variety of ways. The everyday bedlam of the deep city always helped her think clearly as well, as Eiko detested silence. She could never focus that clearly without some sort of background noise going on, a soundscape always helping her to drown out stray thoughts.

And, on this occasion, they were centered around her old friend, Minamo. Eiko was still feeling a tad guilty over what she had attempted to try on her last night, and now wanted to make it up to her in some way. She had expected Minamo to be spooked, but not in the sort of strange manner that she had displayed.

Oh, well. It's over with. She's already forgotten about it anyway, I'm sure.

That was one trait of Minamo's that Eiko did genuinely admire. There wasn't anyone else out there who could quickly forgive-and-forget as rapidly as her old friend did. And, while Eiko couldn't say that it was always a positive attribute to posses, watching Minamo easily get along with folks who had ruined her day was an impressive sight to her. The woman simply didn't know how to hold a grudge.

Probably helps a lot with her students. I mean, it's how she always tolerated Yukari and myself...

She chuckled quietly as she continued to walk, the other pedestrians staring at her in awe as she breezed past them. As usual, the people around her so easily caved in to her spell. Today, she had adorned herself in a slick black business suit and pants, her ruby earrings and natural beauty sparkling wildly on top of it all, and the crowd couldn't get enough of it. Eiko always knew that they were watching her as well, and she reveled in the fact that her mere presence alone could completely grind things to a halt around her.

Within another few minutes, she was in front of the glamorous apartment complex in which she lived. Beautiful glass walls decorated the outside, and as Eiko stepped inside, her black business shoes touched perfectly carved marble floor. The lobby looked more like something out of a 5-star hotel than an apartment building, a lovely fountain rounding out the luxurious amenities that decorated it all.

After a quick hello to the front desk woman, Eiko stepped inside one of the elevators and made her way up the tall building. Soon, she was in front of her penthouse suite. She opened the door, and was promptly greeted by the familiar sight of her cats scurrying towards her. As she stepped inside and around them, she spotted her guest. "Oh, good morning, Minamo."

Her friend was sitting at the kitchen counter, a small mug of coffee in hand as she stared out one of the large windows that overlooked the city. Eiko had left when she was still sleeping, and was glad to see her awake and apparently refreshed. Minamo had showered and now appeared to be closer to her usual, calm self, dressed in a white t-shirt and pajamas that her host had provided her with. Her black hair shined in the morning light, her eyes strangely brighter than Eiko had remembered them to be. "...good morning. I made some coffee, if that's ok."

"Of course! I said to make yourself at home, didn't I?" Eiko came towards the counter and set her box of treats down. After noticing that Minamo had made enough coffee for her as well, she smiled and then opened the box with some flair. "Ta-da!"

Minamo's face lit with awe as she stared at the artistic assortment of pastries inside, a sight that amused Eiko since she knew the woman usually stayed away from sugary foods. "...those looking amazing!"

Eiko took a large chocolate muffin for herself. "And they taste amazing, too. I got them from my favorite bakery. It's right down the street. Anyway, take whatever you want."

Minamo put on an appreciate smile. "...I'll have one soon. Thank you."

She returned the warm expression, and then circled around the counter to give her friend a pat on the back. "So, how are you feeling?"

"...ah, better..." Minamo took a sip from her coffee and then resumed looking out the window. "I forgot how wonderful a view you have here. It's so relaxing to see the entire city like this, and then, the mountains out there..."

Eiko was watching her friendly carefully as she spoke. She was looking for any sort of cautious reaction to her touch, but didn't notice any. "It is nice, isn't it? I especially love it at night, when you can see all the city lights." She paused for a moment. "By the way, Minamo...I hope that I didn't rattle you too much last night..."

There was the slightest of shivers that went through her friend's body, but they quickly passed. "...oh, it's ok..."

...she did get a little drunk. Does she not remember? Or, is this the usual magnanimous Minamo at play?

"...I know that you can always get a little wild sometimes."

Eiko was impressed with how even the woman's words had come out, no trace of wariness them. She's already over it? She doesn't seem afraid of me. "See, you do still know me well!"

Minamo smiled politely. "...I was surprised to find out that you slept with women, though."

"Are you still surprised?"

Her friend paused for a few moments. "...I don't think so. After our talk last night...I guess I realized that people are complex."

Eiko crooked her head, a thin smile on her face. "Meaning what, exactly?" She made her way back to the other side of the counter, leaning down on folded arms as she eagerly awaited Minamo's answer.

"That there's always more to them than I'm able to see. I guess, really, that I shouldn't have been so surprised in that regard..."

She raised an eyebrow, suddenly finding this new version of Minamo quite interesting. "That's quite the insightful observation, young lady. Did you wake up this morning to an epiphany?"

"...I just did a lot of thinking last night. And...I had a question that I wanted to ask you, too..."

Eiko took another bite of her muffin, talking while chewing. "G'fo'r it."

"What did you mean when you said that I'm not your 'type' last night?"

Eiko almost choked on her food as she stifled a laugh, as both the nature of the question itself and its deadpan delivery had caught her completely off guard. "What? Why would you want to know that? Were you disappointed that you weren't my type?"

"...I've just never thought about it before."

"About what, exactly?"

"How others see me."

She took a few seconds to compose herself, since she had been unable to contain most of her amusement as a few chuckles broke through. "Oh, come on, that's all you ever think about."

Minamo didn't appear phased by the teasing. "...I mean...how I appear from an attraction point-of-view. My 'type'..."

"...ah." She crooked her head as she set her muffin down, an inquisitive look on her face now. "So, what you're really wondering about is how other women see you."

"...you're right."

...how very interesting. A brief silence passed between them then before Eiko finally responded. "You're a very beautiful, kind, and handsome tomboy. That's your type."

Minamo turned slightly red. "...are you saying that's how you see me, or, how others see me?"

"Anyone, really."

"...do you think Yukari ever saw me like that?"

Eiko smirked. "Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"

Her friend thought to herself for a moment. "...like I said: I did a lot of thinking last night, about everything we talked about. It was the first time I've ever thought about being an open lesbian in my entire life. Like...what it would be like, and, how different things might be today if I hadn't always tried to hide from myself..."

"Are you more comfortable with the entire idea now, then?"

Minamo shrugged. "I don't know. I still had that painful feeling the whole night as I thought about it all. It was very difficult for me to do so. It always just feels like..." She sighed. "...it feels like something is stabbing me in the chest, forcing me to stop from enjoying the idea. Even just talking about it now...it hurts. But, last night...I couldn't help but wonder about it after you talked to me. I think even just being able to consider the idea now has helped me..." Minamo looked over toward her. "So, thank you..."

Eiko grinned widely. "Oh, of course, dear. I'm always here for you, you know." She reached an harm across the counter and then gave a playful flick of a finger to Minamo's forehead. "I'm always here for my little sister, remember?"

Minamo gave a sheepish smile, looking away.

...strange.

Eiko took her arm back.

She's smiling, but, she still suddenly seems...disappointed? But, why? "...anyway, I'm glad to hear that your mind is starting to open up to the idea. It's what needs to happen in order for you to get through all of this."

"...I know."

"...so...part of all that thinking you did last night included the question of what 'type' you were, then?"

Minamo gave a hardly noticeable nod of the head. "...yes. I wondered how other woman saw me. Do they find me attractive? I've been mistaken for a boy a few times. Did they like how I looked until they realized I was a woman? If so, did they still think I was attractive...?"

Eiko laughed.

"...what's so funny?"

"Minamo, dear: if you had had the guts to be open about yourself back in school, then you would have had every single girl there hanging off your arms. You were an athletic, good looking tomboy back in high school, for crying out loud. You could have made them squeal like idiots when they saw you, regardless of whether you were a boy or girl."

Minamo turned red. "...w-what? No, no way..."

"Do you want me to prove it? We could get you some new clothes, maybe a nice vest and dress shirt, and then you and I can go out on the town and see how many ladies you can pick up."

"No!" Minamo shook her head vigorously, but to Eiko's delight, her friend was laughing at the same time. "No, no way...!"

...look at her. She's flattered. She's enamored with the idea.

Eiko smiled. "You should consider it. You could start a whole new life, Minamo, and experience a set of pleasures that you've never even dreamed of before."

Minamo was staring down at the table, still abashed, a broken smile on her face. "You're just teasing me..."

She chuckled. "I'm not in the least! I'm quite serious. You could easily land any gay woman out there, and, probably entice some of the straight ones, too. Plus, you've got a job! You're responsible and well mannered! You've got a car! You'd be a dream for them to date."

Minamo was giggling now, Eiko smiling at the sight. "...are you really being serious with me...?"

Eiko nodded with sagely authority. "Completely."

Her friend seemed to get lost in the fantasy then, Minamo's face filled with a sort of glee that Eiko had never witnessed on it before. She was definitely playing the scenarios through her head, of being the center of attention to groups and groups of women.

It's probably the first time she's ever really fantasized about this. No wonder she looks so ecstatic.

Minamo's merriment seemed to brighten continuously over the next minute, but then, began to abruptly subside. "...but...I don't know if I'd want that..."

Eiko raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"...because all I really want is Yukari."

"...ah."

Minamo frowned. "...at this point...even just having her talk to me again would be enough. But, maybe...I mean...you never know...she might even...umm...if she's ever thought that I was attractive..."

Eiko sighed. "...Minamo, you need to start being realistic about things here."

The woman looked up at her, confused. "What do you mean...?"

She pushed herself off the counter and stood up, folding her arms. "What are you expecting to come out of the talk that I'm going to have with Yukari? That she'll suddenly fall head-over-heels for you?"

Minamo appeared as if she were about to speak, then stopped.

"Listen to me, Minamo: if you keep focusing on her as your only chance for happiness, then, I don't believe you'll ever find it. She'll be your friend again, that I'm sure of. But, she's never shown any indication of being into women, let alone most men. I mean, all she's ever spoken about is marrying someone rich so that she could sleep at home all day. So, are you still fancying it in your head that things will just somehow work out as to where you two become an item?"

"...that's..." Minamo was slowly becoming gloomy again. "...why couldn't it happen...?"

Eiko took a long, slow exhale. "I'm not saying that it couldn't happen. I'm saying, realistically, will it?"

Her friend simply frowned, and then shrugged.

"...I didn't mean to make you feel bad again, Minamo. I'm just concerned that you'll be moping around for the rest of your life if things don't work out in the exact way that you wanted them to."

"...how am I supposed to be happy if Yukari..." She shook her head with frustration, as if trying to toss out the worst-case scenarios from it.

"...Minamo, your problem is that you don't really have any experience with how relationships actually work." She went to pour herself some coffee as she spoke. "You've got a storybook view of things. You think that there's just one person out there for you, and that's it. And, you've believed that for half of your life. So, how did that belief end up turning out for you?"

Her friend just gave another sad shrug of her shoulders.

Eiko was back at the counter, taking a sip of her drink before placing it down. "There's so many other women out there in the world too, Minamo. All this time that you've been so obsessed with both Yukari and hiding your sexuality, you might have turned a blind eye towards someone who could have made you forget both Yukari and your insecurities. You might not have had to go through all that pain in your life. Do you understand?"

Minamo appeared to consider the words. "...I actually thought about that a little bit last night, too. I really don't know the first thing about romance, or...anything like that..."

Eiko smiled. "And that's why you asked about what 'type' you are, correct? I bet you were wondering about what other sort of woman you could attract."

"...I really just wanted to know how Yukari might see me. But, she probably sees me as nothing but a liar now..."

Eiko waved a hand dismissively. "Let that go for now. We'll see what happens. My advice for you right now is to consider how things will go after you've made up with her. Are you still going to be pining for her while working with her everyday, even if she never returns your affections?"

Minamo sighed and shook her head. "I don't know. I haven't been able to let go of my feelings for her all this time, so...I can't imagine how I could even possibly think of doing so now..."

"You just did it a few minutes ago! You were giggling when I mentioned how many women you could land. You were able to forget about Yukari for a few minutes there, didn't you?

"...I...I guess..."

"You're a total catch, Minamo. So, why not live it up, then?" Eiko grinned. "And once you find someone, I could, of course, give you advice on a wide variety of topics concerning your first lesbian relationship." Her grin took on a mischievous twist.

Minamo managed a wearied laugh. "...I guess. Even if it still hurts...I suppose that it is fun to think about..."

"That's right! And, with time, I'm sure all of those terrible feelings of yours will eventually fade away, too. You could be completely free of it all, Minamo, if you can learn to just let go."

Her friend thought to herself for a minute, staying silent. "...but, I still don't even know if I can tell anyone else about myself yet. That's...still such a scary thought. How would my job turn out...and...what would all the parents do...?"

Eiko lifted a hand up, shaking a finger. "Not yet. We're still not at that point yet, Minamo. The first thing to do is to get yourself to be comfortable with who you are. After that, you can attend to everyone else."

"...I see."

"And in order for you to get comfortable with yourself...part of that involves catching up on all the fantasizing and dreams about being an open lesbian that you've missed out on. And, of course, the more that you and I can talk about it all, the better as well. This all needs to become natural for you to engage in."

Minamo paused again for a few moments. "Then...can I ask something...?"

"What is it?"

"...umm, so...I guess this is a little off-topic, but...what type of women do you go for, then?"

"Oh, me?" She looked up to the ceiling for a moment, thinking to herself as smiled. "...how to put this..."

Minamo waited patiently.

"...I don't like dull women. They have to have some sort of...spark to them."

"...spark? What do you mean?"

Eiko gave a sly grin for her initial answer, shrugging her shoulders casually at Minamo's inquiry. "I just have to find them interesting. No offense to you of course, dear."

Her friend smiled. "It's ok..." Minamo took one of the pastries from the box then, a tasty danish, and began to nibble on it. "I think I understand, though. You need someone that can keep up with you."

"I suppose that's one way to put it."

"...are you seeing anyone like that right now, then?"

"No, not at the moment." She bit into her own muffin again. "Although, I do have a little date with one of my employees some time in the next week or two. She's a nice little protege of mine."

"...a date? Is she gay, too?"

"Well...not yet, anyway."

Minamo threw her a baffled look.

Eiko laughed. "She's not into women. But, that doesn't matter. I'll have fun, and who knows, she just might, too." She winked.

"...ok. Well, I take it she's your 'type' then, if you're going after her like this."

"Not really, no. She's a bit dull. A good, but dull, girl. But, she is quite attractive!"

Her friend scrunched her brow. "You don't sound very consistent with what sort of woman you like."

"This is just a one night thing."

Minamo didn't appear to enjoy that particular phrase at all, at least coming from Eiko's lips. "Then, after that, what? Will you go and find another girl for a single night?"

Eiko shrugged. "If I feel like it. You see, the type of woman I truly enjoy is a bit rare, and you know me, I can't go too long without having some fun."

"Is this a young girl?"

"She's in her early twenties."

"...don't you think that it's sort of a big experience for her, then? If you...well, if you go through with whatever it is that you're going to do..."

She chuckled. "That's the point: to give her something to remember for the rest of her life."

Minamo shook her head. "What I mean is...she'll still be working for you, correct? I'd imagine having a relationship with her boss, even for just one night, would make life difficult for her there. Especially since it's, well, you know, with another woman, too."

"Are you saying that I'm attempting to put her in a difficult spot, Minamo?"

"...have you dated another employee there before?"

"None that still work there, anyway."

Her friend gave her a dubious glance.

EIko chuckled. "I don't mean that I got them fired or what not. I meant that I had some fun with them after they left our company." She sighed. "But, I do understand what you're telling me, Minamo."

Minamo put on a smile, one that seemed, for some reason, a little too happy looking to Eiko. "I'm just saying...that you should be careful."

"Oh, that's what you're always telling me." Eiko let out a short breath of frustration. "Fine. Maybe I'll just treat her to dinner or something, then."

"That would be nice!"

Eiko smirked. "Typical educator, making sure that the young kids out there stay away from people like myself."

Her guest smiled in return. "That's my job..."

She laughed. "Well, no wonder they all love you then, huh?"

Minamo appeared a bit embarrassed by the comment. She then kept silent, mulling something over.

Eiko tilted her head. "What's wrong?"

"...I can't say how they feel about me, but...I really do love them. I love my students."

"Well, I have no doubt about that. But, why does that fact appear to be bothering you?"

Minamo shook her head. "...there was something else I was thinking about last night. You know...I feel that I've always gotten along better with my students than most of the adults I know in my life. I've become very close to a few of them over the years as well...like Kagura. She's the first person I've ever told that I was in love with Yukari...and that I like women. I was thinking about that for a long time...that the first person I revealed myself to was a former student."

"Alright. And, you were thinking about this because...you had expected it to be someone else, maybe?"

Minamo nodded. "I think if anyone else had showed up in my apartment yesterday, then, I don't think I could have told them. But, I trusted Kagura...I eventually felt comfortable with her. I've talked to her about some private things before too, as well as with some other students. I just don't know what it is, but...I feel more at ease with them...as if they don't judge me..."

Eiko rubbed her chin as she pondered what her friend was telling her. "Well, you do work closely with them every day. You probably know a lot about their personal lives as well. Maybe it's just natural that you feel more in tune with them. They must come to you with their problems all the time, correct?"

"They do."

"Well, there you go, then. There's the connection. How often do you personally get involved with your friend's troubles versus your student's? There's a lot more of them to listen to and help out. That's probably why you feel more comfortable with them, since you regularly share things with them far more often. It's just natural. I mean, it's your job, really."

Minamo looked up at her, a warm, yet surprised, look in her eyes.

...what's this feeling I'm getting from her now? It's...strange.

"...that...that must be it! You hit it on the head, I think..."

Eiko smiled. "It's just a guess. In any case, why were you thinking about that?"

Minamo waited a handful for seconds before responding. "...I want to tell more of them."

"Tell them...? Oh, you mean...?"

"...I do want to get over this fear. I really, really do. And...I was thinking, that maybe if I can tell more of my students about myself...then, I'd gradually feel more comfortable about speaking to others, too..."

Eiko's eyes widened with amusement. "Well, well, look at you! You see, you can do this, and you know how to go about it."

"So you think it's a good idea?"

"I think it's a fantastic idea!" She grinned with delight. "Well, so, how are you going to do this? Wait until you're ready to see your students at school again?"

"...I don't think I could do it at school. I was thinking of meeting some of my former homeroom students instead. Some of them are classmates of Kagura's. I've even gone on vacations with them..."

Eiko gave her a quizzical stare. "Is that something that's ok for teachers to do?"

"I think so."

It was a straight, emotionless answer. "Well, you're the teacher."

Minamo smiled. "...so, I would ask Kagura to get a few of them together for me. And...I was also wondering...if you could be there, too..."

"Why? I don't know these kids."

"...I just feel like I can be more confident if you're there, too."

Eiko smiled. "Ah. Well, of course, then. But, I don't have that much free time in order to go hang around with some college students. After this weekend, I'll be quite busy at work again."

"...would this weekend be ok, then?"

"Oh, that soon? You're so brave!"

"...I was thinking on Saturday, if you're going to go to Yukari's on Sunday..."

"That's fine with me. Saturday night?"

"That would be good. They would probably be free then, too..."

"...I'll tell you what." Eiko leaned forward against the counter. "You talk to Kagura about your plan first. You can tell her that she and her friends can come here, and I'll treat you all out to some nice dinner as well. We'll have fun. How does that sound?"

Minamo looked surprised. "R-really? Here? That's...ok with you?"

Eiko shrugged. "Sure. Besides, I actually promised your student, Kagura, that she could check out my place some day. She wanted another ride in my car as well. I'm pretty sure she fell in love with it."

"...oh, yes! She loves cars! Yes, that would work out well then..."

"But, are you sure that you're ready for this though, Minamo? You were quite adamant about keeping this all a secret forever yesterday. And, can you really trust these kids? They might go and unintentionally spill your story to others."

Minamo thought to herself. "...I trust them. And...I guess it just took me all these years to finally realize that, if I want to get over these bad feelings, then...I should probably be more open about myself, even if it hurts..."

Eiko crooked her head and smiled. She then pushed herself off the counter and went over to Minamo, clapping her hands together along the way. "You finally get it!" She was standing beside her old friend now, and began to playfully mess around with her hair. "I'm very proud of you, Minamo."

"Y-you are...?"

"That's right. You're finally growing up!" Eiko laughed. "I'm honestly impressed with you, dear. You're taking the initiative to solve this dilemma. My hat's off to you."

Minamo beamed with a sudden brightness that competed with the sunlight that bathed them, the woman looking up at her friend with the widest of smiles.

...why did that make her so happy? I didn't praise her that much, did I?

"...th-thanks...!"

Eiko gave Minamo's hair one last playful rake, and then delivered a gentle, friendly pat to her back. "Alright, go ahead and give Kagura a call, then. I need to leave for work now." She picked up her purse and set her coffee mug in the sink, and then pulled out a few bills to lay on the counter. "If you want to order something or go shopping, then go ahead and use this money. Also, my friend will be over here later as well. Let her in when she comes, alright?"

Minamo seemed worried again for a moment, but appeared to swallow down the anxiousness. "...ok. But...I don't think I can talk to her about..."

"That's fine. She'll just check your health and watch you for a bit. You can stay as quiet as a mouse if you want."

"...ok."

Eiko made her way to the door then, unlocking it as she prepared to leave, her cats following her. "Alright, I'll see you tonight, then."

"...umm, hey, Eiko...?"

She turned around as she finished placing her shoes back on. "Yes?"

To Eiko's surprise, Minamo had actually gotten up to follow her, and looked quite nervous in doing so. The woman then put her arms around her and hugged her in an awkward fashion.

Hmm?

Minamo wasn't saying anything, Eiko looking down at her with a confused look. Her friend wasn't normally so outwardly affectionate, and Eiko wasn't sure as to how to properly react to the display. "...is everything ok?"

"...just...umm...thanks..."

There was something off about the embrace that Eiko couldn't quite identify, something unique about its qualities. A foreign sense of tenderness was now exuding from Minamo, a peculiar wave of feelings that Eiko had never experienced from another human being.

...well, at least she isn't afraid of me after last night, I suppose...

"...and...I won't let you down..."

...ah, ok. I'm glad to hear that..." After a few more seconds, she eventually returned the hug, patting Minamo softly on her back. "Alright, alright..."

Minamo just continued to hug her then, as if it were the first time she'd ever performed the action in her life.

"...ah, alright. Minamo, dear, I have to go now, so..."

Her friend appeared both surprised and let down then, as she realized that she had been hugging her friend for almost half a minute. She stepped back, looking embarrassed about her actions. "S-sorry...um..."

Eiko smiled as she adjusted her suit. "Oh, no, no. It's fine. I'm glad that you seem to be doing better. Anyways, see you tonight."

With that, Eiko stepped out of her apartment and locked the door. She then stood there for a moment, looking back at it.

...what was that about?