Part III
Chapter 68
Eiko slid back into her apartment. Her cats greeted her upon her return, the two of them always able to foretell when their mother would be home again. With her usual grace, she slipped around them while holding a few bags that contained lunch for herself and her guest.
After reaching the kitchen, she set the bags down upon the counter. It was then she noticed, from out of the corner of her eye, Minamo, down on the carpet in front of the television. Even though the sound from it was decently loud, Minamo was louder still, making short grunting sounds as she did some kind of exercise: she would do push up, walk on her palms and toes to one side, do another push up, and then go back to where she started, over and over again.
Eiko watched the act for a few moments. Minamo hadn't noticed her yet, the woman fully engrossed with her floor routine.
...I guess she's starting to come back to life.
She smiled. She knew it would be a long while before Minamo was fully recovered from all she had gone through, and that was if future events would pan out as Eiko hoped they would. But, for now, it looked like some of that old spark had begun to rekindle itself, Minamo in her truest form whenever she was working up a sweat.
Eiko didn't bother to interrupt her friend for now. Instead, she went about emptying the bags of their contents, her cats jumping up on the counter to watch her. Soon, she was putting together the meals, some spicy noodles and chicken, giving her cats a little piece here and there. Once the meals were set, she purposely made some sharp noises with the plates as she set them up on the bar counter.
That small commotion was enough to get Minamo's attention, who looked over to her while in the middle of another one of her repetitions across the carpet. "...oh! Welcome...back!"
Eiko chuckled. "You know, it makes me a little angry to see you do so many pushups without getting tired."
"...it's...just...some...light...exercise...not...too...bad...".
"You need to show me what you consider 'heavy' exercise one of these days, then." She was now fixing herself a drink from the fridge. "I brought us some noodles. What do you want to drink?"
"...just...water...please...".
After putting a cool glass of water on the counter, she went and sat on the couch with her own drink, crossing her legs as she watched her guest continue her workout. "Please don't tell me that you do this every day...?"
Minamo had switched to some other exercise, an act where she sat on the ground while lifting her legs up and down. "...every other day..."
"Ah, o-"
"...then between that...is running...or swimming..."
Eiko rolled her eyes. "Of course. Well, I'm glad to see you getting back to your old self, at least."
Minamo smiled. "...I haven't felt...good enough to do this..lately. But...it's funny...because this what I usually do...when I want to feel better..."
"You're crazy."
Her friend laughed. "...it's all about...the endorphins...".
"I wish you would just drink like the rest of us when you're depressed. It would certainly help my self-esteem out."
Minamo laughed again, the action not breaking her stride one bit. After a few more minutes, and a few more types of exercises that Eiko would never imagine herself ever doing, her friend stood up. Her clothes were a bit soaked with sweat, her skin slightly flush from exertion.
"...you know how some professional athletes put up videos of their workouts on social media? You should do that, too."
Her friend gave her a quizzical look as she passed by her. "Why on earth would I want to do that?"
"Well, you'd be up to your neck in women, for starters." She patted her chest teasingly, showing how it had become a flutter.
Minamo's face turned a little red, and she shook her head humorously as she chuckled and walked by her. "...ok, ok. Well, I'm going to take a quick shower."
By the time her friend had finished her quick rinsing off, Eiko had already begun to eat her meal, sitting on one of the bar stools at her kitchen counter. Minamo eventually joined her. The two now sat together chatting away, looking out over the city through the multitude of giant windows that faced it, another sizzling afternoon well on its way.
"It's such an incredible view up here, Eiko. This whole place really is just like a giant luxury hotel room. It never gets tiring, does it?"
Eiko shook her head, munching on some noodles. "No...definitely not. But you have a pretty nice view from your balcony too, though."
"Yes, but, that isn't even nearly the same! It's like half your apartment walls are made up of windows. How much did you pay for this place, anyway?"
She spat out a number that almost caused Minamo to choke on her food.
Her friend looked at her with a dazed look. "Are you serious?"
Eiko shrugged. "It's not too bad, considering the location. I did want a penthouse, though...they were just all bought up at the time."
"...wow. Well...I never knew these types of places cost that much. I mean, it's amazing, but...don't you think it's a bit excessive?"
"The price, or the apartment itself?"
"...I guess both."
Eiko smiled. "Come on, how long have you known me? You know I'm the type that can't settle for less than this."
Minamo sighed. "I know...but, it's just you and your cats, right?"
"Oh. Well, yes. I do usually have guests a lot of the time, though. Oh, and I love throwing parties." She grinned at her friend. "Again, you know me, right?"
The woman gave a small chuckle. "You like to entertain..." She looked around. "There's probably more square footage in this apartment than a lot of regular houses...I still can't get over it."
"...have you been enjoying it here so far? I don't think you've stayed over like this before."
"Oh, definitely! I sort of feel like a celebrity...or a millionaire. It's just so...crazy. It really does feel like some luxurious hotel room. I mean, even the lobby, and elevators, and everything..." She chuckled. "I bet even just one of those elevators cost more than my entire apartment building...".
"...speaking of that, I was actually looking into getting into the apartment business myself. Some fellow investors and I were looking to purchase a highrise to take ownership of. We were even thinking of this one itself, since the current owners have been looking to do a deal for awhile."
Minamo blinked. "You'd buy this tower?"
"Not just me. I have some good business associates that have been interested in joining me on a venture like this for awhile. We have some long-term entrepreneurial plans and this would sort of be our first step. And, wouldn't it be fun to own a tower in the middle of the city?"
Her friend's eyes glazed over a bit from the thought of it. "I can't even imagine...but, why?"
"Well, it would be amazingly fun to begin with. And the money you make from ownership is nice, of course, plus all of the events that take place here." She let out a wide smile, sighing lightly. "...and you know how much I love fancy things, Minamo, and how much I love to design them. I've already gotten to do that with my cars, and now, I want to do the same with buildings as well..." Her arms spread out, her eyes twinkling as she looked around the room. "Come on, look! Don't you think I have amazing taste? I could renovate so many of these dull places into real luxury buildings for people of all walks. I could fit them with all sorts of modern technology, the latest styles, have top-class staff working at them, make them environmentally sound, make them beyond world class, beyond state-of-the-art..."
Minamo smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. "...just like your cars..."
"That's right! Minamo, I want all those other companies out there trying to copy my cars. I want them trying to copy my buildings. I'm so tired of boring experiences for everyone...people should have the best at all times, even if they're in a lower end sedan, or a cheap apartment, or what have you. And, I can give it to them. I can make it happen. I started out with engineering cars because I knew I could build a better driving experience for people...and now I want to do that with where people live as well, you know?"
Her friend just smiled at her with enthusiasm, even though she appeared a little taken aback by Eiko's sudden burst of energy. "...I think that's so wonderful, Eiko! I know you're going to do it all, too. You always just know how to pull these sorts of things off...and you've always had way better business sense than anyone I know."
Eiko put on an hugely boastful grin. "And fashion sense, right? That's what's really important."
Minamo chuckled. "Yes, definitely..."
She patted her friend's shoulder. "Sorry, I got a little carried away with myself. Anyway, it should all be quite fun, in either case..."
The two continued on with their meals, engaging in some idle banter about the news and some other bits about their friends. Eiko knew that Minamo couldn't hold on forever, though, the woman wanting to obviously speak about the one topic that truly interested her.
"...so...I did stop by Yukari's house this morning."
Minamo immediately swung her head towards her, her eyes blazingly attentive now. "...s-she was home?"
Eiko shook her head. "No, I just spoke with her mother. She was hosting her mahjong group."
"...oh." There was disappointment in her voice. "She never misses doing that. That's her favorite thing in the world."
"Mahjong?"
"No, just having that gathering with her friends every week. She loves the game too, but, she's more about the company. She loves to talk."
Eiko chuckled. "Loves to gloat...".
Minamo chuckled as well. "...yeah."
"...she did talk about Yukari, though. It sounds like she's not in a very good mood, but her mother was a little unsure about it. She said she's mad, but, also seems like she's feeling down at the same time..."
To Eiko's surprise, Minamo's demeanor instantly degraded, and she suddenly appeared more worn out than she did after her earlier exercise. "She's depressed...?".
"...I don't know about 'depressed', but her mother made it seem as if she was more sad than angry. The real impression I got was that Yukari doesn't really know how to feel about all of this..."
"But her mom thought she was depressed?"
Eiko shrugged. "I'm just telling you what she explained to me. She was worried about her, that's for sure. I just don't think she's used to seeing Yukari like she currently is...however she is."
Minamo leaned forward, elbows on the counter as she dropped her drooping head in her hands. "...I'd rather have her be very mad at me than depressed, Eiko."
"...ah..."
"Hmm?"
Eiko was only just noticing that she had let out a low sigh. "...ah...well...I'd...rather not have either be true." She adjusted her blouse. There was nothing wrong with it, but she felt the need to fidget with it. "...but, it sounds like she's not insanely angry. I'd imagine she'd be treating her mother quite differently, then. It sounded more like she was just quite mopey..."
"...Kagura said she was really angry, though."
"Well, this is why we wanted to wait some time before trying to talk to her, remember? She must have calmed down a little by now. And...she was probably very confused on what to make out of all of this as well. She's not the most adept person at dealing with, umm...social situations."
"...maybe. But, it's not like it's her fault...". Minamo sighed. "I really don't like hearing that she's sad, though, Eiko. I know it's my fault, but, still..."
She patted her friend's hand. "It's ok. Anyway, I asked her mother to let her know that I stopped by. I just told her that I hadn't heard from her in awhile and wanted to check up on her, and that if she could pass on the message, then that would be great."
"But, don't you think she would have thought about you coming to me to ask about her? If she's not returning your calls, then, you'd figure...?"
Eiko shrugged. "Maybe. It's Yukari, though. She's sometimes a little slow on these things. But, either way, let's wait and see if she'll call me. I'll call her by tonight if she doesn't do it when she comes home from work."
"...ok." Minamo looked out the window for a few moments, and then back over to her friend. "Her mother doesn't really have any idea what's going on, though...?"
"...oh, you mean, if Yukari told her about...?"
Minamo just frowned.
"It didn't seem like it. She didn't know what was going on. But, she wouldn't really care if you were gay, though, Minamo. You know Yukari's parents: they're pretty easy going."
"...I know. I just feel a little bad...because I never let them know, either. I was thinking...maybe they'll get angry like Yukari did...?"
Eiko chuckled. "They love you way too much for that. They'd understand."
Her friend put on a weak smile, and then finished the last few scraps of her lunch.
They spoke for a bit more about the visit, Eiko answering whatever remaining questions Minamo had, although there wasn't that much left to tell. They were soon cleaning up the bar table, setting the leftovers in the fridge. Minamo retired to the living room couch as she relaxed with some lemonade. A sitcom was on, and Eiko sat with her for about half an hour as they watched it together, relaxing in the air conditioned atmosphere of the enormous apartment.
But, as the time passed along, Eiko felt that easeiness begin to slip away, the anxiousness she had been holding back for hours now finally starting to make its way in.
She fiddled with her blouse again, her cats watching her with interest.
After another few moments, she went to the kitchen to fetch herself another drink. She took a few sips from it, rapped her fingers upon the bar, and then made her way into the hallway.
She stopped in front of the guest bathroom, taking a step inside, just far enough to peek into the mirror.
...ok. Just...to test...
The guest bathroom was positioned in such a way that the large mirror over the sink was angled towards the living room. The entire room itself wasn't completely visible, just about a fourth of it, but a viewer could catch a glimpse of anyone that was sitting on the couch that directly faced the television.
Minamo's head could currently be seen over the back end of it, her body turned just slightly to the side as she faced the screen.
Eiko examined the reflection for a moment, watching her friend's small movements, her head turning a bit more to the side as one of the cats got her attention.
Was it...?
The cat leapt on to the cushion next to Minamo. The woman fully turned to greet it, her face almost entirely viewable in the mirror now.
...'...should I...go back in...?'...
The jolt that took her made her gasp.
...yes, this was it. Something...close...
She hadn't noticed that her hand had covered her chest at that moment, her heart beginning to thump to a drumbeat of excitement and dread.
It must have a been a mirror. It must have...
Eiko stepped into her room, her breathing suddenly feeling a bit heavy as the moment was drawing nearer and nearer.
...how audacious the mind is, hiding things in the same room...
She took a giant, deep breath then, preparing herself.
...it's got to be now. Just go for it. It's time to see...if I'm right...
After another few relaxing breaths, Eiko returned to the living room, sitting back next to Minamo on the couch. She gently patted her cat, who sat between them. The previous sitcom that had just finished had now been replaced by another. To Eiko, the characters and setup seemed to be almost identical to the previous one. But, while the premise was short on imagination, it did still manage to get a few cheap laughs out from her. "...Minamo, do you usually to watch this kind of stuff?"
Minamo shrugged. "...not really. I usually don't watch too much TV. Mostly just sports and news. But, I guess shows like these are just kind of mindless...it is kind of nice to just sit back and maybe laugh a little. I guess it's been relaxing. It takes your mind off things."
Eiko followed the scenes on the screen along with her friend. The setup was of the usual fare: a wife and husband. A misunderstanding between them. Comedy ensues. And then, through some chance coincidence, everything becomes instantly resolved within their show's timeslot, a loving kiss between the couple proving that any suffered wounds had been instantly mended.
...she's not really laughing much at it, though. Just watching, really.
She let a little time pass again. The ending to the episode wrapped up as predicted, a little smooch shared between the couple, all lessons learned, until the next episode, of course.
A shiver hit her.
...was it...my fault?
...if she just hadn't seen...?
Her heart was sinking fast.
"...Minamo..."
Her friend turned to her. "Yes?"
Eiko scooted right next to her. She lovingly put a hand onto the top of her head, giving it a gentle rub. "...I know this is out of the blue, but, I wanted to talk to you about something."
Minamo gazed back at her with confusion, absently petting the cat on her lap. "W-what is it? Is something wrong?"
"...those...bad dreams you have. Where...you're always bleeding...?"
There was an instant rush of fear present in the woman's eyes and voice. "...oh? Y-yes? What about them?"
Eiko bit her lip. She had rehearsed this in her mind to some degree beforehand, even when all the pieces hadn't quite been there yet, but even still, she found her thoughts rattled, difficult to string together properly.
"...umm...?"
With her free hand, she patted one of Minamo's. "...Minamo...let me tell you...what I think you actually saw."
End of Part III