Chapter 13
To Eri is Human
The next morning, the Maiden Eri changed out of her maid outfit and into a pair of Miss Itoko's pajamas. Harima then asked why she was wearing her PJs.
"Oh, these?" She responded, "Miss Itoko wrote this note I found in her room, the other day. I read it and decided to wear her clothes for the time being. My Maiden uniform was a bit messy."
She gave the note to Harima, which was written for him, anyway. He read the note:
Dear Kenji,
Since I will be gone for two months, your Maiden is in need of new clothes. So, I decided to let her borrow some of my clothes, just as long as she washes them, when she's done. I suggest you not go and take her clothes off, or even rip some off of her. If I see one thread that is shredded, then you're in trouble. Trust me. I know what I am talking about. And keep your hands to yourself from Eri.
Take care, Itoko Osakabe
P.S.: Don't worry about taking her out somewhere. I gave her my fullest permission, just as long as you DON'T take her to a Love Motel. If you do, then when I get back, you'll be sorry.
He started to shiver in fear and intimidation. Eri giggled and patted his back.
"Oh, your cousin has been like a mother to you," she said, "I feel sorry for you. But I'm still here."
"Wait… what did she mean take you somewhere?" Harima asked.
"Didn't you know?" The Maiden stated, "I gave her a permission slip for you to take me anywhere in Japan. Since you are 17, I thought maybe I'd spend more time with you."
"That was nice of you," he said, "As long as it's legal."
"When you turn 18, I'm going to give you the biggest kiss you'll ever receive!" She grinned.
Harima then ordered Maiden Eri to turn around, just to brush her hair, to match the real Eri's hairstyle. As he began, he was worried about what happened yesterday.
"So, why do you love me?" He asked.
The Maiden Eri replied, "Well, from the moment I was turned on, I saw your face. I was about to introduce myself, but your body and face looked very scary. My shyness must've happened suddenly, since I am a custom model. But when I got to know you better, you've become useful to talk to. I couldn't say a word, when I meet new people."
"So, when you held my hand…"
"I wanted to feel your trust. When I felt it, I recognized you well. I've decided to talk to you more, but then, my circuitry started to jolt a bit."
"You mean you were a broken Maiden?"
"Heavens, no. My emotions, coming from a Maiden for Hire, were changed, and it affected me. I'm sorry I had to tell you this so soon, Harima. But then you mentioned Eri Sawachika and Tenma Tsukamoto. And I thought I wanted you all to myself."
Harima finished, as he stepped away from Maiden Eri, who put on her red ribbons.
She continued, "Sadly, I wanted to tell about you and your love-life. But if I don't tell it to the person, who delivered me to you, my life is over. I'm being blackmailed, sort of."
Harima then remembered, "That's right. Rich Girl bought Eri for me… and she chose to remain herself anonymous to her. Sneaky blonde haired woman! She was this close to finding out who I love. But she'll laugh at or kill me when she finds out that I love Tenma, and not her. But there's no way that she's responsible… … …is she?"
The robot Eri changed into a casual attire, with a white baby-T, reddish skirt, and black heels.
"How do I look?" She asked him.
"You're beautiful." He said.
"Do you think they'll know the difference?" She informed.
"You look like Rich Girl, but with a nicer tone," he stated, "Everyone will think of you as her."
"I agree, but there's still the matter of recharging," she said.
Harima adjusted her shirt and brushed it a bit with his hand. Eri held his arm and snuggled by it.
"So, where should we go?" She asked.
"Well, I know you don't eat," he remarked, "So, how about to the woods for a picnic?"
"Is it going to be us alone?" She inquired.
"Well, no. I brought along the girls to join us: Tenma, her sister, Suo, and Akira."
"You didn't invite Eri?"
"Well, um, no. But I-."
"Aw, it's okay. I much rather hang with you, than with her. After all, she's very sneaky. And with me playing her, it's a cinch!"
Harima then thought aloud, "Well, I wouldn't be so sure."
"What's that now?" The Maiden asked.
"Nothing. Say… since you've said it, I have an idea on how to fool the girls."
"Huh? What is it?"
They left the apartment, heading to the woods.
XXXXX
At the woods, the group was sitting in a picnic table, close to the street. The girls were chatting with each other, while Harima and the Maiden Eri were finishing up making lunch. She was busy cooking in a pot over an open fire.
"This is great, Harima," she smiled, "I never cooked in a campfire before. We Maidens usually cook in the kitchen."
Harima remarked, "Oh, don't worry. The girls will love your cooking. Tenma and her sister had a Maiden for Hire that can cook, and so did Hanai. I believe you know them well."
"Of course," Eri responded, "But if we are to cook for them, I must play by the book."
"By the way, how are we doing on fooling them, Rich Girl?" He asked her.
Eri smiled, "Well, they thought I was really Sawachika. I can't believe I've called you Whiskers in front of them."
"Yep, I thought maybe I'd use an opposite of Rich Girl and use a Rich Girl with sophisticated cooking abilities."
"Oh, Harima…" she blushed.
Meanwhile, at the table, the others were talking about Eri.
"Eri sure has improved on her social skills on Harima," Akira said.
"Mikoto and I are amazed by her and her behavior," Tenma smiled, "I think maybe there is a future between them."
Yep, Harima was right. For some reason, they think that this Eri is the real deal.
"So, why all of sudden she's feeling a bit chummy?" Mikoto retorted.
"And also, why on earth is she blushing?" Akira added.
Yakumo looked on and was worried, "Tenma, do you think Harima has…"
"We're not sure," Tenma smirked, "Eri has behaved recently. I don't approve of the way she wears, but I smell wedding bells."
Mikoto sniffed and said, "All I can smell is our lunch."
Minutes later, the robot Eri made some beef stew and gave each plate to the girls. All the girls could do was look on in disgust, knowing that the real Eri made this dish.
Mikoto clutched her nose and groaned, "Here goes nothing…"
She took a bite. Akira ate a spoonful of the beef stew, likewise Yakumo. Tenma sniffed at a spoonful and stuck it in her mouth. They all had a bite, and were surprised.
"This… this is… pretty good!" Tenma cried.
They all had tears in their eyes, except for Akira, who applauded for Eri's cooking. The Maiden Eri blushed and bowed.
"Thank you, I made it with Whiskers' help," she smiled, "It's no problem."
"So, Harima helped?" Akira asked.
Mikoto responded, "I never knew you two were such a couple together."
The robot blushed and turned away, "Please, it was nothing."
Tenma and Yakumo grew concerned. Tenma remarked, "This is not like Eri at all."
"Is she shy like me?" Yakumo whispered.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous," Tenma smirked, as she devoured her bowlful of stew.
"Tenma, stop being such a sloppy eater!" Mikoto scolded.
The Maiden approached Tenma and wiped her face with a napkin. She told her that it's rude to eat fast.
"She's like a Maiden for Hire," Akira responded.
"I'm not!" The Maiden lied, "We all know that these robots have nothing on me."
It seems the robot Eri had to mimic the real Eri's attitude, par request by Harima.
Here's what happened earlier:
"Now, Eri," Harima explained, "I want you to act like Rich Girl, when we meet with the girls. I want you to act like her EXACT movements and voice."
The robot responded, "I will, though my voice patterns match hers. If memory serves me, located in my electronic brain, I've learned that you were called Whiskers, and Eri was called Rich Girl. And you were also being picked on by her."
"Not always," he stated, "She's pretty nice, as well."
"But she's a very bad girl," the robot said.
"I know, but try to fool the others. But, if you feel weak, come to me."
"I will, master. Uh, I mean Whiskers."
"Oh, and try not to feel shy and embarrassed."
The Maiden Eri, who was dressed in Itoko's clothes, sat down with Mikoto and Akira.
"You know, you've been acting weird lately," Mikoto said, "Did something happen at home?"
"Me? Oh, uh, no! Why would you say that?" The Maiden Eri stuttered.
Tenma then suggested, "Maybe we should visit Eri's house soon. I'll bet she'll feel like herself in her mansion."
"NO!" She screamed, but then cleared her throat, "I mean, no. My house is off limits. Besides, I'll invite you eventually."
Akira then asked, "You seem to have been protective, since Harima had you by his side recently."
Maiden Eri said nothing. She turned around and was nervous.
"Please… Whiskers is such a tool," she muttered.
"I'm sorry, Harima," she whispered under her breath.
"Hey, Eri, are you feeling okay?" Tenma asked.
"I think she's shy about Harima," Akira stated.
"Whoa, I don't even want to go there," Mikoto bragged, "And this, coming from a girl who's pretty and bossy."
The robot then huffed, "Why don't you shut up, Mikoto?"
"Aw, man! Why did I say that?" She moaned while clenching her teeth.
"Hey, don't get angry at me, just because it's all true," Mikoto snapped.
"Mikoto! Apologize to her!" Tenma scolded.
"Please, sis, don't get angry like that," Yakumo pleaded to her.
Mikoto was about to say something at the Maiden. Eri got up and walked off.
"I'm gonna go find Whiskers," she snuffed, "Maybe he'll ease my pain… away from you."
She went to Harima, who was sleeping by a tree. She sat by him and sighed.
"This sucks," she thought, "I can't believe I'm playing the girl who is threatening me over him. How can I explain to Sawachika that Tenma and Harima are idle? Also, how long can I keep this charade going?"
XXXXX
Meanwhile, at Eri's house, the real Eri called Harima's home. But she heard no answer. She hung up and was worried, not over Harima, but to her Maiden double.
"What's taking so long?" She thought, "Whiskers is supposed to answer. But, I want to talk to that Eri! You honestly think that Maiden tramp can keep Harima away?"
She then had a frightening thought, "Wait… if Harima and Eri are not there, they could be…"
She shook her head and thought, "NAH! Whiskers is such a man-hungry sicko and Eri is a robot; uh, the other me, of course. This is ridiculous! If Eri backs down on my offer, she's spare parts!"
She plopped herself on the couch and groaned, "I hate him… why is he taking so long? Just once, I want things to go my way!"
She sighed and slouched, "I wonder where they are now?"
XXXXX
Later at the picnic site, Eri was sitting under a tree. She was feeling a bit sleepy. It seems that she didn't recharge yet. She staggered up and went to Harima, who was busy cleaning the table.
"Harima, can we go home now?" She asked, "My battery is running low."
"Oh? So soon?" He informed, "I'll tell you what, Eri, I'll take you back home in one hour. I have to go see Tenma for something."
She nodded and smiled, but then nodded off. Harima held the Maiden, who was sleepy.
"Ha… ri… ma… so… sleeeeeepy," she moaned.
Harima rushed off in very fast speed and carried the Maiden to his motorcycle. But as he got on his motorcycle, Tenma arrived and saw Harima leaving.
"Oh, Harima, you're leaving already?" Tenma asked.
Harima replied, "Rich Girl is sleepy. I'm taking her home. I'll meet up with you in a flash."
"Oh, okay. I hope she'll be okay." Tenma nodded.
The motorcycle revs off with his Maiden on the back seat.
"Damn! This is bad! She almost gave away her secret!" He thought, "Well, no biggie. Tenma doesn't know yet, so it's all good. Still, I'd like to give Rich Girl a piece of my mind. But I must hurry before she dies down."
He drove down the street, disappearing into the distance.
Meanwhile, Tenma and Yakumo met up with each other.
"Where's Harima?" Yakumo asked.
"He took Eri home," she replied, "He'll be back later."
Mikoto and Akira appeared and asked Tenma about Eri.
"Don't you think it's a little strange?" Mikoto asked, "Eri hasn't acted like herself. She suddenly acted like a different person."
"She partially acted like herself, but with a little shyness in her," Akira stated.
Yakumo then explained, "Now that you mention it, her eyes looked a little brighter."
"Hey, yeah," Mikoto exclaimed, "She was a bit bright. She reminded me of Miko and Yaku-."
She stood in shock and was frightened, "O… M… G! I think that that Eri is a Maiden for Hire; the one Tenma and I met the other day!"
"How can you tell?" Tenma gasped.
"LED," Akira stated, "She had the same LED-type eyes as Tenma and Hanai's respective Maidens. I knew that she was a fake."
"How can you tell that?" Tenma cried.
"Because, like you, Eri is an awful cook," Akira responded.
"It can't be!" Tenma whimpered, "Eri is replaced by a robot?"
Mikoto sighed, "Look, I know it sounded ridiculous, but if Harima knew about Eri, he would've told us sooner."
Yakumo proclaimed, "Um, excuse me, but shouldn't we ask the real Eri?"
"Now that you mention it, we should," Mikoto suggested, "Except that Eri didn't return my calls."
"Harima has a lot of explaining to do," Akira stated.
"Right! And the first thing we do is find that faker," Mikoto bellowed.
Tenma cried out, "Now wait just a minute! Why are accusing her of being a robot? Eri is our best friend! And besides, we're not sure if it's even true. We can't accuse Harima or Eri, and definitely that Maiden for Hire!"
"She's right," Yakumo nodded.
"You know, Tenma made a rational point, for once. I think it is for the best that we ride it out for a while and see what happens," Akira proclaimed.
"But… those LED amber eyes," Mikoto whined, "It's got to be…"
"Drop it!" Tenma growled.
Yakumo looked away and said that she agrees with Tenma, and should leave her and Harima alone. Mikoto slouched in sadness, clutching Miko's lace bonnet. Akira then nodded and said that they'll have to wait and see.
"Incidentally, do you think maybe they're in love?" Tenma asked, "I'm not even sure, since they're opposites."
"Good question," Mikoto, Akira, and Yakumo sighed.
XXXXX
Meanwhile, the Maiden Eri was in her chair. Harima plugged her in and left out to the front door. As he left, the phone rang again. After five rings, Eri woke up and answered the phone.
"Harima/Osakabe resident," the Maiden called through the speaker, "Eri speaking."
"Eri, it's me! Eri Sawachika!" She spoke from the receiver.
"Eri? What are you-?" The Maiden trembled.
"How did it go? Did you crack Harima yet?"
The Maiden Eri said nothing. She held the phone tight and was nervous.
"Nervous again?" Eri called through the receiver, "Do you know what happens to you if you fail?"
She tried to muster up the courage to speak. As Eri continued speaking, the robot Eri tried to say something.
"Eri… what are you doing to me?" She thought.
"ERI! ERI! ARE YOU LISTENING?" Eri shouted through the phone.
"Eri! No more! I know exactly what happened!" She cried.
"What? You do?" Eri screamed, "I want to know! Who does Whiskers love?"
She then bit her tongue and shook in fear.
Harima… I'm sorry… please forgive me for what I am about to do.
"Eri… he doesn't love you," she said.
"Wh-, wh-, what?" Eri gasped and cringed.
The Maiden sprouted tears and cried, "YOU CAN'T HAVE HIM! I LOVE HIM, NOT YOU! ME! ME!"
Eri gasped over the phone, as the Maiden Eri hung up on her. The Maiden panted like crazy. Her heart was beating like crazy, despite the fact that she's not human.
"Man, that was scary," she thought, "But it's worth it to get back at her for all the trouble he had to through with her. Besides, Miss Tenma Tsukamoto is nowhere near beautiful to Harima, but he did save her life back then. I wonder what he did."
She sat back down and continued to recharge.
Elsewhere, Eri sat by the phone and began to cringe.
"That… that jerk," she sobbed, "She… she's in love with Whiskers?"
She got up and hollered, "HOW CAN YOU LOVE A MAIDEN FOR HIRE, WHISKERS? FOR GOD'S SAKE, SHE'S A ROBOT!"
She growled and cried out, "WHY? It wasn't supposed to happen! All I wanted was to hear what Harima really loves! And now this? I can't allow that! Eri can't love Whiskers! A Maiden for Hire cannot love him!"
She continued, "When I see that faker fembot, I'm gonna rip her hair off and her head, as well. No one takes Whiskers away from me! No one! I'll make you wish you were never created."
She started to go change in her closet, but she suddenly staggered around and felt dizzy. She fell to the floor and was out cold. Minutes later, Misaru carried her to her bedroom. He placed her on her bed and straightened her out. Nakamura arrived seeing Eri unconscious.
"She did it again, did she?" He asked Misaru.
Misaru said nothing. He let out a grunt.
Nakamura then said, "Well, we need the first aid kit. Please get the red one, just for her."
Misaru bowed and went downstairs.
Nakamura then said to Eri, who was still out like a light, "Miss Eri, I wish you'd become more calm, even though you were at home all day."
I wonder what's going on. A red first aid kit? The only red medical kit could be a tool kit, but we could be wrong.
XXXXX
That night, Harima was sleeping in his room. The Maiden Eri came to his room and fixed his bed with him in it. She draped the covers over Harima and patted his head. She gave him a kiss on his forehead and left his room. Just then, the phone rang. She answered it.
"Hello, Harima/Osakabe residence!" She said in a cheerful whisper.
"Hello, Eri? Is Harima up?" Yakumo asked, via phone.
The Maiden responded, "The time is 10:14pm; Harima is sleeping peacefully. I am here for his guaranteed peace. Please call back tomorrow, since he is unable to answer, as of late. Good night."
She hung up. The Maiden turned around and was shocked. She realized that that was Yakumo.
"Oh, crap," she moaned, "I wonder if she's recognized my voice and not my personality from my mechanical heart."
She was partially wrong. Later, at Tenma's house…
"Sis, I think that this Eri is a robot," Yakumo stated to Tenma, who was off the phone, "She said that she is here for her guaranteed peace. We know that guaranteed is a word Maidens for Hire use every time."
"I KNEW IT!" Tenma screamed, "Mikoto was right! Eri has been replaced!"
She then slouched down and moaned at her sister, "Yakumo, didn't I say to drop the whole thing?"
"I did, but… something about Eri-Senpai felt odd," Yakumo proclaimed.
Tenma let out a concerned "Hmm…"
There are lots of questions going on. Will Tenma and Mikoto find out about Maiden Eri? And what about the real Eri; will she get to the Maiden for Hire, before it's too late?
All the answers will be revealed in the next few chapters. Stay tuned for the NEXT chapter, while we're at it…