Chapter 8
Eri's knuckles still were still slightly damaged, nevertheless her punches felt stronger than ever. Again and again, Minako kept hitting the ground. She wanted to just lie there; what was the point getting up if she was just going to get knocked down again? But, if she refused to participate in their sparring Eri would just kick until there was blood coming out of her as she lied there. But she had to be honest; Minako wouldn't really mind to give up, lie down and take her beating.
The stronger sister moved in closer until the other's back was against the wire fence of the rooftop. She executed a strong right jab to the stomach. Minako's fingers gripped the thin metal of the fence, propping herself up and trying her best not to hit the ground. She panted heavily. Blood slowly dripped from the corner of her mouth and the many bruises that hadn't healed had gotten worse. Eri looked down at her with a content smirk.
Minako decided to start fighting back. She swung her leg but Eri dodged it. The latter went in for a straight punch but wounded up striking the fence and not her target. She left a big enough opening for Minako to strike her stomach with her knee. Eri staggered back from the blow but kept her hands up, guarding her face and her body more. Minako stood up straight and through a right hook.
It managed to be a direct hit to the cheek, causing Eri to back up more for safety. She pivoted on her left foot and swung up her right, managing to hit the body again. When the other lost balanced for a second, Minako swiftly took the opportunity for a sucker punch. However, when she was just a mere inch away from Eri's face, her elbow had caught Minako's forearm. She tried to jerk it free, but it was no use. Eri moved her arm to reveal a smirk to her, and then went for a kick. Minako shut her eyes tight, waiting to hit the ground. However, she felt nothing. She opened an eyelid and saw the sole of Eri's shoe. Her front kick had paused in midair, just a few inches from striking Minako's face.
"That's enough for one day, Maso-chan." She told with her trademark grin. Minako let out a sigh and wiped the awful concoction of sweat and blood from her temples. In just five minutes Eri was able to hurt her worse than ever.
With an arm around Eri, Minako was uneasily escorted to the nurse's office. When the door was opened, Shinra was revealed waiting there instead of the nurse. He explained that Eri didn't want the nurse to treat the wounds because she would just reprimand the girls for fighting and piss off Eri. The nurse easily complied however; she always looked uncomfortable by Eri's presence.
Minako sat on the crisp white linen bed as Shinra cleaned the scrapes on her hands and cuts on her face.
"Tell me if it hurts, okay?" Shinra said as he gently rubbed the cotton ball against her skin. She flinched and stifled a whimper in her throat.
"No, it doesn't hurt." She lied hoarsely. Shinra gawked at her.
"Minako, you don't have to act like a brave girl, I won't think any less of you if you say it hurts."
She made no comment. Eri patted her sister's sore shoulder muscle playfully.
"Yup, and that's why I named her Maso-chan!" She joked. He laughed along.
"I don't think putting up a brave front equals masochist."
"Of course they are! When masochists are in pain they say they love it, but in reality in hurts like hell. That's just how people who aren't honest with themselves are; they lie about all their pain and suffering for the sake and happiness of other people." she ranted passionately. The two gaped at her. She caught their stairs and shot a look of confusion back.
"Huh, why are you guys looking at me like that?" she questioned. Shinra scratched the back of his head with a light hearted smile.
"Sorry Eri-san, it's just that I've never heard such a philosophical speech from you that's all. It's surprisingly impressive."
She scowled at him.
"What do you mean 'surprisingly impressive'?"
He just realized that he had stepped right into a minefield.
"N-no, I didn't mean it by anything offensive !"
She paid no attention to what he was saying and head locked him again.
"Are you trying to say I'm stupid or something?! Just because I'm a delinquent doesn't mean I don't care about my grades!" She yelled.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Ah, please Eri-san, it really hurts, you'll break my neck!" Shinra begged.
Minako got up and this time Eri noticed.
"Hey."
She froze.
"Don't think you can just walk off because I'm distracted. That's the whole reason I unleashed hell onto you today; it was your punishment." Eri warned, still keeping her death grip on Shinra. Minako turned around and dipped down for a small bow.
"Sorry; is it okay if I just return a book to the library?" she requested humbly. Eri smiled.
"Now that's the kind of manners I wanted; yeah, go on ahead."
She garbled out a subtle thank you and left the infirmary.
Minako scampered back to her homeroom where her book was neatly tucked in her book bag. When she entered her classmates stole brief glances as she walked wearing even more gauzes and bandages on her once flawless milky skin. She dug around for her book and then left the unwelcoming silent classroom.
"Hey, are you alright?" she heard a young man ask. His brown hair was slicked back and his hands were nonchalantly placed in his front pockets. Like Shizuo, he looked a little too mature to be a freshman. He must've been alluding to her injuries. She shook her head.
"I'm okay."
He stared at her with a look of doubt. He shrugged his shoulders.
"Alright, I'll take your word for it. Just wanted to ask since you've been showing up with more and more bandages each day."
He offered her some Pocky he fished out of his backpack.
"You want some?"
She made a slight nod and took one chocolate covered biscuit stick from the package.
"Oh, the name's Kyohei Kadota. We're in the same class, but I seat way in the front." he introduced. She quietly munched away the Pocky.
"It's nice to meet you." she replied at last.
"Hey, you have time to chat?" he enquired.
"Um, I have to return this." she said, showing him the library book.
"Okay, another time then." He said with a meager smile