Chapter 9

More and more cracks, she thought, were being made in the mundane life that she had not really cared about. It started with Eri, then Shinra, then Shizuo, then the gakuran cladded delinquent that had fought with Shizuo, and then Kyohei who seemed normal himself, but at the same time didn't. He managed to see past her ruse of pain when no one else could, or at least that was what she thought. Dozens of bandages and bruises would quickly tell anyone that you were in pain. But like a sedative she blocked it out. Ikebukuro, a place of extraordinary occurrences that happened way too often to be considered unusual. That's why, nothing ever phased her anymore.

She strolled about the hallways, up the stairs and entered the library at the right. It was solemn and quiet with no one around. She returned her book and started looking around for another one. She walked into the very back where the wide lengthy windows let in the mid afternoon light. She believed it to be empty but then she saw a familiar figure.

A boy with midnight black hair, cladded in a gakuran and red shirt, was sitting there with a book in hand. Beside him was a game board with an odd variety of pieces; some from chess, shogi and etc. It was the same one who had slashed Shizuo in the chest and managed to get him hit by a truck.

Minako let the young man alone and went about her own business.

Unbeknownst to her, he was Izaya Orihara, the person who was sending all those thugs to provoke Shizuo. He sat quietly, leaving her alone, but then a small chuckle escaped from his lips. Nonchalantly he placed his feet up on the library table. He made a little circle with his index finger and thumbs and looked at Minako through the loop.

"I spy, with my little eye, a good little girl in the corner..." he sang in lighthearted tone that had a hint of malicious intent. Izaya saw her twitch her shoulders a bit and glance back as a response. Who else could he be talking about? She said to herself. Still, she ignored him; even when she heard his footsteps approach her.

She tried to continue ignoring him but she could feel his stare burn her flesh. All of the sudden, he rested his hand on her head and started quietly laughing.

"Oh, so you are real. For a second I thought you were a ghost; you didn't respond to anything." he joked. She hugged the book in her hand.

"I'm sorry if I was a bother." she apologized with a deadpan face.

"Not a bother at all." he assured. She tried walking away but he had asked her to stay for a bit. He sat back down in his seat as she stood their idly. He looked out the window.

"What's with bandages? Are you some poor bully victim dear?" he enquired casually, as if it was nothing significant. Minako shook her head.

"If rumors serve true you're the one who gets viciously abused by her terrible big sister, Eri Nagatani."

She dared to make a comment.

"It's not really abuse." she corrected lukewarmly, her voice like a ghost.

"Tough love, abuse; call it either one but it's still the same. I don't know why humans fail to see that. Do you like being abused?"

She blinked.

"It's not that I enjoy it; but I don't mind it either." she stated matter-of-factly. Izaya chuckled.

"You're so weird." he said. "Anyways, I only asked since I heard your relationship with her started from an all-out brawl after the entrance ceremony."

Had he seen them? She wondered. Was he trying to blackmail her? She kept her tone under a facade of calmness.

"People just make up rumors." she lied. Izaya got up and walked up to her again, leaning close until their faces were just an inch apart.

"Oh really?" he purred out. In a flash she saw his fist come at her. She caught it in her palm. He broke into a malevolent grin.

"Just rumors huh?" he teased. He lowered his fist and placed his index finger over his lip. He winked at her.

"Don't worry, I won't tell. It'll be our little secret."

She gave no reply as he returned to his seat. He played around with chess piece in his fingers and forced it back down on the board with a loud clack.

"May I go now?" she asked. He waved her off and she went out.

Izaya stared at a piece on the board and picked it up. The white plastic shone in the sunlight. His lips curled into another smile.

"You're just like a masochist."

For once Eri agreed to walk straight home with Minako. It was one of those rare peaceful days where no one dared to anger Shizuo. However, as they walked down the steps, Eri realized that she had forgotten and assignment in their homeroom.

"I'll run and get it; you go on ahead and I'll catch up." she said. So, Minako went ahead. She ran into Shinra who tagged along with her.

"So where's Eri-san?" he enquired. "Don't tell me that she got into another fight with the third years."

"No, she said she left something so she went back to get it." Minako replied.

"Ah, it's peaceful. It's nice to have days like this every once in a while. Especially in a place like this." Shinra said. "Even Shizuo's a little calm today."

However he spoke too soon. As they left the gates they were halted by the group of boys that Eri had defeated just two days ago.

"Hey, you're Nagatani's sister, aren't ya?" The leader asked. Minako gave no reply while he continued.

"That bitch of a sister of yours doesn't know when she's not wanted in a fight. And she especially doesn't know how to talk to her seniors."

Shinra stepped in.

"H-hey guys, we gotta go home. The two of us don't want any trouble—"

One of the delinquents jabbed a metal pipe at his stomach.

"Shut up four-eyes." he growled. Minako remained impassive.

"I'm sorry, but she's not with us right now." she told. The leader scowled even more but then made a meager snicker.

"Alright then, why don't you apologize in her place?" he suggested. "After all, you hold responsibility in this too."

"Hey, just how is she involved?" Shinra questioned. "She didn't do anything to you guys."

"Yeah but she shoulda been there to keep her big sister on her leash." one of them stepped in.

"So go on ahead; bow your head and say sorry." the leader demanded. Minako gripped her bag tightly until her knuckles almost turned white.

"What's wrong? Not gonna be good and say it?"

She threw her bag to the ground and made a deep bow.

"I'm very sorry about my sister." she apologized feigning emotion in her voice. They all bursted into laughs.

"'Sorry' she says!"

Out of nowhere, they heard Eri screaming and they fled.

"Hey! Just what are you dumbasses doing?! Ya want another bloody beating?!" she yelled, sprinting towards them.

"Shit!" some cursed. "Let's get outta here!"

Soon the bullies dispersed and Eri halted, panting and laughing at the same time.

"What a bunch of cowards!" she shouted, cackling. "God, I didn't know I'd scare them that bad; I thought they'd piss their pants!"

She then snatched Shinra by the collar.

"And you! How pathetic are you?! You saw them why didn't you take her and run or something?!"

"Eri-san." Minako quietly beckoned, interrupting her before she could beat up Shinra. She dropped him and smiled.

"Yeah, what is it?"

Minako stared and then shook her head.

"Never mind, it's nothing."

"Are you okay?" Eri asked. Minako nodded. The brunette chuckled and poked her on the forehead playfully.

"When you're an airhead like that you make me worried. So stop being one."

She furrowed her brows a bit.

"I'm not." She refused.

Shinra bid a brief goodbye to the two girls.

They continued walking solemnly. Izaya's words permeated into her mind. She contemplated; ever since Eri forced her way into her life, she had been forced to fight. And now, she wondered why she was supposed to be close to the delinquent girl.

"Eri-san."

She let out an annoyed outbreath.

"What?"

"Why are we friends?" she asked frankly. Eri gaped at her.

"What kind of question is that?"

Minako simply sent a gaze that said she was dead serious. Eri sighed again and rubbed her temples.

"God you're such a pain. We're friends just because we are and don't question it any further than that."