Chapter 16

When class resumed Minako no longer looked towards the window, instead she looked at her friend, who wore a scowl on her face and rested her head on her hand. Why was she so upset? She wondered. Was her apparent disappearance really that upsetting? There was no small chattering in the back even, just complete silence as the teacher's humble voice filled the room. The teacher asked if anyone could answer the equation on the board. Eri's frustration was almost palpable. Unfortunately, the teacher made the foolish mistake of asking Eri.

"Um, Nagatani-san." The instructor asked. Eri shot up a glare at him. He shivered but continued.

"Can you solve this equation on the board please?" he requested. She stood up in ominous silence. The class watched every move she made. Unexpectedly, she hurled her chair at the whiteboard and growled. After the classes' screams of sudden fright, it quickly mellowed down. Without permission Eri stormed out of the room.

"N-Nagatani-san, wait!" the teacher tried to call back. She paid him no mind and continued.

A cold feeling lingered on Minako.

###

There was a short break between classes and the math teacher decided to tell the principal about Eri's outburst. Ever since the first day of school everyone knew that Eri was a crazy delinquent but she never made such a scene in class before. Minako debated in her mind whether or not to go after Eri. Maybe all she needed was space and time to herself, but she wanted to know what had caused the outburst.

"Hey, Minako." she heard Shinra say. She looked up.

"What happened between you two today?" he asked. She sat up attentively.

"How do you know something happened?" she asked calmly.

"Because you're face isn't a total mess like it usually is." he replied bluntly. "Now, I didn't mean it like you're ugly, but Eri usually gives you a thorough beating every day; today it's just a little cut on your lip."

"I don't know what exactly happened. She just said she couldn't find me and she looked kinda sad." Minako answered.

"Well this isn't like you guys. I've never seen Eri-san this mad before." Shinra said. He smiled and assuring smile and patted her back.

"Well, I'm sure you two will be able to patch things up." he pathetically consoled.

###

The next several periods went by and still Eri didn't return. Minako couldn't focus on anything but her. She grew a little worried. Where could she have run off to? When the school bell tolled, signaling the end, she ran off and tried looking for her, not even bothering to get her normal shoes from her locker. She ran up to the roof and she wasn't there. Minako tried to think of other places that she might be.

She tried checking if she had already tried going home. She sprinted out to the entrance and looked around. Unbeknownst to her, a trash can was sent flying and unintentionally in her direction.

"Watch out!"

Suddenly she was suddenly on the ground. Shizuo lay on top of her.

"Are you okay?" he asked. She nodded meagerly.

"Y-yeah." she replied, sitting up.

She saw several bodies on the ground; Shizuo's doing of course. He was the one who threw the garbage can, it was a bad aim and accidently went for her. Luckily, in the nick of time he managed to sprint and push her out of the way.

"I'm sorry about that." he apologized simply.

"It's okay." she said.

"Are you looking for Nagatani?" Shizuo asked. She nodded.

"She was out here for a little bit, halfway through the fight. Then she ran back to the classroom."

"Thank you." Minako acknowledged with a quick bow.

###

When the classroom was completely deserted, Eri returned and sat on top of a desk, hugging her knees and burying her face between them. She fought back tears as Izaya's question rambled through her head. Maybe she needed to change her ways if she wanted Minako to remain by her side. She suddenly heard the door to the classroom open. Frantically, she ran, hitting the desks and then running into a long single storage locker.

"Eri-san?" she heard Minako's plain voice utter. The locker fell on its side and Eri rolled out of it, still hugging her knees.

"Eri-san, what're you doing?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing really." she replied, forcing a smile and getting up.

"Are you okay?" Minako inquired.

"Just fine, c'mon let's go."

###

The two of them began walking home solemnly. Neither of them spoke a word to each other during the way. Minako broke the silence.

"Eri-san," she began softly. "Are you mad at me?"

Eri didn't reply. Minako turned her head.

"Forget I said anything." she muttered. Suddenly she heard soft sobbing noises.

"Eri-san." she repeated. Eri tried making a run for it but Minako caught her by the shoulder and shoved her to a wall.

"Eri-san, what's wrong?" she asked, keeping her voice firm and calm. She saw her wear a sad expression. Minako froze up, surprised. Eri made a meager grin.

"Neh, Minako... you h-hate me don't you?"

Minako stared and didn't reply; she kept her grip on her. Eri continued, breaking into sobs.

"You do; that's why you run away... because I keep beating you. You hate me..."

Whack! The back of Minako's hand struck Eri in the face. Then abruptly, she wrapped her arms around her and nuzzled her face comfortably in the crook of neck.

"M-Minako?"

"I don't hate you." she protested, hugging her tighter. "You can beat me all you want but my feelings won't change... I'll still love you, Eri."