Chapter 17

"I love you, Eri-san."

Minako kept hugging her, squeezing her body tightly. Eri's arms were trapped at her sides so she couldn't hug her back, but she didn't mind; she was unsure if she should even reciprocate her hug. But some feeling swelled up inside her that she didn't cry, but felt as if some great weight was lifted off her shoulders. But, later she realized the awkward aura of their embracing. Her heart started to flutter rapidly. She blushed, uncomfortable of the position she was in.

"Um, M-Minako, I-I..." Eri's voice stuttered and then faded off. Minako continued nuzzling into the crook of Eri's neck.

"I love you." she muttered again. She could see that the smaller one's ears were red. Eri's face burned a flustered bright pink again. She tried to gently pry off Minako from her, panicking a bit.

"Ah, uh, Mi-Minako, I love you too! But can you, um, please let go of me now? It's kind of uncomfortable and if people see us like this—!"

"Sorry." Minako apologized simply, quickly releasing Eri from her embrace. Her milky skin was airbrushed cherry blossom pink and she wore an impassive but clearly coy expression. Her clammy hands were tightly grasping each other. Eri started to sweat nervous bullets of perspiration.

"Um...Minako," she began but then was cut off.

"I only love you as a friend." Minako assured, sensing the awkward feeling that Eri felt. She broke into a twitching smile.

"Y-yeah! Of course I knew that!" Eri lied. Minako stared at her blankly.

"Then why are you so nervous?" she retorted.

"I-I!" she stuttered but was cut off again.

"Do you like me in the other way?" Minako continued to innocently taunt.

"No, no—!"

"Because it's alright if you do—" Eri slapped a hand over her mouth.

"Shut up! Dear God just please, don't talk anymore. J-just, how the hell can you look so plain but think so perverted?!" She cursed loudly.

After a few seconds she panted and soon regained composure. She looked over at Minako and for a brief moment, she saw her break into a small but very beautiful and mysterious smile, almost like that of Mona Lisa's. Eri couldn't help but lose all composure again. She flinched in one great spasm, as if a strong jolt ran through her body. She cupped her hand over her face, trying to conceal her blush. She furrowed her brows.

"C'mon, we should hurry and get you home; I have other places to be." She grumbled snatching Minako by the wrist and dragging her behind.

Even though she was a little frustrated at the moment, underneath it all she was glad, glad that she could prove the gakuran cladded boy wrong.

###

"Here." Izaya said handing Eiko canned ice coffee and then sitting in a chair across her bed.

"Have you noticed my sister's been kinda acting weird?" Eiko asked after she sipped.

"What do you mean? You mean the loving fighting and bloodshed or being infatuated with Shizu-chan?" Izaya joked. Eiko laughed.

"No, and believe me the second guess wasn't even close. She isn't in love with Shizuo that's for sure, if anything she's in love with—" Izaya completed the sentence for her.

"The Minako girl she's always with?"

"Heh, how'd you know?" she asked, her voice sounding a little fainter.

"Because you asked me to watch Eri-san for you."

"Right, right." Eiko uttered, holding her head. Suddenly her vision blurred and the room seemed to spin. But soon after staying still for a few seconds she returned to normal. She sighed.

"Dammit." she cursed. Izaya didn't bother to ask if she was alright, besides, he already knew of her condition.

"Alright, well I have to go soon. Still have homework to do." he said, grabbing his gakuran which was hung behind his chair. Carefully, she stood up.

"Well, later." she said with a smile. She tried to lean up and kiss him, but he caught her by the cheek. Izaya smirked.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Eiko-chan." he said teasingly, brushing her hair away from her face and then leaving a fleeting kiss on her forehead. He walked out the door and Eiko stared out, her eyes trailing him as he watched him leave. She swept back her hair with her fingers, briefly touching the spot on her forehead where he kissed her. She stood there, bitter and disappointed.