Chapter 19
Midway through their second year of high school, Eri and Minako had officially kick started their reputation as delinquents. They started from the bottom and worked their way to the top, just like the Sakutera girls, delinquents from Minako's junior high. The third years they once knew like Shishizaki soon graduated and now there were new seniors to pick fights with. Eri made it very clear that they would never pick fights with freshman because there were bigger fish to fry; unless of course some haughty freshman was foolish enough to fight them.
She liked the time she spent with her "big sister." They never had to fight much since Eri looked intimidating enough and that allowed them to almost live like normal high school girls. One day, instead of a beating on the rooftop, they simply ate their lunch and chatted idly. She pulled to articles of clothes from her backpack. She threw one to her and hurriedly put the other one on her.
"See, isn't cool?" she asked excitedly.
She showed off her sukajan; a letterman looking jacket that was made of black and white satin. Embroidered into it were sparkly silver threads that formed a white blossom in the front. Eri spun around and showed the back; on it which had a quintessentially Japanese motif. It was a pure white crane flying in a breeze that carried silver blossoms and in the background a crescent moon. A sukajan was pretty cliché for delinquents to be wearing even if most of them didn't wear such flashy garb anymore. Minako stared blankly at it.
"Why did you buy it?" she simply asked. Eri raised a brow.
"Ahhh? I just got it just 'cause it's freaking cool."
Minako continued gazing idly. She had to admit with the sleeves of it rolled up and her hands in her pockets, she looked much tougher.
"It looks expensive." she commented.
"Let's say I know people; not yakuza people if that's what you're thinking. But my friend was nice enough to sneak this out of their family's shop for me." Eri explained. She then shoved in Minako's face the other clothing she had just for her.
"Now put this on." she said.
"Why do I have to change my clothes?"
"Because you are so fucking plain; if I'm ever going to deal with you the least you can do for me is change your appearance a lil." she whined. Minako agreeably removed her standard blue blazer and red bow tie and threw on the cardigan given. It was a plain black wool cardigan that was a little big on her. The sleeves were loose and covered half of her hand.
"See, not a big change right? Are you happy with it?" Eri questioned. Minako obediently nodded. She smiled broadly and patted her head.
"Good girl."
###
Much to Eri's chagrin, the girls were separated and put into different classes. But, coincidentally enough Shizuo and Minako were still together. Like the previous year they said nothing to each other in class.
Eri and Minako sat together in the classroom, spending time with each other during their lunch break. She whined.
"I hate you so much right now. I can't believe you get to have Shizuo in your class." she let her head fall to the desk. "Meanwhile I'm stuck with stupid Shinra."
"Do you really hate it that much?"
"Nah, I met another guy named Kyohei Kadota. He's kinda like delinquent, but pretty calm; you know him?"
"Kinda." Minako said as she remembered the young man who saw her thoughts clearly. Before they could go any further some people stormed into the room. Unbeknownst to them they were a few followers of Izaya. Some were from Raijin, some were not. He sent them to go run amuck in Raijin, starting with picking a fight with Minako.
"Hey, who here is Minako Nagatani?!" A girl demanded to know. Eri's brows furrowed over her angry eyes. She stood up.
"What the hell do you brats want?" She growled, like a bear protecting its cub.
"Are you her?" another girl asked.
"Listen hear, some of you don't even belong here so go fuck off!" Eri cursed.
"Shut up, don't tell us what to do!" a girl wearing their uniform shouted.
The room fell quiet. People ceased talking and just stared at the scene. They were anticipating an inevitable fight. One of the followers whispered to another.
"I think it might be the other one." she said, eyeing Minako, who sat calmly.
"Hey, you in the cardigan; you Minako Nagatani?" she asked. Minako made brief eye contact.
"Yes." she said softly with a nod.
"She's the one we're looking for." The one, who was supposedly the leader whispered. The group marched towards her but then Eri lifted her chair and like a lion tamer, held them at bay.
"I won't let anyone touch Minako." She hissed out.
With that, she threw the chair at them, but missed her target. Provoked and furious, the leader of the followers charged swiftly at her with a small blade. The knife dug into her arm but she seemed unaffected. The girl who stabbed her ogled at her with horror. Eri sighed.
"Not this again; nothing pisses me off more than a coward who uses a knife on an unarmed person!" She shouted. She tore the knife out of her flesh, not caring about the blood spurts. Eri then snatched the girl by her shirt front and smashed her fist into her jaw, letting the girl fall unconscious.
"Let's go!" Eri demanded, grabbing Minako by the hand and dragging her down the hallway; the angry band of followers at their tail. They were heading outside and everyone was crowding at the windows for a peek.
The two girls made it outside in the main entrance and courtyard. The stopped for a second to catch their breath but it was a bad move. That single second allowed the group to surround them. When Eri finally stopped panting, she stood up straight and proud like she usually did. Her back leaned up against Minako's back and she smiled at her. It was her excited, bloodthirsty smile.
"It's a seven against two fight; can you do this, Maso-chan?"
"Yes; but please do not call me Maso-chan." Minako simply protested. Eri leaned over and whispered.
"You got my back, right?"
"Yes." she replied confidently.
The group of girls went all at once.
Punches, kicks, and curses were flying here and there. Minako and Eri fought together like a duo. Eri quickly caught a girl who was about to punch Minako and hurled her several feet. A girl holding a metal pipe tried to strike Minako with it, but with her forearm she blocked it and smashed her head against hers, knocking her out. She then tossed the unconscious body at a girl who tried to punch Eri. A few minutes later the furious group were scattered on the ground, bloody and limp. Groans and pants filled the air. Eri made a meager smile and turned her head.
"That was fun, right Minako?" she asked. She made no reply.