@ gracula - harem ending?!
That would be interesting. I might use that for a different fic. I already have an idea of how PL will end.
CHAPTER 12 “Takahashi-san...are you okay?”
I stare away from watching Sayu laughing and joking with Eri as she teaches her how to work the cash register. Sayu has kept Eri busy mostly all day, so I don't have to worry about Eri coming to me complaining, or trying to be affectionate with me. Even though that has been keeping me somewhat stress free today somehow, watching Sayu and Eri interact with each other annoys me also. I haven't kept my eyes off them since.
I'm mostly worried what Eri will do something bad, but also that Sayu will try to do something to take advantage of Eri. Who wouldn't when they see a person so pure and innocent as Eri? I had to throw a customer out an hours ago because he was getting a little too...'personal' with Eri.
Of course, Eri had no idea the guy was intentionally touching her and Sayu should be no different with that. Eri can't easily trust anyone. I force myself to turn away from my two friends and finally look at Linlin.
“Y-Yeah, I'm fine.” I reply, focusing on the broom in my hands.
“Everyone has been acting so strange today Takahashi-san.” Linlin mumbles, viewing her surroundings. “Niigaki-san, is silent. She always looks angry and well Tanaka-san...looks angrier! Michshige-san is acting weird. It's like she's in love. The atmosphere around here feels tense.”
I clutch the broomstick tightly at the mention of Sayu. I can't let my anger get the best of me! Calm down. Calm down Ai-chan! I shouldn't take anything out on Linlin. She did nothing wrong. I just have to try and give her a good answer that doesn't show how angry I am.
“Really? I don't think I've noticed.” I reply.
That wasn't what I had in mind. I know Linlin isn't easy to fool. And of course, these odd behaviors can be seen easily except Reina's might be a little difficult to get a hold of. Considering, that she's always angry and has a scowl on her face.
“Has something happened with you and Niigaki-san?” Linlin questions, unaware of how touchy that question is to me.
I look up at her and put on a stern look. I can't lose my temper, no matter how angry Gaki-san makes me right now. But, she's been drilling holes in my back all day with her constant glaring. I'm not really sure how much more of it I can take.
“Linlin, this is something that should not be discussed in public. Besides, what might be going on between Gaki-san and I is private.” I answer, in a stiff tone.
“O-Of course! I'm sorry Takahashi-san.” Linlin stutters. She looks a little startled. Maybe even a little afraid? “I'll just go clean the tables.” Then she runs off.
I sigh. Damn it! There I go hurting someone else. I didn't mean to come on too strong. I'll have to apologize to Linlin right after work.
I take the broom and march towards the back. Maybe if I just go out back for a little I might be able to cool myself down. Some fresh air might help.
I walk towards the counter and speed up when I see that I'm near Sayu and Eri and I'm pretty sure now Sayu is just flirting with Eri. This is a cafe not a hook up place! I make it to the back door.
“Ai-chan?”
I freeze. Even though Eri looked like she was having a good time she must have been watching me as I approached them. She's a lot more observant than I thought. I turn around to see two pair of eyes on me.
Only Eri's seem to show the most concern about me and she's completely forgotten about Sayu. I sort of want to smile at that and laugh. Maybe rub it in Sayu's face...just~ a little.
“Yeah?” I ask.
Eri walks over to me and holds on to my wrist. The way she's staring at me. It's like she wants to help me, but it also looks like the only thing around her is me. It's like I matter to her and I'm the only thing that does. I start to feel nervous and gulp. I pull my arm away.
“Eri, we're in public.” I whisper.
Eri frowns. “Something is wrong with Ai-chan.” she notices.
Eri takes a hold of my arm again and pulls me towards the back. I don't really have much of a choice when she's this controlling. She may seem cute and innocent, but Eri is sure stronger than she looks.
So, in order to not end up slammed into a wall about half a foot away again, I just follow Eri without any protest. She completely ignores the looks she gets from the others and doesn't stop walking until we're out of the cafe, standing next to the back door. That's when she also looks at me again, but with a little more of a determined face.
“What's bothering Ai-chan?” Eri ask. “Eri wants to help.”
I stick my hands into my pockets and duck my head. If I was nervous before I'm beyond that emotion that all I want to do is probably puke or have myself melt away from the embarrassment. I know there is no one in this alley way. No one can either see us or hear us, but I still feel so exposed here.
Probably because I'm with Eri and she has this sort of dominating look in her eyes. She wants to get her answer and I have a feeling that if I don't give it to her she'll keep me out here all night. Should I just tell her, or keep up my strong front?
“It's nothing!” I yell.
The strong front is is then. Eri folds her arms over her chest and grimaces.
“Ai-chan is lying.” Eri disappointingly says.
“How would you even know if I'm lying?” I angrily ask.
“The longer Eri is around Ai-chan. The more Eri will starts to smell and sense the emotions Ai-chan is in.” Eri points to her nose. “My sense of smell is strong.”
I'll never get a lie by her then. It'll always have to be the truth with her and I don't think I want to tell her the truth. I feel that if Eri knows it'll only hurt her so badly she'll never want to see me again.
I know a long time before I would have wanted that, but now, I don't want Eri to leave me at all. I don't need her to stay, but it's just...I want her to stay. I put my head down to try and hide my tears. I feel Eri place her hand on my arm to comfort me.
“Ai-chan?” Eri softly speaks.
I take a step back to break the contact. I still keep my head to the ground though.
“I'm sorry.” I whisper. “I always seem to hurt people and I never mean to, but...everything just happens too quickly! And I...never think things through.”
There's a long pause between. It feels like days, but I'm sure it has only been a few seconds, but in that time my entire body entered a state of panic. I became so scared.
I'm terrified, but I don't know why. There isn't someone putting a gun to my head, but in some odd way it feels like that. I can feel my lips start to quake.
“What is Ai-chan talking about?” Eri finally speaks.
“Eri, how can you be so sure what you feel towards me is love? How do you even know that you're IN love?” I ask.
“It's hard to explain Ai-chan. It's just...this feeling I get. When I look at Ai-chan I feel so warm inside. And...when Eri thinks about Ai-chan I can't stop smiling. Then...when Eri is near Ai-chan Eri's heart...it feels funny.” Eri explains. She carefully takes my hand and moves it up so it's between us. Then rest it onto her chest.
My knees turn to rubber at the feel of my hand against her, but I fight against my body's reaction to stand. I look up from the gravel and stare at Eri. She smiles at me and it's the happiest and most heart warming smile I've ever seen. It knocks the air right out of me and I'm speechless.
“Eri's heart beats so fast. I can't control it.” Eri states. “Eri may not know love from experience, but I do know that I have never had these reactions to anyone else Ai-chan. That's how Eri knows what love is.”
Eri closes the gap between us and I only have a second to let out a gasp then our lips are sealed into a kiss. This one though, is so different. It isn't rough or dominating. And Eri isn't doing this because she's trying to claim what's hers. She's doing this because she loves me.
With my brain cut off from all logic, my body shift into auto-drive and my arms encompass Eri's waist in a firm hug. I feel my head lightly bump against a brick wall. Eri's kiss is so gentle. I pull her closer to press our bodies tightly together and moan.
It feels like the natural and normal thing for me to do. I feel myself start to tear. And as soon as that single drop falls, a truck full of emotions hit me at once. I quickly release my hold on Eri and make some distance between us.
“Ai-chan is...crying?” Eri notes, in a state of shock.
“Eri, I have to be honest with you. I've...done something bad Eri.” I confess. “And I'll understand if you don't want to be around me anymore, but it's only fair that I be honest with you.”
I take a deep breath to prepare myself. I don't know what Eri will do, but I know for sure how she'll feel. But there is never a good enough time to tell her.
She just has a right to know what happened last night. Feeling more courage, I open my mouth to confess, but Eri immediately turns into a defensive pose and puts herself in front of me.
“Ai-chan, someone is here.” Eri warns.