CHAPTER 3
“Ai-chan what's happening?!” I hear Sayu's voice scream through my cellphone.
I blink a few times realizing I've been silent for too long. Quick! Think of something! Let me just relax my nerves for a second. I take a few deep breaths and gather in as much courage I have in me to blurt out a few words.
“Sayu, everything is, OK!” I lie. “It was j-just the dog! She made a huge mess while I was gone. I don't think I'll be able to come out with you and Gaki-san today!”
“What?! What do you mean?!” Sayu questions.
“I have to go! Bye!” I shout frantically to quickly end our conversation.
I hang up my cellphone then shut it off so that I won't hear my phone ring for the rest of the night, even though I know that I'll have too many messages to count when I turn it on again tomorrow. I slowly place my cellphone down onto my drawer and stand still, in complete shock at the....thing on my bed! I take a few steps closer to it. I am not seeing this. This is all a dream!
Yes, a weird, freaky, insane dream! If I just close my eyes, maybe...everything will go away and I'll know I have my sanity still intact. I am not seeing some naked girl in my bed right now! With a sharp intake of breath I close my eyes tightly, not moving a single muscle or daring to breathe. Slowly I open my eyes, but she's still there!
My eyes open wide in shock. How did she get here?! Wasn't the dog there just a few minutes ago?! Where is she now?
“W-who are you?!” I demand.
The person sitting naked on my bed looks at me and smiles. My hands curl into tight fists as I continue to stare, annoyed that my question has gone unanswered. This girl just continues to smile as if she's seen me for years. I don't even know who she is or why she's naked on my bed in the first place!
“What did you do to my dog?!” I speak again.
“Ai-chan~!!!” she cheers.
She jumps off the bed and races towards me with that happy smile still on her face. Her body crashes into mine with such a force that I'm knocked clean off my feet and fall backwards to the ground.
“AHHH~!!!” I cry.
My back hits the floor, bringing sharp needles of pain all over my backside. If that wasn't enough, I get the wind knocked out of me when she lands right one top of me. The pain in my body intensifies from her heavy weight. This is not my day, is it? I feel her arms wrap around my neck then our bodies press together.
I'm taken away by her brave and shameless move. She continues to hold on to me and brush her nose against my neck. Who is this person?! She notices that I'm not hugging her back and lets me go. She puts on a pout then begins to tear.
“Is Ai-chan upset?” she questions in a cutesy voice.
She puts her arms down and looks toward the ground in shame. Whoever this person is I'm going to make a guess she isn't a robber or a murder otherwise I would have been attacked the second I came into my room. Her head remains low and she sniffles a few times. Staring at her at a loss for words, my eyes being to travel, and that's when the fact of her being naked comes to me again.
“AH!” I push her back and scurry away.
She sits on the floor even more hurt to my sudden action. She pouts and wipes a tear away from her eyes.
“Ai-chan, doesn't like me anymore?” she cries. “Has Ai-chan forgotten me?”
Seeing her start to cry for some reason makes me feel sad and guilty from pushing her. I sit up straight and slide over to her cautiously. I put my hand to hears to get her attention. She looks at me, tears gathering at the brim of her eyes. I give her a soft smile.
“What's your name?” I politely ask.
“Eri! My name is Eri.” she introduces.
I stand and stare, taking in her appearance and trying not to think about her not having no clothes on. It's a lot harder than it seems to just look at her and not her naked body. Wait...on top of her head...floppy...dog ears?! She has a thick red collar around her neck with a missing dog tag. That's when I see the big bushy curled tail wagging rapidly behind her just like the...
“You're the dog I found?!” I yell.
“Ai-chan remembers~!!” Eri bellows with glee.
She hugs me again, unaware of her lack of clothing. I automatically turn stiff and motionless again when she hugs me the second time. I just can't wrap my mind around this. Is she even aware that she's naked?! I squirm in her arms and take a step back. She looks at me then pouts at my cruel action.
“Is Ai-chan mad at me?” she whispers.
How is this happening?! This isn't the dog I found only two days ago! That isn't possible! S-s-she's human! Or...half human at least, but nonetheless human! I pick up my hand that's gone limp at my side and slowly reach out towards Eri's dark brown locks. My finger slips through a strand and I close my fingers around that lock of hair. This feels real. I cringe, feeling a sudden throb of pain on my back from my previous fall. The pain is real too. I stare back into dark yet lively eyes. I know those eyes anywhere. I gulp and pull my hand back, placing my now-closed hand against my chest.
“You are the dog I found in the alleyway.” I whisper, my eyes staring down to the floorboards, in a daze.
“Ah~I'm happy! Ai-chan remembers Eri~!!” Eri smiles and claps her hands together in joy.
She rushes over to put me into another aching hug. Ah, god, not again! I don't think I can take being body slammed to the floor again!
“STOP!!” I shout.
She remains still, tilting her head to the side as curiosity comes to her face. I can't help but let out a small chuckle and smile. She's definitely the dog I found. I go back to a serious expression remembering why I've stopped her in the first place.
“You can't go around tackling me to the ground and you most definitely can't do that while you're naked!” I proclaim.
Her cluelessly innocent filled eyes shift down to her own body then back up to me still lost at my cause for yelling. I quickly stand to my feet and rush to my drawer. I can feel her eyes still on me as I go about gathering any clothing that's needed.
“You need to put on clothes!” I mumble. “You can't walk around naked!”
“Clothes?” She repeats.
I turn back around and place the clothing in front of her, but she doesn't seem to get the message and continues to look back at me for my reason for presenting her these clothes. I sigh and scratch my head annoyed once again. Why does she have to look at me like what I've done makes no sense!?
“Ai-chan?” She questions.
“Haven't you ever worn clothes before?!” I shout. She shakes her head. “Eh?!”
“This is the first time I've ever transformed.” She says.
“First time? Wait...does that mean you can transform again?” I clarify.
“Un!” She nods.
“Good! Then transform into a dog again!” I quickly demand.
She starts to sniffle and become teary eyed again to my urgent order.
“Does Ai-chan not like Eri in this form?” She whispers. “I-I thought Ai-chan would like this form better. I want to fit in.”
I always make her cry! I rush over to subside her threatening sobs and tears. I get down to the floor and grab the clothing in front of her into my hands again.
“Ah, don't cry Eri-chan!” I beg. “I like you in this form as well. You can stay in this form as long as you like!”
She rubs her eyes with the backs of her hands then peeks through the cracks of her fingers. I put on another sincere smile and that does the job to stop her from bursting into tears.
“Ai-chan means it?” She hiccups.
I stroke the back of her head and nod. “Yes.” I hold out the clothing I have in front of her. “Come on, let me put some clothes on for you.”
“Okay~!” She smiles.
She's defenseless in this world as a human. How can I even leave tomorrow for my shift if she can't even put clothing on for herself. The last thing I need is to come home to an apartment that's been blown up or set on fire. I've worked too hard to keep this apartment on my own. Should I bring her with me instead?
I look at her as I pull the last article of clothing, a yellow T-shirt, over her head and notice her carefree smile. She's so innocent and dependent. I should probably bring her to work, but if I do that who knows what she would do. I'll worry in the morning on where she should go. I pat the top of her head when I'm done dressing her and grab her wrist.
“Let's go Eri, it's time for bed.” I announce.
“Will Eri sleep with Ai-chan tonight again?” Eri replies.
“Yes, but only until I figure out what to do with you now that you're human.” I stare at her moving ears. “Or...sort of human.”
Eri smiles to my answer and willingly gets up from the floor and pulled towards my bed. I yank back the sheets and get into bed, while Eri takes the left side. I click off the light to the nightstand then lay back with the blankets against my chest. I let out a deep sigh of relief as my back sinks into the soft padding of my bed.
“Goodnight, Eri.” I whisper.
I close my eyes feeling sleep beginning to take me away again, until I feel a pair of arm tie around my midsection. I open my eyes just as I feel the left side of my bed move and I feel warm breath lightly brush against my cheek.
“Goodnight...Ai-chan...” She mumbles, just before drifting to sleep.
I don't have the heart to wake her either even if she's too close and the feeling of her breath against me bothers me only a little. I close my eyes again, finding myself fall asleep much quicker with her arms comfortably around my waist. The warmth her body gives off is soothing. I put a hand onto Eri's forearm and fall into a peaceful sleep with a content smile in place.
***
What the hell is that sound? I close my eyes annoyed and pull the blanket up to my head. Is that...barking? I roll into my thick sheet and try to block the sound from my ears, but the noise continues and my clouded mind is starting to become clear. I frown and push the blanket off my face to see the source of the barking.
“Eri!” I shout. “You can't go barking at my alarm clock and most importantly you can no longer bark while you're in human form!”
Eri turns around, her curled tail wagging again.
“Ai-chan!” She cheers, before jumping at me.
“No not again~!!” I'm tackled down to the bed and pinned from Eri's body onto me. She locks me into another firm hug. “What did I tell you about the pouncing?!”
Eri rubs her cheek against mine and continues to wag her tail. Well, getting slammed onto a bed is a lot better than the ground.
“Ai-chan, let's go outside and play~!!” Eri begs.
I push a piece of dark hair from my nose and try to move her away for some distance. She won't budge and still holds on to me.
“I can't Eri. I have to get ready for class.” I mumble through her hair that's fallen onto my mouth. “Can you get off me?! You're making me eat your hair!”
She lets me go and sits at my feet, looking at me with a joyful expression. I sit up and rake my fingers through my hair to try and get rid of my bedhead. Since I have someone here now I have to at least try to show that I'm dependable, especially since Eri can't seem to understand human customs. I pat down the back of my head and see that Eri is still looking at me. It's a little weird with her watching my every move like that. It's embarrassing.
Eri tilts her head and grins then lets out a small giggle.
“Hehe...Ai-chan is so cute in the morning~!!” she states.
I feel my whole face fill with embarrassment. That makes Eri giggle even more. I turn away and cover my cheeks with my hands. Will she stop looking?! It's making it worse!
A loud rumbling breaks Eri's attention towards me and I'm relieved. She rests a hand on her stomach and gives me a curious expression. I laugh at her reaction to the grumbling in her stomach. She's cute when she's confused.
“You're hungry Eri,” I tell her.
“Do humans always make this noise?” She questions.
“Only if they're really hungry.” I reply. I put my feet over the bed to touch the ground. “Come on, let's go make breakfast.”
“Okay!” She enthusiastically shouts.
There has to be food around here somewhere. I go through a cupboard and see at the very top a packages of instant noodles. Why did I even put that thing so high!? I'm much too short to reach it. I extend my arm to the container and slowly stand at the tips of my toes.
Damn, still no luck. I really have to stop putting things up higher than my height! Eri shuffles over to me and just watches me struggling to reach the top. Her head goes from the cabinet to me.
“Ai-chan, is so small!” Eri notes.
I stand back down to my feet and glare. “I am not!” I deny.
Eri has on a huge smile then pats the top of my head. “It's OK. Eri likes Ai-chan small. It makes Ai-chan cuter.” She confirms.
I can feel my face turn hot again and turn away. I sigh and cover my face yet again. She has to really stop making me blush! It's too early for this. I hear shuffling behind me then scraping against the floor.
I turn around and see a chair next to the counter with Eri's hand resting on the top of it. She motions for me to climb on. I stare at her. Is she trying to make fun of my size? Her stomach gurgles again, reminding me why I'm about to step onto a chair in the first place.
I take a hold of the chair with my right hand and use my right foot to push me up then bring my other foot onto the seat. I take the noodles then get back down.
“There's only one left, but you can have it Eri.” I say.
“What about Ai-chan? Isn't Ai-chan hungry too?” Eri ask. “Eri can share.”
“It's fine Eri. I will buy something on the way to class. Please, eat and enjoy the food.” I insist.
She's unsure, but I give her a stern nod and that seems to make up her mind. I fill a pot with water and wait for it to boil. I'm really nervous about leaving Eri at home alone. I hope she won't get scared or get into trouble. Can she even stay alone with me gone for just a few hours?
From the side of me, I can see Eri standing next to me, her eyes focused on the pot of water with her hands resting on the counter and her tail wagging, while she waits. She seems harmless to be left alone. Eri notices me looking at her and smiles at me. I face back to the pot only slightly embarrassed this time that she caught me looking at her. She really has to stop making my blushing become a habit.
***
“All done?” I announce.
“Mhm.” Eri responds.
“I promise to make real food next time rather than instant food, OK?” I promise.
I take the container from the table and throw it away as Eri sits back in the chair content at her satisfied hunger.
“Eri, I have to leave now.” I start. “But I'll only be gone for a few hours. I'll come back.”
“Huh? Where is Ai-chan going?” Eri gently ask.
“I have to get to class now. You will be OK by yourself for a little, right?”
“Ai-chan can't leave!” Eri demands. “W-what if Ai-chan never comes back!? Eri can't be on her own. Ai-chan is needed here.”
“It won't be long. I promise Eri. I'll come back in one piece.” I vow.
Eri doesn't seem to believe my statement and eyes me warily. How can I assure her? I scratch the top of my head. I just don't want her to cry because I might not be able to stay strong about my choice if she cries. I hate seeing Eri sad.
“Eri, when I come back I'll take you somewhere later.” I say.
Eri sits up straight and her tail sways again quickly.
“Ai-chan will?!” She squeaks. “Where?!”
“You will see. For now, I want you to remain good and wait until I get back, OK?” I ask.
“Uh-huh! Eri can do that!” Eri agrees.
I walk over to the living room and on instincts Eri gets off her chair and follows. I have to start teaching her to be more human as soon as I get the time to. I turn towards the TV, searching for the on switch.
“Sit down, Eri.” I order. “You'll like this. It will help you from being bored.”
I push the button and the TV makes a buzz sound then slowly light emits from the black screen. I don't think talk shows will suit her so I run through a few channels until I find an interesting anime. This ought to keep her occupied until I return. I only pray nothing will be broken when I come back. I spin around and feel my face shift into confusion.
“Eri, sit on the couch not the floor! You're a human now. You have to sit like one.” I correct.
Eri scatters to the couch, but she still sits with her legs open and her hands between her legs, her knuckles pressing into the couch cushion. I slap a hand to my forehead and shake my head while sighing. It's going to be hard teaching her the proper way to be a girl. She looks at me unsure then scratches the back of her ear with her foot. OK, now it's impossible. Eri then scratches her nose.
“Hey! Don't put your finger in your nose!” I scold.
She instantly puts her hand down at my raised voice and starts to whimper with tears in her eyes. No, not the crying again. Her bottom lip sticks out and it starts to quiver. I really don't want to see her tears again.
“Ah...Eri it's just...as a human girl there are certain things that are expected of you. If you are going to be a human you have to act like one.” I explain. “And one of the things girls do not do is sit like that with their legs spread open! Please, put your legs down and keep your legs closed.”
She quietly obeys, but she still looks a little teary-eyed. She rubs one eye to stop herself from sobbing.
“It's OK Eri I will teach you, but first I have to go.” I say. “For now just watch TV.”
Eri notices the flickering box and automatically her eyes are stuck on the flashing screen in amazement. Has she never seen a TV before? Seeing that she's distracted, I grab my things on the way out. I make sure to pick up Sayu's cell phone on the way to return it back to her when I see her today. Then I'm quickly out the door.
I think Eri do fine as long as she stays on the couch watching TV all day. What can a few hours of TV do to her anyway?
***
Returning Sayu's cellphone today was awkward. She kept asking me if I was OK. She wanted to know what happened yesterday and well I avoided that as much as I could. I know that she won't believe me. I don't need someone telling me how crazy I am when I think I am.
I still can't believe the dog I found turned into a human! So if I couldn't even believe it and it happened in front of my very eyes, who else could believe it? I just avoided Sayu at all cost. I know she'll tell this to Gaki-san and I'll have to deal with her next. She'll be a lot worse than Sayu though. I really don't have time to convince Gaki-san I'm fine or stay away from her for a week or two.
I have other things to worry about, like Eri and the mess I'll see when I enter my home right now. I didn't, however, expect to come home with the TV still on and Eri no longer in the couch watching. Now a thousand scary thoughts come across my mind and it makes me afraid to search my apartment not knowing what I will find. What if Eri is hurt?! Or if she's dead!
I feel my heart race in my chest at the last thought and suck up courage to search properly through my house. She has to be around here somewhere.
“Eri?” I call.
Entering the living room, my eyes settle on to the windows to inspect for any damage. Neither of the two windows are open or broken. I exhale relieved to that fact. It has to mean that Eri is around here somewhere.
I quickly zip through the living room, search through the bathroom, a few closets, until finally I've reached my bedroom. I have gone through my examination without any bad news and now that I'm here at my room I fear I might come across something really bad. Biting my bottom lip, I lift my hand, which was resting limply at my side and push open the room door.
“HUH?! HEY! Eri let go of my DS!” I shout.
Eri jolts at my voice and the DS goes flying into the air. I rush over to save it, afraid the screen will crack of it drops. I stretch out my hands and dive in to save the electronic device that's brought me enjoyment most of my time at home. I hit the ground and cringe, feeling hot pain throb through my funny bone and elbow. My DS falls perfectly into my hands and my fingers automatically cling around it.
I see Eri at the edge of the bed surprised at my choice of action.
“Is Ai-chan OK?” She ask.
I quickly stand and look to see what game she's been playing while I was gone. I nearly have a heart attack when I notice she has been playing my Final Fantasy game!
“You weren't supposed to play my DS, Eri!” I scold. “I had a game saved on here! Please tell me you didn't save what you did?!”
I search through the game, checking the amount of items I've stored for my party, and even going over the gil I had. Scanning through the inventory, I'm surprised at what I see. I exit the inventory menu and explore the station I'm around. I don't remember being here. In fact, during my inventory search there are some items I don't even remember having and they're all stocked at ninety-nine.
“You beat the boss I was stuck on?!” I croak. “How did you do that?! I've been stuck on him for weeks!”
Eri looks at me with her head tilted again and I save the game before shutting off my DS. She doesn't even know what she's done, but she still managed to beat a powerful boss?! That's some beginner's luck. I put my DS inside the drawer beside my bed and pat the top of Eri's head. Her tail instantly starts to move again to my kind gesture.
“Ai-chan is no longer angry at Eri?” She questions.
“No, I'm not.” I reply. How can I be angry with her if she's helped me beat a powerful boss and even given me good items? Eri smiles again, pleased with my answer.
“Does this mean Ai-chan will take Eri out now?” Eri eager ask.
She sits down on the bed and scratches her ear again with her foot then scratches underneath her chin. On second thought...maybe taking her out around plenty of people is a bad idea. She has a lot of training she needs to go through first before being around other humans.
“Um...well, I changed my mind.” I start. “I've decided to teach you how you should act as a human. We can go outside another time. Is that OK, Eri?”
“Eri understands.” Eri agrees. “Eri wants to learn.”
I smile at the cute determined expression she made at her declaration and pat the top of her head again. She smiles and her tail wags again. I stroke her hair and that makes her tail move faster. She always looks so cute when she smiles like that. I can see her teeth and from staring at her now I've noticed she has a crooked tooth that stands out.
A small fang. That only makes her cuter. She opens her eyes and looks at me and that makes me feel instantly shy again. I've never seen her look at me this intensely. I can feel my skin start to turn warm just from her gaze. My cell phone goes off interrupting my strange moment.
I withdraw my hand rapidly to pick up my cell from the drawer. From taking a look at the screen, my entire body turns cold. It's Risa and I know she's calling me to see if I will come to work today. I forgot about work! What am I going to do?
I can't leave Eri here again. I'll be gone for too long today. My shift today is over eight hours long. I did promise Eri I would teach her human customs. I get the feeling if I let her down she'll be upset and I don't want that either.
I should probably answer the phone though. Gaki-san won't stop calling until I pick up.
“Hello?” I whisper.
“Ah, Ai-chan! You have your phone on today.” She notices.
“Uh...yeah. I'm sorry about yesterday. I had quite a mess to clean because of the dog.” I lie.
“I understand. I told you puppies are a big responsibility Ai-chan. You won't have to worry about that anymore once we find her owner though.” Risa explains. “I have to put a few more fliers later. Would you like to come and help me?”
“Uh...I can't right now. I um...I'm not feeling very well.” I stutter. “I feel sick.”
“Eh?! Does this mean you aren't coming to work either?!” Gaki-san questions. “Do you need to see a doctor? I can drive you, Ai-chan.”
“Gaki-san, honestly I'm fine. I think I just ate some bad sushi today. I just have stomach aches. I'm sure I can wait it out.” Please, someone make her believe me! There's a pause of silence on her end and it makes me worry that she's seen through my lie. I don't lie normally to anyone and since it's Gaki-san she knows me a lot better than anyone else at the cafe.
“I'll be sure to tell Yoshizawa-san you aren't feeling that well today.” She speaks. I'm relieved to know she's bought my lie. “Be sure to get plenty of rest Ai-chan. Call me if you need anything. I have no problem driving you to a doctor.”
“Thank you Gaki-san~!” I smile.
“Take care of yourself Ai-chan.” Risa says.
“Gaki-san really I'm fine.” I assure.
Then we both hang up. I stand there with the cell still clutched in my hand as I take in what I've just done. I can't believe myself. I just lied to Gaki-san and ditched work! And for what?
Just to stay home for Eri out of fear she might destroy my house and try to teach her how to act more human like. How am I going to explain this to Risa? Or to anyway? I feel a hand gently wrap around my wrist, breaking me of my daze. I look to the gentle hand around my wrist and then into soft brown colored eyes.
“Ai-chan?”
“It's nothing Eri.” I shake off. “It looks like I'm free today. I have a lot to teach you so let's get started.”
“Okay~!!” Eri agrees.
Eri gets up off the bed and runs out of the room while I stand here thinking over my choice and Gaki-san's words. Eri was never mine to begin with. She must have a family somewhere and the more she stays here the more worried her family is. Eri isn't so worried about that though. Does she even want to go back home?
She perfectly happy here. She enjoys my company. If she likes it here then why should she go back to where ever she came from? A surge of nausea rips through my stomach at the thought of returning her back to her home. I put a hand over my stomach to stop the sickening feeling.
Gaki-san told me to not get attached to her and without realizing it I went against Gaki-san's orders. What am I going to do when it comes time to give her up?
“Ai-chan~!” Eri calls.
I push back my feelings and thoughts when I hear Eri's voice calling me. I close my hand and build up my strength to move again. What Gaki-san doesn't know won't hurt her, right?
“I'll be right there, Eri!” I announce.
I hurry out the room to meet Eri who's eager to learn how to adjust. It's too late to do anything now. What comes I'll have to face when it gets here. The regrets will come another time.