CHAPTER 41
“Reina?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you, for being here for me and helping my mother. It means a lot to me.”
I pick up another spoonful of soup and blow on it before feeding it to Eri. She’s a lot better since that bath I gave her. I guess it did work. I still went out to get her medicine just in case and I even made soup for dinner. Of course I had a little help with Eri’s dad, because I was distracted by the whole bathroom event from earlier. I couldn’t think straight or stop thinking about her when I left that bathroom. I wasn’t paying attention to what I was cooking at all. Her father tried to fix whatever I screwed up. I don’t know if he did. I’m a little afraid to try my own cooking. Eri seems to enjoy it though. It makes me feel a little better about it. As for my cooking skills, I still have a bit of low confidence with it. Poor Eri’s family has to suffer and eat my food now.
“It’s no big deal Eri. I do this because I love you.”
She opens her mouth to receive her food. She takes her time to chew the chicken and potatoes. I found out today that Eri can’t stand carrots and peas, but I’m not sure about celery. I just took those out to be sure.
“I have something for you.”
I look up from the broth in surprise. She got me a gift? She shouldn’t have. I don’t need one. She leans over the edge of the bed to her draw beside the bed and opens one of the draws. She grunts a few times to try and reach whatever she’s trying to get. I’m afraid she’ll fall. I got to reach over to hold her while she’s bent over, but she comes back up and smiles at me.
“What is it?” I question
She shouldn’t have gotten me a gift. She needs to waste the money on something more important, like her family. She has something in her hands and she’s covering it. She keeps smiling and that makes me eager to see what it is that’s worth grinning about. She then opens her hands and reveals a silver ring. I stare at her in amazement. Is that thing real?! I’m in total shock. She wouldn’t! I can’t accept this! I just can’t! It isn’t right.
“Happy birthday, Reina.”
“…”
She frowns. “Reina?”
“…”
She seems unsure. Freaking say something idiot before she feels self conscious about what she just gave me! My mouth opens. Oh, yeah! That’s perfect. Why aren’t words coming out!? My mouth is just hanging open. That’ll make the situation better.
“Y-you don’t like it do you? I um…it’s ok. I-I can give you something else!”
She goes to put it back into her dresser. Quick, do something! I grab her wrist in a strong grip. She looks at me. I shake my head. She still has this dumbstruck look on her face. She doesn’t understand. Well of course. She can’t read your mind! Which, I’m grateful for…sometimes. Right now though it would be great if she can read my mind. It would make things simpler for me.
“I don’t hate it Eri. I think it’s one of the amazing gifts I’ve received so far.”
Her face goes from broken and confused to joy and excitement. I sigh. There all better.
“It’s just…that must have cost you so much and I’m not really worth that type of money Eri. It’s ok if I had no gift from you.”
She shakes her head. “It didn’t cost me anything.”
Now I’m the one befuddled. Did she steal that ring? I’m going to make her return it back if she did!
“This ring was given to me from my mother a week ago. This is the ring my father gave her before he went into the army. It was a promise ring. It was supposed to symbolize their love and told her that he’ll come back and when he did at one point they will get married. My mom wanted me to do the same. I guess she knew I liked you more than some friend.”
She holds the ring back out in front of me with her palms open.
“Will you take it?”
I’m speechless. Since I can’t speak and currently lost my voice I nod. She grins and takes my left hand. She slips the jewelry on to my ring finger. It’s a little loose, but it’ll do fine. I stare at it in awe.
“I’m sorry it isn’t that pretty. My dad got this when he was just a teen so he didn’t have much money.” Eri apologizes
“It’s ok.” I croak
I look at her and go over to hug her. She falls back on to the bed with a yelp as I lunge at her. I let her go when she complains about not being able to breath. I lie on her though looking down at her with a lovesick smile in tact.
“Did my strange tasting soup mess with your brain?” I chuckle
She smirks. “A little.”
I frown. “So it DOES taste weird!?” I yell
I pout.
She laughs and lightly hits me on the shoulder. “It doesn’t taste bad, but it does smell weird.”
I nudge her. She laughs and holds on to me. I glance back at my ring. Even though it may look simple with no diamond or decoration around it I still happen to like this ring very much. It makes me feel special. It makes our love feel special.
“It kind of feels like we’re…married.” I whisper, I turn back to her with a serious expression “Do you…want to get married?”
She blushes. “Someday.” She admits
I dip down to kiss her, but she puts her hand out to stop me. I grumble. That’s right she’s contagious. And I really want to kiss her! I haven’t had any kisses from her all day. It’s killing me.
“I’m still sick.” She reminds me
“Being sick sucks.” I whine
She chuckles. “You’re telling me. You’ll just have to wait a few days to kiss me. It’ll be over before you know it.”
I press my face against the bed and yell into it. I can hear her laughing at me. I pick up my head and kiss her on the cheek instead. I get off her and sit back into the chair next to the bed.
“Come on. Finish eating, then I have to go check on your mom again.” I order
She sits up on against the headboard and I take the bowl to feed the soup to her again. I really love this girl. She’s just…so amazing.
***
“How was your day?”
I groan. “Tiring!” I wail
My uncle laughs and shifts to see me over the couch. I drag myself into the house with my aching feet. They hurt so badly! Like someone with two left feet stomped on my feet constantly. I just want to go to sleep for a week. I would hate to get a real job!
“I made food if you’re hungry.”
I grunt. He laughs again.
“I’m going to my room.” I mumble
“Goodnight.”
He goes back to the TV and I drag myself towards my room. I can see Yuka trailing behind me to greet me. I’ll still have to check up on Eri when I get home from school. I hope she’s feeling at least a little better now. I fumble onto my bed without bothering to change my clothes. I’ll worry about it tomorrow. Yuka comes on to the bed and curls next to my face. I exhale and my body feels a little lighter. I like sleep. Sleep is nice. It makes you feel better. It’s currently my new friend. I close my eyes and let sleep do the rest.
***
Eri got better in now time and the month of November ended quicker than I thought it would. Which means, we are now in December and we got through the first week easily. With each day that passed I kept reminding myself, Eri’s birthday is soon. Two weeks to be precise. I already have a plan to celebrate it. I just need to do one more thing and everything is set. Eri’s going to love this. I’ll have to wait now. I can’t wait to see her face. I stir in my bed and glance at my clock, tiredly. My eyes open wide when I see the time. Damn it I’m going to be late! Why didn’t I set the alarm?! Didn’t I set it yesterday? I get up to see if my uncle’s awake. It’s dark in the apartment and silent. Is he up? I see his shadow cast on the wall to the left of me. He steps out of his room still in his pajama clothes.
“Uncle why aren’t you ready for work? And I’m going to be late for school. My clock didn’t go off.”
“You don’t have to worry Reina. I shut off your alarm. You don’t have any school today. It’s a snow day.”
“What?!”
So I got up for nothing when I COULD of been sleeping! I’m going back to bed.
“Alright thanks uncle.”
I go back into my room and close the door. When I get to my bed my phone goes off. It looks like I wont’ be sleeping any time soon. I grab it and open it.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Reina good you’re awake.” It’s Risa on the other end “Come to my place and with Eri. We’re going to sledding.”
“But I don’t have a sled.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just come over here and dress warm. You don’t want to get a cold.”
We say our goodbyes and I go to call Eri. I’ve never gone sledding before. I don’t know what to expect.
***
“Come on you two. I want to go sledding already!” Ai complains, leading us to the highest hill she can find.
I grab Eri’s hand and pick up our pace as best we can since we’re walking on top of soft snow. It’s so cold outside. I should have brought a scarf besides just these stupid earmuffs. It’s hard to hear what anyone is saying too, stupid earmuffs, but I refused to walk around like some sort of marshmallow or over stuffed pillow like my uncle had suggested before I left. I kinda wish I listened. Eri on the other hand is bundled in her coat, nicely. She’s probably dressed like this so she won’t get sick again since she recovered from being sick a week ago. She has on a wooly cap, scarf, gloves, and snow boots. She’s set to go. She looks so cute in her puffy orange coat. She’s the only one warmly dressed for this type of weather. Everyone else just has a coat or gloves of their own, but Koharu is another one who brought a yellow and plaid scarf with her. I don’t think I’ll be able to with stand this cold since I’m so skinny. I might have to go inside to warm up again soon. Right now I just want to have fun. With my other hand I clutch the sled given to me back at the car and steer my way around with both my hands full. I look around me as I follow the group. I didn’t know we can ice skate here too. Then I begin to remember the first date Eri and I had, which didn’t go so bad or ended terribly, but I still just don’t wan to go through the trouble of skating again. I really hope we don’t ice skate. That would be too embarrassing.
“This is it.” Ai announces; she looks down the hill she brought us to. She turns back to us. “Who wants to go first?”
We all look at one another, seeing who’s daring enough to try this out before us? There’s no luck at all. They’re just a bunch of punks. It can’t be that bad. What’s there to fear? I raise my hand high above my head.
“I’ll go!” I shout; I yank Eri along with me. “Come on Eri.”
“EH?!” She wails, trying to break free of my iron grip. “But Reina, I don’t wanna go!”
She plants her legs into the snow to make it hard for me to drag her along. I’m not giving up. She’s coming with me. I tug harder to bring her closer. Her wrist is squirming around in my hand.
“Come on Eri no need to worry.” I drop the sled and sit in the front. I pat behind me for her to sit. She’s hesitant to my command.
She’s thinking if she should join or just run away. She’s can’t be scared all her life. Besides a little sledding won’t kill anyone. Unless you slide into the road and get hit by a car, but that’s a whole different story, she’s safe. When she gives in and tangles her arms around my waist I look below to the drop. It’s very deep. Wow this looks scary. What did I get myself into?! Ok, I don’t think I can do this. I feel Eri’s hold tighten around me. She’s just as scared as I am. Her face presses against my coat. I have to stay strong for her. All right, suck it up Tanaka its just a little drop. I exhale out and watch my hot breath form a cloud around me and disappear into the freezing wind. She’s so scared.
“Ok, ready?” Risa asks; she starts to count. “1…2…3.” She pushes us with Ai’s help and we rapidly descent downward to the hill. The wind blows into my hair, wildly, sending threads of brown hair everywhere like whips around my face. I can barely see in front of me.
Eri lets out a high-pitched girly scream and I yell on instinct. Through the cracks of my hair, I see we’re getting closer to the bottom, the rides almost over. I can’t help, but smile along the way. This is really fun. Once you get pass the fear you get when going down. The sled starts to slow down and we glide smoothly along the bottom of the hill, until it comes to a dead stop. Eri doesn’t let me go when it’s over. She’s glued to my hips. She must be petrified. I look up to the top of the snowy hill and laugh.
“That was fun!” I shout, Eri’s still stiff “Hey, are you ok?”
“That was scary!” She cries
I put my hands over hers, trying to make her relax.
“Hey, no need to worry. I’m here. You think I will let you get hurt?”
“No.” she mumbles into my jacket
“I won’t. So why are you so worried? Let’s just have fun. It’s our day off.”
She lets me go and I get up. I face her and smile to her, assuring her of any fears running through her head. She gets up too, feeling a lot better. She even starts to smile.
“Let’s go back up.”
I take the sled and take her with me to the top of the hill. Everyone soon rides down after we do, seeing that it isn’t that scary after all. Risa overreacts a bit, but that’s just her. Eri offers to even sit in the front when we go back down. I’m glad to see we’re not the only ones enjoying this. The others can’t get enough of it. When it’s our turn after waiting, Eri gets the front and I sit behind her. I rest my head perfectly on her shoulder.
“Look here.”
We turn to Risa and she blinds us with the flash of her camera. She looks it over and giggles.
“So cute together!”
I face back ahead of me, peeking over Eri’s shoulder. My arms securely go around her waist and she sits comfortably between my legs. I’m ready to go.
“Ready?” I question
She nods and I push us off. Instead of screaming this time she laughing and yelling out with joy. I knew she would start to like this. She worried over nothing. She’s starting to enjoy her time here like everyone else. It makes me feel so happy seeing her this excited. When I see her going back up the hill and going back down and smiling or laughing with not a care in the world with no doubts and problems to stop her from having a good time, it makes me feel so warm inside.
***
Around noon we all got hungry so we went somewhere to get warm and fill our bellies at the same time. We took our time. Enjoying the meal and catching up on any latest news in school or any events further along the future. I can’t wait to spend the summer with everyone. We won’t have school in the way to stop us this time. Ai and Risa were kind enough to pay for everyone when we were done. I wanted to at least chip in with a few dollars my uncle gave me, but they insisted on taking care of the bill. That’s very kind of them. It’s almost like having my mother and father with me when we go out to eat. That wouldn’t be that far off. They certainly act mature enough and fit the role of mother father quite well. When we were done and Ai flagged down our waiter to get the check, the girls went to check their make-up and wash their hands. I stayed behind. I had a question to ask Ai and Risa and it would be very embarrassing to ask them both such a question with the others still here listening. But even if it’s just the three of us at the table I still feel nervous and bashful to ask. But they’re the only people I can come to. There’s no way I’m asking my uncle no matter how much I trust him!
“Um…Ai, Risa, c-can I ask you something?” I stutter
Risa gives me her full attention while Ai still searches around for her wallet in her jacket. I know she’s listening still. My hands start to shake. Come on suck it in and get some courage.
“H-how do you know when you’re ready to…uh…you know,” I rest my hands on top of the table “Have your first time?”
I hope they can understand me now. This isn’t any easy thing to talk about freely with to anybody. And I’m afraid someone might over hear me. This is a public place.
“You mean have sex?” Risa clarifies
I cough. My face begins to heat. I stare at the table and nod. Can she say that any louder?!
“Well…you won’t know when it’ll happen. It just does it on it’s own, but you know that you’re ready when you get this strong feeling inside of you. It starts at the pit of your stomach and it burns, but not in a bad way. Then it travels down through your whole body. That’s the best way I can describe it.”
Ai looks up to get her word in. “That and you just get REALLY turned on.”
I blush again. Must she be so blunt? Risa nudges her. That doesn’t stop her.
“I’m surprised you and Eri didn’t get down and dirty already. With a body like hers, I would have done it a LONG time ago if I were you.”
I glare at her and Risa smacks her hard at the back of her head. She read my mind. My hands turn into tight fist ready to punch Ai right in the face at her statement. I hold in the urge and control my anger. I’ve gotten a lot better at that. She sees Risa’s death glare and leans into her to try and get out of the trouble she just got in.
“I’m just kidding! You know I love you, Gaki-san. You’re the only girl for me.” Ai places a kiss to Risa’s neck and she automatically turns dark red.
Seeing she’s avoided the wrath from her girlfriend, Ai looks back at me to add in some more advice. I hope its advice worth listening to.
“No need to worry that much on it. When it happens you’ll know what to do. It feels natural.”
That’s worth hearing. Risa is also pleased with her words and kisses her on the cheek. Its Ai’s turn to turn red. They link hands on the table and gaze at one another. They still love each other strongly, even if they get mad at each other for little things. That’s so cute. I sigh relived.
“I knew I could count on you guys. Since you’re both the most experienced.”
“Yep, we tried just about everything, but sex toys.” Ai mumbles
I start choking on my spit at her declaration. What is wrong with her?! Has she any shame in what she says?! Risa smacks her again several times. Ai flinches and tries to duck for cover. Risa is just as red as I am.
“You didn’t have to tell her that!” she scolds
I slip out of the table to leave the two to fight on their own. That was just TOO much info! I walk towards the bathroom and see Eri outside going on her way to the table. She spots me and loops her fingers through mine to stop me.
“Are Risa and Ai ready to leave?”
“Almost.” I say
“Sayu said we’re going to have a snowball fight after this. It’ll be fun.”
The day isn’t over yet? I’m already tried from all the hill climbing. I guess I can hold out a little longer since Eri seems to look forward to the snowball battle. I’m on the other hand a little hesitant to the new plan. But what harm can be done while playing?
“Be on my team.” I suggest
Topic: This Thing Called Love(UPDATED 11/26/14) [COMPLETE] (Read 172399 times)