Because: I felt TanaKamei deprived, I had written two TanaShige and only one TanaKamei which made me question “Just what kind of a TanaKame-ist am I?”
, I love softie yankii Reina and Eri with glasses is
, but above all I just wanted a not-so-serious-but-happy TanaKamei fic.
Edit: Thanks to Mirei-chan for checking this fic and pointed some grammar errors.
Duty Love
Two girls collided as they made a turn around the corner at the same time. One girl landed on her bottom, her glasses thrown across the floor during the process. Out of luck, the other girl stepped on it whilst trying to regain her balance—producing a loud cracking sound.
Kamei Eri could only watch helplessly at her glasses which were currently below someone else's shoe.
“Oh crap! Are you okay?” The other girl hurriedly came to her side, favoring her concern for Eri instead of checking what she had broken.
Eri body tensed. She knew who owned that voice. The girl she’s been secretly keeping her eye on as of late: Tanaka Reina.
Her crush.
At the same time, Reina recognized the girl she had just knocked over. It’s the former vice president who did the welcome speech last year, the one taking over the sick president’s duty. In fact, her own vote among others had won the girl the position as the current president.
She extended her hand to the president and Eri yelped in pain when Reina pulled her up. Acting out of reflex, Reina caught her by the waist in time before she could fall again from the unsuccessful pull.
“I think I twisted my ankle...” Eri winced and grasped Reina's arms tighter because of the pain without realizing it.
“I’m sorry. I was in a hurry.” Reina used her strength to help the girl back on her feet properly, but didn’t let go of her hands that wrapped around Eri, just in case.
Noticing her current situation, Eri blushed from the contact. “It’s okay. I didn’t really see where I am going either.”
When Reina was sure Eri could stand on her own, she let go and went to pick up the crushed glasses. She shook her head disapprovingly at Eri's direction. “Will you be okay without it?”
“It’s going to be a bit blurry, but I’ll manage for today. I have a spare at home.” Eri gave a small smile.
Reina felt bad for causing the girl the state she was in. “Let’s get you to the school clinic.”
“I can go by myself,” declined Eri, not wanting to burden Reina.
“With so much pain?” Reina slung the girl’s arm over her shoulder before the girl could object. One hand went to the girl’s waist for support.
“You really don’t have to do this, Tanaka-san.” Eri said walking slowly with the other girl’s help.
Reina stopped in her track. “You know me?”
“Of course, how could I forget the only person who clapped over my welcome speech last year?”
“And how could I not? That’s the most awesome speech I’ve ever heard in my life!” Reina exclaimed.
~~~
With one clear of a throat and a “Welcome and enjoy the school life.” Eri finished her speech in mere seconds, gaining mostly shocked reactions from people who were assembled at the school front yard. Some have their mouth agape, some shaking their heads, and some sighed as if they’re expecting it beforehand.
All but one girl who chuckled and clapped loudly in delight.~~~
The sensei finished applying bandage on Eri's ankle. She told her it was a mild sprain and it might take a few days before it completely healed, so long as she didn’t strain it.
“Don’t go anywhere after school, I’ll come pick you up and take you back to your house,” Reina said when they reached the front of Eri's class.
“But—”
Reina held her gaze on Eri. “It would make me feel better if I do.”
It really would.Her yankii appearance might not help on convincing people that she’s actually a caring person deep down inside. But she was, and that’s why her bunny friend called her a softie yankii. Therefore, she wanted to at least take some responsibility for what she had done.
Feeling defeated under Reina's determined gaze with each seconds passed, Eri nodded.
~~~
“Don’t laugh!” Reina said embarrassed while holding a bright pink bicycle beside her.
Eri couldn’t suppress her giggle at the somewhat amusing sight in front of her. “I’m sorry, but is it yours?”
Though it doesn’t suit her image, she looks kind of cute.“No, I’m borrowing it from a friend.”
And I have to bribe that evil bunny too, darn.“Why did you borrow it?”
“I left mine at home today. And so you won’t have to walk back home, this way you won’t hurt your ankle more,” Reina reasoned, already in position to take off.
Eri’s giggle died on her throat once she absorbed the information.
She’s doing it for me? She’s not sure what she should feel at that moment. Happy? Touched? Happy and touched?
Not wanting to be seen with the bright pink bicycle any longer, Reina pointed to the back seat with her thumb and urged, “Can we just go now?”
Nodding obediently, Eri took her position on the back. She then realized that she just got a free pass to wrap her arms around Reina’s waist when the girl commanded her to do so. Maybe the misfortunes that had happened today were worth it after all.
She asked for Reina’s permission to rest her head on her back with the excuse of wanting to rest her tired eyes. Best part of it? It wasn’t even a lie; her eyes needed the rest from all the squinting she had to do.
“Tell me the address of your house first then go ahead and rest.”
The yankii girl didn’t know but she had just successfully made Eri like her even more. Finished with giving directions, she leaned her head on Reina's back and let out a blissful sigh.
She wished she would never have to let go of the warmth.
~~~
Eri reached out for Reina’s arm before the latter could leave. The younger girl initially had a shock upon entering her room, but recovered after a minute and had helped her searched through the pile of mess (much to her embarrassment) in her room for the spare glasses.
Turning around in confusion, Reina asked, “Yes?”
“Thank you.” Eri said earnestly and smiled.
Reina was taken aback.
That’s a lovely smile. The corner of her lips slightly tugged upward and she spoke in a soft voice: “Ah, almost forgot. Starting tomorrow I’m gonna pick you up for school and send you back here until your ankle is healed.”
Eri waved quickly, disagreeing. “No need. You’ve done enough, Tanaka-san.” She scolded herself for trying to reject such opportunity. But it felt wrong if she didn’t, it wasn’t the girl’s entire fault after all.
Reina shook her head. “I’ll take a full responsibility.”
“I’m at fault too you know,” Eri tried to counter.
“I insist,” Reina said in a final tone.
The president sighed in defeat for the girl’s stubbornness. “...if you say so,” she muttered.
“I said so.” Reina gave one last look at Eri as she twisted the doorknob. “See you tomorrow, president.”
~~~
Just when Reina was about to close her eyes, her phone lit up the dark room and beeped.
Thanks for today, Tanaka-san!
-Kamei Eri-On the second day, she had left her number for the president in case the girl needed something.
You, ahou president, if you had
the time to text me then go to
sleep already. It’s late.
-Tanaka Reina-Eri was infamous as the ‘ahou president’ throughout the school. Sometimes it made people who didn’t really know her questioned her ability as the president—while in truth she did take her job seriously. Thus a part of her kind of disliked the name, and yet, she couldn’t help but to like it coming from the younger girl.
Eri giggled. “I got it bad.”
Okay. Call me Eri, Tanaka-san.
Good night.
-Eri the ahou president-Not long after the text was delivered. Her phone vibrated, alerting her of a new text; one that brought a huge smile to her face.
Then call me Reina. Night.
-Reina-That and a wonderful dream which followed in her sleep.
~~~
Reina watched attentively as the busy president scanned through documents over documents and once in a while signing it.
And people said you’re an ahou president when you’ve been working so hard here. They must’ve been blind.“Do I have something on my face?” Eri said without looking up from the document she’s holding. She didn’t dare to. She felt Reina's eyes on her for some time already. Her heart was picking up its pace, she was sure if she looked up at Reina then she would blush.
“No. It’s just...you looked different when you’re serious.”
Eri shifted the document on her left hand to her right and adjusted her glasses. “Is that a bad thing?”
“Nope,” Reina said fondly, “definitely not.” A smile formed on her face.
You looked cute.A comfortable silence lasted the whole time they waited for Eri to finish her task.
~~~
“Eririiin! Your girlfriend is here to get you!” Risa, Eri’s classmate and best friend, shouted in a sing-song voice.
Eri scrambled her things into her bag in one swift motion, face flushed.
Risa, you are so dead! She glared at her best friend—who returned it with a wink of her own—while trying to walk as fast as she could to the class door albeit limping slightly. Her action caused Reina to hurriedly came to her side and stilled her movement halfway through by putting a hand on her shoulder.
“You shouldn’t do that. Your ankle is not fully healed yet,” the girl reminded.
“Right. Sorry about that.” Eri apologized and changed her steps into a careful one. She looked back to glare once more at her now grinning best friend.
“Just don’t do it again, kay?”
“Okay. Also, I—I apologize for what my friend said...” Eri said timidly.
“No biggie. Let’s stop by the clinic first to check your ankle.” Reina was more concerned about the ankle than the comment.
Eri couldn’t believe her ears and glanced at Reina who walked alongside her, matching her slow pace.
No big deal, Reina?~~~
The older woman put away the ice pack from Eri’s ankle. “I thought I told you not to strain it?” She sighed while reapplying a fresh elastic bandage on. “Good thing there’s no real harm done. But to be safe, please take a few more days to rest it.”
“I’m sorry, sensei...” Eri looked down not because the sensei scolded her, but because she was avoiding eye contact with Reina. She knew she would burden the girl longer than supposed. She wasn’t quite the good patient, but that’s only because she sometimes forgot that she wasn’t supposed to use her injured leg like usual. Especially at home where there’s no Reina to watch over her.
~~~
Good night and sorry for
bothering you again today.
Thank you.That was the text Reina received from the president. She didn’t have to text back, she knew it. Yet why did she find herself twisting around her bed relentlessly? Like sleep wouldn’t come before she sent a word to the girl?
“Aaargh! Okay, I get it! I’ll text her back!” Reina cried out, clearly frustrated.
It’s okay. You don’t have
to thank me every day,
it’s my duty. Night.“There! Now let me sleep!” She pulled her blanket over her head and sleep did come easily after that.
~~~
“How’s your girlfriend?” Sayumi asked.
Reina looked lost. “Huh? Which one?”
Sayumi gasped in a dramatic manner. "Reina, I didn’t know you had many!” She then nudged and smirked at her friend playfully. “You playgirl, you.”
When her friend threw her an annoyed look and growled in response, she straightened herself. “Ahem. You know, the one you borrowed my bike for? The one you’re spending your time with lately? The one you told me her serious face was cute? The ahou president?”
“She’s not an ahou president, she’s a good president. And she’s recovering slowly.”
Sayumi arched her eyebrow. “Oh~ defending her now? Interesting. Do you even realize that you’re not denying what I said?”
“Deny what?”
“That she’s your girlfriend?”
“...she’s not.” Reina frowned, unaware it was because the words that had left her mouth.
“You’re not bothered if people misunderstand that, are you?” Sayumi stated not really questioning.
Eririiin! Your girlfriend is here to get you.The words from Eri’s friend rang inside Reina’s head and she knew the thought of it didn’t bother her at all. “No. Why would I? She’s a great person.”
At her friend’s reply, Sayumi pressed on to confirm her suspicion. “Do you know what that means?”
Reina shrugged. “No?”
Sayumi stared at her friend for a few seconds then laughed. “Oh Reina...sometimes you can be so slow.”
“Hey! What do you mean by that?!”
“You like her you idiot!”
“I’m no—wait, really?”
“Duh!” Sayumi shook Reina by the shoulder. “Wake up, Reina! Wake up!”
“Stop shaking me!”
“No, not until it gets into your head!”
~~~
Reina held her head with her two hands, feeling a bit dizzy from all the shaking Sayumi did. She made a mental note to kill the bunny later.
“Are you all right?” Eri asked worriedly when the girl didn’t seem to notice her presence as opposite of the usual.
The voice made Reina jump. “What? Oh! Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Let’s go.”
They made their way to where Reina had parked her bike this morning and immediately took their designated positions on the purple bike.
Once the now familiar hands encircled her waist, Reina looked down on it. It didn’t seem to register in her mind before how she didn’t mind it being there.
How she liked it there.
“Are you sure you are fine, Reina?” Eri asked again when Reina didn’t immediately take off after the both of them were settled.
“Yes, no worries,” she reassured after shaking her head to clear her thoughts and cycled away.
Then another realization came to her; the warm weight that’s leaning on her back. How could she be so ignorant of the routines that were slowly forming on the past few days?
Am I that dense?Oh how she hated it when Sayumi was right....
~~~
Caressing her ankle lightly, Eri knew her ankle was ready to return to its previous condition soon. She almost wished that it wouldn’t just so she could spend more time with Reina.
She had noticed small changes in Reina's attitude towards her ever since she asked if she was fine yesterday. It’s weird—in a good way, though. Like how she smiled warmly at her; surprising her this morning by putting her hands on top of hers that were around Reina's waist, saying she needed to check if the hold was secure enough before she let go after a short while; she even walked her to her class. All of the things she never had done before. It’s like Reina suddenly became sweet.
What important was that it didn’t feel like Reina was doing it just for the sake of her so-called duty. Which led her mind to speculate whether the younger girl shared the same feelings or not.
Yet all of it couldn’t stop her from sighing at that moment. There were other thoughts that took bigger space in her mind.
She has been haunted with thoughts like how they would have to part their way in no time. No more picking her up in the morning, no more little chats here and there, no more waiting for her at the student council room or in her class and going home together. They would continue on their own ways. Everything would go back to normal.
And Eri thought normal didn’t sound as good anymore.
~~~
“Reina, you stupid!” Sayumi said, irritated.
“What the?! Not nice, Sayu!”
“But you are! You had like the perfect opportunity to ask her out when you sent her home yesterday, yet you wasted it perfectly!”
Reina dropped her forehead on the table, grumbling. Because once again, Sayumi was right.
~~~
Risa looked at her friend and sighed. “Kame, if you look at the door once more I swear I will drag you to her class if I have to!”
Eri whipped her head to face Risa. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh yes, I would. I don’t understand why can’t you just ask her out and end your misery, huh?”
“It’s not that easy, you know.”
“It IS. Want me to go there and demonstrates it?” Risa challenged. “Hey, Reina. I happen to like you so would you go out with me? Better yet, be my girlfriend?”
It’s Eri turn to sigh. “You’re crazy.”
Risa rolled her eyes. “Why, of course. Seeing you mope around these days only drives me crazy. Do something, will you?”
“I’ll try.”
~~~
Eri was surprised to see Reina in front of her house on Sunday afternoon, dressed in casual clothes.
“Reina?” Eri whispered, hoping the girl was really there.
Her ankle had been healed for a week, so the girl held no responsibility over her anymore. She was happy but also curious as to why the girl was here.
“Hey, Eri. You know, I never did replace your broken glasses, and since I don’t know anything about glasses...” Reina said nervously, “how about umm...searching it together? I mean, I did say I’d take full responsibility.”
Whatever reason Reina had, Eri knew the girl would make it hard if not impossible for her to reject. The days she spent with the girl taught her exactly that. So she smiled widely and decided to play along. It’s not like she minded anyway. “Okay, I’ll just change my clothes. Come inside.”
Reina waved her hand. “I think I’ll just wait here.”
“I’ll be right back then,” Eri said before dashing to her room.
Once Eri was out of sight, Reina face palmed herself. “Why can’t you just ask her straight for a date, Reina? Argh!”
~~~
Ask her out yet?
Not yet.
And you call
yourself a yankii??
Seriously, go ask her!
I never said that!
And I’m NOT a yankii!
Loser yankii! =p
Shut up!
Gah! That bunny, I’ve told her many times that I’m not a yankii and she never listens. Reina looked up from her text conversations with Sayumi when she heard someone giggling. “Oh, you’re back.” The phone was quickly slid back to her pocket.
Eri was enjoying the faces Reina made while the girl was pushing the buttons on her phone furiously as she approached their table.
“Yeah, back with the food.” Eri put the tray down on the table and gave Reina her share of food and drink. She had offered to pay for their lunch which at first was rejected. Though once she pouted, Reina's stubbornness had crumbled. So the girl agreed but Eri had to pick the food while Reina secured their seat at the food court.
“Thanks.”
“No, thank you.” Eri pointed at her shiny new glasses.
Reina nodded. “You look pretty with it.” She immediately coughed and sipped her cup of ice lemon tea to hide her burning cheeks after realizing she had just revealed out the words inside her head, missing Eri's flushed face and sweet smile as she thanked her once more.
~~~
ASK HER NOW
YOU CHICKEN!For a second there, Reina regretted telling Sayumi about her plan today. The girl could get on her nerves sometimes.
“Reina, we’re here.”
Eri’s voice brought her back to the present. Reina looked around and sure enough they’ve reached Eri's house.
Do something, will you?Without a waring Eri turned toward Reina and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Thank you. I had so much fun today.”
Reina who had brought her hand to her left cheek the moment Eri's lips left it, just nodded dumbly.
Couldn’t stand Reina's cuteness, Eri leaned once more and this time her destination was the other cheek and she lingered for a moment there. “And that’s for taking care of me when I sprained my ankle.”
Now with both her hands cupping her cheek, Reina stared at Eri's smiling face, dazed. Before she could stop herself from blurting another embarrassing thing, her mouth had moved on its own and said, “Would you go out with me on a date?”
Is this even real? Eri thought.
It took Reina a few seconds to acknowledge her own question when she saw Eri's surprised look and tried to backpedal. “I mean...I mean I—”
“I would love to.”
“No, no, it’s okay I—wait, you would?? Like seriously?!”
Eri giggled at Reina's nervous state. “Yes, I would.” She took the yankii's hand and squeezed it. “Like seriously.”
“Great!” Reina beamed and punched the air excitedly like a kid with her free hand.
Eri shook Reina’s hand gently to get her attention back. “Hey, Reina...”
If this doesn’t work, I’m gonna have a long talk with Risa-chan about her ‘easy’ ideas.Turning to face Eri, Reina answered, “Yeah?”
“Be my girlfriend?”
“Huh?” Reina blinked once. “HUH?!” And she blinked some more.
Eri giggled. “Can I get a nod?”
Without thinking twice, Reina nodded her head repeatedly. And Eri punched the air in a similar manner Reina did earlier.
They shared a look and laughed together over their silliness, hands still tightly clasped together.
Ah, Risa-chan was right. It’s actually not that hard to just ask her.The End
Wow, I didn’t know it would become more than my usual 3 pages when I first wrote it. And
Bishop, if you’re reading this, is this long enough?
Correct me if you spot mistakes, thanks.
Happy V-day for those who celebrate it! While I don’t celebrate it, please consider this as a gift for the TanaKame fans, hope you guys will enjoy this somehow
(sorry if it fails!)
Topic: C's Scrambled Mix [TanaKame~Duty Love] 14/02/11 (Read 35624 times)