Sign Seeker“Eri! Are you even listening?” An irate black haired girl growled as she glared at her office mate. She expected this of the airheaded girl, but to actually be ignored while she was relating her story really got to the girl’s nerves. Getting off her chair she walked over to her friend and began snapping her fingers in front of the dazed girl.
Eri blinked. Slowly her head turned to her companion’s direction, half glazed eyes slowly began refocusing on the glaring girl. “Hm… Sayu? What is it?”
Sayumi sighed as she lightly hit Eri’s head. “Nothing, just… Never mind. What were you looking at anyway?” she said. Sayu tilted her head up to look for what was so fascinating that her friend had completely ignored her while she was talking.
“Nothing.” Eri mumbled. Her hand came up to where Sayu had lightly hit her, unconsciously rubbing the spot as if it had actually hurt.
“Really?” It wasn’t really a question. Sayu knew something was up. They’ve been together for so long, there were just something’s that didn’t need to be said but the other could still get the idea. Eri knew Sayu knew something was up. After all this was Michishige Sayumi she was talking about.
Eri grimaced. It was both a blessing and a curse to have such a sharp best friend. This time it was leaning more on the later. “... I was just wondering why this office doesn’t have a ceiling.” Sayumi guffawed. Leave it to Eri to say these kinds of statements.
“Cost cutting.” Sayu went back to the comfort of her chair. Turning the office chair around so she could face her partner, she leaned back into a more comfortable position before stretching out her leg and lightly nudging Eri’s chair to get her attention.
“Okay, spill. What’s bothering you?” Eri grinned, momentarily glancing back at Sayu before resuming her blank look.
“It’s boring stuff.”
“Come on. Unlike you I’ll actually listen instead of randomly nodding my head while my mind is somewhere in la-la-land.” Eri smiled sheepishly and sent her friend an apologetic look. Sayu merely smiled knowingly and lightly shook her head.
“We’ve got nothing to do. Our shift doesn’t end till another hour. Talk.”
“Sayu I’m fine. Really. I’m just a little tir-” Eri’s stopped mid-sentence when a familiar figure glided by their shared cubicle. Her mouth hung where her sentence ended as she openly stared at the smiling petite girl that momentarily paused in front of them.
“Bye, Eri.” The petite girl waved before turning and going on her way.
Sayu watched the retreating back of the girl, then back to her still gaping friend. A smirk slowly forming on her face as she looked back at the receding figure before the petite form disappeared around a corner. Sayu shoulder shook as she stifled her laughter.
“A fly’s gonna fly in that trap of yours if you don’t shut your mouth Eri.” Sayu said. Eri quickly shut her mouth, a light tinge of pink colored her cheeks. Sayu’s grin widened and she leaned forward, crossing her right leg over the left and resting her elbows on the arm rest of her chair with her hands entwined together giving her a look of someone with power.
“Eri~” she crooned. Eri felt a shiver run up her spine. Pursing her lips together she ignored her friend and instead took out a random magazine and absently began flipping through it. Not one to be easily discouraged Sayu began nudging her friend with her foot. “My lovely Eririn~ is there something you’d like to tell me? Something regarding a certain Tanaka Reina-chan?”
“There’s nothing to discus Sayumin. Oh, this look’s cute.”
“Eririn…” Sayu crooned again. Still trying to ignore her friend Eri turned to another page, trying to look engrossed in the magazine.
“Eri don’t use that on me, at least not with the magazine upside-down.”
“What?” Eri refocused her eyes on the page she was on. The model was definitely upside-down. How’d that happen? Blushing a deeper shade Eri gingerly set the magazine down.
“That’s better.” Sayu grinned triumphantly. “You know… She’s got the hots for you?”
“What?” Eri stared blankly at her friend. Sayu sighed.
“She likes you.”
Eri’s brows scrunched together “Who does?”
“Oh God, Eri do I have to spell it out for you? Reina-chan likes you.” Sayu said exasperatedly.
“Reina?” Eri began chuckling. “Nah, she’s just friendly.”
“If she really is friendly she should have greeted me too. She greeted practically everyone here except me. How is that friendly?”
Eri shrugged. “Maybe she didn’t see you.”
Sayu made a sniffling sound. She raised her brow and began laughing humorlessly. “Didn’t see me? That’s impossible. You don’t just go by and not see all this.” She said, her hands doing a sweeping motion over her body. Eri grinned and shook her head. She turned around in her seat and faced her desk, her hands roaming about in search of anything to do.
“Hey, ask her out tomorrow.” Again Eri let out a short laugh. “I’m serious Eri, ask her out.”
“Sayu stop kidding around. There’s no way she’d say yes. In fact she’ll just think I’m kidding around with her.”
“No she won’t. I’m telling you she likes you!” Sayu said exasperatedly.
“How would you know?”
“She looks at you differently. She speaks to you in a different tone. You’re the only one she’s ever called using the given name. Everyone can tell she likes you.”
“If that’s really true then how come I never noticed?” Eri scoffed.
“That’s cause you were too busy ogling at her like a high school boy.” Sayu nearly growled. Taking in a calming breath she lightly rubbed her temples to help ease a forming headache. “What are you waiting for?” Sayu sighed. Raising a hand she pointed her finger at her forehead then dragged it across saying “A sign on her forehead saying ‘Be mine?’ Just ask her out.”
Sayu paused, waiting for an answer. She knew Eri was listening. Her hands were frozen over her cluttered desk indicating that she was thinking it through. After a while and still no movement Sayu decided to drop the subject. It wasn’t her problem if Eri’s love life remained woefully empty. Anyway she’ll always love the idiot girl no matter what, at least Eri will never be alone.
“Alright! Let’s just… Get up, let’s take a break. I think there’s still some coffee left in the lounge.” Sayu brightly proposed. She jumped to her feet and skipped over to her friend. Grabbing onto one of Eri’s arm she began tugging the girl along. Eri stumbled from the shock of suddenly being dragged away from her seat but quickly regained her footing. She sent Sayu a questioning look and was rewarded with an innocent smile.
“Hey, if someone’s looking for us tell them we’re taking a break.” Sayu told the girl beside their cubicle. The girl smiled politely and nodded her head.
“If I’m not back in an hour… call the police.” Eri called over her shoulder as she was forcedly dragged away earning her a couple of snickers from the other employees.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Eri yawned as she stretched her tired muscles. She was back in her shared apartment and was, more importantly, in the safety of her room. They had left work earlier and came home to a nicely prepared meal courtesy of their motherly flat mate. There were four of them living in the same apartment. They’ve been good friends since high school and through-out college. After they graduated they had agreed to live in together and divide the cost amongst themselves so that they wouldn’t have a lot of financial problems. It took a while but thankfully they found one with four bedrooms, complete with a living room, kitchen and dining room with a decent rent rate.
Eri smiled at her luck. She had a good home, good friends and a good job. What more could she ask for? Just then Sayu’s voice seems to echo in her mind. “she like’s you... Ask her out.”
Eri sighed as she flopped unceremoniously on her bed. Her eyes trailed over to the top of the bed, then to the digital alarm clock on the bedside table. She reached out and snatched the clock off the table and righted herself up into a sitting position. She lightly began tapping the object in her hands, her eyes staring blankly ahead in deep thought.
Okay, how bout this… I’ll set my alarm for 7:00 in the morning tomorrow. If I wake up before then… I’ll take that as a sign. Tomorrow morning I’ll ask Reina out.
Setting the clock back on its perch Eri flicked her night lamp off, blanketing her room in darkness.
Eri grinned at the silliness of it all. Someone bad at waking up in the morning as her could beat the alarm clock? Impossible. Eri smiled sadly, her eyes gazing blankly at her ceiling. Who was she kidding?
She yawned, her eyes tearing up at the light sting. The soft buzz of the night creatures slowly lulled her to sleep. Her eyelids flickered slightly, her breathing evening out. The last thing she saw before sleep took her was the red light of her digital clock softly illuminating her room.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Eri groaned as the light from outside slipped past her curtains and shone on her face. She tried to drape her arm over her face to block the offending light but her body wouldn’t move as she commands them too. Slightly panicking she struggled against her restraints. Her eyelids peeled open and she hissed in pain as the light stung her eyes. Struggling harder she felt her arm starting to get loose and she squirmed around with new vigor. Eventually her arm broke free and she sighed in relief. She squinted her eyes, groggily she began taking in the problem before her. Her blanket was tightly wrapped around her, completely cocooning her body.
Great, all that adrenaline rush for this? Now I’m wide awake…
Wait a minute…Eri began kicking off her blanket. Her eyes quickly locked onto the digital clock on her bedside table. She grabbed the object and stared at the figures blinking back at her. A couple of second later the alarm went off.
Alarm clock… check.
Shaking her head Eri turned off the alarm and placed the clock back where it belongs. Like a balloon that was being diffused Eri slumped down beside her bed, her legs in an awkward angle and her eyes blankly staring forward.
“It’s a coincidence.” Her lips curled up slightly and she let out a choked kind of laugh.
Yeah… That was just a coincidence.“Eri?” A head of disheveled brown hair popped in from Eri’s doorway. Eri slowly shifted in her position, bringing her legs under her and turned her head slightly. She mumbled a barely audible “Good morning, Gaki-san.” before letting out a yawn.
“Good morning to you too.” Risa grinned. She shuffled over to the bed, sitting herself at the edge. “This is unusual. Usually I have to push you off the bed for you to end up on the floor awake.”
“Woke up before the alarm.” Eri mumbled. She began stretching her arms and her back letting out one last satisfying yawn.
“That’s very unusual. Maybe something special might happen later.”
Eri’s eyes widened and she shot Risa an alarmed look. “How’d you-?”
Risa hummed, staring questioningly back at her now gaping friend. “Eri are you really awake?” Getting no response Risa shook her head. Getting up from the bed she lightly patted Eri’s head before she turned around and headed back out to the hall. “Close your mouth, get changed and come down for breakfast. Okay?”
“Un.” Eri finally mumbled. She bit her lip, still staring at the door her friend had disappeared to. Shaking her head Eri pushed herself off the floor. Her hands came up to rub what remained of her sleep away from her face.
Come on Eri, time to wake up. It didn’t take her long to pick out her clothes for the day. Fitting dark blue pedals, a white blouse and a pink cardigan sweater and she was all set. Checking herself once more in the mirror she nodded her head in approval before leaving her quarters for a good breakfast.
Okay, if I see any strawberry during breakfast, that’s it. It’s a sign.“Good morning, everyone!” Eri cheerfully greeted.
“Kamei Eri! Is that my cardigan?” Sayu exclaimed standing up from her seat and pointing accusingly at the shocked turtle. “I’ve been looking for that everywhere!”
“Eh?” Eri took the tip of the material in one hand and pointed at it. “This is yours? I was wondering where I got this from…”
“Please, not so loud.” A voice whined in front Sayu. A head was resting on the table, her arms wound over her head as if protecting it from harm. Sayu glanced at the disheveled head of the woman, frowning slightly, before silently taking her seat. Eri slipped in her seat beside Sayu. She nudged the girl lightly, putting on an innocent look. Sayu rolled her eyes at her best friend’s antics but smiled none the less. It was hard not to when Eri was acting all cute and innocent.
“Ai-chan, sit up straight. It’s time for breakfast.” Risa reprimanded the woman. Ai grumbled something incoherent before she grudgingly pushed herself into a sitting position. Satisfied Risa began putting down their breakfast on the table.
Eri scanned the food on the table. Pancakes, French bread toast and milk. Eri’s smile dropped for a moment but she quickly regained her smile as the plate of pancakes was passed around. They made small talk while they ate, poked fun of one another once in a while, all in all it was just like any other day. Before long they were finished with their breakfast and they began clearing the table.
Well that’s the end of breakfast and still no strawberries in sight.“Gaki-san! When was that put up?” Sayu gasped.
“That? Just this morning. Ai-chan bought it, isn’t it cute?” Risa said. She was pointing at whatever ‘that’ was. Eri followed her finger and gasped in surprise. Hanging by the door was a new clock shaped in the image of a large strawberry.
Strawberry… check.
“Eri, you alright?” Ai asked.
Eri blinked and turned her attention back to the other girls. Everyone was staring at her. She ducked her head down to hide her blush and she began picking up the plates, completely avoiding eye contact, and mumbled a “yes”.
-o-o-o-o-o-
“Eri are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Sayu asked. They were boarding their usual train on the way to work. Sayu had felt something was off with her friend since breakfast. She was zoning out a lot more frequently than normal, and Sayu had practically plastered herself to Eri’s side. She was worried plain and simple.
“I’m fine, Sayu, really. I’m just having a… weird day. Everything’s fine.” Sayu doesn’t look convinced. In fact her hold only seems to tighten around Eri’s arm. Eri smiled, touched by her friend’s action. With her free arm she reached over to cover Sayu’s hands, squeezing them in reassurance.
The intercom crackled to life, the lights on the doorway began blinking as the electronic doors began to shut. Sayu sighed and mumbled one thing or another about the morning rush hour and packed sardines before comfortably resting her head on Eri’s shoulder. Eri smiled.
During the ride the both of them stayed quiet and stood beside each other. Sayu would occasionally glance up at her friend, just to make sure she was all right, and would then resume resting her head on Eri’s shoulder. Eri on the other hand was contentedly staring out the widow, watching the buildings pass by in a blur.
Okay, another one… let’s see… a dog, if I see a talking dog… Heh, that’s kind of impossible huh?“Eri, you’re starting to creep me out.” Eri snapped out of her thoughts. She tilted her head to the side to face Sayu.
“Huh?”
“You were grinning one moment and frowning the next. It’s kind of creepy.” Eri giggled a bit and lightly nudged her friend.
“Sorry, I just thought of somethi-” Eri’s smile dropped. Despite the overcrowding in the train somehow Eri’s eyes landed on a girl a little ways in front of her. She was playing with a dog puppet. She would ask it a question and then pretend that the dog would reply to her questions. A talking dog.
“Eri! Maybe you should just go home. We’ll go down the next station and-”
“No, it’s okay Sayu. It’s just… a talking dog.” Eri replied weakly, she smiled sheepishly as she pointed in the direction of the girl. Sayu raised her brow, took one look at the girl then back at her friend. She shrugged her shoulders and said no more.
Dog… check
-o-o-o-o-o-
They were finally at their station. After that it was just a short walk to their office. Sayu had refused to let go of Eri the whole time, fearing for her friend’s safety. Eri didn’t mind, she trusted Sayu with her life, even though sometimes Sayu’s idea’s lands them in trouble.
Eri took a sweeping glance of her surroundings. They were just a pedestrian away from their building.
Alright, one more… If I see a chicken on the way to the building, then that’s it. That’s my sign.“Come on Eri.” Sayu tugged at Eri’s arm. The crossing light had just turned green, people around them were starting to cross to the other side. Eri obediently followed Sayu, not like she had any other choice. Just then something white caught her peripheral vision. Curious she turned her head to the side. A huge chicken was passing around fliers for the new chicken joint across the street.
Chicken… check.
What- what I meant was a giraffe. Not a chicken. A giraffe.“Eri!” She heard Sayu yell. Too late. She felt herself collide with something, or rather someone. She teetered somewhat but managed to regain her footing.
“Oh jeez, I’m so sorry! Are you alright?” Eri apologized, the pitch of her voice going up an octave as she bent down to help the man up. Sayu had let go of her and began picking up the various things the man had dropped. After making sure that the man was alright Eri began too began picking up the man’s things. Just as she was about to pass the man the papers she gathered she saw something orange on the corner of one of the paper in the pile.
No, it can’t be…She pulled out the paper from the stack. It was a drawing. It was crude, probably made by a child, but there was no mistaking it. It was a drawing of a giraffe.
Giraffe… check.
“Eri.”
“Huh?” Eri’s head jerked up. She stared up at Sayu’s concerned face then at the man’s open hand and questioning gaze. “Oh, right.” She handed the man back his things, apologizing once more before she was ushered into the building by Sayu.
-o-o-o-o-o-
“Mou, Eri, what’s wrong with you today? Are you sure you’re okay?” Sayu asked. She had successfully brought Eri up all the way to their floor without any other mishaps happening, much to her relief. Eri had stayed quiet the whole way up, ducking her head and merely followed Sayu to the lounge.
Sayu pushed off her perch from the counter and faced Eri. She bought her hands up placing one on her forehead and the other on Eri’s. “If you’re sick and not telling I’m-“
“I’m not sick Sayu. I just… I’ve just been thinking, that’s all.” Eri said, pulling away from Sayu’s hand.
“Well, maybe you should stop thinking before you kill yourself.” Sayu quickly retorted, her face void of any emotion. She turned away from Eri, pulling out a cup from the cabinet nearby and prepared herself a cup of coffee, making herself look busy.
Eri smiled from her position beside Sayu, idly playing with an empty cup she had taken out earlier. She wasn’t the least bit bothered by what Sayu said, she knew she only meant well. She could be a bit harsh with her words at times, but Sayu had always been there for her and Eri was thankful for that.
Eri felt a tug at her arm, she turned to the source and found a cup of steaming black coffee offered by a frowning Sayu. Her smile widened as she accepted the offer quietly uttering her thanks. Sayu nodded her head, reached over and took the cup Eri was previously playing with.
“I’m going ahead. See you later.” She said, putting the empty cup by the sink.
“Eh? You’re not going to drink?” Sayu shook her head then grinned.
“When I see you later I hope I hear something good.” She winked. Turning around she lifted her hand and made a dismissive wave as she walked away, leaving behind a confused Eri. Eri was about to call out to her friend when a familiar voice made her stop.
“Morning, Eri.”
As if switching to automatic Eri’s body turned on its own accord. Her eyes instantly met mesmerizing dark brown ones. She froze in place.
Reina smiled at her office mate then bowed her head in greeting. She then proceeded to take out a cup to make herself coffee, completely oblivious to the love-struck stare she was receiving. Eri swallowed drily, the steaming cup in her hands forgotten, as she watched the petite woman.
Eri couldn’t help but notice everything about Reina. She wore a grey cotton tank top, a black sleeveless cardigan and grey fitting jeans that, Eri noticed, hugged the contours of her butt quite well. Her long brown hair was slightly curled today and neatly tucked under a black fedora hat that had a couple of randomly placed letter buttons around it. She also adorned a couple of stylish black chain necklace, each varying in size. She was happily humming a song Eri couldn’t seem to identify, her lip curved up in her signature cat-like smile.
Realizing that she was being stared at Reina turned her attention back to Eri and tilted her head slightly in confusion. “Is there something on my face?” she asked.
Still staring straight at her Eri tentatively raised a finger to gently poke the petite girl’s shoulder. Reina’s brows scrunched together in question. She then smiled awkwardly. Eri blinked then, her face braking into a lopsided grin, making Reina laugh.
“Omoshiro, Eri. You’re funny.” Reina said in between her laughter.
Snapping out of her daze Eri’s cheeks blushed a deep shade of red and she quickly ducked her head. “What? I’m… No… it’s nothing. Ididn’tsayanything.” she quickly mumbled. Again Reina laughed. Eri raised her head slightly then quickly ducked and looked away when Reina grinned at her.
Okay Eri, get yourself together. She’s right there. Just say it. You already got your signs right? There’s the alarm clock, the strawberry, the dog and the chicken that became a giraffe... What more do you want?She took a deep breath.
Okay… one last sign. The ultimate sign…“What are you waiting for? A sign on her forehead saying ‘Be mine?’” Sayu’s voice rang out in her head.
Eri’s eyes widened at the thought. Her inner mind chided her for being so immature about the whole thing. What was so hard about asking someone out? If she couldn’t do it, then don’t.
Chalk it to curiosity, and that small hope in her, but she found herself slowly turning around. Unfortunately the forgotten cup in her hand tilted a little too much, sending the hot concoction to the floor. Both girls yelped as it splashed.
Eri quickly righted the cup in her hand and shoved it on the counter. The brown liquid sloshed around the cylinder, a good amount went over the brim and onto her hand. Eri jerked her hand back, pain momentarily taking over her mind, and she cursed lightly.
Reina located the box of tissue paper and began haphazardly laying them one on top of the other over the spill. Seeing this Eri grabbed the cleaning rag from the side of the sink and dropped to her knees, running the rag over the parts Reina missed, profusely apologizing as she did.
“It’s okay, Eri. It was just an accident. Don’t worry.” Reina said over the stream of apology leaving Eri’s lips.
Unfortunately due to an overload of embarrassment Eri couldn’t hear anything besides her own voice as she babbled every apology she could think of. She felt her eyes slightly sting from the tears threatening to come out, but she held them back. It was only when she felt a warm pair of hands cupping her face that she stopped.
Her eyes snapped up to stare at forgiving ones. Reina slightly shook her head then smiled. Eri felt her face heat up, but for some reason she couldn’t pull her face away, not when it felt so right.
“…I am so sorry. Oh, God I’m so clumsy. I didn’t mean- You’re not hurt, are you? I am so sor-“
“It’s all right.” Reina interjected. She let her thumb brush across Eri’s pink cheeks, to wipe away the tears. “It’s all right. It was just an accident.”
Still feeling embarrassed all Eri could do was nod her head.
Realizing their position, and how it would look to others, Eri’s eyes widened. She was about to pull away when Reina noticed something and gasped loudly. She released Eri’s face and pulled her left hand, brining it close to her face to examine the red appendage.
Reina’s face scrunched, she began pulling the turtle closer to the sink. Turning on the faucet she guided Eri’s hand under the cool stream. As soon as the cool water touched her hand Eri hissed and tried to pull away, but Reina tightened her hold on her wrist and pulled it back.
Eri started to whimper, fresh tears started rolling down her cheeks, now from pain rather than embarrassment. Reina glanced back at Eri’s face. Eri tried to smile, but miserably failed as another wave of pain shot up her arm.
Reina smiled apologetically as she firmly kept the turtles hand under the steady stream. After a while Eri let out a relaxed sigh, the cold water finally working its magic on the burned area. Reina told the turtle to keep her hand under the water and excused herself. A minute later she came back with a first aid kit in hand.
Turning off the tap Reina guided Eri to the table situated at the corner of the room. After gently drying Eri’s hand she applied a generous amount of burn cream over the red area. Eri would occasionally twitch from the contact, her skin still quite sensitive, but she held herself together.
“There you go. Feel better?” Reina softly asked.
“Yeah. Th-Thanks.” Eri quietly murmured. Reina smiled and began clearing the table.
Putting the kit to the side, she got up and made her way to the counter to get their now cool coffee before going back to the table. She place Eri’s mug in front of her before taking a seat adjacent to her.
They drank their coffee in silence. Reina would occasionally glance at Eri while the turtle ducked her head down, much too embarrassed to look the kitten in the eye.
Eri finished her drink first, considering half of it was drying on the floor. But instead of standing up to leave like what she would normally do she found herself rather unwilling to leave. So instead she started to play with the cup, her mind drifting back to the incident a couple of minutes ago.
She thought of Reina’s hand clamped on her wrist, the worried expression on her face as she held her in place while she tried to pull away. How incredibly soft her hand felt while she treated her burn. How cute she looked concentrating on applying the ointment on her skin, being careful not to put too much pressure while she gently spread the cream.
Just then she heard Sayu’s voice in her mind.
“Be mine?” she unconsciously murmured.
“Did you say something?” Reina asked. Eri’s head snapped up at her voice. She was about to shake her head when she noticed something on Reina’s hat.
In white cursive letterings the word “Mine” was neatly embellished on top of the ribbon. Before that was a small dark blue pin with the capital letter b.
“Um…” Eri licked her lips, her eyes trained disbelievingly at her sign.
“Hm?”
A wide smile soon found its way to Eri’s face. She let out a small chuckle, her eyes now gazing back at brown smiling ones.
“Ne, Reina. Do you… I mean, would you like to catch a movie with me later? That is if you don’t have any other plans.” The last sentence ended in almost a whisper as uncertainty and the thought of reject crept up in Eri’s mind. She brought her head down, paused as if she was reconsidering, breathed in deeply and forced herself to stare back at Reina.
Reina paused in thought. Then she smiled. “I’d love to.”
-o-o-o-o-o-
And they lived happily ever after.
Well, that's the end of my first H!P one-shot. I'm a bit rusty at this since I haven't really written anything for the past year. But I think I'll improve over time... assuming I don't go AWOL again.
By the way, I was inspired by a short story/long advertisement(same title), and after a while this came up. Hope you enjoyed reading it as I did writing it.