Eri Kamei
Flight 707 Wreckage
October 8, 10:06 PM
“ Going somewhere? “
Eri pauses as Sayumi peeks her head through the closed curtains.
“ …How can you tell? “
“ I can't tell. “ Sayumi wrinkled her chin, displaying an ‘I-told-you-so’ look. She walks through the curtains, with her hands behind her back. “ I know you too well, I guess... “
Eri smiled as she finishes closing up her backpack. Sayumi stares at it, blankly.
“ I also know I won’t be able to talk you out of it- no matter what I say… “ She continued, with a sad tone.
Eri puffs up her cheeks, feeling guilty about the way her friend spoke- as she struggles to put on an oversized green and yellow sweater, something she kept from the recent Sports Festival.
“ Sorry, Sayumi- I have to do this… “
With one hand, Sayumi helps Eri put on the sweater. “ I know. “
She begins to adjust it, straightening the wrinkles and lining up Eri’s collar.
Eri pauses as she looks on. “ And… you can’t come with me. “
Sayumi doesn’t react. She holds the same expression as she finishes the last touches; straightening Eri’s bangs, which had gotten disheveled from the sweater.
“ Remember when I told everyone you were my sports rival? “
Eri slowly nods her head, thinking back on their physical generation test.
“ Well- recently, I’ve given up… You’re so much faster then me, in- everything- swimming, running, jumping… I’m really amazed… “
Eri slowly smiles, once again; it was rare to hear praise from Sayumi, especially since they secretly competed against one another, as friends.
“ So- “ Sayumi continued reluctantly. “ I know I’ll only... slow you down… “
Trying her best not to change her mind about leaving, Eri puts on her backpack; adjusting it to attain a tight fit. She could literally feel Sayumi’s worried gaze upon her, but she doesn’t look back.
Eri had made up her mind.
“ Sayumi, promise me you won’t tell anyone. “
Out of the corner of her eye, Eri spots Sayumi look away, which prods her into gazing at Sayumi herself.
After a momentarily silence-
“ …I promise. “ Sayumi nods hesitantly, slowly returning her worried stare at Eri. “ But, only if you promise to take this with you. “
Sayumi brings out her left hand from behind her back; it held on to a mini-back-pack, with a design of a cute bunny, gracing the front. She places it in Eri’s hand, and watches her as she looks inside.
“ What’s this? “ Eri says curiously as she examines attentively, reaching her fingers into it as the contents inside rattles against one another. Inside lay a small pink flashlight, about a dozen Hello-Kitty brand band-aids, a few sweets packaged in brightly colored plastic, and-
- and a gun.
“ …Eh? “
Eri looks up, a little surprised as Sayumi brings her index finger to her lips, and, “ Sh~… Hitomi doesn’t know I took it. “
Sayumi smiles, but it was a fake smile, she’d rather not see Eri go, and she was trying to make the best of it, given the situation.
Sayumi- I’m older than she is, but… Eri thought. I haven’t even thought about bringing these kinds-of things, with me…
“ So, is that a deal, Eririn? “ Sayumi said, breaking her thought. “ If it isn’t, than I guess I’ll just have to tell everyone~ “
Sayumi starts to turn to walk out jokingly, and Eri laughs, playfully hitting Sayumi’s arm. She slings the mini-backpack on, making a perfect fit.
“ How does it look? “ Eri jokes, as she playfully poses like a model.
“ Hmm~ " Sayumi places her hand on her chin as if she were in deep thought. " The color doesn’t match~ and it seems to be missing something... “
Sayumi smiles and reaches out her other hand. Eri hadn’t noticed before, but there was something clutched inside.
“ This- “ Sayumi says seriously as she looks into Eri’s eyes. “ You don’t need to promise me… But I want you to take it. “
Eri slowly brings out her hand, and Sayumi drops a flimsy object into it. It’s-
- A necklace.
Small, aged cubes of purple, pink and black square beads align symmetrically along an elasticated black cord. It had a mature look to it, but the colors made it seem young.
“ My mom told me that’s the first thing I ever made. My good luck charm. “ Sayumi says in high spirits. “ Please let it watch over you. “
Eri stares at the timid but firm object, sitting in her hand. She softly closes her palm, embracing Sayumi’s cherished item.
Without saying a word, Eri quickly digs back into her suitcase, and pulls out Mimi-chan.
Sayumi scoffs, but it was a happy scoff; with a mixture of joy and surprise at the same time.
“ Mimi-chan? You brought her? “ Sayumi says, a little jovial upon sight of it.
Eri nods, a smile still on her face. “ I know how much you think this doll is weird, but… “
She pauses. “ Let her watch over you... “
Eri extends Mimi-chan, placing the aged doll into both of Sayumi’s hands.
“ …For me. “ Eri continued, feeling glad Sayumi was her best friend as she watches her cradle it like a baby, ecstatically fixing its’ permanent messy bangs.
Softly gripping Sayumi’s necklace, Eri carefully puts it on- the smooth beads eased across her bare neck, tickling her a little.
“ And this’ll be next to my heart, always. “
As both girls’ hearts’ flutter, they suddenly hug each other- their warmth spreading across each other as their scents entwine together.
“ Be careful, ok? Be careful, ok? “ Sayumi utters, repeatedly, tightening her arms.
Eri nods, with her eyes closed, even though Sayumi can’t see her.
" Wait for me... " Eri whispers.
She’d felt Sayumi’s heart beat against her own, and for a moment, she was in heaven.
But just for a moment.
With her arms still entwined around Eri, Sayumi releases some pressure; just enough to lean her head away, and kiss Eri innocently against the lips. She embraces her once again, and, after some time, both girls reluctantly let go, their arms slowly coming down against their sides.
It was time to go.
Eri waves- taking a long mental picture of Sayumi, and engraving it into her mind.
“ I love you, Eri. “
“ I love you too, Sayumi. “
And with that, Eri turns and walks away- her friend watching, as her silhouette disappears behind the curtain.