Side Seventeen – Mori Eri

Side Seventeen – Mori Eri

I watched the fountains send jets of water high into the sky in ever more complex patterns, the illuminations of the LED lights making it a true spectacle to behold. The table we were sitting at had one of the best views out of the huge glass windows of the Bellagio, and beside me Aiko-chan was in rapt fascination with the display, despite us having watched it quite a few times now.

I nibbled away at the plates of finger-food and snacks that we had been provided with, free of charge, while I drank a variety of sparkling fruit juices. It really was the VIP treatment. To think we’ve earned all this thanks to Shaeula. She really has come into our lives like a storm... Everything had changed for us, and so quickly too. I was having a hard time processing it, but... it certainly isn’t all bad, no, not at all... I reflexively touched my lips, as I had many times over the past week. Feeling myself heating up, my face flushing, I bit down on a sigh. Even thinking about it makes my heart race. I wish I was more composed, like Shaeula. She’s so...Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

My thoughts had turned back to her again. A gnawing combination of envy and worry was poking at my heart, and it made me feel just awful. I hate the feeling of jealousy. It’s just the worst. Especially when she’s just so kind...

Not only had Shaeula told them the truth about the secrets Akio was keeping from them, she had offered her support in helping them step up to the same stage as him. But most importantly... despite clearly loving Akio herself, she had offered her full support to me, one of those that had given me the push I’d needed to do what I had put off for too long. She is... stronger and more generous than me. If our situations are reversed, I couldn’t do the same...

Ever since Akio had changed his mind and let Aiko-chan know he was coming back to Nishimorioka for a visit, my life had turned upside down. The grey murk of despair and loneliness had been blown away. First we started getting along better with some of the girls in our class, and then Akio was back, bringing Shaeula. I was scared of strangers, but in but a single day it was as if she had been our friend forever, and I found myself admiring her sheer boldness.

Ugh, having her for a rival is making me feel insecure. I know that Akio won’t forsake me, he loves me... but Shaeula is by his side in places I cannot yet go, and she doesn’t seem to care that she won’t be his one-and-only. She even encouraged Yae-san and Rika-san. Is it because of her father and his... his harem... or because she is not a human?

As I sat in silence, I realised Aiko-chan was looking at me, an amused expression on her face. Blushing again I lowered the fingers that were once more touching my lips.

“Seriously, Eri-chan.” Aiko-chan sighed as she took a sip of her own drink. “Thinking about big bro and Shaeula again? I can see why you’d feel a bit hopeless, considering she just won all that money and didn’t bat an eye about giving it all to him, but you need to have more faith in yourself. You confessed, my bro finally accepted you, and now your happy life is just beginning. I’m jealous, to be honest. At least you have a man in your life. There’s no-one worth it on my horizon.”

“I know, I know.” I complained, pouting. Aiko-chan was the only girl I could show my true emotions to... No, that isn’t true now is it, Shaeula is also easy to talk too, and I’ve laughed, cried and fought with her too... “But if you were in my shoes, wouldn’t you feel pretty bad? I mean, I’m not complaining, this last week has been just so perfect. Akio came back, we had fun, I confessed under the fireworks and I... I kissed Akio for the first time. And now this trip. I never dreamed we’d be able to go abroad, let alone to somewhere as amazing as Las Vegas. I have beautiful new clothes, he buys me gifts... it’s everything I ever dreamed of when I was younger, but had given up on when Akio moved away.”

“Yeah, it sure is amazing.” Aiko-chan agreed, stuffing her face with the snacks. “Just a week ago, who’d have thought we’d be doing this? So, if you are happy, what’s the problem? Just enjoy your new lovey-dovey life with big bro.”

“Yes, but...” I gathered my thoughts, reaching the heart of the problem. “... after this trip, we’ll go back home, but Shaeula and Akio... they’ll go back to Tokyo, living together, fighting together in a world we can’t see...” In his mind, I’ll grow faded and distant, while she will remain bright and shining, walking hand in hand with him. I guess it isn’t just jealousy, it’s fear too... I had almost given up on Akio, and while that hurt, once you reach acceptance it gets easier. But now... now I just don’t want to lose him again...

“Wow, I get it, I really do.” Aiko-chan sighed. “I’ve known you ever since we were born, and we are always together, It’s like I can read your mind. I guess that even finally getting my bro isn’t magically going to cure your chronic shyness or anxiety. Just think of it this way. Firstly, things have changed. You’ll be seeing a lot more of big bro than before, and we have money now, so you can even visit him in Tokyo during the holidays. But more importantly... Shaeula promised she would help us enter that ‘world we can’t see’ as you put it. I don’t know if I’m more scared or excited at the thought, but you and I agree on one thing. We’ll never let my brother sacrifice himself for us again. We’ll stand by him, no matter what it takes! You know I have a lot of the same insecurities as you do, and wow, it makes me feel so shitty, but that makes it so much more important that we do it, not just for my brother, the overly kind and naive fool that he is, but for ourselves too. You need to love yourself more Eri-chan. That’s all. If you love yourself, then big bro will love you more too.”

Love myself, huh? It’s that simple is it? I guess... I don’t like myself all that much. I thought that if I poured everything into loving Akio that would be all I needed, but...

“Love myself? I’ll try. Thanks for your advice Aiko-chan. I love you too.”

“Wow, so embarrassing. That must be the alcohol we had in the hotel talking.” Aiko-chan waved away my compliment. “Anyway, Shaeula should be here soon, it’s been two hours. I wonder what she was up to...”

I wonder too. So, as a first step... I’m going to ask her outright...

********

Shaeula was drinking some sort of strong spirit, sighing appreciatively, licking her lips. She’s so beautiful... I can see why in English such beauty is called fairy-like. She IS a fairy after all...

“So, how’d it go?” Aiko-chan asked. “You handle everything you needed to?”

“I have done my part-part.” Shaeula said, nodding. “I was late in my return as the owner of this place dragged me off for more photographs and another of these interviews. Still, I am now free of that nuisance. I shall drink as compensation!” she downed another gulp of her drink, the ice in the glass clinking rhythmically.

All right. I can do this. I need to take the first step... “Uh, Shaeula... can I ask... what are you and my brother really doing here? It’s got nothing to do with any sort of normal business has it? It’s... it’s to do with the other world, isn’t it?”

Shaeula seemed a little surprised I would ask her so directly, but she smiled broadly and replied. “You are quite correct, Eri. We came here simply to raise funds for our Territory. I am very lucky, as you now know. Akio too. And as we grow, so does the blessing of fortune that envelops us-us.”

I may not be able to beat Shaeula, but if I can at least stand on the same stage as her... I’m sorry, I feel really happy when you say I’m not your rival, but to me... Akio is mine, and I’ll not give him to you!

********

The hour was growing late, and most of the tables in the VIP restaurant were full now. We attracted a lot of curious looks, being very out of place here, and being cute girls at that, but as promised the staff made sure no-one bothered us, giving us true VIP service. My mother and father will be very jealous. We don’t have the money to eat out, and here I am living like a queen. I’ll have to use some of the money Akio is giving me to treat them... oh wait, I need to concentrate...

Closing my eyes for a moment I continued to visualise drawing energies through my lower body and up through it in order, from the base of my spine, through my lower body, to the solar plexus, then up to the heart, the throat, my forehead and eventually the crown of my head. I was feeling tingly, almost as if I had pins and needles throughout my whole body. Aiko-chan was doing the same, her facial expression rather funny, but she had it easier than me, as she practised visualisation during her kyudo. Still, if I can’t make it through talent, I’ll just work harder. I can work as hard as I need to!

Shaeula occasionally touched us, poking and prodding at various points on our backs, muttering to herself. I had nearly jumped out of my seat when she slid her small hand down the back of my dress, caressing my spine, but then I felt a warm glow spread through me, down to my heart and up to my throat. She had looked at me, her eyes seeming as bright as the full moon over the mountains of our hometown, and had said something I could barely understand. “...can use my Aetheric Chirurgeon to create pathways to the lunar chakra, but without a constant flow they will decay. Master was right-right, humans don’t have a lunar chakra, yet without it their networks will not achieve their full potential...”

She had looked at me so intently I blushed, squirming under her gaze. She then shook her head and moved to Aiko, also touching her bare back, muttering about “... not forcing a lunar chakra like with master. If Eri or Aiko was injured I would have no right to stand before him...”

Anyway, I just have to keep doing the exercises, as often as I can, whenever I can. I have faith in Shaeula that it must be achieving something. And at least we have a distraction...

There was a comedian performing in the VIP lounge, quite a famous one, even I recognised her name. She was talking about the difference between men and women, and making jokes about what each gender was seeking. Her accent is a bit puzzling, but luckily my English is really good. I grew up learning it with Aiko-chan, and I’m glad I did. It makes English classes at school so effortless, and I’ve had no problems on this trip at all.

Aiko-chan was still devouring the free food. Her appetite surely was something amazing. I wonder how she stays in shape considering what she eats. Is it doing sport that helps? I was merely occasionally taking a drink as I concentrated, half-listening to the comedian talk.

“Women are complicated creatures, unlike men. We want all sorts of things. Nice clothes, good food, to look beautiful, to be respected by our peers... it’s really hard being a woman. Being a man on the other hand, that’s really easy! Most men are perfectly happy to wear old t-shirts and scuffed jeans, are happy to just grab takeout instead of cooking, don’t even shave half the time, looking like some homeless bum, and as for respect of their peers.... Ugh, us women shouldn’t try and understand the way men bond with each other, unless of course we are talking what the Asians like to call ‘boys love’. That’s kind of hot... but only in 2d. In fact, most men are better left in 2d... if the world was full of only women, oh what a paradise it would be...”

I let out a little giggle in spite of myself. Akio did always dress lazily in the past, and not take proper care of himself. Though now... he dresses so well, and looks so much more handsome than I remember... The thought of Akio in his suit was filling me with a different sort of warmth than my visualisation exercises.

“... so, what do guys really want? They are simple creatures, unlike women, who have evolved to be better, men are still stuck in the past. A modern man isn’t so different to being a caveman. It’s all primal. Women are smart, wanting to improve themselves and their environment, while men... men just want their urges satisfying. They should stay in 2d! down with all men, I say! I can see you men in the audience grimacing, but you girls agree with me, don’t you?” she began to talk to the audience, going back and forth. A lot of the banter was amusing, but when she turned to us...

“And just look at the table over there. You three cuties don’t have a man with you, so you get what I’m saying, don’t you? I bet you get hit on by men aiming to fulfil their urges with you all the time, don’t you?”

“Sure we do. We are all gorgeous.” Aiko-chan shouted back. “I had some jerk even challenge my brother to a bet for a date with me last week. I’m not a thing, I’m my own woman.” Aiko-chan crossed her arms under her chest in annoyance. Then her face lit up, her bright grin drawing attention from all the men in the room. “Still, my big bro sure did put that loser in his place. He crushed him ruthlessly. So while I agree men are trash, my big bro stands alone.”

“Well, I’ve not met your brother, so I’ll take your word for it, but you lead me on to what men really want. Thanks for that, you’ve been a great sport, hope you enjoy the rest of your night, lovely girls. Anyway, like I said, it’s all primal. This girl’s brother was showing the caveman urge to protect what is his. Since he sees his sister as someone to be protected, especially from a rival male who might take her, it’s all ‘time to club him down like he’s a tiger straying into my cave.’. And then...”

“I don’t like the way she’s talking about my big bro..” Aiko-chan complained. Shaeula merely laughed, lounging back on her chair, her bottle almost empty. She was flushed and reeking of alcohol. If she was a human girl of that size, she might be unconscious already...

“She doesn’t know Akio.” I defended him, agreeing with Aiko-chan. “If Akio was here the way he was earlier, she’d be charmed by him, I’m sure!”

“Ever the loyal girlfriend.” Aiko-chan giggled.

“... so it basically boils down to a full stomach, lots of sleep and sex. As long as those three needs can be met your average guy won’t even care about anything else.” The comedian continued, to laughter and cheers from the women and boos from some of the men. “and if those needs are threatened, they get all ‘me caveman, me crush you, you no take my woman!’”

Really? Well Akio is extremely protective of Aiko-chan and I... he always has been. Does he... does he want those things too? Food, sleep and... sex? I’m not very good at cooking, but I could learn... but, just maybe...

I felt a shiver go through me, my body hot, like needles of fire deep inside. My legs squirmed and I pictured myself... no, I can’t even think about it, my face is on fire. But... I do want to find out what I can give to Akio...

Trying to clear my head I shut out the surrounding noise and concentrated on my visualisation exercises. But it was a struggle, vivid images creeping back into my head whenever my concentration slipped. Just... just what do I do...? I didn’t even notice I was touching my lips again, fingers stroking them softly...