Side Thirty-Two – Oshiro Sapphire Aiko

Side Thirty-Two – Oshiro Sapphire Aiko

“Mori-chan, you’re good at maths right? Can you explain this to me, I didn’t really get it?” One girl said, coming over to Eri’s desk. Beside her another girl piped up. “Yeah, please help us, Mori-chan! It must be nice to be smart, share the wealth!”

I was about to intercede as Eri was looking a bit flustered, but she took a long breath, calming herself down and ventured a slight smile. “All right then. I guess I can help a little. I’m not going anywhere until Aiko finishes her practice so I have some time.”

Wow, surprising. It looked like I wouldn’t have to intervene after all, and several more girls and even one of the boys from our class joined them, watching Eri as she tried to explain how to use the formulas to solve the equations they had been given.

“I think it’s nice.” Yae-san said from beside me. Rika-san was nodding along too, looking at Eri like a proud mother seeing her daughter make friends, which was rather strange. Wow, hey, Eri is my friend, not yours!

Before I could respond someone else interrupted me. It was Tomoya-kun, one of the guys in class. He wasn’t anything special, but at least he wasn’t as annoying as those two. My gaze strayed to the two empty desks at the back of the class. Since Eri had chewed them out yesterday they had been leaving the moment classes finished, which was pretty much a relief to everyone, especially the girls.

“Yeah, she’s changed completely. It’s pretty incredible.” Tomoya-kun observed.

I shot him a harsh look. “Don’t be getting any ideas now. I know she’s cuter than ever, but she’s taken. If my big bro finds out you’ve been ogling his fiancée he’ll be really mad...”

“Hey, it’s not like that!” he protested, holding his hands up. “I’m a boy, I like looking at cute girls, your brother would understand that. But I’d never do anything inappropriate. I don’t think anyone would. But you know, seeing Mori-san take an interest in other people, it’s good to see. I know you two are close, but everyone needs more friends, right?”

Well yes, of course I worried about how shy Eri was. still, it isn’t like that has changed... I nodded despite myself. “... Still, Eri hasn’t changed as much as you think. She’s suffering a bit there, I can tell.” She was a bit pale, and speaking slower than usual. “Of course, she’s making an effort. She knows if she’s going to be an adult now, she can’t just shut herself away in the house, waiting for big bro to return. That’d just worry him. Besides, she wants to grow as a person. It isn’t all for my brother.”

“That’s right.” Yae-san agreed. “I like to think that we know each other a bit better now, right Ai-chan? After all, we are close friends, even your brother thinks so, right?” she grinned impishly. “Little Ri-Ri simply realised she had to grow up. It happens to a girl in love. Even I grew up a bit when I started dating. Although...” she sighed. “... a shame all my boyfriends were rubbish. I envy her, I really do. A real man is very different to childish boys.”

“Well if you are looking for a...” Tomoya-kun began, but Rika-san cut him off.

“Don’t get full of yourself.” She warned. “We are in the market for real men, who’ll treat us like princesses, right Yae, Ai-chan.”

“Leave me out of it!” I protested, but the mood had shifted, which was a relief. Looking back at Eri, surrounded by students, I kind of understood the smile Rika-san gave her earlier. Sometimes I forget, but Eri is a little older than me. She always seems younger because she’s so shy, but...

“So yes, if you substitute that here, the answer is either...” Eri finished up, and around her there were murmurs of comprehension.Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

“If that’s everything, I’ll be going then. I want to go and watch Aiko practice.” Eri said, making to stand up. Before she could, one of the girls in class asked a question.

“So, I’ve been dying to ask...” she said, looking flushed. “If you really are... are pregnant, how are you going to...”

Wow, what a stupid question. I was sure we’d been over this yesterday. I should definitely stop this ...

Yet again before I could, Eri spoke up, interrupting the girl and my thoughts. “I’m not pregnant.” She said, her voice a bit above a whisper, but as the room was silent, waiting for her answer, everyone heard.

“You aren’t? But...” the girl continued, but shut up as Eri started at her, eyes hard.

“I’m not. You’re a girl right, you get it.”

“Oh... ah, yeah.” She stammered, flushing. Around her several others tittered maliciously at her humiliation.

Wow, so... really? You never told me... I’m a little hurt...

Seeing my gaze, Eri looked down, a little ashamed. “I was going to tell you later, I was. This morning, well... ugh, this is not a conversation I wanted to have again. It was bad enough with my mother. I’ll be going to Inuyama later. So I wanted to watch your practice first. After that would have been the best time to say.”

The girls were looking knowing, and the boys were embarrassed. Tomoya-kun had backed off, finding the insides of his school-bag suddenly interesting, and a couple of other boys had left. Yeah, girls’ biology is a mystery to boys, and that’s the best way...

“Well, I’m not sure whether to congratulate or commiserate you, little Ri-Ri.” Yae-san shrugged. “Still, I think it’s probably for the best. You have all the time in the world for motherhood later, right?”

As murmured agreements all around, Eri sighed. “Yeah, I can’t say I was thinking clearly. Akio and I should have a child when the time is right, and now... it probably isn’t. He has a lot going on, and I’m not... not yet good enough. Still...” she smiled then, and I blushed at the allure of it. “... I have a lot to look forward to, don’t I?”

“If Ai-chan ever does decide to go for girls maybe I’d snap her up.” Rika-san giggled. Turning more serious, she addressed the guys. “All right, it’s time to let this go. It all got... so messy. That stupid wager. It was funny and all, but...”

“Yeah, let’s just let it drop.” I agreed. “Sorry I’m not into you, Kenji-kun, but there are plenty of other girls out there.”

He didn’t look happy (in fact he looked like he was chewing on a sour fruit) but he forced a nod. Masaki-kun also agreed with a sigh. Still, he couldn’t resist one last parting shot. “Err, Yae-chan, if we are friends again, if I became a better man, would you consider going out with me again?”

Yae-san shrugged. “No promises, but if you wow me, I’ll think about it.”

With that the chaos came to an end, the girls in the room relaxing again. Yeah, that did get annoying and heated.

“Umm, Aiko, I was going to tell you later about... well, you know.” Eri touched her belly and I got it immediately. Wow, you silly girl. I’m not mad...

“Oh come on, don’t be like that. Chances are you wouldn’t be anyway, if it was that easy, Japan wouldn’t have a population crisis, right?” I grinned. “Still, these last couple of days you’ve been very bold, I think the other girls might be starting to look up to you as a guru on love matters!” I teased her, earning pouting protests in return.

“Come on then. I’m late for practice. I had a good feeling earlier until those boys ruined my mood. Maybe I can get it back?”

********

Damn, it just doesn’t feel right again. The arow had hit the target sure, but that was only the first and most basic stage of Kyudo. Only Eri was waiting now, the other girls having gone home. I know she has to go to Inuyama with her parents. Birth control. Thinking about it makes me remember that night... I pulled at the front of my chestplate, fanning air down my hot body. I guess it’s lucky big bro gave her that bank card. Otherwise the Mori’s would struggle to pay for them... damn, I’m just accepting they are going to carry on... ugh. Not my problem, definitely not my problem. That’s for them.. and maybe Shaeula... to worry about. No... I need to focus on...

My archery was suffering, and I wasn’t making enough progress on mastering the abilities my bro and Shaeula had. Still, the visualisation of both was similar in a way, and even if Eri got a very unfair boost I couldn’t take advantage of, she was learning the same way I was and managed, so I could definitely succeed. Willpower and sporty energy. That’s what I need and what I’ve always been good at. I can do this!

First, I closed my eyes. It was easier to visualise the techniques Shaeula taught me, doing that. It might seem stupid loosing with my eyes shut, but I need to grasp the feeling first... I took the first stance, placing my footing, the Ashibumi. All the while I concentrated on the feeling of drawing energy into me, moving it as Shaeula had indicated. I had to fight the embarrassing thought of her running a finger over my bare skin though. Lewd.

Next I arranged my body into position, the Dōzukuri, and while doing this small prickles of hot and cold were pooling in my lower abdomen. It made it hard for me to concentrate on the position of my body, but I felt I was getting my best results with the training while doing Kyudo, so I would not stop.

The three phases of Yugamae were next, orienting my hands on the bow correctly, while moving energy up to my heart. This was as far as Shaeula had instructed me, as she was worried by the lack of my lunar chakra, whatever that was. Big bro and Eri had one though, so why couldn’t I manage? I’ll show them I won’t be left behind...

Raising the bow, the Uchiokoshi, I paired with raising my energy, and the prickles grew in intensity, feeling strangely warm and heavy. Ugh, it feels like I need the toilet now... no, no getting distracted. This is the sharpest I’ve felt all evening...

Drawing the bow, the Hikiwake, I could feel the honest burn of strain in my muscles. I loved sport, I really did, moving my body. It went even beyond getting strength to protect myself, Eri and my brother. That was important too, but I wanted to express myself through sport, to find something I was good at, that I enjoyed... forcing my mind ever inwards, the weight in my lower body was spreading to my heart, my lungs feeling damp and weighty.

Undeterred, I moved to the Kai, drawing my bow fully. My parents had scrimped and saved for this bow, my brother contributing too, so I’d always looked after it. My hands were sweaty, my breath coming in hot gasps, yet despite that I felt full of energy. Now it was time for...

Hanare... the release. Opening my eyes I released the arrow held taut against the string of my bow. It streaked towards the target, and it almost felt as if... something... was lifting free from me, streaming out of my lower body, following the arrow. I felt hot in my lower body, the pressure, the weight diminishing, and the final stage, the Zanshin, where I should remain joined with the shot, my consciousness with the arrow, shattered completely. Wow, shit. No way. I didn’t wet myself did I? Even if only Eri is here, my life would be over at that point...

As I was thinking stupid thoughts, checking my lower body, finding in relief I was still dry, the arrow struck home in the target with a distinct thud. Prickles of energy were still moving through me despite my concentration having stopped, and as I went to retrieve my arrow I was surprised to see it having penetrated far further than normal. It was quite the effort pulling it free, the edges where the arrow had bit in were cut smooth like glass.

Well, that’s pretty odd. Hmm... A sudden pain sparkled in the centre of my forehead. Perhaps I had been pushing myself too hard. I was slick with sweat and exhausted, so I decided to call it a day. After all, Eri had things to do as well. As I returned, bow in hand, Eri raced over with a cold towel.

Taking it, I grinned at her. “Tomorrow we get to see big bro again, right?”

“Yes, I can’t wait.” She agreed, smiling broadly. “I don’t think it’s going to be fun for Akio, talking to our parents, but if we have time to spend together, I’d be happy. Maybe Shaeula even has a solution for... well, you know.”

“Oh, I do.” I nodded. “Well, you still have tonight to practice. The quicker you can master it, the quicker you can go back to snuggling my bro.” Snuggling was a euphemism of course. I have some delicacy. And wow, some trauma too.

“It isn’t just that I want...” she protested weakly, and we shared more laughter. “Oh by the way Aiko, that last shot... it was the best I’ve ever seen. It almost seemed to shine in the setting sun. You looked so pretty taking your stance.”

“Yeah, I’m not sure why, but it really went in deep. Maybe I’m just that good?” I chuckled, the hole in the target fresh in my mind, while my body still tingled, somehow itchy within...