Messages v2.0

     Eiko Magami tried to stifle a yawn.

     It was her free period.  Normally her one free period of 
the day would have been an excellent time for her to catch a 
nap in the library, spend some time outdoors with Shiiko, or 
just generally loaf around.

     Now, however, she found herself staring at the face of 
her new (and second greatest) rival.

     A computer screen.

     "It's not like me an' Biiko do that much damage," she 
whispered to herself.  "She challenges me, I trash her mechs, 
that's it 'till next morning."

     The school administration saw it differently, especially 
after both Eiko and Biiko's grades began to drop.  As a 
result, they had both been ordered to spend their free periods 
working on tutorial programs in Graviton High's computer lab.

     A few days later they were assigned to different free 
periods, once the Daitokuji Zaibatsu's donation for a new 
computer lab cleared.

     "This is boring," Eiko muttered to herself.

     "Is something wrong, Magami-san?" Ayumi-sensei said from 
the front of the room.  What did I do to deserve this? the 
teacher thought.  First they're in my homeroom, and now I have 
to watch them on their free periods.

     "Nothing, sensei!" Eiko exclaimed, hunching down in front 
of the monitor.  Might as well begin, she thought, looking at 
the monitor.

> TALK REQUEST FROM unknown: TYPE Y TO ACCEPT

     Eiko stared at the screen for a moment.

> TALK REQUEST FROM unknown: TYPE Y TO ACCEPT

     She looked up at Ayumi-sensei, who was busy grading 
papers from her other classes.  Hesitantly, she looked back at 
the monitor, then shrugged her shoulders.  Why not?

* Y

> TALK REQUEST ACCEPTED, MAKING CONNECTION

> Hello.

     Eiko was hoping for a bit more than that.  Still, it was 
better than the tutorials.

* Hi, who are you?

> Does it matter?

* Huh?

> I could tell you anything and there would be no way for you 
to prove me right or wrong.

* I guess you're right.

> I know who you are, of course.

     Eiko didn't like that at all.  The direction of this 
conversation was getting kind of creepy.

* Why did you contact me?

> To ask a question.

* Why not simply ask me to my face?

> *laugh* You probably wouldn't answer me.

* But you think I'll answer it here?

> Maybe, maybe not.  But at least I'll get to ask the 
question.

* What's your question?

> Will you answer it?

* I can't tell you that until I know what the question is.

> Then I might as well not ask.

* Then why are you wasting my time?

> Do you want to know what the question is?

* Yes!

> Then promise to answer it truthfully.  Don't worry, it's a 
serious question.  I'm not going to ask you what color your 
panties are or something like that.

     Eiko felt her cheeks burn.

* Pervert!

> Do you promise to answer?

* Why should I?  Why shouldn't I just log off now and forget 
about this?

> Because if you don't know, your curiosity will eat you 
alive.

     Her mysterious correspondent had her there.

* All right, I promise.

     Eiko thought for a moment, then added another line.

* As long as it's not perverted.

     There was a long pause from the screen.  Then the words 
appeared.

> Why do you and Daitokuji fight?

     Eiko was a bit shocked by the question.  Didn't everyone 
know why?

* Because she ambushes me every morning!

> That's not an answer.  Besides, if she does it every 
morning, it's hardly an ambush.  You know she'll be there.  
Why do you fight?

* Because she won't leave me alone!  She's always after 
Shiiko.

> So you are fighting over Shiiko?

* No!  Shiiko is my friend.  She's not an object to be fought 
over.

> Is she your friend?

* What kind of question is that?  Of course she is!  I've 
known her since kindergarten.

> You've known Daitokuji since then, too.  Are you friends 
with her?

* Definitely NOT!

> Would you like to be?

     Eiko cut off the Talk screen.  This was too weird for 
her.

*****

     At the Daitokuji Mansion, Biiko was scowling at her 
computer.  Unlike Eiko, she had no particular animosity 
towards it.  Her scowl was reserved for her latest upgrade to 
her Akagiyama-23 battlesuit.  For some reason the numbers 
weren't coming out right and she couldn't find her error.  
Then the screen started to flash.

> TALK REQUEST FROM unknown: TYPE Y TO ACCEPT

     This was odd, Biiko thought.  No one should know what my 
address is to send me a talk request.

     She called up a tracer program to find her unknown 
correspondent, her curiosity piqued.

# Y

> TALK REQUEST ACCEPTED, MAKING CONNECTION

> Hello.

     If this was just some hacker getting his jollies, she 
would send a few viruses down his way.

> Don't bother with the tracer program, it won't work.

     Biiko's smile froze on her face.  The tracer program was 
giving her a location, but as she watched it kept changing.  
First it said Paris, France, then it switched to Timbuktu, 
then Washington, D.C.

# Who are you?

> No one of consequence.  I just want to ask you a question.

# Why not ask me directly?

> Because this way I knew you'd take the question seriously.

# And why is that?

> Because the amount of effort I've gone to tickles your ego.

     Biiko scowled at the screen.  She was impressed by the 
skill of this mysterious hacker, but not enough to put up with 
insults.

# I'm leaving now.

> Wait, don't you at least want to hear the question?

     She paused.  She was curious about this.  What harm would 
it do?

# Ask, but be quick.

> Why do you fight Magami?

     This was the question?  Ludricous!  She had no time for 
this sort of thing.  It was probably from another tabloid 
reporter.

     She cut the connection.

     The Talk screen remained on her monitor.

# Release my computer!

> Not until you answer the question.

# I'll just reset and get rid of you that way.

> You'll lose all your data that way.  Is the question that 
hard?

     Biiko seethed.  As soon as she convinced this hacker to 
let her computer go, she was going to put some particularly 
nasty intrusion countermeasures in place.

     She tried a few commands to free her computer from the 
rogue program but nothing seemed to work.  Finally, she typed 
out an answer through a red haze of anger, one that always 
came on her when she thought of Eiko.

# Because I hate her!  Because she's always perfect, leaving 
me to be the villain!  because she has Shiiko's friendship!  
Because she does nothing but humiliate me!

     The Talk screen vanished.

     Biiko glared at her restored data for a moment.  I swear, 
if I find that Eiko is behind this, I'll smash her face into a 
pulp before I kill her.

*****

     The next day, in Eiko's free period, another talk request 
from "unknown" came in.  For a long time, Eiko ignored it.  
She plodded through the tutorial until it got so boring that 
even her weird mystery correspondent was better.

> I'm sorry.

* Why?

> Why what?  Why did I apologize or why did I ask that 
question?

* Both.

> Hmmm, I'll answer the first one.  Because I was being rude 
and nosy.

*  What about the second one?

>  Will you answer another of my questions?

* Why should I?

> Was the first one so bad?

     Eiko shook her head.  This one could talk in circles 
worse than Ayumi-sensei.

* Ask your question.

> Why do you think Daitokuji fights you?

* Didn't I already answer that one?

> No, I asked before why YOU fight Daitokuji.

     Eiko scrolled back up the screen and re-checked the 
question.

* Because she hates me because Shiiko is my friend.

> Fair enough, for now.  I asked if you wanted to be 
Daitokuji's friend to see if you wanted to be her enemy.

* What kind of answer is that?

> Think about it.

     With that, the talk connection was disconnected.

*****

     Biiko was once again hard at work.  She had spent the 
entire afternoon after school improving her network's defenses 
until she was sure that no one could breach them.

     Which is why she screamed when another Talk request 
appeared.

# What are you doing back?!

> Temper, temper.  Oh, nice job on your new IC, btw.  It made 
getting back here a bit of a workout.

# Is that you, Eiko?  I swear I'll cut you to ribbons for 
this!

> No, I'm not Magami.  Do you seriously think she has the 
skills to do this?

     That made Biiko think.  Eiko was her nemesis, true, but 
her forte was strength, not brains.

# No.

> You blame her for a lot of things, don't you?

# She is responsible for everything that is wrong in my life.

> Oh?  She gave you a father who only sees you as a cash cow 
for his business?  She's responsible for what happened to your 
mother?  Are you sure she's not merely a convenient scapegoat?

# Leave my mother out of this!

> OK, I'm sorry.  It was a low blow.  I just want you to 
listen to yourself.

#  Why are you hounding me?

> Because I'm pretty sure Magami doesn't really want to fight 
you.  And we both know that Kotobuki doesn't want you to 
fight.

# Shiiko is naive about many things.

> Just think about it seriously.  You're supposed to be the 
smart one, after all.  

     The connection broke.

*****

     Eiko spent the night wondering about that last mysterious 
message.  When the next day came around, she could barely wait 
for her free period.  She beat Biiko in record time that 
morning, and managed to make it to class before the bell.

     Sure enough, another talk request awaited her.

> Did you think about it?

* Yeah... you want me to stop fighting with her like Shiiko 
does, don't you.

> *applaud*  Very good.

* It's not my fault!  If she quit attacking me all the time...

> Why should she do that?

* Are you saying you're on her side?

> I'm saying, look at it from her point of view.  Why should 
she stop?

* Because she keeps making me late and there's no point to it 
all.

> So she, your self-proclaimed rival, should stop just because 
she inconveniences you?

* Right!

> Would you?

* Would I what?

> Stop because you inconvenience her.

* I don't attack her!  She's the one that starts all of this.

> Has she ever beaten you?

* No way!

> Does she have a lot of pride?

* Too much.

> And you honestly expect her to just give up without ever 
winning a fight?  Would you?

* It's not like that!

> Do you really think she hates you?

* Weren't the "Die, Eiko, Die!" speeches enough of a clue?

> Think about it.

     And then Eiko was looking at a blank screen again.

*****

     Another night at the Daitokui Mansion.

> Did you think about it?

# I don't know why I should humor you.

> Because I broke through your new defenses again?

# I could just cut my system off from the outside.

> That would make things more difficult, I'll admit, at least 
until I can connect a cellular modem to your system somewhere.  
Then you'll have to examine every piece of machinery and every 
IO port in addition to working on your IC.  Plus being unable 
to contact your Zaibatsu LAN would be inconvenient.

# Ask your questions.

     Biiko smirked as she typed her defeated answer.  Her new 
tracer was running like a dream.  Soon she would--

> Oh, and the new tracer is nice, too.  Shame it won't work 
any better.

     A scream of pure rage cut through the night.

# Fine, fine, whatever.  Just don't expect me to give up.

> That would definitely be out of character for you.

# Just ask your questions!

> Did you think about why you blame Eiko for everything that 
goes wrong in your life?

# Because she is responsible for it!

> You're smarter than that.

# It's because she's ALWAYS right!  Because she always wins!  
Are you satisfied now?  She's got both the strength and the 
brains of a mule but I can never beat her!  Are you happy with 
that?

> For now.

*****

     The next day in the computer lab.

> Did you think about it?

* Look why are you doing this?

> Why not?

* That's not an answer.

> *laugh* I guess I do owe you an answer or two.  My answer 
is... that is a secret.

*  That's not an answer either!

> Oh, yes it is.  But I do find your answers interesting.

     Eiko felt herself start to blush.

* You do?

> I am curious why a pretty young girl like yourself would be 
so caught up in such a vendetta.

     Eiko's blush deepened.

* I'm not.  It's all Biiko's fault!

> I'm not so sure.

* How can you say that!  She's the one who starts all the 
fights.

> True enough, as far as that goes.

* What do you mean by that?

> Daitokuji does start the fights.  That doesn't mean she's at 
fault.

* So I'm at fault?

> Maybe.  Maybe not.

* Now I'm confused.  One of us started this.

> Maybe it's Kotobuki's fault.

* Take that back!

> Why?  You two do fight over her.

* That's because of Biiko.

> Right... you said that she hates you because Kotobuki is 
your friend.

* Exactly!

> So Kotobuki is not Daitokuji's friend?

* No way!

> Even though Kotobuki has said numerous times that she wants 
all of you to be friends?

* Shiiko... has a very generous nature.

> Hasn't Kotobuki asked you both to stop fighting?

* Yes, and I've tried!

> So if Kotobuki is willing to be friends with you both, why 
are you still fighting?

* Because Biiko wants Shiiko all to herself.

> And you don't?

* Of course I don't want Biiko to keep Shiiko to herself.

> No, I mean don't you want Kotobuki all to YOURSELF?

* I told you, Shiiko is not a THING to be fought over!

> Think about it.

*****

     At the Daitokuji mansion.

> Hello again.

# Just get this over with.  I have work to do.

> My, my, how petulant we're sounding.

# You would be too if someone kept getting the upper hand on 
you, no matter how hard you tried.

> Like with Magami?

# You don't know anything about that.

> Why don't you tell me your side of things, then?

# Will you stop bothering me then?

> For a time.

# I'll believe that when I see it.

> When did you meet Magami?

# In kindergarten.  We fought over Shiiko and then she ran out 
on a duel we were supposed to have.

> Were you disappointed?

# What?

> Were you disappointed that she didn't show up for the duel?

# Disappointed?  I was furious!

> Why?

# Because she just blew me off!

> Were you lonely then?

# What?  Of course not!

> Who were your friends in kindergarten?

     Biiko paused, her fingers hovering over the keyboard.

> Come on, there must have been some.

     Still, Biiko could not type anything.

> There weren't any, were there?  You were the "ugly girl wiht 
the bowl haircut" that no one wanted to befriend.  Except for 
those whose parents wanted to try and be close to the heir to 
the Daitokuji zaibatsu, right?

     Another long pause.

> Did you pick on Kotobuki just so someone would pay attention 
to you?

     The wrist gun of the Akagiyama 23 shattered the computer 
screen, but the accusation remained in Biiko's mind long into 
the night.

*****

     Eiko was in a foul mood that night.  How dare this 
mystery man have the gall to suggest all of that.  Shiiko was 
HER friend.  Biiko was always trying to claim her.  It was all 
Biiko's fault.

     But, wasn't this kind of thinking exactly what her pen 
pal had suggested?

     That morning, she was awakened by the usual refrain.  
"EIKOOOOO!  TIME TO GET UP!"  In a flash, she had eaten, 
dressed and was dragging Shiiko by the arm towards Graviton.  
Before they reached D's usual hiding place, however, she 
stopped.

     "Eiko?  What's wrong?" Shiiko asked.  "Are you okay?"

     "Shiiko, do you consider Biiko a friend?"

     "Un!" the blonde said, nodding her head.  Then she 
frowned.  "But I wish you two would stop fighting.  You 
promised you would!"

     Eiko could see the tears forming in her friend's eyes and 
hurried to stem the flood.  "I've been trying, Shiiko, 
honestly!  But she won't listen!"

     "Do you want me to talk to her?"

     "No!  We'll settle this.  besides, she'll just try to 
steal you away --"

     "Oh, she'd never do that."

     "Shiiko, haven't you been paying attention?  She's always 
yelling about taking you from me."

     "She didn't say anything about that when I asked her to 
fix the Captain's ship... she was real nice about it!  She has 
this real big bath, did you know?  It's like a swimming pool!"

     "You... took a bath with her?"

     "Un!"

     Eiko had never felt this angry in all her life, except 
maybe when D had cut her face.  "BIIKO, PREPARE TO DIE!"

*****

     At the Graviton computer lab, Eiko found a talk request 
waiting.

> You were really pulling no punches today.

* You saw the fight?

> I think the whole city did.  What did Daitokuji do this 
time?

* Now you believe me?  That it's all her fault?

> No, but I know you think that.

* Well... today, I started it... I found out that she....

> Something to do with Kotobuki?  You were yelling something 
about her and "violation."

* Shiiko's not talking to me now because of that.

> Treated her as an object, didn't you?

* A little, maybe.

> So why were you so angry at Daitokuji?

* Because I thought she... had done something to Shiiko.

> Did this happen recently?  Was Kotobuki in tears?  Clothes 
ripped?

* No.

> So why were you so angry?  Obviously nothing bad happened.  
At least as far as Kotobuki was concerned.

* Shiiko doesn't know Biiko like I do.  She'll do something 
bad to her, I know it.

> Because she's a lesbian?

* SHIIKO IS NOT A LESBIAN!

> *dryly* I was referring to Daitokuji.

* Oh.

> So, do you hate Daitokuji because she likes girls, or 
because she likes Kotobuki?

* Both.

> My, how open-minded of you.

* It's not like that!

> Sounds like it to me.

* I wouldn't have any problem with Biiko if she didn't keep 
throwing it in my face and trying to take Shiiko!

> So, do you want Shiiko for yourself?

     Eiko could hardly see through the red haze that filled 
her vision.

* WHAT?

> Think about it.

*****

     Biiko sat quietly before her new computer, bandages 
wrapped around her left arm.  Eiko had fought like a demon 
today, and she still didn't know what had set the redhead off.

     Perhaps that was why she was waiting for her other 
personal demon to speak to her.

> I hope you're feeling better, Daitokuji-san.  Magami was out 
for blood today.

# She's never fought me like that before, not even the first 
time.

> She learned of the time Kotobuki visited you to ask you to 
repair the alien ship.

# What?  Ridiculous.  I did nothing to Shiiko.

> Why didn't you?

# What sort of question is that?

> You had the opportunity to make a pass at her.  Why didn't 
you?

# I wanted Shiiko to come to me herself.

> You mean you wanted Kotobuki to reject Magami.

# Yes!

> Like you had been rejected?

# What are you talking about?

> How Magami rejected your friendship in kindergarten.

# Ridiculous!  I never wanted to be Eiko's friend!

> Think about it.

*****

     The next day was Saturday so Eiko didn't have to go to 
the computer lab.  She wasn't in any of the clubs that met 
that day, either, being too strong to compete athletically and 
because she found the more mental-oriented clubs to be boring.  
Normally, she'd spend time with Shiiko, but the blonde still 
wasn't talking to her.

     Still, she found herself in the nearly empty computer 
lab, typing away at a tutorial, wondering if the other would 
contact her.

     This is foolish, she thought.  How will he even know I'm 
here?  It's not my free period.  In fact, how did he ever know 
I'm here?  Is he spying on me?

     A talk request flashed on the screen.  It was him.

> My, how diligent we are being in our studies.

* How did you know I was here?

> A little program alerts me when you log on with your student 
ID.

* Oh.

> Have you calmed down now?

* No... somewhat.

> Good, I don't want you to break any computer monitors.

* What do you care?

> You and Daitokuji are THIS close to being thrown out of 
Graviton, did you know that?  Only her father's money is 
keeping you in.

* Why would she protect me?

> Well, for one thing, Kotobuki would follow you if you left.  
For another, the school could hardly get rid of only one of 
you.  It'd look bad.

* So, you agree that she wants Shiiko!

> I thought we had decided that Kotobuki was her friend.

* Why are you doing this?  Because of you, I got into trouble 
with Shiiko.

> Why are you blaming me for that?  I didn't make her mad at 
you.

* If it wasn't for your questions, I wouldn't have found out 
about Shiiko and Biiko's bathtub!

> Hmm, so my little questions made you fly off the handle?

* No!

> Seriously, I am doing this now because I'm convinced that 
you don't know the real reason why you're fighting Daitokuji.

* I told you!  She starts it.

> Why don't you tell me how it all began?

* Tell a complete stranger that?

> Why not?  I think Daitokuji shouted most of it back when she 
first started fighting you.  Why not tell me your side?

* I forgot about that.

> So, it happened in kindergarten?

* Yeah.  Biiko was in me and Shiiko's class.  We were friends 
even back then, Shiiko and me.  Biiko had this really ugly 
bowl cut and kept pestering Shiiko.  Putting frogs down her 
dress and all.

> Hardly the behavior of someone who wanted to be friends with 
Kotobuki.

* We were just kids then.  I protected Shiiko from her.  We 
were supposed to fight a duel over it, but my family moved 
away before I could.

> Ten years is a long time to hold a grudge.

* Biiko started fighting with me over Shiiko even before she 
knew that we had been in kindergarten together.

> Hmmm.

* So, that's about it.

> Did you ever feel that maybe you owed Daitokuji that duel?

* Well, maybe... it's not like I meant to blow her off.  But 
we've fought more than enough since then to satisfy that.

> Maybe not.

* What do you mean?

> Daitokuji obviously hasn't gotten everything she wants from 
your fights yet.

* She wants Shiiko, that's why!

> Does she?  Think about it.

*****

     On Sunday, there was no way that Eiko could get to the 
computer lab.  She kept thinking of what Biiko could possibly 
want from their fights.  It had to be Shiiko.  Biiko already 
had money, smarts, and beauty.  What else could she want?

     But Shiiko had said that she was Biiko's friend.

     So why did Biiko keep fighting?  Just to win?

     Would Biiko finally stop if Eiko let her win a fight?

     Could she throw a fight?  Even for some peace and quiet?  
It's not like she hadn't proven again and again that Biiko 
couldn't beat her.

*****

     The slap on her face was totally unexpected.

     "DAMN YOU, EIKO!" Biiko screamed, tears in her eyes.  "I 
don't care what you think of me, but fight SERIOUSLY!"

     An augmented kick caught the flame-haired girl in the 
mid-section.  "FIGHT ME!" Biiko screamed.

     "I thought..." Eiko gasped, "that... if you won just 
once... you'd leave me alone...."

     Biiko choked back a response and took to the air, leaving 
Eiko behind.

*****

> Why did you do that?

* I thought she'd be happy.

> Happy to be so pathetic her enemy won't even fight her 
seriously?  Happy to be taken so lightly that she isn't worthy 
of a fight?

* I didn't know she'd take it so badly.

> What were you thinking?

* I was thinking about what you said, that Biiko hadn't gotten 
what she wanted from the fights....

> So you thought she would be happy if you LET her win?

* Not a good idea, I guess.

> *applause* Nice going, Sherlock.

* Well, what would YOU do?

> Did you try to talk to her?

* No.

> Have you ever tried to talk to her?

* Lot's of times!  She just won't listen.

> Why should she?  All you ever say to her is for her to give 
up, roll over and play dead for you.  You don't take her 
seriously.

* She and I have torn up the city on more than one occasion 
and you're saying I don't take her seriously?

> Did you ever think that she might want your respect?

* What?

> Think about it.

*****

> How are you feeling, Daitokuji-san?

# Leave me alone.

> Should I congratulate you because you finally won?

#  Just go away and leave me alone.

> Winning a fight wasn't enough for you?

# I DIDN'T WIN!  She was mocking me again!

> She was being stupid about it, but she was trying to give 
you what she thought you wanted.

# I WANT her to treat me like a weakling?

> No, you want her to respect you.

# What I want is to smash her face into the ground and make 
her admit I'm better than she is!

> Aren't you taking the villain's role too seriously?

# What?

> You said it yourself when you debuted the Akagiyama 23.  "If 
I'm to be painted as the villain, then I'll BE the villain."  
Or something like that.

# It was the only way.

> Let's look at this scientifically, shall we?  Ever since you 
met Magami, you've been trying to get her attention.  You 
played tricks on her best friend, you challenged her to a 
duel.  Then, ten years later, you meet her and fight her over 
Kotobuki... why didn't you just try to be Kotobuki's friend?  
Why were you so jealous of Eiko's attentions?  And when you 
found out who Magami was, you escalated everything.  And why 
the Akagiyama 23?  Why are you so obsessed with fighting 
Magami on her own playing ground, strength on strength?

# I'm not!  I'm showing her my brains are equal to her brawn!

> Why is it so important to you?  Think about it!  Really and 
truly!

     Biiko sat back, surprised at the vehemence implied in 
that sentence.  Silently, she turned her brain loose on the 
problem.

     Why do I hate Eiko so much?  Because of Shiiko?  Am I 
jealous of the attention she gives Shiiko?  Why should I be?  
That does not add up. Eiko doesn't act toward Shiiko like a 
lover.  Sometimes she hurts Shiiko terribly.

     Am I jealous of the attention Shiiko gives Eiko?

     That's closer, but something is missing.

     The frogs.  I was horrid to Shiiko in kindergarten.  Why, 
if I love her?  Was it just the way children are?

     Why did it hurt so much when Eiko didn't show up for the 
duel?

     Why don't I seduce Shiiko, instead of trying to hurt 
Eiko?

     Why do I fight her?

     Her brain, that tower of intellect, returned an answer to 
her problem.

     "NOOOOOOO!"

*****

     The next day, there was no Shiiko at the door, no Biiko 
at the school gate.  Both girls ignored Eiko in class.  Eiko 
was glad when her free period came around.

> Did you think about what I said?

* Yeah.  Neither one of them is talking to me now.  Biiko 
won't even fight me anymore.

> You didn't try to start a fight, did you?

* No... I didn't want to disappoint you.

> ...

* You've been trying to help me, I realize... even if I don't 
always understand how or why.

> I'm trying to help both of you.

* Does that mean you're writing to her?

> She has to work things through on her own.  But she's 
supposed to be the smart one, isn't she?

* And I'm the dumb one?

> No.  You're very smart.  You've figured a lot of stuff out, 
some things I wasn't even certain about.  All I did was point 
you in the right direction.

* Will we ever meet face-to-face?

> Maybe.  So, what did you decide about Biiko and your 
respect?

* Biiko has been trying to... get my attention since 
kindergarten?  Does she really... like me?

     There was a long pause, so Eiko finally typed.

* Am I wrong?

> I'm not sure.

* You didn't know?

> I don't know everything... why do you think Daitokuji 
might... like you?

* Um, well... I'm not really comfortable with the idea, you 
know, but... she was crying the other day, when I threw the 
fight.

> Those might have been tears of rage.

* Maybe, but she flew away rather than beat me to a pulp.  If 
she was angry, she would have tried to kill me.

> What else?

* Well, when we were in kindergarten... Shiiko and I were 
inseparable.  She could have been teasing Shiiko because she 
couldn't get to me alone.

> That doesn't necessarily imply that she... likes you.

* Then, here, we keep fighting all the time, even though 
fighting over Shiiko doesn't make sense anymore.

> There could be a lot of reasons for that.

* Maybe... but when we didn't fight today... I missed it.

> You missed having a crazed schoolgirl try to rip your head 
off?

* Sounds crazy, doesn't it, but... she's the only person who 
can give me a workout.  I'm too strong to be in any of the 
clubs.  If I played baseball, the ball would probably go to 
the moon!

> No doubt.  Still, this is quite a leap.  Usually when 
someone... likes a person, they don't get into huge fights 
that destroy parts of cities.

* I know... but what else could Biiko want?

> What about when Kotobuki's people came for her the first 
time?  Daitokuji abandoned you, I heard, let you fall to your 
death.

* It's alright.  Saving Shiiko was what was important.  
Besides, I'm tough.

> Perhaps Kotobuki is not the only one with a generous nature.

* *blush* Thanks.

> So, what now?

* I guess I better talk to Biiko...

> Good luck.

*****

     Eiko looked at her rival.  She had just poured out her 
conclusions and waited to see what she had to say.  Biiko had 
been remarkably quiet throughout it all.

     "So, you think I might have fallen in love with you?  Is 
that it?" Biiko finally said softly.

     "Um... maybe... but I do know that there's no real reason 
for our fights anymore... and someone suggested that I try to 
think about why we still do it."

     Biiko pursed her lips in consideration.  "If it was 
true... what would happen next?"

     Eiko froze, surprised that Biiko was taking it so easily.  
"Am I wrong?"

     "I didn't say that.  I didn't say you're right, either.  
This could be the biggest egocentric fallacy I've ever heard 
of.  What I DO want to know is this: What do you intend to do 
if I am in love with you and I have been working out these 
repressed feelings through fighting?"

     "Um... I was hoping that we could be friends."

     "Just friends?"

     "I'm not ready to be more than friends.  I don't know if 
I'd ever be ready to be more than friends.  I think, however, 
that I DO want to be your friend."

     "And perhaps more?"

     "Er... maybe.  I'm not promising anything."

     "Friends then."  Biiko held out her hand.

     "I was right?" Eiko said.

     "It fits the facts... maybe.  But we won't find out if we 
keep fighting, will we?"

     "You're taking this better than I thought."

     "I've had a lot to think about recently too."

     The two of them shook hands.

     "Eiko?  About being more than friends...?" Biiko asked, 
not letting go of her new friend's hand.

     "Er, yes?"

     Biiko lunged forward and planted a long kiss on Eiko's 
mouth.  "Think about it."

*****

     In a dark cavern beneath the earth, surrounded by state-
of-the-art technology, a man smiled to himself.  So things had 
not gone EXACTLY as he planned.  The end result should be 
almost as good, if those two could keep from relapsing.

     He slowly got to his feet, grimacing as the exoskeleton 
he wore wined.  Time to get this thing looked at again, he 
thought.  Sparing the monitor one more glance, he found a 
smile creeping on his old, weathered, but still handsome face.

     "Good luck, goddaughter.  Clark, Diana, you owe me 
another one," he said, before turning off the screen and 
disappearing into the dark night.

The End

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