Main / Fics / 06.02.00
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Part 3
At Last
by NaFiZa
mianker@tm.net.my
The twinkling stars made Botan smile.
When she was very small, she used to hope she could grab a star and put it in her pocket. Until Koenma came along, the wish died when he, as a more educated kodomo that time, explained that the star could not be grabbed like ornaments. They were not sweets that you could put in your pocket, or dolls that you could play with. They were very big, huge and large. Larger than the earth itself. Very hot and dangerous.
She used to oppose his opinion. She was too obsessed with her wish because there was no one to tell her the truth. Except him. She asked him why they looked so small and near, like they were just up there, behind those trees, that tower, looking so beautiful, like they were flying firecrackers, hanging in the sky without any strings or ropes to hold them.
He then told her that the stars were too far to look as big as he said, that if you went near the star, you would be burnt into ashes.
She ignored him.
Yet, she still thought about it.
Botan let out a light sigh, still staring at the blue, night sky. Her hands reached for her pocket, as the chilly air was starting to bite into her smooth skin. Needless to say, the sweater Keiko gave to her wasn't enough to protect her from the bitter cold of the wind. How more comfortable it would be if there was someone to hold her... and comfort her...
Immediately, an image of Koenma sprang into Botan's mind.
::Bakayaro! Dirty-minded!:: Botan scolded herself, regretting what she did, even though she was only *thinking* of her gold-eyed employer.
She blushed instantly when she thought about what she was about to imagine after thinking of Koenma.
She pretended not to care, although her heart was racing.
"I should be happy for Koenma-sama... I even tried to pair him up with Ayame! So now that I've got a helping hand. I'm suppose to be happier!" she said to herself. She forced a triumphant smile, but it faded away, replaced by an unsuccessful look.
Adjusting her position on the grass, Botan continued to enjoy the night in the district of Mushiyori. She also continued to think of what she usually didn't have time to think of.
It was not everyday she could relax like this, you know.
Suddenly she felt a warm feeling. A feeling that maybe had slipped in her heart once, but was ignored.
::Should I try again?::
She shrugged.
The glittering stars made Koenma smile.
It reminded Koenma of his childhood. As anyone could guess, he had had no really good friend when he was small. Now that he had Yuusuke-tachi, he had almost forgotten the bitterness of living alone, though he never forgot how a little girl changed his life...
Yes, that girl's name was Botan.
Although they always argued about the smallest things, their relationship became closer as time passed by. One of the things that they had always quarrelled about were stars.
Koenma laughed to himself.
She was so silly to think that stars could be picked up like fruits. He knew that was wrong, because he studied in the royal school of Reikai, as a boy who'd inherit his father's throne.
Along with the pile of work and stress.
That was the remark added by Botan when he said those statements.
Koenma laughed again. He could still remember the sarcastic look of Botan when she said that.
And also the way she looked the last time they argued about stars.
Her shady eyes, her smiling lips, her intense expression, when she said, "Yes... don't worry, now. I'll try to accept the fact." before she walked away.
He realized on that very moment, he was sure of what was playing tricks on his heart and mind lately.
A knock came into the door. Koenma adjusted his position and pretended to be doing on his work. "Come in," he said, as a reply.
A dark-haired woman stepped into the room. She was Botan's friend, Ayame. She seemed to be smiling about something." I hope you won't mind me asking about what made you laugh just now."
Her employer raised his eyebrows. "Hmm, you've been spying on me all this while...?" he asked sharply, trying to hide what was on his mind. Ayame smiled sweetly." I don't think I have to spy on you to know what you've been doing." she said as she pointed to Koenma's hand. Koenma looked at his hand to found he was holding the pen backwards. His face turned red and he quickly corrected the way he held his pen.
He glanced at Ayame. At that moment, he could see that she was really quite attractive, with an adult appearance and mature look. Not like Botan, the childish, bubble-minded Botan.
And when some got to know her better, they found that she was a smart and professional worker, especially from Koenma's perspective as her boss. Any spirit guided by her had never flown away or escaped. Not like Botan, the reckless, ignorant Botan.
Yet, something was missing in Ayame. Something Koenma couldn't catch... but somehow he knew that that 'something' was in Botan... that made her closer to him than Ayame...
Ayame, seeing that Koenma was drifting away, quickly said, "Hmm... Koenma-sama, this is the report you asked for this morning..." she held out a piece of paper. Koenma quickly recovered from what he was thinking. He thought for a while and smiled, as if he were determined. "Put it on the table. Ask for George. Tell him that I'll be going for my holiday tomorrow and ask him to prepare a substitute for me for two days." he simply said, ignoring Ayame's shocked look. He stood up and began walking towards the door.
"I guess Botan is really influencing me lately, haha." Koenma joked, as if knowing what was going in Ayame's mind.
"Wait, Koenma-sama! Where will you be going?" she asked hurriedly, as that was all she could think of.
Koenma smiled and winked. "The district of Mushiyori. The spring is lovely there, especially the blooming pe...peach," he managed to answer before going out of his room, leaving Ayame still dumfounded.
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