Chapter
Cupid
and Psyche
WHEN GEORGE
SATOME entered the office of the Prince of Reikai, the brooding face of a young
man greeted him. Young man, for Enma-sama had ordered Koenma to stay in his
adult form, which was quite logical to all of his subjects. By now, everybody
knew he is affianced to Masago.
George is one
of the few people who know how much displeasure this betrothal had caused Koenma.
However, he also knows that his charge wasn't thinking about that right then. He
had just read the latest report submitted by the various sectors of the
investigation unit and it was not happy news.
There is an
uprising against the present government of Makai. An aggressive militant group
is trying to gain control of the now-peaceful Multi-nation State of Makai
established some five years ago. This rebellion seemed unusually powerful. The
present ruler of Makai suspects these insurgents have readily available sources
of information. The question is, from whom?
The secrets of
the government are processed and kept by the information agency run by appointed
officials. People suspect an inside job was performed. However, with Mukuro as
its chairperson, that would hardly be possible unless she herself is involved.
Such allegations cannot be proven as of yet.
But will the
interests of Reikai be affected by this unrest? Yes, very much. The insurgents
seem keen on expanding the territories of Makai and are not happy about the
peaceable government. Victory of these rebels is guaranteed to cause grave
problems to Reikai in the future.
George knew
Koenma will not be better off once he reads the reports he has brought. It seems
Makai has found circumstantial evidence pointing to Reikai as the source of
information. Knowing Koenma as well as he does, George was correct.
"Things
are turning worse," Koenma grumbled, rubbing his eyes in an exhausted
manner. "Call for Botan, will you George? It seems as though we have to
cooperate with Yusuke even though he's no longer part of the Tantei. Being
Raizen's son, he'll be able to help a great deal in solving this problem."
George was
caught by surprise. "Botan?" he asked. "But didn't you know,
Koenma-sama? Botan's been reassigned."
KOENMA IGNORED
THE entreaties of the doorkeeper. He brashly entered the throne room of his
father in anger. He marched up to the giant figure all red and fuming, demanding
the reason behind Botan's reassignment.
"Botan's
one of my best workers, Father!" he yelled. "What's the idea
reassigning her?"
"I have my
reasons, Koenma," said the giant, still calm despite having the nearly
exploding prince in front of him. "And I have chosen to with hold it. Even
from you."
Koenma
struggled to calm his temper. "To where was she reassigned?"
"To the
Castle Styx."
"To
Masago's? How could you father? She and Masago will never be in good terms.
Kumagai is a good man and a fine employer but Masago's gonna hate the very sight
of Botan!"
"Nonsense,
Koenma. Botan is perfect for her job at the Yoshio home. You said it yourself;
she's an excellent worker. You wouldn't deny your fiancé a good handmaid now,
would you?"
"B-b-b-but,"
Koenma struggled for something to say. "Botan's such a nitwit at times
and-"
"The
Yoshios are quite tolerant of mistakes. Too much if you ask me."
" What
about her routes?"
"There are
lots of spirit guides."
"Still-"
"Why are
you so insistent in reclaiming the ferry girl to your office?" Enma-sama
cut him off.
"Well, uh,
she's my friend. Isn't it right I should protect her interests?"
"I have a
feeling it's your personal interests you're trying to protect."
"Partly,
yes." Koenma began fidgeting. "She's my friend. Her well-being is my
concern."
"You keep
saying she is your friend."
"Well,
it's the truth."
"Yes."
Enma focused his eyes directly at his son, searching. "But are you sure
she's nothing more than that?"
Koenma evaded
his look and reddened even more violently. "I don't know what you're
talking about, father."
Enma regarded
the other's reaction thoughtfully. "Perhaps, Masago is right," he
murmured. He rose from his seat, sidestepped Koenma and gazed out the window.
Koenma abruptly
stopped moving about and shot his father a look with his eyebrows raised. "Masago?"
Enma continued
to gaze outside and was therefore unable to see the change in Koenma's
expression. He ignored his son's outburst and then sank into deep thinking.
After a while,
he spun around and having faced his son, said, "Do you really want to know
the reason behind Botan's displacement?"
"But I
thought- Well, yes. Of course, I do."
"How long
has it been since you met Botan?"
"A couple
of centuries?"
"And when
did you become "friends" as you call it?"
"A decade
ago? Yesterday?" Koenma shrugged. "Does it matter?"
"You must
admit you two have been quite…um, inseparable this last few years."
"Well,
she's really a lively person and she gives my boring monotonous existence
life."
"A mere
distraction, you mean?"
"Not
exactly."
"How,
exactly?"
"Well,
um… you mentioned Yusuke and the others. I've become friends with their group
and Botan is a part of it, isn't she? It's only natural, I think, since we've
all been through so much together. I suppose we couldn't help but get fond of
one another."
"I
see."
"So apart
from being a good worker, she's also a perfect companion for me. So may I have
the ferry girl back?"
Enma waved him
away. "No. The ferry girl had been sent away so that you'd have more time
for Masago."
Blood rushed to
Koenma's head. "Are you saying Botan lost her job because of me? Because
she's my friend? Because Masago is jealous since I prefer Botan to her prissy
painted self?"
"Calm
down, Koenma. Masago is quite correct. You've been too taken up by the ferry
girl that you don't even want to give Masago a chance to get to know you better
and for you to know her."
"Are you
asking me to replace Botan with Masago?"
"Replace?
Let me clarify things for you, my dimwitted child. Botan is a servant, a friend
as you say. Masago is your future wife. How
can Botan be replaced by Masago while Masago is holding a part of your heart
Botan has never carried?"
"If it's a
part of my heart you're talking about," Koenma hissed icily. "If
Masago is even holding a single cell of it, it's nothing compared to the part
owned by Botan!"
Enma frowned.
"Perhaps, its time for me to face the truth," he muttered.
"Quite
right. I'll never marry Masago!"
"You can't
marry the ferry girl."
Koenma blushed
violently. " I know that! And
I don't have any plans in doing so 'coz she's just a friend. Our involvement has
never been roma-"
Enma's frown
deepened. "This has entered my mind more than once, Koenma. Only now do I
dare ask you if it is, heaven forbid, true. Are you in love with her?"
"What?!?"
Koenma was practically steaming, from both rage and embarrassment. "Of
course, not! Just a friend, she's just a friend."
"Why are
you being so defensive both of yourself and for her?"
"I'm not
being defensive! I'm just telling the truth. Besides, I think I'm right in
defending her. It's so unfair-"
"I'm just
reminding you, Koenma. You are the heir to the throne of Reikai. She is just a
ferry girl, a commoner. You know the restrictions. " Enma's face was stern.
"I SAID
I'M NOT IN LOVE WITH HER!"
The silence was
deafening. Enma just sat there, eyebrows raised, with an expression of, perhaps,
shock. For all you know, the expression could have said, "Uh-huh, yeah
right."
Koenma
relaxed, face disheveled. "I'm sorry father," he said, sighing.
"I reacted childishly. Perhaps, it's because I have many problems lately.
Makai is suspecting treachery from our part. What do we do about it?"
"You are
right about one thing, Koenma," said Enma, sternly. "You are acting
childish. Don't try changing the subject. We will talk about Makai later. Right
now, we're tackling an urgent problem that's perhaps more enigmatic than the one
in Makai."
The prince
shook his head with much effort, as he was weary with exasperation.
"There's nothing between us father. We're just good friends, really."
"Very good
friends, apparently. I'm just
trying to help you, son. Perhaps, your relationship with the ferry girl,
assuming that you are telling the truth-"
"I
am."
"-has not yet
gone that deep. But there's always a possibility. That's why I'm preventing that
from happening. You are a prince, Koenma. You are forbidden to love a commoner.
I'm doing this for your own good. I'm taking her away before you become too
attached to her. You may think I'm cruel but I'm only saving you from a much
crueler experience once you realize you can't reach the most precious thing in
your life… Sorry, I'm starting to babble, eh? Just try not to get too close to
the ferry girl for the time being, Koenma."
"Yes,
father. I'll keep that in mind. Excuse me, I must attend to my duties now."
Koenma bowed low and left the hall.
Then, as the
door shut behind the son of the most powerful man in Reikai, Enma-sama turned
back to the window he was gazing out.
"Trust me,
my son. I know from experience."
"HEY, I'M
REALLY sorry for getting you into this mess, Botan,"
"You know,
that's the 53rd time you said that ever since you got here and that's
barely 10 minutes ago," she answered irritated. "If you haven't got
anything else to say, I must say you must go, Koenma-sama. I do have chores to
do."
"Masago is
making you a slave?!?" the prince thundered.
Botan looked at
him in shock. "Calm down, Koenma-sama."
"Would you
mind dropping the sama? It irritates me."
"What?
What does that got to do with now?"
"You dare
question the authority of the Prince of Reikai?"
"But--
What do I call you then?"
"Duh.
Koenma, of course. As I was saying, do they by any chance abuse or mistreat
you?"
"Of course
not. They're all very nice to me out here. And you're very wrong about Miss
Masago. She's nice and beautiful and-"
"What do
you do here then?"
"Well, I'm
Miss Masago's personal valet-"
"Oh,
great!" interrupted Koenma glumly. "One of my spirit guides get
demoted to being a lady-in-waiting and he asks me why I'm upset."
"I was not
demoted, OK? Besides, I think it's better out here. I mean, the work load's much
lighter and the pay's much higher." She grinned almost drooling.
"Plus, I can visit Ningenkai anytime I want. Hey, let's go to that fancy
rialto thing on my next day off. It's my treat since I can now afford it. You
were too crusty then when we had the chance."
Koenma's
spirits seemed to have sunken lower. "I'm sorry but I kinda have a lot of
things to do. Besides, my father said…"
Botan's face
fell. "Oh right. I remember. Enma-sama told me to minimize my time spent
with you so you'd have more time to get acquainted with Miss Masago and--"
"MY FATHER
TOLD YOU THAT?" Koenma leapt from the chair he was perched on and was about
to take off. "THIS IS THE LAST STRAW!"
Botan pulled at
his cape before the latter could leave. "Koenma-sama! Calm down
please."
"My name
is Koenma. Ko_en_ma!"
"Koenma-sama.
I would appreciate it if you stop struggling. You're too big for me to
restrain."
"Let go
me, Botan!"
"Koenma-sama,
you're ruining the Yoshio's garden set. Please, stop it!"
"BAH! THEY
CAN AFFORD A DOZEN GARDEN SETS. LET GO! I'M READY TO GIVE FATHER A PIECE OF MY
MIND."
"STOP shouting
Koenma-sama."
"HEY I'M
DOING THIS FOR YOU!"
"Koenma, you
are embarrassing ME!"
The prince
stopped and grinned at her naughtily. "You just addressed me without the
honorific. You are in BIG trouble…"
"Koenma-samaaa!!"