Eighth Chapter
That's What I'm
Telling You
BOTAN WAS VERY
much confused when at last she came to. Her brain was filled with images of
multicolored chemicals, vials of different shapes and sizes, big furry rats,
long winding passages and tiny edible-looking jewelry.
Then, in one fleeting moment, they merged into each other and fluttered
away into the realm where forgotten memories are locked away.
She opened her
eyes slowly, waiting for them to focus and for her vision to become clearer. She
lay still, waiting for everything to fall into place. A little later, she was
already steady enough, both physically and in thinking, to notice things about
her.
She's in a
clinic, or rather, the clinic. The Castle Styx has it's own private
clinic and this is it. She recognized it from the few times she visited her new
pal, a fellow servant who went down with flu last week.
She scanned the
whole place starting form the fluorescent lamp in the ceiling, down to the
stainless white curtains that kept her privacy. Beside her are medical
apparatuses and the basic things one sees in such places. Finally, she looked at
herself, wrapped in the same white linen. In doing so, she noticed she was still
fully dressed in her pink kimono, the one she once wore as her uniform as a
spirit guide.
She stood up,
hoisting herself into a sitting position, her legs dangling a few inches from
the tiled floor. She leapt down, momentarily stunned by the coldness of the
floor against her bare feet.
"Oh, Miss
Ryo," she called, poking her head through the drapes.
Soon the round
jolly old nurse came bounding in, rosy and energetic as usual. She fussed with
Botan for a while then gave her something to eat. After the quick snack, the
kind lady gave the girl her two-toed socks and sandals.
"You
better go to Sir Ieyasu," she said finally. "It was he who found
you."
Botan's mouth
dropped open.
"Mr.
Personality?" she muttered.
BOTAN STOOD
BEFORE the heavy wooden door, hand positioned to knock, mouth slightly open,
preparing to call out.
"Ah-"
she started.
She suddenly
turned away fists clenched, eyes screwed tight.
"No,"
she muttered through clenched teeth. "I can't do it."
She started
tiptoeing away.
"Good.
There you are."
Botan froze.
She turned around timidly, bracing herself for the inevitable. There in front of
her stood a tall man. She couldn't distinguish which of the Yoshio brothers it
was. He was standing against the light coming from the interior of his office.
"Well?"
said the soft almost crooning voice. "Come in."
Botan followed
without another sound. She nearly slipped off the chair, the smooth cloth of her
kimono being frictionless against the leather covering of the cushioned company
chair. She sat quietly with her head bowed, her eyes following her master as he
sat behind his table.
"And how
are you, young lady?" Ieyasu started.
Young lady, thought Botan. He can't be that much older than me. At
least, he looks young, probably a few years older than Koenma-sama. Then again,
we're all ageless anyway.
"Fine,
sir," she tried to say calmly but her voice came out like a squeak.
Ieyasu chuckled
coolly. "Miss Botan, it would do you much good if you ease up a bit. I
don't bite, see?"
Botan tried to
laugh along. She looked up but avoided Ieyasu's eyes.
"I'm
alright, sir," she said. "I'm just confused, that's all."
"Don't
worry," he drawled. "Nothing happened to you, kid."
Kid? "What happened sir?"
"Shouldn't
I be the one asking that?"
"I don’t
remember sir." She lied. Well, it wasn't exactly a lie. Her memory was too
blurry to make out.
"Well, a
houseboy found you in near an abandoned privy in west wing. You must have
fainted because of the smell."
"Excuse
me?" Botan looked ready to puke.
"Just
kidding." Ieyasu grinned evilly. "The guards found you unconscious
around the eastern part of the mansion. You must have slipped and hit your
head."
Botan realized
he's right. She felt a rhythmic persistent throbbing at the back of her head.
She only noticed it now because it's quite light. She felt her nape and came
upon a swollen bump forming underneath the mass of hair.
"Is
something wrong?"
"No, no.
Nothing more than a bruise, sir."
"Ah, all
it needs is a little ice." He stood up, took his handkerchief from his
pocket and walked to the fridge in a corner of the room.
"Oh, no
sir. Don't bother really."
"Don't
worry, kid. I haven't even used this." He took out some ice, wrapped it
with the hanky and handed it to her. He went back to his seat, wiping his wet
hands on a cloth en route.
"Thank you
very much." Botan applied the compress to her injury slightly ashamed of
the unmistakable dislike she felt towards her master. "I really am sorry
for causing you much trouble, sir."
"The
mansion is quite a maze you know. Even your mistress gets lost easily. I suggest
you two go exploring on your free time but please don't wander alone."
"Yes,
sir."
"Was the
prince this lax to you?"
"Sir?"
"Does he
let you run amok around the palace?"
"No, sir.
There are quite a number of places restricted even to us ferry girls."
"Hmmm…
You and your former boss were really close then, eh?"
Botan shifted
uncomfortably. "Well, I did spend a lot of time with him, if that's what
you mean, sir. He was my boss."
"No. I
mean, your relationship goes beyond that of the professional side."
"Well,
yes, we are friends. We were much like the way Miss Masago and I are right
now."
"Mmm…"
Ieyasu nodded knowingly. "I see. You see it that way. You all do." He
leaned back to his seat. "My sister does enjoy you company. Tell me, whose
do you prefer?"
"Professionally?
Well, I must confess I like working for the government better. See, I was
trained to guide spirits and I guess even though the workload is much lighter
here, I like it there better."
"Hmmm…"
"Don't get
me wrong. I love Miss Masago. She's such a darling and as for your question a
while ago, I prefer her for a boss, honestly."
"Why is
that?"
Botan fidgeted
again. "Well, Koenma-sama is usually severe. Don't you agree, sir?"
"True. But
you do love Koenma as well, don't you?"
Botan was taken
a back. "Well, I suppose so. I've grown genuinely fond of him as the years
passed and I do love him like a brother."
"Are you
sure he in turn loves you like a sister?"
Botan didn't
say anything.
"One thing
I'm sure of is that something is preventing him from at least trying to love my
sister as a woman. Apparently, he gave Masago the place you claim to have, the
place of a sister."
Botan was
finally able to speak. "What are you driving at?"
"What does
that make you?"
"A
friend," Botan said simply.
"I'm sure
that's what we all want to think, especially you. Of course, that would be
denying the truth. You know as well as I do, you occupy his heart which is why
he doesn’t even attempt to woe Masago."
"What are
you implying, sir? That it's my fault? I-"
Ieyasu held up
his hand, signaling for silence. "No. Nobody can control what another
feels. You are in a state of denial but that doesn't mean you don’t return his
affection. I think you'd agree with me. You know very well Koenma-sama's
responsibilities. You know what would happen if you pursue your relationship.
That's why you try to think of him as your brother, although you love him
differently."
Botan's face
was flushed. "I don't know where you got that idea, sir. But I assure you I
am not the reason why both of them are rebelling against the customs. It's their
decision."
"Yes. In
fact, I have you to thank for talking my sister into cooperating. I know it's
not your fault. You wouldn't have taught Masago how to handle the prince
otherwise."
"I'm just
trying to help my friends." Botan was on the verge of tears. She was caught
in the center of being confused, scared and angry. "I'm not doing anything
wrong. Besides, it's their business. I've nothing to do with it."
"Hmm…"
Ieyasu stroked his chin. "You're right. It's their private lives. But
Koenma-sama is the Prince of Reikai. His decisions affect the whole land. Reikai
will be the one to pay for his mistakes."
Botan fumed in
silence, head bowed.
"You may
go," said Ieyasu. "Masago may come soon. If you don't believe me, ask
her. Good evening."
With at that,
he motioned for Botan to leave. He turned away from her, twisting the rotating
chair to face the window. Botan left with out being prodded once more.
Why do they think of me as the culprit,
she thought. Even Keiko thinks the same way…
What if it's
true? What if Koenma really is in love with her? What if he insists on marrying
her instead of Masago? What will happen then?
Before Botan's
head can get any clearer, a voice called out from behind her.
"Botan?"
it said. "Is that you?"
Botan spun
around quickly, gazing warily at the newcomer. It was only Masago.
"Oh
hello," she said, trying to hide her shakiness.
"Hi,"
greeted Masago. "What are you doing here?"
"I was
just wandering around."
"Oh. You
wouldn't mind going out into the veranda now, would you?"
"Of course
not."
"Maybe we
should get a jacket first or something."
"Sure.
You're back so soon, Miss Masago."
"Yeah,
well, Koenma-sama's pretty busy."
Botan turned
away. "I see."
SOON ENOUGH,
THE two girls were seated outside Masago's room in her balcony. Masago is seated
on the silver chair, while Botan braided her hair.
"You
shouldn't bother, Botan," said Masago presently. "It's too dark. You
probably can't see a thing."
Botan pulled
the rubber band from her own ponytail and used it to seal the pigtail of her
mistress.
"There,"
she said. "All done."
Masago pivoted
to look at Botan.
"Look at
what you did," she said, seeing Botan's loose hair. "You ruined your
hairdo!"
She stood up
and shoved Botan to the seat. The latter protested, forcing her way to stand up.
"No,"
insisted Masago. "Be still an let me comb your hair. I've never done it
before. I mean, on someone else's head."
She started
running the brush through Botan's hair, letting stoke after stroke gently travel
across the waves. Botan didn't bother to resist anymore.
"Miss
Masago," she murmured. "You're too kind, really. You make me feel
guilty."
"Why is
that, dear?" asked Masago, surprised.
"Hmmm…"
Silence
followed. Botan watched as the last traces of the sun disappeared and evening
settled in. Masago, however, continued her labor of love. Botan relaxed
gradually as the teeth of the brush massaged her aching head.
It was Masago
who broke the silence a little while later.
"Um,"
she started. "Koenma asked about you."
Botan's heart
leapt to her throat upon hearing of the controversial name. Her relaxed nature
retreated to its shell, replaced by a jittery and agitated one. However, she
forced herself to remain in control and to let no reaction register on her
countenance.
"Really?"
she managed to say almost haughtily. "He still remembers me?" She
laughed nervously.
"Yes.
Truly," answered Masago. She was surprised by her friend's unaffectedness.
However, she also felt Botan stiffen earlier when Koenma's name was mentioned. Is
it jealousy, Masago wondered.
You two went to
Falcon Ridge, right? Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes. It
was divine. The view is so breathtaking and awesome. You ought to come with us
the next time."
"Nah. I'd
probably just get on your way."
Masago snorted.
"You know very well our relationship is nowhere near romantic. In fact,
I've taken to calling him big brother."
Botan drew in
air sharply. However, she spoke before Masago could react. "You would have
to stop that once you two get hitched. You can't call your husband big brother.
Or your beau for that matter."
"Beau?
It’s almost like I'm the suitor and not him." She chuckled. "But I
like it," she said decidedly. "Besides, I told you I'm not marrying
him."
"I
sympathize with you, madam, but you have no other choice."
"I'm
serious," replied Masago astutely. Botan gasped. "I'm not marrying
him."
"Why
not?" Botan felt like fainting but managed to convey the inquiry
nonetheless. "That's not for you to decide."
"Isn't?"
Masago's voice had a rather sharp edge to it. "It's my life, is it
not?"
Botan took a
few moments to recover. "But you used to be at least open to the idea. I
mean, why the sudden change of heart?"
"Yes.
Since we were getting along alright, I thought then that maybe we can learn to
become husband and wife. But then I realized that there might come a day when
either one of us will find the person we truly love. It will only cause
unnecessary pain for both of us, and for the kingdom, trouble."
"I
see," said Botan meekly.
"Besides…"
Botan perked up
slightly in dread.
"…
Koenma-sama already found his."
Silence. Masago
immediately turned to Botan to see her reaction. She was shocked by the girl's
expression. Sure, she expected a guilty blush but Botan's face was plain
frightful. It wasn't one that intimidates, but one that makes a person worried
and concerned.
Botan was pale
and motionless, her eyes wide open and staring. It was already dark and Masago
was straining to see. Nonetheless, she saw how tightly Botan clutched at her
dress, her knuckles white and shaking.
"Botan?"
Masago asked tactfully. "Is there something wrong?"
The ordinarily
cheerful young woman, however, heard nothing of her mistress inquiry. All she
heard was the voice of Yoshio Ieyasu's creepy yet somewhat soothing croon,
chanting repeatedly.
Reikai
will pay…
Reikai
will pay for you crimes.
…will
pay for your crimes.
…
your crimes.
CRIMES
"Miss
Masago!"
Masago nearly
jumped out of her skin in surprise. She stood still where she was, watching
carefully and fearfully.
Botan flung
herself on the floor before Masago. The latter flinched as her friend's hand
touched hers accidentally. It was deathly cold , wet and clammy.
"Botan?"
Masago managed to blurt out.
"Requesting
permission to obtain my accumulated leave," she yelled, head bowed.
"Well,
yes, of course-"
"Thank you
very much, mistress."
With that, her
oar materialized and off she flew.
Masago watched
as her only real friend disappeared in the horizon.
"Botan…"