Chapter 1
Reikai had been so quiet this past few months. It has been more than a year
since Yusuke and Keiko got married. Actually, Keiko's about to give birth
anytime now. Yusuke gave up his Reikai tantei job and is now concentrating on
their ramen shop.
Botan had been spending more of her time in Reikai. Training Hinageshi. Relaxing
in the lounge with the other ferrygirls. Helping Koenma-sama with office work
and...spending more time with Koenma-sama beyond office work.
She started spending time with him a few months back, the days when Enma-sama's
trial began in earnest. Koenma barely took any rest those days. He always looks
so tired and irritable. So, she does the other thing that she does best besides
ferrying souls, she cheers him up.
That's what she's going to do now, as she walks to the balcony that had served
as a getaway for Koenma.
She saw him, in his older form, gazing out at the twinkling stars. He's rarely
seen in his baby form these days. He said that he looks more respectable and
authoritative in his older form. As authoritative as anyone with a pacifier can,
at least. Its the trial, it's making him do weird things. She knows that he's
more comfortable in his baby form. She admired him for his courage, not everyone
would have the nerve to investigate the Lord of Reikai, specially when the said
Lord happens to be the investigator's father.
"Hi, Koenma-sama!" she called out, cheerfully.
"Botan...hi," he said, distracted. The dark circles under his eyes
aren't getting smaller, in fact, they're becoming bigger.
"Didn't you get any sleep last night?"
"No. I just---" he was about to make a excuse but he cut himself off
when he noticed that Botan wasn't listening to him. He turned and saw what Botan
was looking at. A shooting star.
A shooting star leaving a bright blue-white trail behind. Like Yusuke's rei gan.
"Botan?"
Botan blinked, "Nani?"
"You still think of him, don't you?"
"H--him?"
"Don't play dumb with me. You're more intelligent than the airhead that
some people think you are."
Botan remained silent.
"Yusuke." It was half a statement, half a question.
Botan half nodded and half shook her head.
His lip twitched into an amused smile, "A yes or no is a clearer answer
than that."
Botan smiled, in spite of herself at his dry humor, he's been so serious these
days. Too serious even for him.
"My good deed for the day is done! I've made you smile! I'll go now!"
she said cheerfully, trying to divert the topic and get away at the same time.
"Oh, no you're not! I've been doing a lot of sharing lately. I think it's
time you do some of your own." He held her wrist.
Botan sweatdropped. "Share? Uh...gossip?"
"Botan!"
"Candy?" she held out a handful. He let go of her and took one.
Botan took that chance to quickly move away, but she under estimated his speed.
He must have picked up a technique or two from all the fighting.
Koenma is once again holding her wrist. "C'mon. You've been keeping this to
yourself for several years now. I think it'll make you feel better to talk about
it. I know *I* felt better after talking to you about...things." He noticed
her hesitation and let go of her wrist. "Okay. I understand if you don't
want to talk---"
"No! It--it's okay." She sighed. "I really don't know. Sometimes
I think I'm over him. Sometimes I think I'm not. Sometimes I don't want to think
about it at all." She paused. "It's just..." She threw up her
hands in frustration. "I just don't know!"
"Hey, it'll be okay," he tilted her face up to his and gave her a
smile. His smile certainly looks better without the Fuumakan.
She smiled back. "I haven't been thinking of him lately. It just that the
shooting star reminded me of him. Besides, I have a whole lot of other things to
think of! I don't have the time to think of *him*."
"Oh, yeah? It's been quiet here lately, what's eating your time?"
"You! Do you have any idea how long and hard it is trying to figure out how
to make you smile?!"
Koenma stared at her. His lip twitched. In moments he is clutching his sides,
shaking with laughter. "You..." hiccup "look so" gasp
"serious and" more laughter "so mad!" Koenma managed to gasp
those word between fits of laughter. Both of them are laughing now and tears of
laughter are running down Botan's cheeks.
"If I'd known that a serious and mad me would make you laugh this hard I
would have done this before!"