Koenma gave out a dejected sigh as he kicked another pebble lying on the ground. He stopped and looked at the sinking sun, his face contorted with irritation and lonliness.

"So much for having friends." he muttered under his breath as his thoughts flew to the gang.

Actually it was a very fine day, a very fine day to sneak out of Rei Kai for a little bit and hang out with Yusuke and the gang. He thought about hanging out inside Kurama's or Yusuke's bedroom, play computer games or watch movies, perhaps have a drink or two, have male bonding...

"And what do i get?" he asked himself aloud. "Oh, sorry Koenma, Feb. 14, you know..." he added, mimicking Yusuke's voice exaggeratedly. He sighed again as his hands flew to his hair, his fingers raking against his shiny mane.

February 14. Valentines Day. One of those Ningen festivities that requires two people to celebrate. Two people like Yusuke and Keiko who are currently out on a date. Two people like Kuwabara and Yukina (although the girl isn't human...) who are currently on a date too. Two people like Kurama and some lucky girl from his college. (probably she won the Get-A-Date-With-Shuuichi-Lottery.) Heck, everybody has somebody to celebrate this day with.

"Well not exactly everybody." he thought thinking about Hiei. But then, Hiei has Mukuro to be with. At least he got some female company to be with this time...

"Face it Koenma, everybody has somebody except you!" he said to himself quite sadly.

He continued walking till he reached the city park. He and took a sit on a bench near the fountain to think. If he is to spend this special day with, he would like to spend it with none other than...

"Hey mister!"

Koenma blinked with surprise as he felt someone tugging his shirt. He looked down only to find a young girl of about seven or eight, smiling up to him.

"Why do you look so sad?" the girl asked. Koenma frowned. Then he smiled weakly.

"Would it help if I told you?" he replied. The girl then sat next to him.

"You don't have a date?" she asked. Koenma turned to her quite surprised.

"What do you know about dating? You're just a kid." he answered.

"Well,everybody knows what people do on Valentines Day mister, even little kids like me." the girl replied. Koenma just shrugged as he looked away. The girl sighed.

"If you want, I could be your date just for today." she offered. With that Koenma turned to her, his eyes alight with amusement.

"Are you feeling sorry for me?"

"Yes." she answered simply. "You are quite cute, mister and it is a wonder why you can't find a date." she added. Koenma chuckled.

So this little girl thought him cute. But what about the other girl that... he shook his head as he remembered just what happened last Christmas...

Just like last Christmas, he and Botan were invited by the gang to celebrate that Ningen festivity in Genkai's place. Now, he didn't know who had put that stupid mistletoe under the door but he and Botan somehow got caught right under it. Just then everybody laughed and guffawed, urging for them to kiss. With everybody shouting and laughing,they finally obliged with defeated sighs.

At first, he didn't particularly liked the idea of kissing a mere ferry girl but after feeling her lips against his, gently moving with accordance to his, so sweet... He suddenly found his eyes not leaving her all throughout that night. Although Botan reacted rather coolly about the kiss, he couldn't help but notice the cute, pink tints on her cheeks everytime her eyes met his.

After that crazy Christmas, he thought that the spell would be over; just like the so-called Christmas spirit that goes away after the festive season. But he was wrong. Somehow Botan became prettier, lovelier, and more beautiful. He suddenly found himself completely sleepless this past few months. He even wondered if that kiss was just a wake-up call for him notice her. It even made him wonder if she is also having sleepless nights thinking about this.

"Are you listening to me, mister?" Koenma turned to her surprised,his reverie shattered.

"Huh?" he asked abset-mindedly. The girl pouted.

"You are thinking of somebody." she mused. He sighed.

"Hai." he answered softly. "Gomen."

"Is it a girl?" she asked.

"Actually yes." he replied.

"Is she prettier than me?" Koenma chuckled.

"No, you are both pretty." he replied.

"Do you like her?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Because I think she will like you too." she replied. Koenma laughed.

"What is your name little girl?" he asked.

"Chiyo." she answered.

"Well, Chiyo-chan what do you know about those things? You are just a kid."

"No,*you* are the kid." Chiyo replied.

"Is she your girlfriend?" she asked.

"No."

"But you like her?"

His thoughts flew to Botan... her shiny,exotic blue hair,pink lips,lovely purplish eyes,beautiful smile,cheerful laughter, bubbly nature...

"Who wouldn't like her?" he mumbled absent-mindedly.

"Did you tell her?" Koenma shook his head.

"How could I?" he replied. "After the way i yelled and snapped at her yesterday."he silently added thinking about the busy day they just had.

"Just say you like her."Chiyo replied. Koenma sighed.

"It is not that easy,Chiyo-chan..."

"Yes it is."she said. "You are the only one who's making it difficult." With that Koenma turned to her. She smiled.

"When I was in school, sensei wrote exercises on the board for us to answer. There is actually a prize for the one who could answer it correctly. I tried."

"Did you get the prize?"

"No." Koenma gulped.

"But at least I tried." she replied looking meaningfully at him. He shook his head.

"This is different." he said.

"No." Chiyo said shaking her head. "The prize was a lovely doll. I wanted it so badly so I tried answering the difficult question on the blackboard. But even though I didn't get it, it kinda makes me feel happy knowing that I tried." she added.

Koenma looked away feeling the soft blow of her words.

"Although it hurts me not to get the doll, it would make me feel wore if I've just decided to let the chance pass me by to have it. Who knows, I could've gotten the correct answer, but then i would never know without trying, ne?"

With that Koenma turned to her. She was right! It would be much more painful if he would just let his chances pass him by! It would be too painful to let her go without even trying! It would be much more painful for him if he does not tell her what he feels than being rejected...

At least,telling her would give him some peace of mind,it would give him some answers to his questions.

"You are aware that I am taking a risk here, aren't you Chiyo-chan?" He said.

"Well,its worth it, isn't it? If you really want it." With that,he leaned over and gave the girl a light kiss on her cheek.

"You are right."he said. "I am the kid here and not you." She smiled as they both stood up.

"Well,you have been a wonderful date,Chiyo-chan."

"You too mister,although you have been thinking of someone else." He chuckled. The girl laughed.

"I think I'll be heading home now." she said.

"Yes you should."

"Happy Valentines Day." she said.

"You too." The girl then gave him one final smile before turning around and walking away.

"Kids today sure are different." he thought smiling. After several moments of thinking, he finally decided to go back, determination completely on his face.

==========

"Um,Botan?"

The blue-haired ferry girl looked up from her magazine. Upon seeing Koenma before her,she hurriedly cast her eyes down. Funny to think that a while ago she was thinking of the sweet kiss they had shared last Christmas. It was also funny to think that earlier she was wishing to be with this handsome demigod for valentines day and now that her wish was answered, she could do nothing but stare at the marble floor of the office.

<After the way he snapped at me yesterday...>she thought.

"Koenma-sama?"

Koenma took a deep breath."Botan,I'm-- I'm..."he handed her a rose. Botan's eyes widened with surprise as her hands reached out to take it.

"Im sorry for being such a jerk yesterday. It really wasn't your fault that one of the documents got lost."

"Oh." she murmured slightly disappointed. "Apology accepted." she added.

She then waited for Koenma to shrug and walk away but when nothing came, she looked up her face a mask of confusion. Koenma bit his lip, shifting his foot one after the other. He shoved his hands in his pockets nervously, his face flushing.

"Um,Botan?"

"Y es?"she answered quickly. He took a deep breath.

"I-I have to tell you something."

"What is it?" she asked. He looked at her,his golden brown eyes capturing her lavender ones. Botan nearly felt herself melting with the intensity of his gaze.

"I-I just--"

"Yes?"

"I-i just want to tell you that I-i like you."he said. With that Botan's eyes widened with surprise. Koenma gulped nervously.

"I-it doesn't really matter if you like me or not but i just really want you to know that i really care for you, you mean so much to me."

"Koenma-sama..."

"I know this sounds stupid but i really like you and don't worry Im not expecting anything in return... I just wanted to let you know--"

"Koenma-sama..."

He finally stopped babbling upon hearing her soft voice. He looked down shyly. "It is just a matter of trying, Botan."he said softly. "Whether you are feeling the same way or not,I just couldn't let this day pass me by without trying."

"Koenma-sama?" she called softly. He looked up only to find her blushing, making her prettier. "How could you say that this is stupid when Im also feeling the same thing about you?"

With that,Koenma's eyes widened with surprise. He just couldn't believe what he had just heard! Without thinking he blurted out,

"I love you,Botan."

Upon hearing the words. Botan threw herself against him. Koenma's arms wrapped around her as she pressed her face against his chest.

"I love you too." she said softly, tears of happiness rolling down from her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked looking up at him.

"I didn't know how to back then." he replied. "It scared me."

Botan smiled through her tears. Koenma gently wiped them away.

"Would you ever forgive me for treating you rather shabbily this past few decades?" Botan laughed softly.

"Well,that made you adorable and lovable,ne?" she asked. He smiled his face getting closer to hers.

"Happy Valentines Day Botan-chan." He said his voice heavy with emotion.

"Happy Valentines Day to you too." she murmured as his lips went down on hers, silently thanking the little angel who opened his eyes. Now he completely believed that indeed, angels do come from the strangest places...

owari..