Puppet

CHAPTER 15:


Akina entered work with a smile on her face that morning. She was earlier then usual to work. Looking over at the desk, Akina smiled at a long black-haired woman who was putting some papers inside of a briefcase.

“Kyoko,” Akina greeted the lovely woman. Kyoko was the night secretary for OOP.

“Oh,” Kyoko smiled while setting on her coat, “Ms. Suketsune, how are you?”

“I’m good,” Akina giggled while removing her own jacket, “And please, call me Akina.”

“Of course,” Kyoko smiled at Akina nicely, balancing her purse on her left shoulder, “So how’ve you been? Do you still have a crush on Mr. Endo?” Akina began to blush red, which made Kyoko giggle, “Well, I’ll take that as a yes. Have you talked with him yet?”

“No,” Akina spoke honestly, twirling her fingers, “I haven’t had the courage to say anything to Kiyoshi.”

Kyoko smiled at the blushing girl. Though she looked young, Kyoko was in her late thirties, unlike the younger aged Akina.

“Well,” Kyoko smiled, “You really should talk with him. Let him know how you feel.” Akina let out a sigh of depression, frowning because she has not had the courage to tell Kiyoshi how she felt.

“Easy for you to say,” Grumbles Akina, “You’re married.”

“Yes,” Kyoko headed for the exit, “But that’s because I got the courage to talk with the man I now am happily with. Just take your time, Akina, and ask him. You never know what’ll happen unless you try. Well, I should probably go. The children will be wanting to see me before they leave for school. Goodbye Akina and good luck.”

“Bye,” Akina waved, taking a seat at her desk. Resting her elbows on the desk, Akina rested her chin on her palms and looked up at the ceiling fan, “But what would I say to him?”

--

The four girls turned their heads at Ivalyn as she floated through the door. She gave them each a lovely smile while walking over to grab an orange from the bowl of fruit sitting in the middle of a table.

“Good morning,” Ivalyn greets them, taking the orange and peeling it with her long nails. Jewels, Chen, Etsu, and Mai stared at the energetic Ivalyn, who seemed a little too perky. Mai let out a cute laugh.

“Well,” Mai spoke as she flipped back her long, curly blonde hair, “Somebody got some last night.” Ivalyn grabbed hold of a chair, feeling her self go off balance from the sudden conversation.

“What are you talking about?” Ivalyn asked, taking a seat before she wobbled over.

“Oh Ivalyn,” Jewels giggled, “We can all see the delighted glow on your face.” Jewels leaned back in her own seat, “We’ve all seen it before, nothing to be ashamed of.” Ivalyn giggled, taking a bite of her peeled orange.

“I guess the truth is out,” Ivalyn answered, a tiny blush creeping over her cheeks, “It was weird, though. Last night I saw a side of Teo I’ve never seen before.”

“So,” Etsu then started asking, “What was that?”

“Well,” Ivalyn wiped some juice from the orange off of her lips; she then leaned back in the chair, “He had honestly thought that I had feelings for Luke’s puppet. Can you believe it?” Ivalyn got unsuspected stares from the other female immortals. She blinked at them with ponder, “What,” Ivalyn turns her head to the side, “Don’t tell me you actually all think I do.”

“Well,” Jewels giggled, “Not really, but out of all immortals I’ve never seen one care for a mortal as much as you do. Sorry, but it was quite shocking.” Ivalyn gave her friends a smile. Closing her eyes, Ivalyn gave out a deep breath.

“Well I’m sorry that I care so much for a person who cannot die,” Ivalyn said, though she did not mean it, “But unlike you I can name another immortal who cares even more then I do.” Just then, from behind the girls Chen gave out a long, snickering laugh. She sounded almost like a witch.

“Oh yeah,” Chen says, giving Ivalyn a deathly glare, “And who’s that?” Ivalyn gives Chen a glare back, but hers was not as death-threatening as Chen’s. Ivalyn gave off her own chuckle, leaned further back in her seat, and softly said:

“Luke, of course,” Ivalyn stared at the shocked girls, but once again Chen interrupted with her wicked laugh. She covered her mouth with her hand, ashamed of her continuing laughing, yet sickened by Ivalyn.

“Luke,” Chen said, her voice sounding darker then before, “Yeah right. Luke doesn’t give a shit about that boy. He’s hated that kid since day one! Face it Ivalyn, you’re dead wrong. Luke has never cared for that boy; he never will.”

“You’re wrong,” Ivalyn replied swiftly, which angered Chen and shocked Jewels, Mai, and Etsu, who were all paying close attention, “I believe that Luke does care for the boy. He just doesn’t want to admit so. Yes, you’ll see,” Ivalyn takes a seat, placing the last piece of her orange up to her lips; taking it in and softly chewing, “You’ll see.”

Chen had no comeback for Ivalyn that time, so, lifting herself from her own chair, Chen swiftly made her leave. Ivalyn gave off a smiling victory as she grabbed for an apple. The other three ladies only stared off in complete bewilderment.

--

That next day had gone by fast. Kiyoshi sat in his apartment with Luke, once again prepared to answer any question Luke wished to throw at him. Silence filled the room for a brief while and Kiyoshi sat nervously waiting, watching as Luke sipped on a glass of water. Luke had asked for one, that time. After taking a sip, Luke brought the glass down to balance it on his knee, though he still gently held it with his right hand.

“Kiyoshi,” Luke whispered, ready to begin the night discussion, “Tonight all I want is for you to tell me more about yourself. Anything, everything you can think of. I want you to tell me.” Kiyoshi did not know where to begin. Wrapping his arms around his body, Kiyoshi let out a dissatisfied sigh, keeping his eyes off of Luke until he thought of what to say.

“Where would you want me to begin?”

“Anywhere you’d like,” Luke answered his attention fully on the nerve-wrecked Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi gave a nod and took a moment to think. He might as well tell Luke about his self. Taking a deep breath, Kiyoshi began as the night proceeded on.

“Well,” Kiyoshi said as Luke listened, “I’ve always liked drawing, though I never really got into it…”

The night went on as Kiyoshi told Luke of his favorite hobbies and activities. As Kiyoshi spoke, though, he has never seen any person so determined to listen about his life. Luke sat completely still, calm, eagerly listening to every little word Kiyoshi spoke, whether it is a common word or an important one. Luke just sat there, never removing his eyes from Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi also noticed that as he spoke Luke’s dark, mysterious eyes never once blinked. They were wide open; completely relaxed. As Kiyoshi spoke, he felt as if he were talking for hours…hours of Luke just sitting their; sipping on water and watching Kiyoshi with those eyes. Those brown, mesmerizing eyes. The conversation went on forever as Kiyoshi told of his late drawing hobby, but soon Luke put his hand out, stopping Kiyoshi from speaking.

“Stop,” Luke ordered; Kiyoshi obeyed, “That’s all for now. We’ll talk more tomorrow.” Kiyoshi’s hands fell into his lap and he stared over at Luke.

“But,” Kiyoshi spoke, watching as Luke came to a stand, “I’m off tomorrow. I, I don’t go to work tomorrow. Neither does Topper, nor you…” Luke had forgotten that he, Kiyoshi, and the mortal named Topper had work off the next day. Every Saturday and Wednesday they got off. Tomorrow was Saturday. Luke nodded his head, walking over to Kiyoshi and kneeling beside him. This made Kiyoshi pull his knees to his chest, but he kept staring at Luke.

“Then” Luke whispered, “Tomorrow you will stay with me and my group.” Kiyoshi hugged his knees closer to his chest. He began to breathe heavily and looked down into Luke’s eyes.

“If I refuse,” Kiyoshi whispered, “Will you force me?” It too a moment for Luke to answer, but he soon did.

“Yes,” Luke replied, staying in a kneeling position.

“Well,” Kiyoshi said, “I guess I have no choice then to say that I’ll see you tomorrow.” Luke slowly stood to his feet. Turning, he made his way to the door and opened it.

“Goodnight Kiyoshi,” Luke spoke lightly before taking his leave. The door shut and Kiyoshi stayed in his huddled position, but after the door was shut, Kiyoshi soft whispered back…

“Goodnight, Luke.”

*End of Chapter 15*