Chapter Six: Hotaru’s Work:
Hotaru sat at
the table.
“So, talk to
me,” she said.
-Mike-
Mike sighed and
dropped his shoulders. He shook his head.
“I don’t know,”
the demon said. Hotaru narrowed her eyes.
“Come on. This
isn’t like you. I want to help.”
“I don’t think
you can.”
“Try me.”
Mike sighed
again. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t
know?"
He shook his
head.
“Why is that?”
“I don’t.”
“I get that. But
why?” Hotaru shook her head. “This isn’t working. Time to change it a bit.” She
took a breath.
“Right… When did
this start?”
He thinks about
it. “Maybe… five nights ago? I’m not sure.”
“Okay…”
She nodded. “Right. Right. How have you
been sleeping?”
“Not at all.”
“Not at all?”
Mike shook his
head.
“Well. Anything
else?”
“It’s hard to
say.” He rubbed his forehead.
“Take your
time.”
“You can’t help
me with this, you know?”
“I’m going to
try.”
“It would be a
waste.”
“I’m helping
right now.”
“Huh? How?”
“By talking
about it.”
“Huh?”
She began to
smile. “I am happy to help.”
--------
-Kazue-
She gave her an
odd look. “Why?”
Hotaru tried not
to laugh. Kazue glared at her.
“What?”
“You’re
blushing.”
“Huh?”
“Come on. Spill
it.”
“Spill what?”
Hotaru giggled.
“Who is he?”
“He who?”
“You know…”
Kazue rolled her
eyes. “There is no he!”
“She then?”
“No!”
“Come on. You
can’t hide from me. I will find out. I know that look.
“What look?”
“Don’t you
know?”
“Know what?”
“The look of
love.”
Kazue gave her a
blank stare. “Huh?!”
“Kazue…”
“No! I am not in
love! I don’t even know him!”
“So?”
“Huh?”
“Does it even
matter?”
“Uh…”
“See?”
Kazue wrinkled
her nose. “You’re crazy.”
“But am I
wrong?”
“Shut up.” Her
face turned bright red.
Hotaru sat
smiling. “I could help you win him over.”
“Shut up!” Kazue
put down her head and groaned aloud. Hotaru still smiled. This was going to be a
fun assignment.
Between Mike’s problems and Kazue’s crush, she had so much work to do. But first, Hotaru needed to talk to Vivian about Mike.