Utau was having a walk on her own. She looked at Nagihiko from the distance and Yaya could see some kind of weariness on her face, as she approached her.
'Hoshina Utau… How are you feeling?'
'I'm all right.'
'Sorry, I didn't mean to… It's just… Nagihiko and I have been wondering about the effects of that perfume… We can still feel them. Just a little. So… '
'So you thought it was the same with me.'
'Er… Yes.'
'You're right. It still works – somehow. If it hadn't been for this foolishness of mine, I don't know how I would have endured… the ceremony and everything. But I can't get Nagihiko off my mind and this helps me not to think of Ikuto.'
'I know. But still… What does this mean? Will you continue to use it to make Nagihiko be attracted to you?'
'To use the perfume? No…'
'Have you got rid of it?'
'No. I don't know why, but it's hard to do it. I just can't throw it away. Somebody else might find it and use it for… evil purposes.'
'Then… give it to me.'
'Are you planning to use it on Kuukai?'
'Oh… Don't you trust me?'
'Are you saying it was just a joke? What you said the other day…'
'Kuukai is happy. His girl, Shiori, is a good girl. As good as it gets.'
'Yeah, and you wouldn't do anything to spoil Kuukai's happiness… Right… Fine, then. Come to my hotel room this evening. You may have it.'
…………………………………………………………………………
Shiori was alone. She looked beautiful in an old green kimono, with white flowers in her dark hair and a calm smile that got reflected by her serene big brown eyes. She saw Nagihiko and she went to him to say hi.
'Great performance the other day' – she said.
'Thank you.'
'Kuukai told me you used to be school-mates. And Guardians.'
'That's right. You are his girlfriend, aren't you? Yaya told me lots of things about you.'
'Did she? I wonder what she could have told you – she and I… are not very close, you know. I wish we were, but she's a little… distant.'
'Oh, I think we could be talking about an inferiority complex here. Yaya has always been childish – and she thinks you are … mature. Wiser, perhaps. She feels you are superior to her. That's the problem.'
'I sensed that, too. And I tried to talk to her, to help her overcome this feeling. But she wouldn't talk to me.'
'We are her old friends and she knows we love her and appreciate her for what she is. You… are new. She needs to get to know you better.'
Kuukai came – looking for Shiori.
'Here you are! I see you've met Nagihiko.'
'Yes, I have.'
'I think the two of you will get along really well. You've got many things in common' – said Kuukai. ' So… How long will you be staying, Nagihiko?'
'At least a couple of weeks. I'm anxious to spend some time with my family and with my old friends.'
'That's great!'
As Kuukai started chatting vividly – about good old times – Nagihiko's eyes wandered around – and they met Utau's – who was still talking with Yaya a little farther.