Amu and Ikuto were ready to leave. They weren't going to have a real honeymoon, but Ikuto had insisted on taking his bride away for just a couple of days before moving into their new flat. He wanted to take her into the countryside in order to put a distance between her and Nagihiko – and Utau, of course.
'Don't worry about the flat' – Yaya said. 'Rima and I will take care of it in your absence. I'll move there until you come back, if necessary.'
'That would be a great idea' – exclaimed Amu. 'But you shouldn't leave your own flat unattended.'
'Nagihiko offered to stay there.'
'Are you sure it would be all right?'
'Yes, he'll go to his parents' house afterwards.'
Ikuto frowned and excused himself, saying he had left his phone inside. As he got inside, he dialed a secret number. 'Mai, there is a slight change of plans.'
While Ikuto was indoors, Amu whispered to Yaya, 'There's something else I need you to do… Try to find out if Utau has got rid of the perfume. If she hasn't, please get it for me!'
'But why? I've already talked to her. She hasn't got rid of it, but she's planning to. What do you need it for, Amu?'
'If Ikuto used it – instead of Nagihiko – then I could… probably find my happiness again!'
'Oh, I see. Ok, then. I'll get it for you.'
……………………………………………………………
In the evening, while Yaya was on her way to the hotel to see Utau about the perfume, Nagihiko went to her flat. He was thoughtful. Utau's constant stare had made him a little uncomfortable. She was uncommonly pretty and really talented, but he knew her sudden interest was only due to the perfume – and on the other hand… Yes, he knew he had to stop thinking about Amu, she was Ikuto's wife now – but that didn't mean it was easy to do it.
…………………………………………………………
Utau looked very pale.
'I'm sorry, Yaya. But I can't keep my word.'
'What?! What do you mean? Don't you want to give me the perfume anymore?!'
'It's not that. I intended to – but when I got here… the window was open and the perfume was missing! Someone must have stolen it!'
'Come on, that's hard to believe! Are you telling me someone flew in through the open window and stole it?'
'I don't know what to think. I complained to the hotel management, thinking some of their staff must have misplaced it while cleaning my room. But they swear they left the window closed and that nobody saw the perfume! The weird thing is that nothing else is missing – and this is the top floor! Who could have stolen it? Spiderman?! It's absurd… And I can't call the police – they would think I'm crazy!'
'I don't believe a word, Utau!'
'Please yourself. But I'm worried… Because whoever stole it must have known its power.'
……………………………………………………..
A shadow crept into Yaya's balcony. Inside the lights were dim. Nagihiko was undressing – to go to bed. The dark figure outside was watching him – but he was unaware of it. A pair of green eyes were admiring his young body – so manly now. His shoulders had grown broader, the same as his back and chest. The shining green eyes looked at his thin waist and his loins and… a sigh of lust came out of the girl's lips. It was deep, like a cat purring softly… But Nagihiko sensed something and turned suddenly. 'Who's there?' The shadow didn't disappear. It moved slowly… towards him. The girl entered the room – with her characteristic feline movements.
'Who are you?' – Nagihiko asked. 'How did you get here?'
'Call me Mai' – her low, warm voice answered. 'I… did a bit of climbing… and a bit of flying…'
'Now, really… What does this mean?'
'You aren't scared, are you? I'm not some kind of monster. I just… chara-changed a little – to come and see you.'
'Do you have a chara? But… how old are you?'
'Eighteen. I've got two: Mika and Moriko. And I can chara-change with both of them.'
'Good… for you. But why have you come here? Are you a friend of Yaya's?'
'Not exactly. I've come to see you.'
'But I don't know you!'
'You do – now.'
'How did you know I was here?'
'I… smelt you. I mean… I sniffed – and I felt your smell… and I followed the smell up here…'
'Wow! You must have an extraordinary sense of smell! But you shouldn't have followed my particular smell. It's dangerous.'
'Is it?'
She smiled. Her irony reminded him of Ikuto. And her cat-like walk.
'Do you happen to know a guy called Ikuto?' – he asked.
'Why, yes. As a matter of fact, I do. He trained me when I was little and I had my first egg. Mika makes me change into some sort of a cat. Moriko appeared later. She makes me change into a hawk. It was creepy at first, but now I like it.'
'Ok,… What did you say your name was?'
'Mai.'
'Ok, Mai. My name is Nagihiko. This is not my place, so I shouldn't have let you in, but… I guess I shouldn't be alone tonight, because I've got something on my mind… Would you keep me company and … perhaps go out for a walk?'
'Oh, I've already had a long walk and I'm a little tired. But I'd love to keep you company. You seem to be nice.'
He looked at her and couldn't help thinking that she was extremely attractive, too – in some mysterious way. She may have been sly and a little too bold, but she didn't strike him as a bad person. Her eyes… Yes, that look was dangerous, but not mean.