Episode 6
As soon as Leon snaps his fingers, the train's doors slam shut unexpectedly fast. Hiyori watches it sadly, tears finally spilling and slipping down her cheeks.
"Finished."
"You're fucking stupid!" I yell, punching his arm. "You made those doors close, didn't you!?"
"That woman wished for that man to leave immediately." I slap my forehead. "It's nothing for me to grant a wish that simple."
"Of course it isn't that simple! Oh my god you're so oblivious to everything human love related-" I pause. Of course. That's why he couldn't see Hiyori's obvious look. He was blind to love. "Leon, Hiyori didn't want him to leave. Hi-chan wanted to apologize and make up with him."
"She was the one who told him to leave-"
"Because she was mad!"
"And I granted her wish. End of story."
"That wasn't her real wish. What she said and thought were totally different!"
"What she said and what she wanted were different, huh? Typical human problem." He looks utterly confused, so I try a long winded version.
"Hiyori isn't good with fights, verbal or physical. She's also used to never being able to get to say her point in fights without being...interrupted." Interrupted with a fist. "So she was acting all tough to hide how freaked out she was!"
"Is lying like that a form of love?" He asks with a curl of his lips, wanting to see how I'd reply.
"Definitely." I say so seriously he can't think of a come back before I continue. "People want to say how they really feel, but in front of someone they love they might say the exact opposite. Hi-san was acting tough, because she was scared, but she really wanted to make up with him, not for him to leave like that."
I only get a sneer.
"What a joke." I groan, scrambling to think of another simple explanation. I was desperate. If Hi-san didn't make up now she'd never have the guts to do it later. The wound was still fresh, meaning easier for it to be closed properly.
Leon takes a good, long look at me before letting me have whatever was rolling around in his empty head.
"Why cling to love like that? Is deceiving a man you can't be honest with real love?"
"She didn't deceive him!" I snap.
"She betrayed her real feelings and fought with him, saying things she didn't mean… They obsess over the illusion of love, just to get hurt when their illusion lets them down. Humans are so fragile and weak...It's pitiful." For a moment, I just stare at him.
"How are you saying that?" I ask with furrowed brows.
"If their relationship was weak enough to be dissolved by words like those, they never should have started dating to begin with. That way, no one would obsess over love that they don't even know exists."
"You really are a horrible god."
"..What?" He glares but I brush it off as my fists curl down by my hips.
"You don't understand anything about human emotions. No one would ever want their wish granted by a damn god like you!" His expression doesn't change and so I search to form words that would hurt him. "How can you grant the wishes of someone when you can't connect with them? You didn't give Hiyori her wish and you didn't even notice her sobbing afterwards! How many wishes have you ruined like this? You aren't a genie, you're supposed to grant wishes correctly!"
"Why are you getting so emotional?" He asks simply. He went unscathed by my words and my anger bubbles in my throat. However, I swallow it down. Leon was probably the one person I couldn't dent with emotional screaming. Usually, it'd work and knock them off their high horse, but it only fueled Leon's snobby behavior. It made him feel better than me because he was keeping his cool while the "goldfish" went crazy.
"Hiyori is my friend." I say smoothly, immediately switching to deep breaths and prolonged eye contact to unnerve him. "She is my only friend. She's the only one on this entire planet that I consider family, she's that important to me, and she's sad. I can't let you ruin her life by half-assing a wish because you wanted to go home. I can't let you insult her like you did, even if you're a god." He raises a brow at my calm explaining, probably wondering what flipped my switch to simmer down so suddenly.
"Your only friend, huh? Sounds like love, just another invisible connection between people." He chuckles, but I nod.
"It is. You can't see stuff like friendship or love, which is why people get so freaked out about it when it's happening to them." I knew it scared the shit out of me when I first met Hiyori. That girl would try and talk to me every day even when I'd glare and ignore her. When this girl tried to become my friend it reminded me of the people who used to be my "friends" in America… and it truly scared me. "But...It doesn't matter what you say or think, because you've never felt love or friendship. And I have. So I believe."
His smug look falters a bit and he seems to actually be listening to me.
"There are things that just...can't ever change. No matter what you say." I then look to Hi-san, who was weakly trying to wipe at her face and not make a scene as she noticed people eyeing her. She looked embarrassed and I frowned heavily. "We have to fix this. Hiyori's wish still hasn't been granted..." I then, with a deep breath and determined look, take him by his hand, willingly, and yank him into a run for the station exit.
"Where are we going?"
"We're going to grant Hiyori's real wish!" I'm worked up enough that I've gone into my sprint that I only used if I was running from someone-...Not like I've needed to run from people a lot…
Leon's silenced by my violent enthusiasm and lets me drag him away.
It's sunset by the time I pull my phone from my back pocket and try calling Hiyori. When she answers my heart cracks. She sounded like she had just finished two boxes of tissues, was working on the third one, and was stuffing her face of cheat food as she watched a sad horror movie. She loved the horror movies that got her thinking and crying…
Damn it. She really cared for her boyfriend.
"What is this going to accomplish?" Leon finally asks once I've hung up my cell. I had just asked Hi-san to come down to where Leon and I were currently stationed, after bargaining I'd take a shift of hers tomorrow if she did.
"I told Hiyori to meet us in this park." I then spun around to eye the god. "Leon, you have to use your power, now." I even held out my forearm willingly to him. "I need you to make Hiyori's boyfriend come to this park too."
"You really are a pain, you know that?"
"I've been told that enough," I say with a shrug. I wiggle my arm, raising brows. Leon doesn't look as excited as I felt but he snaps his fingers as he brushes my arm. I was a bit pleased he'd stopped grabbing at me when he used his powers and would wait until i held up an appendage for offering. It was probably because he didn't want to touch me, though.
"Great. Thanks! Now when they meet up-"
"Why are you thanking me for someone else's sake?" I give a confused look Leon's way, who looks like he's honestly interested in my thoughts.
"Well, I have manners you know. And I don't like seeing Hi-san sad. I want her to be happy...always. You don't care, but this is the first guy I haven't had to rip off of her in worry he might beat her to a pulp. He's good for her. It's been the first time in months that she hasn't looked scared to go home. Plus, it's not like we can tell Hiyori and he boy what we've done to get them back together, so I'm thanking you for her. If she'd know, she'd totally be that type of person to bake you something in appreciation." I laugh, imaging the first time I saved her little butt- she's been making lunch for me at work ever since.
Eventually Hi-san arrives and sit down on the bench I told her to go to. Me and Leon stay off to the side, on the bend of the path that's hidden by trees and bushes. While waiting in hiding, I decide that if the boy arrives and the two start fighting again, to the point that they refuse to make up, I'd storm in and make their asses shut up and get along. It wasn't my favorite idea, but a last ditch effort to make them stop being so stubborn. Like, I was the stubborn one in Hiyori and I's relationship, not her.
While I'm thinking, the boyfriend enters the park, chasing after a dog that escaped its leash. For some reason I notice the dog more than the boy. It's a cute black dog with a bright red leash. Low-key I'd totally name it something dorky like Kuro if it was mine.
"He's here," I whisper-shout to Leon. Good luck Hi-san. It's up to you now. For now.
"Geez, what're ya doin', runnin all the way over here? Stay on your leash."
"Oh…" Hiyori stands up abruptly as soon as the guy runs before her. He pauses and so does the dog, who sits to the side to watch. They both go silent and I silently scream.
"They're gonna make me storm out, aren't they?" I grumble. Leon sends me a sideways glance and then sighs.
"This really is ridiculous…" He snaps his fingers. It fights with my attention, but my eyes land on Hiyori's scarf that had been blown into the air by a sudden breeze. Hiyori's boyfriend catches it, stares at it, and then slowly raises his eyes to Hiyori with a small smile.
"You missing something?" He asks cheekily and he takes the excuse to walk up to Hi-san.
"You're always helping me," Hiyori says, smiling with a blush. "Everyone's been doing that lately."
"Why wouldn't they want to help you?" He then stops, lowering his gaze. "You know… I'm sorry about earlier. I got suuuuper jealous."
"No…" Hiyori steps up, taking his hands with a big smile. "I'm the one who should apologize. I wasn't truthful about how I felt." He looks up and matches her happy look. He reaches up to stroke her hair, pulling her into a hug. I throw my hands up, cheering as quietly as my excitement allows me.
"Leon, loooook! Look how happy Hiyori is!" I nudge the lion, who just gives me an amused look.
"I'm tired. Let's go." He spins around, walking off before I can make him watch Hiyori and her boyfriend be super cute. Like...they were being dorkily cute with the big bear hugs and stupidly cute jokes. I grin at my friend a second longer before running off after Leon.
When we get back to the mansion, Leon immediately disappears off to somewhere that I didn't feel like questioning. It was the dark empty void door that, apparently, only he could use. You know, he could have all the fun in that room. I had no interest in a void where I couldn't see the floor. Update: Still had a fear of heights. That shit hadn't left. Though.. I maybe should give him like… A Hiyori thank you. Meaning make him something. Or a super emotional thank you.
"Welcome back Hitomi!" Teo spots me from the doorway to the parlor and hurries over to me. Thankfully, after getting to know Teo, he dropped that whole "goldie-chan" thing. "Hmm? Where's Leo? Did he ditch you?" I shake my head.
"Hey Teo! No worries, lion didn't ditch me...completely. He went off through there." Once Teo's walked up to me to pat my head in his cute greeting, Huedhaut also slips out of the parlor to move up to us.
"Did something happen?" His voice in kind as he studies my face. He immediately picked up on my mood.
"Well… Okay so a lot happened today." They both nod. Teo looks expectant, like I was about to blab some gossip. Huedhaut just nods, smiling.
I explain the day I just had with Leon.
Afterwards, both look extremely surprised.
"You're telling me Leo granted a wish for love?" Teo asks, eyes shining.
"For my friends love. After I kind of forced him. Yes."
"Force him?" Huedhaut asks. I frown.
"Like I said. He kept going on about the "illusions" of love and friendship and I got mad. I mean, it was basically insulting Hi-san. Hiyori is incredibly sweet and honest but… She's used to feeling the need to over defend herself in arguments so she got carried away." Teo gives me a soft look.
"I can't believe Leo granted a wish even remotely related to love." I raise a brow to blond for an explanation. "He's always saying how he refuses to grant "ridiculous romantic wishes"."
"That's true. He won't even let us grant them…" Hue taps his chin, eyeing me as if I held some secret. Did Leon think that little of love?
Honestly, I didn't think much of it either. Love, when it left, hurt a lot. When friendship turned out to be a lie, it hurt. When I was in America I told myself I didn't need either of those things to live. Because it had both hurt me before. Humans could live without friendship or love. But… It felt empty trying not to make friends or love people. When Hiyori practically forced herself to be my friend, I couldn't help but love her. Was it wrong to adore her? I wanted friends. I had way too much love to just keep bottled up in me, which was probably why I showered Hiyori with affection because she currently was the only one I had.
What happened to the lion that he despised the idea of love so much and even refused to believe it for his job? There has to be a reason..Doesn't there? I couldn't believe that he just hated it out of spite by watching...
The next day, when I see Hi-san at the Planetarium, she jumps me with a big hug. As we hung out behind the counter doing our normal shifts, she began telling me all about everything that happened with her boyfriend and her yesterday, obviously not knowing I already knew.
"It was a crazy coincidence! Like it was all part of God's plan or something…" She sighed dreamily, leaning on my shoulder as I handed a married couple a star map and put their money away in the register.
"So you guys are good? All made up?" She nods happily and I sigh in relief. This was good. She looked so happy it filled me with my own warmth.
"By the way, Hitomi-chan, why did you want to meet me in the park yesterday?" I give her a side glance, smiling.
"Went on a walk and thought we'd go on a coffee date since you live near the park and I was already there. Ha, though I'm not going to apologize for having to leave before I met up with you." She laughs, batting at my arm playfully.
"It's fine. Actually...You know… Yesterday the whole thing reminded me of you." I pause, moving my hands from the star maps I had grabbed at, to sort, and set her with a confused look.
"How does your godly coincidence remind you of me?" She laughs at my embarrassed confusion.
"Hitomi, you're always saving me. Ever since we first met. If you hadn't called me...I'd never have found the courage to apologize and makeup." She sighed sweetly, looking to me with some kind of...Pride? Proud to be my friend? "You're like the older sister I've always wanted, even if I'm technically older."
"I just want you to be happy." I blurt, feeling my cheeks warm. "When you're happy, I'm happy, ya know?" She smiles, nodding.
"I know. And, you know, I'm always happy when you are. Hitomi...Remember when we went star gazing on the roof of your apartment and you told me it was the first time you stargazed with anyone other than your parents?" I nodded hesitantly.
It was a day I had been feeling particular shitty, having been reminded of my folks, and desperately needed the empty space next to me under the stars to be filled.
"I asked if you were really okay with looking at them with me, because I knew how important that time is to you...Remember what you said to me?"
" "It's okay because if my parents were alive, they'd have thought of you apart of our family." " I repeat in a heartbeat, avoiding Hi-san's glossy eyes. She nods, smiling, so wide it looked painful, down at her hands.
"I want my parents to meet you, you know, just so that they can tell you that they think you're a part of our family." I smile at her words, feeling a little -way- too happy.
"Hi-san,"
"I think the godly coincidence made me think of you because meeting you was a coincidence too. I almost didn't even come here to get a job that day. I just happened to not bring enough change for the metro to take me to the job I wanted a littler further from here. It's kind of silly but...I wished to meet someone I could call a friend because my best friend had just moved away. Then… I met you."
"I didn't make it easy for you…" She laughs loudly.
"Yeah I know! Now look at us. Practically sisters." I snorted, shaking my head at her dumb smile.
Her eyes then flicked up to the clock above our heads and she puckered her lips.
"I'm supposed to meet up with my boyfriend tonight, an apology date, so I gotta finish up!" She says with a cute blush. I smile, waving her off.
"I said I'd fill a shift for you. No worries." She gasps. Giving a silly cheer.
"You're amazing. I knew you liked him!" I roll my eyes, but can't help grinning at her excitement.
I wonder...If this is what Leon means by obsessing over love? Hiyori has always been a love sick puppy. She couldn't handle being alone but...Was obsessing like this bad? Something like this… doesn't it motivate you? Don't people in movies fight on their last breaths for the idea of their loved ones? Why does it always have to be a weakness to the lion? I've felt it as one, before, but my love also powered me to take self defense classes and follow my astronomy dreams.
"Hey, Hi-san, your boyfriend hasn't been here yet, huh?" She gives a little pout as she messes with her uniform's neck bow.
"No...he's been busy with work. He hasn't been able to make it in time for a showing yet." I smile wildly at that.
"Then come down for the special day!"
"You mean...Oh! Planetarium for Hire?" I grin, nodding.
Once a month, our Planetarium offered a service called "Planetarium for Hire", which lets customers rent out entire rooms after closing time for their own personal shows. Truthfully, I'm pretty sure I was the only one to ever use the service before, and fell asleep like an ass in the seats and had to be woken up by my boss the next morning. He hadn't minded too much.
"No one else will be here. You two should be able to relax and chill out together."
"Gosh, I love you Hitomi-chan!" Hi-san gave me a big hug before hoping back so she could quickly scoop up her purse. Her big smile has me feeling all warm and fuzzy.
"Love you too Hi-san~"
"Alright, I'll be going, see you later then!" She waves like a little kid from the doorway before slipping out.
The main room is quiet, then, no one in the building but the boss upstairs. I look down to the desk, listening to the echo of the analog clock ticking above my head.
It'd be nice it one day I'd find someone I'd be that excited to watch the stars with. It's only ever just been me and my parents watching...and they've been gone for a while now.
The night is slow as I clean up the rest of the main floor. Honestly, I had been waiting for Leon's call to tell me when it's time to lay off and leave. Yet, the boss is the one to surprise me. He tells me I've worked way past my shift time and ushers me to go home and rest, acting like a little worried mother hen. I wave him off, telling him I was heading straight home, but actually silently decided to take a deviation.
I'm at the godly mansion before I can really ask myself why I'd decided to come when the old brute hadn't forced me to with that damn bell of his.
There was no way he was mad and avoiding me. If anything, he'd be the type to call me over even more to piss me off. He wasn't sad about being "forced" to make a proper wish either...He just wasn't like that. That's probably why I'd shown up. It was out of character for him to just...not annoy me. I don't know if that meant I was "worried" or not.
I decide to check the parlor first and I'm glad to see Teorus and Huedhaut inside.
Also a man I've never seen before. He has dark brown hair and droopy eyes. He has that kind of naturally innocent face, like Huedhaut's, where I hoped and prayed it matched his personality.
"Yes, I heard that was the case." The man said to Hue. I had caught them in the middle of a discussion, apparently.
"We were also surprised when she told us." I assume the "she" is either me or Vega. I lean towards me.
"People are talking about it in heaven as well. They say Leon's mark is disappearing. I looked into it, and it seems he's been granting wishes having to do with love…"
"That surprised you enough to make you come all the way down here?" Teo asks, scooting to the edge of the couch. He was the only one sitting.
"I was wondering if something had happened. There's a lot less pressure on us now that Leo's finally starting to work."
I purse my lips wondering if I should announce myself or just turn and leave. This seemed like a godly meeting that I shouldn't walk into.
But of course Teo turns and his eyes light up as they find me.
"Hey Hitomi-chan. If you're looking for Leo, he's still cooped up in that room."
"I'm not looking for-" I cut myself off. "He's still in that room?" Teo laughs but nods. All eyes, at that point, had moved to me. I meet those of the mystery man and he takes that as a signal to speak.
"You must be the goddess I've been hearing so much about." I ruffle at the goddess comment, just like how I did when Vega said it.
"I mean… powerless reincarnation," I say with a tiny shrug, deciding it'd be rude if I continued to hide behind the door. I step fully inside.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." He says with a sweet smile. "I'm Karno, ruler of Cancer and vice-minister of the Department of Wishes." I blanche.
"You're Karno?" I ask abruptly. He tilts his head.
"Is something the matter?" I glance at Hue and Teo and then walk further in.
"Well. I mean. You're pretty much used as leverage by cute little Vega against Leon to make him work so.. Assumed you were worse than the lion." Karno laughs. A laugh that is full of like...sunshine. Holy shit he just seemed so sweet.
" "Cute little Vega", what a charming way to refer to her." I can't help but return his smile.
"She is suuuuper cute so." I then hold my hand out. "I'm Hitomi Wakahisa. Since you're the vice-minister I'm pretty sure you know about me but," I shrug, "Manners." He takes my hand and stares into my eyes with a curious look.
"I see…" He says, taking a step for a better view and i try not to sneer and step away. "So there truly are star in your eyes." I nod slowly.
"Everyone keeps saying that but, you know, can't seem them myself." He nods, covering my hand with his other large one to smother it between his palms.
"Of course. Oh but, so you know, they are very beautiful. You can put your mind to rest." I blink dumbly, feeling my face heat.
"Oh." I say, my mind going blank. "Right. Th-Thanks…" He nods, grinning.
I'm so fucking weak against genuine compliments.
"I take my eyes off you for one minute and you're flirting with the next god you meet." Leon's sudden voice makes me whip my head back to spot him in the doorway. Seeing him with his usual smirk puts me at ease. "What a fickle goldfish."
"Keep your shit comments to yourself, Leon. You make it sound like I've set a precedent for flirting with gods."
"Even other goldfish are more loyal than you. Maybe you're really a snake." I snort, raising a brow.
"I'm pretty sure the goldfish you pick up aren't loyal, but just drugged up. And also, I'm human, kitten." He smirked widely at my nickname and I try not to laugh at it because I found it way too funny. Denoting the big ol' lion to just a little kitty was a bit too perfect.
"I don't remember calling you today…"
"You didn't. No false alarms. I came to just… chill out after work." Teo sends me a look.
"I didn't expect to see you today either, Leo," Hue comments slowly.
"I only came out because I heard Karno's voice."
Innocently, Teo tilts his head as he says, "Really? Are you sure you didn't come out when you heard Hitomi's voice?"
"Teo…" Leon growls out with a smile.
"Karnoooo, Leo's scaring me!" The blond calls to the vice minister, but I'm the one he grabs onto to hide behind. I look to Karno, but all he does it glance between Leon and I. I raise a brow.
Oh. Yo. He's still holding my hand. Hadn't even noticed.
Wait, was he staring because I was back talking Leon? Wait...Why do I feel guilty? Is it because I didn't want Karno to get a bad impression? ...Odd.
"Karno?" I ask, at first gesturing to his staring and then to my trapped hand.
"Oh, it's nothing. Excuse me." He lets go and I pocket it to save the warmth he gave it. "Where are my manners? I must thank the goddess who's gotten Leo to do his job. Why don't we hold a party in the goddess' honor?" I feel my face heat up again.
"There really is no need- A-Also just call me Hito-"
"Why would a god thank a human?" Leon calls out, interrupting my muddle mess of a self, which is getting an excited look from Teorus. I know that shit was just taking note that I was a dumb blushy mess when people acted so straightforwardly, almost obliviously, nice to me. That damn blond was going to pull that shit on me later. I know it.
"Thanks to this goddess," Karno says, gently resting his large hand on my shoulder. "You're working again. She's been a huge help to us."
…. Leon wasn't talking back. He just… listened.
Also a party with the gods? Sorry? I came here to sneakily see how Leon was, before I passed out in my bed, and now I was dragged into partying? Fuuuuck.
I was either about to be way uncomfortable, start a bar fight in the parlor, or just plain out pass out. Or all of the above.
Fun.
Awesome.
Go Hitomi.
