"What have we here?" Sir Arthur questioned, as he loomed over the four
who returned from their little adventure.
A silence swept over them as they looked quietly at one another.
Sir Arthur frowned. "Integra?"
"..." She opened her mouth to start but looked uncertainly at Josh.
"We all had some fun but now we need a bath, right Inty?" Josh smiled.
Sir Arthur narrowed his eyes, "Was there a fight?"
"No!" the two of them answered in unison, as the other two boys cringed slightly.
A corner of his mouth lit up as Sir Arthur released his folded arms.
"Get cleaned up and be ready for dinner.
I believe you are both now better acquainted?"
"Father, when are we going to Hellsing manor again?"
There had been frequent visits ever since and it has only been a short year.
Though lately, Josh had been busy with his own schedule and classes.
Partly being shuffled to and from Korea during the holidays didn't help either.
Josh's father looked up from his paperwork and grinned, "Would you like to?"
Previously, Josh had promised to bring her something at his next visit.
He rested his elbow on the table and fingered at the corner of a page
of a magazine he was reading.
"Yeah." He smiled.
Integra looked up momentarily from her book every now and then, unable to concentrate.
She watched from her window as spring arrived.
There were tons of tea-parties invitations taking up a corner of her desk,
amidst the thick books and references that she goes through daily.
A teacup sat next to where her hand rested.
The radiance of its warmth, prompting her to raise it to her lips, as she took a sip,
slowly savouring her favourite tea.
A rustle of leaves from a nearby tree, brought a dance to their shadows on her desk.
Her window had been left ajar and she welcomed the cool breeze
as it caressed her hair, wrapping carelessly about her shoulders.|
She smiled as her thoughts traveled.
"Looks like they're ready!" Josh beamed proudly at the assorted shapes of chocolate,
as he aligned them neatly in rows and columns of a light blue box.
He folded the remaining parched paper neatly over them and covered the box lid.
Sealing with a darker-shade of blue-satin ribbon as a finishing touch.
It was closing in to 'White Day' soon and Josh wanted to present her these handmade chocolates,
that he had learned while he was in Korea.
"I hope she likes them," he whispered, smiling.
A brief knock at her door sharpened her senses, bringing her back to reality.
"Miss Integra, your friend, Duncan, is here." Walter informed.
Duncan Edwards stood at the corridor, his back facing her as she descended the stairs.
"Hello, Duncan."
"Mr. Kovan," the sentry guard greeted. "You are alone today.
Haven't seen you for awhile. How have you been?"
"Great~!" Josh hollered from the distance, as his bicycle carried him
nearer to the manor.
"Integra, would you go to the tea-party with me? I promise it'll be fun."
Duncan said, in all excitement.
She casually rested against the wall and looked to the garden.
The wind carried with it, bringing a mixture of scent, that complimented well
with the season and someone familiar.
"Integra?" Duncan tried again.
Her eyes caught sight of a silhouette against the setting sun.
The figure was clad in unusual clothing and was slow approaching them.
As he tore away from the shadow where it released its claim over him,
he stood in front of Integra.
"Josh!"She exclaimed."What are you wearing?" It was a Kenjutsu uniform.
"I thought I'd find you in the garden..." And he handed her the box of chocolates
into her hands.
"What is it?"
"I told you I'll bring you something when I visit, remember?" He smiled.
"I made this myself. I really hope you like it."
He paused as she tasted one of them, before adding that he has only
made chocolates for her.
"Mm, it's delicious. Can't believe you made this though!" she teased.
"I'm glad you like it. I have to go now, for my classes. I'll see you again, okay?"
As he edged away from her, she started to protest but held back instead,
watching his back as he left.
