A/N: Thanks for the continued support everyone, namely reviewers SilversunXD, claraowl, and NaginiFay.
lLexa (who also reviewed, bless her heart) asked more specifically about the hierarchy mentioned last chapter. I haven't fully hashed out the details and I probably won't since I'm not sure it's completely necessary to the storyline. But the main point of my mentioning it is that genie's are lower-ranking than the demons who are going after Kuon. Because of this, Rick is worried that he won't be able to protect Kuon. Rick has mentioned 'hierarchy' as referring to humans as well. This makes sense since, if he is familiar with the hierarchy in the spiritual world / demonic world (as he is associated with it), he will naturally recognize a similar authoritative structure in humanity. Additionally, the possibility of a demon actually living inside of Kuon has been alluded to, but at this time it is uncertain if this is literal or metaphorical ;) Wait for a later explanation.
...If you haven't read chapter 225 yet—[why haven't you?]—feel free to ignore the last part of the A/N: at the bottom in an effort to save yourself(?)
recap:
Kyoko felt uncomfortable watching Chiori scribble angrily in a little notebook she'd whipped out from nowhere. Curious, she asked, "What's so special about those books?"
Chiori looked at her sideways cautiously. After a moment that felt more like five minutes, she put down the book in her hands and stared at the shelf. "If you ask Sawara-san what they are, he'd tell you that they're just really old and must be handled carefully, plays and poems and boring antiques. It's true too. But he can't fool me. I know that those books are true stories written by and pertaining to..." Chiori walked towards Kyoko who was beginning to feel anxious, "I'm only telling you this because I know you're different like me." She leaned in conspiratorially. "They're about—"
"Welcome!" A loud bang sent both girls jumping into the air. They looked towards the front counter to see the door, now open, revealing a knight in shining armor. Kyoko's jaw went slack when she saw the amount of paraphernalia that went into this dynamic entrance. Chiori just gave her an irritated but all-knowing glance before hiding it under her shiny, cheerful mask.
The knight removed his helmet to reveal a well-groomed man with piercing eyes and a wide smirk. He must have been older than Sawara, but he leapt nimbly over the counter and knelt before them as his scarlet cloak pooled round his feet. Dramatically, he stood and pulled out two roses—which were pink—from somewhere and offered one each as he waxed on about something or other which didn't sound very important.
Kyoko could barely pay attention she was so surprised. But when he stopped twirling and making large gestures as his armor clanked around, he made eye contact with her and she found that she couldn't look away.
"I am Lory Takarada, owner of this beautiful library. You may call me 'President.'"
Kyoko was still gaping when Chiori leapt into action, her most winsome smile stretched across her face. "President! Please allow me to have access to the books behind you!"
Sawara just folded his arms and grumbled as Lory struck yet another dramatic pose and shook his head sadly. "I'm afraid that I cannot."
Chiori scowled and tapped a foot on the ground.
Kyoko sidled up to her carefully and asked her under her breath to complete her sentence. "Amamiya-san, what's in those books?"
"They're about witchcraft."
Kyoko gave her a dubious stare. How would she know if she had no access to them?
Amamiya's face darkened in response, "It's true! The President wouldn't be so tight-lipped about it if he was being honest." Her voice lowered again, "There's some sort of barrier between us and those books. If it isn't wizardry, I'll be damned!"
A quick glance at the bookshelves doesn't prove anything, Kyoko thought. Before she could stop it, Gluttony whizzed out towards the front of the room. Almost predictably, she didn't exercise any precaution and slammed into some sort of wall. Greed, who was close behind, snatched her knocked out companion and hid behind the counter when Lory turned around.
This did not go unnoticed. While Kyoko beckoned slightly with her finger and her grudges wobbled right back to her, she mused, The President must be a wizard if he sensed that. If that's true, then he probably put that barrier up, and yet I must get my hands on those books. I need to know how to protect myself against bastard's like Shou and that denizen from hell Reino! But before Kyoko had enough time to fully process such a new revelation, he interrupted.
"Ah, Kyoko-chan, is it? Yes, yes, I know who you are," he waved a hand, completely dismissive of her alarm.
He is a wizard! How would he know my name otherwise?
"Kotonami Kanae mentioned you to me."
All thoughts of him possibly not being a wizard were overrun by mention of Kotonami Kanae. The curious golden-eyed girl began to quiver with what looked like joy. Moko-san had remembered her! Oh, how badly she wanted to see her best friend who'd been missing from her life all but a few days.
Amamiya was taken aback. Surely the 'ice queen' only saw this girl as some sort of nuisance. Why else would she mention Kyoko-chan to the President? Unbelievable, she scoffed inwardly. Perhaps I shouldn't have told her what was in those books...instead, I should pretend to be her friend and get her out of here as soon as possible before she actually becomes a threat to me.
The President was pleased to see a real garden appearing behind Kyoko in the Romance aisle. But Chiori ruined it by blocking his vision as she continued pestering him about accessing his precious collection, which must remain hidden at all times. It was dangerous enough that such a loveless character knew about them, but Lory also knew that she, along with Kanae, would never mention it to anyone else.
But perhaps Kanae had mentioned it to Kyoko-chan? Speaking of which, Lory frowned, where was that golden-eyed girl? It was then that he felt an ominous chill coming from behind him, but when he turned around, all he saw was an overly happy Kyoko and a faint-looking manager. What he hadn't caught was her interrogation of Sawara-san, her threatening him to haunt his home and family forever and ever...at least until she gained access to those books. It was a life and death matter after all. Reino probably wasn't going to die by any natural means.
"President!" Kyoko had a gleaming fire to her eyes which he liked very much. When he gave a nod, she gestured to the off-limits shelves in front of her, "May I borrow some books?"
"Which ones?" His eyes took on a challenging look.
That easily? Amamiya licked her lips. Surely the President wouldn't allow her just like that...right?
"These fairytales," Kyoko gestured to the shelf in front of her. First, she had to find out if all the books were off-limits or just the ones with 'special content.'
"And why, of all the books here, would you ask for those ones?" Lory was curious.
"Well, I have read all of them before, these originals. But, I feel as if there is something special about these ones since you have them locked away."
"Of course they're all special. Those fairytales are the true originals, the ones written from the viewpoints of the characters themselves." The President continued as if everyone in the room wasn't shocked by this news, "But I thought you wanted to see the tomes with information more relevant to...your life. Or do you like fairytales that much?"
"I was a highly unrealistic child. Naturally, this time I'll be skipping the happily ever after. They are highly improbable and impossible, not to mention totally deceiving and—" She faltered when she saw the unhappy look on the President's face. Did...did I say something wrong?
Is she an idiot? Amamiya thought.
Suddenly recovered, Lory tucked away the handkerchief he'd pulled out from somewhere. "I've decided!" His finger pointed straight at Kyoko, "You will never be allowed to borrow any book from this library—ever!"
I said something wrong, didn't I? Kyoko frantically groped for some kind of rebuttal in her mind. How can he do this to me anyway? Isn't this a library! She started when the President coughed to get her attention.
Amamiya and Sawara looked on in disbelief. Wow. She recovers quickly.
"My dear, Mogami-san, I have a proposal for you if you will hear it."
Oblivious to Amamiya's surreptitious, frantic hand-motions of death and escape, Kyoko asked, "Before that, I have a question I'd like answered." Lory nodded for her to go on.
"Are you... —Assuming you know certain information, and you are as well-informed as I think you are, who is the mysterious person who has been stirring up the town with pranks?"
Sawara and Chiori turned their stunned, confused expressions towards her relative to the seeming irrelevance, but Kyoko continued to stare Lory in the eyes seriously. "This girl..." he thought, but what he said belied his surprise. Laughing, he twirled so that his cloak flapped in the air and put his hand over his steel-covered heart. "Why, are you talking about—"
The sound of horse's hooves preceded the sudden slam of the library door. All heads turned to see an out-of-breath, extremely irate, slightly frantic Kotonami Kanae. "Kyoko!" she snapped. Her long legs carried her over to the counter unnaturally quickly and she began pulling Kyoko towards the exit. "You need to get..." the words died on her lips when she saw the President among the bookcases. In an instant, she was at it again. "Come with me—"
"Now hold on a moment, Kotonami-san," Lory spoke up. "I'd like to speak with your friend here."
Kanae flinched. I should have warned her not to come here. Kyoko didn't understand the apologetic look she received from her best friend, or the look of betrayal that flashed across Chiori's face. She was just happy that Moko-san was so enthusiastic upon seeing her.
"I was just about to answer Mogami-san's question." Kanae looked at Kyoko quizzically. Lory bowed low and took Kyoko's hand. Guiding her back towards the front desk, he snapped his fingers. On cue, Sawara pulled out a money-case and, after rummaging in it a little, held out a small photograph.
The black and white portrait pictured a beautiful young lady. Her hair wasn't pulled back into style but flowed in waves down to her waist, which probably meant she was barely into her teens despite the mature look in her eyes. Judging from the style of her dress, she was part of the higher end of society.
Kyoko frowned, This was the girl who was stirring up trouble?
"This is my granddaughter, Maria-chan. Ah. But that's a secret."
What! Don't tell me your secrets!
"And it's also a secret that this is what her lifestyle is usually like." He sighed dramatically, "I just want her to grow up understanding of other people and circumstances, untouched by the corruption of the bourgeoisie! So I took her away from the fashions and people and have her stay here with me... But she just won't listen to me. I cannot control her and she pranks the townspeople here—" He did no such thing, but it appeared as if he were sinking into the floorboards with his eyes shedding tears as he gazed upon some heavenly vision above their heads. "Such a thing...can't I wish for it?"
Kyoko could relate to such an over-generalization of the higher classes, but this was not a situation she was trained to deal with. Alarmed, she glanced at the other occupants of the room who simply looked on or gave her a blank stare. Eventually she spoke up nervously, "O-of course you can!"
"Then you understand!" Lory knelt before her. At her faltering 'Yes?' he continued, "Then you will help me?"
Eh?
Without waiting for any confirmation, he sprung to his feet and struck yet another pose. "It's settled! Mogami-san, you will talk some sense into my granddaughter and have her understand that she must behave herself!"
Why me! Kyoko felt herself drowning in a sea of confusion and despair.
Seeing that her self-proclaimed best friend was now a stone statue ten feet under, Kanae growled out, "Now, look here, Boss. I understand that you have trouble controlling your granddaughter, but that is none of Kyoko's responsibility!"
"It may be so," the President replied evenly, "but I want to see for myself what she can do." He smiled, "But, if you're so worried about her, I'll add you to the mission!"
The blood rushed out of Kanae's face and she leaned against the counter.
"If you succeed within the next forty-eight hours," Lory paused so he was sure that he had their attention, "I will give you a raise," he looked at Kanae, who stiffened, "and allow Mogami-san to choose one book from behind the desk."
"What!" Sawara, Kanae, and an enraged Chiori yelled out at once. Kyoko responded to her name and de-statue-ified herself. Though this task seemed impossible, she could get her hands on one of the books?
Chiori was almost purple with rage. How dare that girl—she just got here! I've been wandering around for years trying to get just a look at one of those precious books and she just gets the go ahead after the successful completion of one, measly, two-day task? I swear I'll steal their spotlight. She stormed from the library. Close behind her, Kanae yanked Kyoko out as well and began untying her horse.
Kyoko was torn. She wanted to go after Amamiya and ask her why she was so upset, but when Kanae began walking away, she naturally followed. "I hope Amamiya-san is okay." She looked back again but Chiori was talking animatedly to someone else, all tension vanished. Eh? Was it just my imagination? Kyoko turned to look forward and realized that Kanae was far ahead of her. She rushed to catch up.
Inside, Kanae was fuming. But what came out of her mouth was a ground out, "You never said you liked books."
Kyoko looked surprised. "But, Moko-san, you never asked." Then she giggled happily.
"What?" Kanae snapped. "Why are you laughing like that?"
"You came to rescue me! Didn't you?" At her friend's silence, Kyoko continued, "You didn't want me to be in there, but you came to find me."
"I didn't really–" Kanae protested weakly, then grumbled in her mind. How was she supposed to stay angry at someone like Kyoko? Her pace had now slowed and the two girls were strolling side by side, to her horse's relief.
"So...the 'President' is your boss?"
Kanae nodded. "I was having a hard time looking for work, but he was able to find jobs that I could do easily and for good pay." She started when a dark look settled in Kyoko's eyes.
"Then, he's also the same boss who set you up with that idiot?"
There was a period of silence before Kanae replied, "That was my decision. If the President or I had thought it would turn out the way things did, then he would have cut him off." She found that she was annoyed when Kyoko brightened and forgave her. Why did she have to feel accountable to this girl? ...Not that she minded that much, she decided.
"Moko-san!"
I take it back! Kanae yelled at herself for being tricked. "Let go of my arm—we're in public," she hissed.
Eventually, Kyoko relented but she remained so joyful it was almost sickening. "I missed you so much! What have you been up to this past week?" At this reminder of her past week, Kanae scowled. "They work at the bakery, right? Your sister does? She looks just like you!"
Kanae looked surprised. "My sister? Unfortunately, we do look a lot alike." Kyoko laughed nervously as Kanae became more incensed. "She doesn't do anything, that lazy woman! I can hardly believe she got hitched and is supposed to take care of children—but anyway, I'm not surprised you figured out that my family owns the bakery. I forced that job onto them so they could make themselves useful around here.
"My idiot family is too slack. They closed shop early just for a birthday party of yet another addition to the family. When I saw them last they had trashed the house until it was almost unrecognizable, so I had to stay and clean it up!" As Kanae ranted, the two neared the Darumaya. The nearby sounds of girlish screams alerted them to their assigned task. They stared in the vague direction of the opposite street.
"I have work tonight, so I can't help you with looking for Maria-chan," Kyoko was apologetic.
"Don't be like that," Kanae grumbled. "We both work and we have to find the girl first. She doesn't even know who we are. How are we supposed to complete such a task?"
"We'll get it done somehow," Kyoko smiled, but inside she wondered if she wasn't trying to convince herself. "We have each other, after all. Right, Moko-san?"
'Moko-san' sighed and nodded, "We certainly won't get anywhere by just moping around. You go work. I'm going to try and glean information on where we might find her." She wondered to herself, "For all that the President says she's been around and I've heard of her, I've only seen her once or twice..."
"Really? Haven't you been living here for a while though?"
Kanae nodded. "It may have something to do with my always being away for work; it would be troublesome if the villagers recognized me while on the job. Anyway, I'll tell you what I do know about Maria-chan. The President didn't say this, but Maria-chan doesn't have a mother." She noticed that this news seemed to have an impression on Kyoko immediately, and continued while watching her friend closely, "Her parents were quite famous where they worked on the other continent so they were hardly home. For her fifth birthday, Maria-chan wished to see her mother, but she died in a shipwreck while traveling home. There is a rumor that her father blames her for her mother's death."
By now, Kanae couldn't see Kyoko's eyes. She worried, but continued, "Her grandmother died a while ago as well. To my knowledge, there is no womanly figure around in her life. The only family member involved is her grandfather, the President." They stood there in a depressed silence while they thought on this information.
"Remember when we first got here and we saw all those people walking away from Maria-chan?" Kanae mused. "We didn't see her, but the amount of people around may have implied that she has a lot of friends." Kyoko agreed, but Kanae shook her head. "I heard that Maria-chan doesn't have any friends."
They said their good-bye's then. There was still some time before Kyoko was needed in the Darumaya, so she slipped into the stable. Philippe tossed his mane and Bo squawked indignantly as if he were saying, "You forgot about us, didn't you?"
Kyoko protested but laughed anyway, whispering to her friends that she'd missed them. What a sad story, she thought. She couldn't help but empathize with Maria-chan. Her story was quite similar to her own. Kyoko hoped this wouldn't distract her during her shift, but Maria-chan was probably a strong girl. Oh, yes, she thought, She probably is much more mature than the other children her age and is immovable. But then, why does she constantly prank others?
The rooster followed Kyoko around as she cared for her horse. She had to wonder if any of Bo's cluckings were anything other than indignant, or if he was just like this because he had Philippe for a companion. He finally quieted when she sat on a stool and smoothed his feathers down. He loved to talk but he didn't seem like such a sociable chicken to her. He didn't even go near the Taisho and Okami-san's chickens. Kyoko thought to ask him whether or not he wanted friends, but got a peck on the hands for her trouble. She had paused his 'massage.'
Finally, it was time to get to work. Bo hopped off her lap when she stood and Kyoko had one foot out the stable door when she felt a prick on her leg. "Oh, the President's rose..." she pulled it out of her apron pocket and stared at it. The colors were dulled in the shade but she almost dropped it when the petals shone bright pink in the afternoon sunlight.
Bo strutted his way over and investigated the fallen flower. Kyoko had no heart to stop him. She had the strange feeling that she should run and scream, or crush the dainty thing under her heel. She hadn't thought of it back in the library, but roses had always carried an ill-omen for her ever since she... And the rose was pink of all colors, just like the gown she'd made for herself years ago.
A soft smile graced her lips and her fingers lightly touched the imprint of her necklace on the front of her dress. But if she hadn't made the dress wanting to go, and then gone with Shinichi instead, then she would have never met Corn. Maybe she could get over this. Kyoko bent over and dusted off the delicate petals. After borrowing a tall cup from the Okami-san, she placed it by her bedside.
It greeted her when she re-entered the room after the night shift had ended. Kyoko clasped her hands together to stop them from quivering, and prayed a silent prayer that this rose could represent a turning point in her life. She had allowed roses to chain her to her past for the wrong reasons, but perhaps now they could point her towards a better future. Maybe Maria-chan thought similarly. With this new determination in mind, Kyoko slipped outdoors into the forest. She had a lot of thinking to do.
She hadn't gone very far when she saw a flickering light ahead. At first she thought it was a sprite, which was exciting since she hadn't fully explored the area yet, but the closer she got the more artificial it looked. That was strange, she frowned. Kyoko had thought that everyone else in the village was wary of the forest, especially this side because the trees were thicker.
She came upon a small clearing illuminated by candlelight and immediately hid behind a tree, accidentally snapping a twig in the process. Kyoko winced and peaked past the leaves. A slight, hooded figure cast around cautiously, looking for any intruder. When they were satisfied, they crouched by the candles and began murmuring under their breath.
Kyoko's ears strained and she caught a few words, but she didn't need to hear so much to understand that someone was practicing witchcraft—or trying to. What she did hear was a child's voice faltering and quivering. The dancing flame suddenly shone on the person's face and Kyoko's eyes widened. It was Maria-chan.
She looked the very picture of despair, too alike to Kyoko's past and not at all the strong young lady Kyoko had built up in her mind. It made her inexplicably irritated. All too often she'd cast around, weeping in the nearby forest for someone, anyone to comfort her, yet nobody ever came. Any thoughts of turning over a new leaf left her as her bitterness welled up inside, and Kyoko stepped forward into the clearing.
Maria started and looked up slowly, fearfully. She didn't look like a witch, and this only caused Kyoko to lose the last holds on her temper, "Little miss, you believe that when a woman or a kid cries someone will automatically come to help you?"
A/N: This chapter was harder to write than I anticipated. Let me know if you see any continuity errors that I didn't catch! (By the way, don't do what Kyoko just did: expecting something out of someone and then lashing out at them when they don't fulfill your expectation which you forced on them.) As always, R&R, plz&ty! (bourgeoisie=fancy word for upper class...basically)
[spoiler warning v]
It's probably happened before in the manga, but I couldn't help but feel satisfied that we're getting some reciprocative reactions from Kyoko. And by this I mean that now Ren isn't the only one saying things like "Can you say that again, I missed what you said" and such [as compared to ch.225's "Can I watch the videos again from the beginning? I was lost in thought about something else, so I completely didn't watch it."] Oh, come now, Kyoko-chan. You just wanted to hear his voice again~ Jk.