Chapter Three: Pierre and Coquelicot
"This-- this is for Kohran?" Ogami looked at the odd, heavy metal object Pierre had placed in his hands. "What is it?"
Pierre vigorously shook his head and huffed in exasperation. "It's the latest innovation in wrenches. The mechanics here all felt that Kohran-ojouchan should have one. Brilliant mechanic, that girl."
Pierre folded his arms across his chest and silently assessed the young lieutenant in front of him. "The two of you would make an interesting couple -- you really should think about it. She's a lovely girl and a skilled mechanic. If only I were a few years younger..."
"Pierre! What-- what are you saying?!? I'm still young and-- and Kohran is-- she's my-- friend and --." Ogami could feel the blood rush to his face as he sputtered out what seemed to him an explanation.
Pierre shrugged. "Just make sure she gets the wrench. And handle it gently -- that is a sophisticated tool."
Ogami sighed in resignation. "I'll see that she gets it. I'm sure Kohran would love this, so I thank you on her behalf."
Ogami waved goodbye to the mechanics in the hangar. He had stopped by to make sure that arrangements had been made to ship his Kobu-F to Japan.
He looked at the wrench as the elevator doors closed and smiled. Kohran was only here for a short while but she made such an impact on these people.
* * *
Ogami folded the clothes neatly in his suitcase. On top of the pile, he placed the thick stack of letters the Hanagumi had sent to him during the course of his stay in Paris.
He fingered the ribbon that held them together. He could remember every word that each one wrote.
He looked at the worn copy of the "Roman Holiday" script that Sumire had sent to him. He grinned at the creased edges and the frayed binding.
How many times have I read it?
He shook his head as he thought about the many lonely nights he lay awake reading the script and the letter that came with it.
He yawned. It was almost time for siesta -- a habit he had picked up from Orihime. He put aside his luggage and was about to take off his shirt when he heard a knock at his door.
"Who is it?" He quickly rebuttoned his shirt.
"Ichiro? It's me, Coquelicot. Can I come in?"
Ogami traversed the room in a few strides and opened the door for the youngest Paris Hanagumi member. "I think this is the first time you've come to see me, Coquelicot. What brings you here?"
A frowning Coquelicot, still standing outside, crossed her arms across her chest and pouted. "I heard that you were leaving. Why, Ichiro? Don't you enjoy being with us anymore?"
Ogami reached out and patted the small girl's head. "You want to go to the cafe for an ice cream cone? I'll explain it to you then."
Coquelicot narrowed her eyes. "If you think you can bribe me with ice cream, you are mistaken, Ichiro. I want an explanation now."
Ogami stepped out of Coquelicot's way and allowed her to enter his room. "My assignment here is done. They need me back in Teito. That's my responsibility as a soldier, Coquelicot."
"Couldn't they find someone else? We like you. We want you to stay here in Paris."
"I don't have a say about these things. I do as I'm ordered."
"Ooooh! I can't stand the thought of Iris having you all to herself!"
"Coquelicot, we've talked about that many times before. I thought you and Iris were friends already."
Coquelicot gritted her teeth. "Yes, I know. I can't help it, though. I'll miss you. Even now, I feel sad knowing that you're leaving."
"I'm also sad that I won't be able to see you do your magic tricks anymore. But I have to do this. You understand, don't you?"
Coquelicot sighed in resignation. "I do." She looked at Ogami and smiled. "I'll really miss you. It won't be as much fun around here without you."
Ogami snapped his fingers. "Hey, do you want to come with me? I'm looking for a gift for Reni and Iris and you can help me find one."
At the mention of Reni's name, Coquelicot's face brightened. "Reni? You want me to help you find a gift for Reni?" She blushed. "We must find something that Reni will like and you will let Reni know that I helped you pick it out."
"Yes, and Iris will enjoy whatever it is you pick out for her."
Coquelicot's expression changed. "I guess we'll have to get her something, too." Her eyes twinkled with mischief and she gave Ogami a wink.
Ogami laughed. "I really can't understand why you and Iris didn't get along at first. The two of you are so much alike."
"I'm a lot cuter, you know." Coquelicot knelt down and picked up the bear necklace. "Hey, Ichiro. Is this yours?" She dangled the little bear in front of Ogami.
"I have to find a better way to keep this." He took the necklace from Coquelicot. "Iris won this in one of the game booths and she gave it to me as a memento -- something to remember her by while I was here in Paris."
"She was afraid you'd forget about her, wasn't she?" Coquelicot sat on Ogami's bed and spotted the stack of letters inside Ogami's suitcase. "You won't forget about us, will you? I'm not sure if I can afford to get you a memento to remember me by ... promise me you won't forget about me, Ichiro."
"Of course I won't forget you. I'm always going to have my memories of Paris and the Paris Hanagumi in my heart." Ogami brushed a finger on Coquelicot's nose in an affectionate gesture.
Coquelicot let out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad. Don't worry, Ichiro. I'll write to you and you can have Iris translate my letter, the same way you had me translate her letter to you."
"I'd like that and, maybe, someday, your circus could travel to Japan and I can bring the Hanagumi to watch you perform."
Coquelicot smiled. "That sounds like a great idea. Until then, I shall practice and do my best to perfect my tricks so I won't shame you in front of your Japanese friends."
"You'll never shame me, Coquelicot." Ogami ran his hand through his spiky hair. "Well, I'm done packing. Can we go buy Reni and Iris' presents now?"
Coquelicot gave Ogami a thumbs up sign. "Sure! As long as you get me ice cream."
~ Next Chapter: Lobelia