PART TWO

Cease to a Friendship

Kurama

I got out of the living room and headed for the door to my apartment. Who could be ringing the doorbell at this time of the night?

My jaw dropped as I opened the door. "Botan?!?"

"Konbanwa, Kurama-kun!" she greeted as cheerfully as usual. "Sumimasen, I didn't mean to come over at 9:00 in the evening, but, I've been searching for a place to stay the whole afternoon and, well, to no avail."

"Oh, come in for a while then," I invited, stepping back to let her in.

"Arigato," she grinned and sat down on the sofa.

"Do you want anything to drink?" I asked her as soon as I closed the door.

"Oh, no, no, nothing at all. Actually, I just came over to ask you a favor," she said sheepishly.

"A favor?" I sat across from her.

She nodded. "I was wondering if you could help me get a room in this apartment. You know, since I don't really know how to register and everything," she looked at me pleadingly.

"In this same apartment?"

"Well, yes… that is, if you don't mind," she looked down.

I smiled. "No, of course I don't, but, what do you think the others would say if they knew you were living next door to mine?"

She looked at me. "You mean, there's a vacant room next door?"

"Yup, the lady there just moved out last week," I explained.

"Honto ni?!?" she beamed. "Well, then please help me register to that room!" She blinked. "I mean, um…since no one's really living there right now, and…um…"

I smiled to myself. I had to admit, Botan's not been quite herself since she came to the ramen house this afternoon. I didn't really know why she was acting kind of differently, compared to her usual self during her duties as our spirit guide in our missions, but it was okay. She was still as cheerful, as sweet, and as nice as before. Maybe she was just a little tired from her works in Reikai.

I stood up. "Well, okay then, let's go down to the receptionist."

Her smile widened. "You mean, you'd really help me stay next door?"

"Sure."

"That's great! Thank you so much," she got up and I led her out the door and down the ground floor. She was pretty thrilled when we used the elevator instead of the stairs, which she probably took to get to my room. All the way she was smiling and marveling at the way the doors opened on their own. Didn't they have these in Reikai? Probably not. Besides, she could just fly around on her oar in Reikai if she wanted to.

And she always grabbed my arm in fear every time the elevator did a little flip-flop.

I didn't mind, of course. It was just typical for her to do that.

After everything that needed to be confirmed in the reception area, Botan finally was given the room next to mine. We got back up to that floor, and as soon as we had, she turned to face me again.

"I'm so sorry to make you bother so much for me," she apologized. "It's just that I really don't know where to stay and how to---"

"It's not a problem, Botan-san," I chuckled. "I'm glad I could help you out."

She smiled at me sincerely.

"Thanks again, Kurama. Thanks a lot," she said as she got to her new room.

"Good night, Botan," I opened the door to my room.

"Oyasumi nasai," she smiled once more and entered her room. I waited until she closed the door before I entered mine.

Did Botan even know how to lock the door?

I shook my head. Silly girl.