Hello wonderful readers! Another chapter greets you! This one will focus on Mafuyu and Okegawa's relationship...

Chapter Eight: A Letter, a Bun & a Doll

How do you do, Darling Strawberry Love? Mafuyu wrote on the paper. It's been a while since we wrote to each other, because of my school transfer. But these Ladyship lessons are amazing! I've been swept up in a storm of love every day. Just yesterday, I was in a love battle with the school's heartthrob… Mafuyu stopped. Actually, it was a violent fight to take down the Chief of the delinquent squires, but there was no way she was writing that! Anyways, my life is like a romantic comedy play. I'll inform you when my Prince Charming gallops into my life! I wait faithfully for your reply, Beloved Snow White. 'Ah…finally finished,' Mafuyu sighed.

'What did you finish?' Takaomi appeared at her shoulder.

'EH!' she yelled. 'Takaomi, how did you get in?'

'You're door was open.'

'You can't just waltz in like that,' she said. He snatched her letter. 'Hey, give it back!'

'What is this? It's a letter full of lies…yuck, storm of love?'

She snatched it back. 'I have a very girly letter-friend!'

'Letter-friend? You mean, a person whom you send letters to without even knowing them? Someone actually has to read this horrible stuff?'

'Well, Darling Strawberry Love also writes in the same fashion!'

Takaomi snatched another piece of paper. 'Oh really? I bought tea leaves today, they smell funny and make you want to dance,' he read out. 'So I made my own dance. It goes like this: twirl, bow, twirl, curtsy…' he stifled a laugh. This person is just as stupid as Mafuyu! 'Where does this girl come from?'

Mafuyu shrugged. 'Somewhere around here…probably.'

You don't know?! He gaped. 'Don't you have her address?'

'Nope.'

Is she imagining a friend? Is she that desperate?

'Ah, Josephine! You're here! Takaomi, she's the messenger.'

Takaomi looked up to see a pigeon fly in through the window. Pigeon mail? It actually exists?! 'How did you become pen pals? And Josephine? What a name!'

'I don't know her name, so I call her Josephine, and she responds well,' Mafuyu pursed her lips. 'I was walking one day when I saw a drowning pigeon. I saved her only to find a note attached to her leg. It was illegible because the ink had dissolved, so I sent a message telling the owner to be more careful. A few days later the pigeon returned with a response…and so our friendship began!'

He stared at her. 'Whatever,' he muttered, pulling out something from his robes and tossing it over. 'I found this for you.'

'Oh!" Mafuyu held the mask up. 'You found a Lady Bunny-man mask!' She lifted another mask; this one was the face of a freakish demon rabbit. 'I was going to wear this instead.'

I should have let her wear the demon one, it's funnier. Takaomi shook his head. 'By the way, Okegawa's punishment was decided.'

Four days of suspension, Mafuyu thought as she took a stroll outside. I feel a little guilty. I remember when I was suspended, I had to write essays and such…t was torture. She bumped into someone and stepped back. 'Ah, pardon me…'

Okegawa stared down at her, dressed in casual attire and carrying sweet buns. 'Oh look, it's Enigma.'

Chief Okegawa?! 'I thought you were suspended! And what's with calling me Enigma?!'

'Well, I though the nickname suited you. Since you know Tap Code so well and frankly, I feel this strong aura from you, yet you look so weak. So you're a real enigma of a girl, Enigma,' he shrugged. 'And I am suspended; I just wanted some sweet buns.'

What's the point of suspension then? The Palace is too lenient with its rules!

'Do you want some?' he held out a bun.

He's even offering? How nice!

She nibbled on the bread as the two of them sat on the grass. 'I…I think I'm really weak,' Okegawa said suddenly. 'I lost to such a tiny squire!'

If I said he was beaten by a girl, he might hang himself, Mafuyu licked her lips. 'It's all about luck!' she said. She felt a little guilty.

'So it was all thanks to Lady Luck I became Chief, huh?'

Oh, he's taking it the wrong way! He's so pessimistic! Mafuyu swallowed. And I feel so guilty, because it's my fault! 'Um, why don't we go somewhere to change the mood?'

'Why are we at a theatre?' Okegawa muttered, standing outside the large hall entrance. 'I'm suspended. Walking in public is probably all the freedom I have right now.' He began walking away. Mafuyu grabbed his arm.

'Then I will…I will protect you!' she declared.

He blinked, and whacked her on the head. 'A Lady shouldn't say things like that!' What's this strange, weird fluttering feeling in my chest? he wondered.

'Ow,' Mafuyu rubbed her head.

'What are we watching?' Okegawa asked, looking away.

Mafuyu's face lit up. 'An action play, or comedy, or action comedy!'

'I don't care…' his eyes wondered, stopping on a poster. 'This…wait here, Enigma! I'll buy the tickets!'

Is it an action play? That may make him feel better. Mafuyu pondered. I'll find out soon enough.

'That was such a wonderful movie…' Okegawa sniffed, his eyes full of joy.

'Um…yeah…' Mafuyu said, a little shocked. What they had just seen was a children's – that's right, children's! – puppet show named Sir Nekomata. Who is this Sir Nekomata? Some cat-like animal who speaks English and teaches kids the morals of life through dance and song! 'Chief, you're actually very soft, aren't you?'

'Eh?' Okegawa glared at her, grabbing her head. 'I'm not soft! I'm manly! Sir Nekomata is manly! Didn't you see how manly he was when he tried to stop crying when he said bye to his best friend?! I wouldn't have been able to stop!'

'Ah, okay Chief. Whatever you say, Chief,' she turned but felt her arm being grabbed.

'Enigma, look!' he pointed to a nearby stall. In the stall was a row of targets and a whole shelf full of stuffed toys and sweets. Her eyes stopped at a familiar cat-like toy. 'I can win a Sir Nekomata doll!'

How did this person become the Chief of delinquents…?

Okegawa tossed a copper coin to the stall holder and notched an arrow.

He pulled back but just before he shot, his eyes widened. The arrow flew awkwardly, missing the target entirely. 'This…bow…' his face was clearly disappointed.

'What's wrong?' Mafuyu approached him, taking the bow. The second she held it, she knew that it was of very poor quality. The string wasn't tight enough, the balance was way off and there was no way to properly notch an arrow. Any normal person wouldn't have realised all these mistakes, but anyone who was trained in archery would feel it in seconds. She sighed. This was to be expected. This was a stall held by people who wanted to trick others into giving up their money. There was no way any archer would be able to hit the centre of the target. Mafuyu's lips drew back in a smile.

'Pardon me, may I have a turn?'

The stall holder nodded. 'It's three shots per copper, miss.' She could see him grinning.

Okegawa stared at her as she notched an arrow took a deep breath, aiming for the centre. She winced as she let go of the arrow, knowing it would be off mark. It flew a metre up and a little to the left. Okegawa clicked his tongue.

'Enigma, give me a turn…' he said but she shook her head, getting the last arrow ready. She aimed at the target, then adjusted her position. Okegawa stared at her. 'What are you doing? You won't hit it like that!'

'Watch me,' she muttered. Thump. Okegawa gaped as the arrow quivered…embedded right in the centre.

This girl…she isn't normal!

It was true. Mafuyu wasn't a normal lady. Would a normal lady train herself in archery hours on end since she was old enough to hold a bow just to impress a certain boy who lived next door to her? No, she wouldn't. Mafuyu was an expert. One shot told her the capabilities of the bow. The next would land exactly where she wanted it to. It was another quality that made her into an excellent Knight.

The stall holder stared at her.

'I'd like that one, please,' she pointed to Sir Nekomata. He handed it to her silently, his eyes wide in shock. Such a tiny lady had made a shot only a handful of people the man knew could make! They widened further when she held the doll out to the tall man standing next to her. The toy was for him?! Just what was this couple?!

'Enigma…amazing,' Okegawa blinked.

'Take it,' Mafuyu smiled. Instead of bossing me around, he's really making me smile. It's kind of fun to hang out with him…

Okegawa extended his hand…and the doll was grabbed by a third hand. A bunch of thugs dressed in tattered overalls laughed, their leader tossing the doll in his hand.

'The fearsome Chief of delinquents from the renowned Palace is here, taking a doll from a lady who won it for him?!' he spat, throwing the doll on the ground and stepping on it. 'How stupid!'

Mafuyu trembled, but not with fear.

'You're suspended, right? Ha! That means you can't fight back, or you'll get expelled!' he chortled. 'Why don't we teach you a lesson for the time your guys roughed our guys up a bit, huh? That's right, you will be our punching bag!'

Mafuyu clenched her fists, her anger boiling. These filthy humans…I'll teach THEM a lesson! She drew her fist back and brought it forward.

POW! The leader went flying a good three metres. Mafuyu blinked. That wasn't me! she looked over her shoulder. Okegawa towered over her, his eyes glinting with…pleasure. He flexed his fist.

'Don't touch other people's property,' he said calmly. 'But I guess telling idiots like you is useless. And I won't get expelled,' he chuckled. 'Because you won't be able to speak after I'm through with you.'

Mafuyu watched the scene in silent horror. I never thought I would see anyone fight like that again…excluding Takaomi of course…

Those five minutes enlightened Mafuyu. In those minutes, she realised why Okegawa was worthy of being the Chief.

Mother, she thought, gulping, it has been a long time since I have seen such a one sided fight. I guess I could compare it to a hunt. One rabid wolf feasting on a bunch of rabbits. Blood flowing on the ground. This is truly a picture of Hell.

'Should we call the Royal Guard?' she heard one man mutter, watching from the sidelines.

Mafuyu felt the blood drain from her face. She grabbed the doll and Okegawa's hand, pulled him, running away at full speed.

'Enigma! What are you doing? I can't do something cowardly like run away!' he yelled, slightly blushing at her tight grip on his hand.

Mafuyu screwed her eyes shut. Images of squires…her friend from Higashi…flashed in her mind. She stopped running and turned to Okegawa, hitting him on the head. He looked at her, surprised.

'If you get caught, you'll be expelled!' she sobbed. 'Then you won't be able to see your friends ever again…like me…we're friends now, aren't we? If you're expelled, we won't be able to see each other! That's too sad!'

Okegawa bit his lip. 'Oh…I'm sorry…'

'As long you understand, it's fine,' she grabbed his arm and started running again. 'Besides,' she winked at him. 'They say those who run are the true winners, because they survive to fight another day.'

Okegawa smiled, thinking. 'I wonder….I think I saw a play like this once, but I don't recall the name…anyway, that would make you the prince. But, I guess that's not a bad thing…'

Monologues, Mafuyu thought, are supposed to be said in your head! I heard it all! Why am I the prince…? Well, I guess you really are a softie, Chief.

When they were far enough, Mafuyu handed him the doll. It was mud-stained and ripped, its stuffing spilling out. 'I'm sorry, this condition… Chief, do you always get into fights?'

Okegawa nodded. 'The Chief of delinquents is the face of the raw strength the Palace has. Right now, the situation is unsteady. It's fine as long as people still think I'm the Chief, but sooner or later the truth's going to be out. Face it, I was beaten by a small kid.'

Mafuyu's face drained. Are you serious?!

Okegawa patted her head. 'But…I'm gonna fight anyone who wants to, for now. So,' he turned around, placing the doll on his shoulder. 'Hang out with me again, okay?'

'Yes sir!' Mafuyu smiled. Chief, you may be a romanticist, but you can be a man too.

Okegawa strolled down the road. A shadow fell over him and he looked up to see a familiar pigeon fly over to him, landing on his hand. 'Oh, Torikichi, I was wondering where you had got to!' he smiled, picking the envelope clenched in the pigeon's beak. 'Oh!' his face lit up, 'It's a letter from Beloved Snow White! I must quickly reply….'

Ex-Chief of delinquents, Kyoutaro Okegawa. Hobbies: writing letters and practising Tap Code. Exchanges letters with Beloved Snow White through Pigeon Mail.

Pen Name: Darling Strawberry Love.

He is a true romanticist.

I hope you enjoyed it! Ah, Mafuyu...you and your archery skills... Unfortunately, I've been swamped with work lately. Chapters may not be up as soon as I'd like them to be, but please hang on! I will try my best, and I will never give up! Expect the next chapter not far too long from now! Thank you for your continued support, dear readers. :D