Efflorescence
by Autumn Win-Dow
Chapter Twenty-six: Fire
Usually, the leering eyes of her usual customer would be her sole bother as she danced, fans in hand, but at that moment, it was certainly the least of her concerns.
Mikan did not know what to make of Natsume's wife coming to visit her, knowing of his once regular visits to the ochaya. Nothing much had really sparked between them, after all - he was the one seeing her, after all - but for some reason she felt guilty for being a part of it all.
In fact, she was thinking about the previous events so much that she felt her concentration severely slip, as she suddenly tripped slightly.
Snapping back to reality, she glanced around the room while continuing her dance, and luckily no one had seemed to notice her fault.
This is unprofessional, Mikan! Snap out of it!
...but why did she come see me when that was such a long time ago?
Natsume was barely aware of his wife's entrance as he closed his eyes, ready for a short nap. Unfortunately for him, Hotaru wasn't intent on letting him do so.
"You sure know how to pick women."
The sudden comment baffled the young principal. "What are you on about?"
Hotaru ignored his question, as she poured herself some tea - to Natsume's annoyance, as he continued to pester her.
"Well? Imai?"
Her eyes casually darted around the room as she sipped her tea, before speaking up again.
"Would you happen to have any chestnuts? I'm hungry."
Natsume clicked his tongue before leaning back into his seat. "Get them yourself. I'm not your servant."
The ebony haired girl raised an eyebrow. "Really? I thought you liked chestnuts."
"Since when did I-" He paused mid word, finally catching on to Hotaru's smug expression after a brief silence.
"What did you do, Hotaru?"
Hotaru chuckled under her breath. "So, you finally called me by my first name. I didn't think you liked her that much."
Mikan slowly removed the last pin out of her hair, and sighed deeply. She was finally out of sight from both the customers and the other geisha, and this finally allowed her to breathe.
She did not move from where she sat in her small room - she simply stared at the flickering candle placed at the middle of the floor, creating a golden luminescence against the shoji doors. The sight, however, only sparked an unforgotten memory, once forced to the back of her mind, and now - after Hotaru Imai's visit - returning to its rightful place, at full force.
"Marry me, goddamnit."
"It's your deadline today, right? And I don't want to be your last resort."
She crept towards the flame, an envelope in hand. Hotaru's words echoed in her mind.
"These are your old school records. I took them from the former headmaster's office. Do what you will with it. You know what I want in return."
Mikan watched solemnly as the paper crumbled into ashes.
A/N: Hi. :) I'm making progress in terms of the mystery. It's going to speed up from here on in. ;)