Chapter 40: Promises

[Scene: The Japanese countryside. Zoi and Kunzite finished their tea and cakes, and then Kunzite helps Zoi up. They continue to walk toward a festival market. By now Zoi is certain they are hours late for school. But he's secretly glad that Kunzite hasn't noticed it yet.]

Zoi: When you became a Shitennou did you undergo a personality change?

Kunzite: It's hard to say. I certainly didn't notice any difference in myself. And I hardly knew the others before the change, if I knew them at all. Some say you automatically turn evil. There is a prevailing theory that when you become a Shitennou, all your strongest vices are amplified.

Zoi: What do you believe?

Kunzite: I think that being a Shitennou gives you a lot of power, and you know what they say about absolute power?

Zoi: It corrupts absolutely…

Kunzite: And since Metalia handpicks her children from only those beings with the most murderous tendencies…

Zoi: Do you think it's possible… [blushes and gives Kunzite a timid look]

Kunzite: Go on.

Zoi: …Is there any chance I could be turned into a Shitennou?

[Zoi gives Kunzite a shy smile]

Kunzite: It's funny you should ask, since I already plan to propose that to Mother. But not until you are much, much older.

Zoi: The only trouble is I don't think I could become a murderer.

Kunzite: I don't either, but we are highly compatible, and that's more than could be said for the last hundred or so candidates she's elevated. She wants a fourth king, and she hasn't gotten one, so she may decide to take whatever she can get.

Zoi: But if all the Shitennou are supposed to be at each other's throats, and we're united in our loyalty to one another, won't that give us an unfair advantage over the others?

Kunzite: [smirks] You say that like it's a problem.

[Zoisite stops at a stand that is selling jewelry since a ring has caught his eye. It's silver in color, with a band of black in the center decorated with pink and green gems set to look like cherry blossoms.]

Zoi: Oh, I like this one. [Picks it up and inspects it]

Vendor: Those are western style promise rings.

Kunzite: What's a promise ring?

Zoi: I think it's a promise that you're going to get engaged later on.

Kunzite: That doesn't make sense. Doesn't a promise of an engagement mean an engagement?

Vendor: It's more of a pledge to remain monogamous, but without the proposal or expectation of marriage.

Zoi: That sounds about right. [tries on the ring, which fits on his thumb and inspects it in the light.]

Vendor: It's 18k gold.

Kunzite: So it is.

Zoi: How much is it?

[Zoi takes off the ring and puts it back since knows he can't afford it, but he likes the ring too much not to ask]

Vendor: ￥180.000

Zoi: Do you know how much is that in US dollars?

Kunzite: That's not something you need to know. [pulls a bunch of Yen notes out of a wallet.]

Zoi: Kunzite, no.

Kunzite: If that ring is a pledge of monogamy, I'm willing to spend ￥180.000 for it.

[Buys the ring. Then takes Zoi's hand, and gently glides it onto his thumb]

Zoi: Thanks. I love it. [gives him a quick kiss] I feel bad since I'm pretty sure I can't afford to get you one.

Kunzite: I don't need a ring to remain monogamous.

Zoi: Neither do I!

Kunzite: Yes, but that ring suits you so I want you to have it.

Vendor: We do also sell the more traditionally Japanese Misanga promise rings, which are actually woven bracelets. They serve the same purpose, but they are only $10 US each.

Zoi: Oh, I can afford one of those. [looks at Kunzite] Do you mind?

Kunzite: Not at all.

[Zoi selects dark blue one]

Zoi: [to Kunzite] May I?

[Kunzite nods, so Zoi gets down on one knee and ties the braided cord around his ankle.

Zoi: There. I've knotted it extra well, so you'll have to cut it off if you want to cheat on me.

Kunzite: Trust me, I would have a harder time cheating on you than I would getting that thing on and off my ankle without damaging it.

Zoi: [jabs his arm] You shouldn't tell me such things. Let me keep my superstitions.

[As they walk away, Kunzite looks at his watch and stops short.]

Kunzite: Oh, no. I've completely lost track of time. It's nearly eleven o'clock.

Zoi: [feigns distress] Oh, no. We're late for school. What should we do?

Kunzite: Well, I can see two possible courses of action. The first option is that I can teleport us back to the portal, run to the car, then I can rush us off to school so we can salvage what's left of the schoolday.

Zoi: Or?

Kunite: Or we can continue enjoying the cherry blossoms for another few hours, then go back to your home, get your swimsuit, and then spend the rest of the time at a beach in La Jolla, California… it's entirely up to you.

[Zoi smiles]