Chapter Two – A stem of flower
After the formal introductions were over, while everyone scattered off to return to their own constellation temples, Milo immediately approached Miyabi.
"Hey, Miyabi. Some of us thought it would be nice to throw you a welcome party. You want to come over to the Scorpio temple after you have settled back in your Libra temple?"
"Oh, wow! Really? Are you sure it's not a bother?" Not expecting her senior colleagues to prepare anything for her, Miyabi felt her heart warming up influenced by the kind friendliness of the Scorpio Gold Saint.
"Of course not! My place is always open to my friends! And from today on, you are one of us!"
"Sorry to burst your bubbles," Interrupting from beside Milo, the Aquarius Gold Saint Camus reminded. "From my memory, your place never has food. So how do you plan on throwing her a party?"
Smiling sheepishly when Camus did point out a serious problem, Milo said. "In that case, how about we go to your place Camus? You are one of the best cooks of us all, only you can provide the best party for our new member!"
"Wow, is Camus going to cook?" The moment it was mentioned the French chef Camus will be preparing food, more Gold Saints gathered.
"Of course, I am invited right, Milo?" Shamelessly inviting himself, Deathmask asked.
"Only if you bring some of your Italian cuisine over." Happy to source any means of food for the party, Milo stated.
"In that case, I will prepare something too." Miyabi kindly offered. "Though I won't be able to make anything fancy like Camus and Deathmask can, but I am happy to contribute."
"I guess I can also contribute to the food." Mu smiled volunteering himself. With Kiki as his apprentice, Mu was used to cooking daily and looking after people.
"I will bring the alcohol." Laughing with his arms crossed, Aldebaran offered too.
"Are we all meeting at Camus' place then?" Kanon was not going to miss out when there's a party to be had.
Trying to keep his calm, Camus took a few deep breaths for it appears it has been decided for him. "Fine, 6'oclock at my place…"
After returning to her Libra temple, Miyabi secretly let out a breath of relief while she took off the gold cloth on her. Upon the weight of the armour, she felt as if the same weight was on her. Though she endeavoured to look calm when she was at the grand hall just now, deep inside, she could not help but suspect whether Libra gold cloth had picked the wrong successor.
Aside from the fact she was the first female Gold Saint ever, and because of this, she was granted permission to not need to wear a mask.
Yet, unlike the rest of the team, she never experienced the holy war. When they all gathered together at the Wailing Wall and sacrificed themselves to open the way that led the victory against Hades, she was still punching sandbags back in Five Peaks, China.
When she was appointed as the next Libra Gold Saint, Dohko couldn't be prouder of her and he ensured her, she was definitely eligible to be his successor. However, how could she? Dohko was the Libra Gold Saint that fought through two holy wars, he was in essence the leader of the rest of the Gold Saints. How was she, as a teenage girl who never fought real battles ever going to fill Dohko's shoes.
That is why, deep within, Miyabi was more than convinced with the first assignment given to her, she must make sure she succeeds, no matter the cost. For the meantime Miyabi knew the best she could do, was prepare some good food for her colleagues. Going through the pantry, fridge, storage, Miyabi was surprised to find Saga did indeed prepare all the necessities for her. From what she learned at the induction, food and supplies will be provided by the Sanctuary and deliver to each temple fortnightly. If there were extra items they need, they are free to purchase from the close by village or head into Athens as long as they do not reveal their identity as a saint.
Looking through the ingredients in the fridge and pantry, Miyabi knew unlike Camus and Deathmask who will be exhibiting their country's delicious cuisine, she was unfortunately not able to put forward sushi for there was no fresh raw fish or seaweed. Luckily for her, during her times of training at the Five Peaks, she often helped Shun-Li cook for Shiryu and Dohko, so preparing some dim sims sounds like the best idea for party food.
Within an hour, Miyabi already had the dim sims steaming on the stove, spring rolls freshly fried, and already, she has prepared her third dish, chicken karaage (Japanese fried chicken).
"Something smells nice."
Suddenly coming from behind her a voice said.
Not expecting it, most of all with her training and ability as a Gold Saint, she was horrified to realise she did not even notice the presence of another person in the room. Turning around in shock, she saw Shaka standing right there, leaning close as he started sniffing through the spring rolls.
"Ah, Shaka. Hi…hi." Quickly calming herself, Miyabi greeted. "I, I didn't even notice you coming in."
"Of course," Simply picking up one of the spring rolls and putting it into his mouth, Shaka said. "I purposely hid the presence of my cosmos."
With that, Miyabi was reminded what Dohko once said to her. Out of all the Gold Saints, Shaka is extremely good at controlling his cosmos, due to his years of training during meditation. He also kept his eyes closed at most times, so he could store even more cosmos for a big burst when needed.
"I guess, I still have a lot more to learn." Miyabi smiled sheepishly. "I should do more training on controlling my cosmos like you do."
"Well, it does take years of practice." Shamelessly picking up a second spring roll, Shaka said. "Your issue though, wasn't with your ability. But the fact you do not believe in your own strength."
"My strength?"
"I think you are forgetting the fact you are also a Gold Saint, and it is not something everyone can achieve. You have definitely awakened your seventh sense?"
"Yes, I have." Nodding Miyabi knew it was the minimum requirement to become a Gold Saint.
"Then why do you doubt your strength?" Shaka simply stated the fact. "Cosmos can be infinitely awakened and grown, and this is all based on your will to fight, to grow. Not believing in yourself will hinder that growth."
Walking up to the steamers, Shaka opened it and asked. "Oh, you're making dim sims too?"
Not expecting Shaka to ask a completely unrelated question, Miyabi nodded. "Yes, I was preparing these for the welcome party." Stopping immediately, Miyabi justified quickly. "Ah, it's not going to be held at my temple, it will be at Camus', so definitely won't be noisy for you."
"I'm not invited?" Shaka asked sharply.
"Ah, no, that's not what I meant. Of course you are welcome to come. In fact, I think everyone's going to be there!"
While Miyabi panics feeling the scary almighty aura from Shaka, a laughter joined in as Mu too entered the kitchen. "Stop scaring her, Shaka."
Seeing what Mu brought with him, Miyabi's eyes gleamed with astonishment. "Oh wow, lamb skewers!"
Almost at the same time, Shaka's hand already reached for the skewers. Unfortunately, unlike Miyabi who is intimidated by Shaka, Mu was more than capable to deal with this guy, quickly forming a crystal wall above his skewers, Mu managed to bounce Shaka's hand away.
"Humph, Mu. Do you think your tiny wall can stop me?" Like taking on the challenge, Shaka's cosmos immediately started increasing.
"I'd like to see you try." Not backing down, Mu simply smiled in return while his cosmos started to increase rapidly too.
"Another Dimension!"
Suddenly coming from the side, a dimensional portal opened and blew Mu and Shaka into it. Luckily as the two most proficient Gold Saints in psychokinesis, Mu and Shaka immediately brought themselves back to the Libra temple kitchen.
"Kanon…."
Upon the two death glares, the Gemini Gold Saint Kanon simply shrugged. "I had no choice guys, you were about to blow up Miyabi's temple, not to mention all these foods she prepared for the party."
While Kanon headed up the long steps through the other constellation temples to attend the party at Camus' temple, he encountered the two attacking cosmos in Libra temple and came to the rescue.
"Wow, what were you guys doing? I could feel the exploding cosmos from where I was." As a concerned neighbour, Milo popped his head in too. But soon he lost interest when he saw the feast Miyabi prepared. "Oh wow, you made all these?"
"Yes, I hope it's enough." Trying to recover from a scary fight she was about to become collateral damage to, Miyabi quickly nodded.
"Of course it's enough. Let me help carry these up to Aquarius temple." Offering kindly as a friend again, Milo picked up the plates of spring rolls and chicken karaage.
"I will help carry these then." Offering so, Kanon wasn't going to let Milo look good as he picked up the steamers with dim sims in them. "Ready to head to your party, Miyabi?"
Nodding in happiness, the only girl in the room replied. "Sure, let's all go together!"
"Oh crap," Coming from behind them, Mu held onto his head.
"What?"
"My lamb skewers are still in another dimension."
Letting out a deep breath to relax himself, Saga finally finished another day of hard work as the Acting Pope. He somehow felt this was Shion's revenge on him, for he was left with endless paperwork, no instructions nor help from Shion.
But it's ok. I deserve it.
Saga kept telling himself. Only if he worked hard, will he be able to atone for the great sin he committed. It was by the grace of the gods was he given a second chance and he will support Athena at all costs.
As he headed down the steps to return to his Gemini temple, he was surprised to sense the gathering of all the most powerful cosmos in one place as he approached the Aquarius temple. Upon the entrance into the temple, Saga immediately encountered laughter and cheer when he saw all the Gold Saints gathered in the Aquarius living room partying.
"Hahahaha, I can't believe you blew the lamb skewers into another dimension." Deathmask pointed his finger at Kanon.
With a sigh, Mu said. "I did marinate the skewers for hours, cooked them on a charcoal grill, made sure they were at the perfect golden crispy brown, with a tint of char…"
"If you had not put your crystal wall over it, at least I will be able to tell you if it was good or not." As if he wasn't the source of this disaster, Shaka said.
"Actually, since both Mu and Shaka are so good with psychokinesis, can't you guys just fish it back?" Aiolos reminded them.
"How about this?" Snapping his fingers, Milo sat up straight. "Let's treat it like a game, should we all try to see if we can fish it back? I mean I already know I probably won't be able to find it since psychokinesis isn't my forte, but in some ways, we all have the ability to track people and items through dimensions, right?"
"True, this way, we might be able to find out once and for all, who has the strongest psychokinesis ability among us." Shura nodded.
"This sounds like fun!" Surprisingly Miyabi joined in. "It's like training!"
"Well, though I can't say Aldebaran and I are not disadvantaged, but we are happy to try." Aiolia said because training is always good. It's true based on each of the Gold Saint's skills and ability, Aldebaran, Aiolos, Aiolia, Shura, Milo were more the physical damage type. Psych attacks were never their strength.
"How about you guys, Aphrodite, and Camus. Joining?" Milo turned to the two Gold Saints who hasn't said a word.
"No, you guys go ahead. I still have stuff in the oven I need to look after." Not really competitive in nature, Camus said.
"I am happy to be the referee." Aphrodite smiled beautifully as he took a sip of his wine. "That way you guys can't cheat."
"He's talking to you, Deathmask." Kanon grinned at the man who blamed him for this disaster.
"Huh? I don't need to cheat. Sending people to dimensions is my forte, if you want, I can send you all there right now!"
"All words and no proof. The only dimension you can open is the underworld anyway. That's not where the skewers are!"
"Maybe I will make you into a skewer right now!" Raising his fingers, Deathmask was about to release his skill when his whole body was frozen.
Calmly taking a sip of his whisky, Camus said. "You guys go ahead while I have him trapped in ice."
Leaning over to Miyabi, Milo whispered. "This is why you never want to piss off Camus."
"What the hell are you guys doing…" Entering the room Saga asked, his expression obviously not pleased.
"Oh Saga, you should join us too." Shura said. "Didn't you say another dimension is like your backyard?"
"Yeah, we have lost the lamb skewers for Miyabi's party into the dimensions. We are trying to see who can fish it back." As if he too couldn't tell Saga was upset, Milo egged on.
Standing up quickly from where she was, not forgetting she was still new to the team, Miyabi apologised straight away. "Sorry Saga, didn't mean to cause such trouble."
"Come on, Saga, why you make Miyabi apologise." Kanon was definitely not merciful to his brother. "It's Athena's will we take care of the newcomer, isn't it? That's why we are just throwing her a party."
"Yeah Saga, why do you have to be so unfriendly to Miyabi?"
"I thought you are supposed to take care of her?"
"You guys…" Can't believe the fellow Gold Saints are trying to make him look bad, Saga could feel an evil side popping up soon.
"Ah, no, really it's fine." To Saga's surprise, Miyabi stood before him in defence. "Saga already took good care of me to make sure I settle in properly. There was nothing I was lacking in my Libra temple." Turning to the tall Gemini Gold Saint behind her, Miyabi melted Saga's evil side away with a most pure and beautiful smile. "I know you are often misunderstood, but you always work the hardest out of all of us. So," Reaching for Saga's hand Miyabi added. "Thank you."
Feeling his heart thumped hard upon such kindness, Saga found for the first time, he wasn't able to keep his cool.
"Oh shit, I think Saga is blushing." Milo whispered again upon the observation.
"Damn, don't tell me I need to compete with him again." Kanon rolled his eyes. "That is why I hate to have a twin."
"Are we fishing for the skewers or not?" Getting impatient Aiolia asked. It's training time!
"Of course, we need more food for the party." No longer interested in Saga, everyone returned to their seats getting ready to focus.
"Does not having the lamb skewers trouble you?" Coming from behind Miyabi, Saga asked.
"Well, I just feel bad since Mu took so long to prepare it." Miyabi laughed.
"In that case," With a lift of his arm the portal to another dimension opened. Calmly reaching his arm inside, Saga took out a tray with lamb skewers on it.
"What the…?" Rest of the Gold Saints all jumped up in anger with what Saga just did.
"Oh wow!" The only person impressed was Miyabi as she applauded in amusement.
With a prideful smile, Saga said. "Another Dimension IS my backyard."
"You really didn't have to." Camus said to the girl who took the dish he just placed on the drying rack and started drying it with a cloth.
"No, it's totally fine." Shaking her head, Miyabi stacked the dried plate before picking up the next one on the rack. "I feel bad after you hosted this great party for me, and still have to clean up."
"Now you mentioned it," moving his eyes onto the bunch in the living room, Camus frowned. "I wonder why it's the host and main guest that's doing the dishes."
Also taking a peek at the boys in the living room, Miyabi couldn't help but smile. Eventually Saga also joined the party, and as more alcohol was consumed, the differences started to show. Aiolia, Aiolos were surprisingly not much of a drinker so they retired early. In comparison, Saga, Kanon, Deathmask, Aldebaran, Milo, Shura were gulping down alcohol like water. Aphrodite and Mu drank at their own pace but left with Shaka after all the food ran out. Whereas Camus, studying the tall, gorgeous man beside her, Miyabi was astounded considering how much Camus also drank, but he didn't look the slightest affected.
"Do you drink with them often?" Finally, couldn't hold in the curiosity, Miyabi asked.
"Yeah, because Milo keeps having parties at my place." With a sigh, Camus said. "Luckily while I was in Siberia, I had gotten used to drinking strong alcohol there. Or else won't be able to stand these bunch."
"But you and Milo seem to be such good friends."
"I guess," pausing for a bit Camus explained. "I wasn't really much of a talker, and it so happens Milo likes to talk, so I just let him."
Laughing at Camus' perfect description of his friendship with Milo, Miyabi couldn't help but wishing she too could have such a connection. "To be honest, I really envy you guys. Through the constant banters, it was a strong indication you all treat each other as real comrades."
Noticing the slight loneliness shown through the girl's stunning eyes, as an observant person, Camus kind of understood why Miyabi acted the way she did. In all fairness, the Gold Saints were not exactly on good terms. During the holy war, he fought many times against his own, even to the extent where he was forced together with Saga and Shura to use the Athena Exclamation on Shaka.
Despite all that, they all came together at the end for the same reason, for Athena, for love, and for the world. This type of bond was not something a person like Miyabi who came along later, will be able to have.
This was why she acted so polite towards them, feeling like the one that didn't belong. Why even though a Gold Saint herself, she couldn't help but feel inferior.
"Miyabi," Camus' tone softened slightly. "You needn't feel like you need to catch up to us. From today onwards, we will be comrades fighting side by side." Gently placing his hand on the girl's head in comfort, "Don't underestimate your true strength."
Remembering Shaka also mentioned the same thing, Miyabi lifted her head as a most stunning smile painted her face. "Thank you, Camus, for acknowledging me as your comrade. You have no idea how much it means to me. Though I didn't fight the holy war with you, from today onwards, I am lucky to be able to fight by your side."
For a knight who was known for his inexpressiveness, Camus was surprised to find a ripple occurred within when he encountered such genuine, beautiful gleam in the girl's eyes. Unknowingly, his hand slowly moved down from the girl's head as it gently stroked her soft tiny face, feeling her warmth through his fingertips.
"Hey Camus! We're out of snacks!"
Luckily before Camus did any more things against his character, Milo's voice called him back to reality. A little stunned with his own action, Camus quickly moved away from Miyabi and returned to the living room.
"You want some snacks? Here, eat some ice!"
Not knowing what went through Camus' mind of course, Miyabi quickly grabbed some more crackers and followed Camus out but only to find the noisy boys in the lounge room frozen due to Camus' cosmos.
Just another morning, another day for Saga so he thought. Rising early to get to the Pope's office to start on the endless paperwork again. However, today, when he entered the office, the Gemini Gold Saint's eyes widened in surprise when he saw another person already here.
"Good morning, Saga!" Greeting most cheerfully like a warm sunshine, was the only female Gold Saint, Miyabi.
"Good morning, Miyabi." Taking a look at the clock on the wall, he saw it display seven. "You're here early."
"Of course." Full of enthusiasm, Miyabi replied. "It's my first day rostered on administrative duty. Thought I should arrive early to get ready."
Upon such words, Saga felt tears of blood rolling down his cheeks. If, if only the rest of the Gold Saints have the same attitude…
Due to the peaceful days, no longer needing to fight, the Gold Saints have all been rostered on administrative duty, simply put, help him clear the endless paperwork Shion left behind. Spending years on the battlefield, doing paperwork was like torture for the Gold Saints. In order to speed up the process, Saori implemented the use of 21st century technology, no longer relying on paper, but moving everything onto digital format.
To do so, there was of course the need to clean and upload all the past archives onto the network. Unfortunately, saints of Athena have great strength in battle, but none of them were accustomed to modern technology. Still, there's nothing more powerful than manpower. With that, Saori has commanded for the Gold Saints to be rostered on administrative duties on top of their normal missions.
"I am just making coffee, would you like one too, Saga?"
"Yes, please."
Watching the girl making coffee while humming a tune, Saga felt, finally his work might not be so dry and stressful anymore.
"Here you go," passing him the mug, Miyabi smiled pointing to the desks arranged in U shape form. "Do I sit anywhere, or are there assigned desks?"
"Sure, you can sit wherever," Placing his cup on the desk in the front centre, the desk where the Pope usually sits, Saga thought for a bit as he turned to look at the desks again. "Actually…"
Two hours later, the rest of the Gold Saints on administrative duty unenthusiastically entered.
"Man, we drank till too late last night…" Half yawning, Kanon said but soon his words stopped when he saw who was in the room.
"Good morning, Kanon, Shura, Aphrodite, and Aiolia." What greeted the unenthusiastic bunch was the beautiful girl, whose smile was fresh like the morning dew, warm like the spring morning sun.
"Good, good, morn, morn…" Once again Aiolia found his tongue tied.
"Good morning, Miyabi. I guess you are on administrative today as well?" Unlike the Leo Gold Saint, Aphrodite responded too with a stunning smile.
"What are you doing, Saga?" Not impressed with the scene before him, Kanon asked coldly.
"What do you mean, what am I doing? I am teaching Miyabi what to do. It's her first day on administrative duty." His tall body leaning in from behind Miyabi while pointing to the monitor, Saga calmly replied.
"I think he meant, why are all the desk moved around. Also, why are you the one sitting next to her?" Shura joined in too seeing instead of the U shape before with the Pope's desk in the front, it has been rearranged into desks of two in rows.
"With the new member, I thought we should make new arrangements." Saga simply responded. "Athena mentioned in her corporation, the employers have deployed a new seating arrangement called 'hot desks'…"
"So much bull!" Kanon interrupted for he knows his twin like no one.
"Oh, Saga is just mentoring me." Not understanding why Shura and Kanon were unhappy with Saga, Miyabi explained. "Since I am still so new, if I ever need confirmation on anything, I can just ask Saga straight away."
Seeing the innocence from the girl, Kanon held onto his head and gave a sigh. "Miyabi, you need to understand that evil exists inside this man…"
"Well, I guess we can sit together, Aphrodite." Aiolia turned to the Pisces Gold Saint.
"Sure."
Exchanging a look with each other, Kanon and Shura went to sit down on the other two. Deep inside they knew, this Saga is up to no good. But fine, if he wants to play this game, let's play.
"Hey Miyabi," Calling out from where he was sitting, Kanon's stunning eyes glanced over at the girl next to his brother. "Would you like to join me for morning trainings?"
"Training? Of course!" In excitement Miyabi called. What a privilege to finally train with her seniors!
"Can you get up that early, Kanon?" Also knowing what his twin was doing, Saga asked coldly.
"Of course, it's the least I can do as a senior to help Miyabi out." Ignoring the cold stare from his brother, Kanon turned to Miyabi again. "Should I come pick you up say, 7?"