To everyone: Thank you so much! I was also laughing like hell when I was writing the chapter, haha~! Get your fill! Because chapters like this are going to be uncommon in the story!
Chapter 11: Memory
“Feh… The internet isn’t helping at all…” Reina slammed the printed paper down on the desk in frustration. “It barely gives detail at all! Just generalized information…” Reina sat down on the computer again. “Is there not a single historian who actually has detailed information?” Reina leaned back on the chair and stretched her arms backwards. As she tilted her head back, she found someone towering over her.
“Are you researching the Orochi?” The person said, looking at the papers on the desk.
“Wow, do you visit book stores often, Iida-san?” Reina composed herself and turned her body on the chair.
“Hmm… Not really, I only came to see if a book I ordered came today. Unfortunately, it isn’t. So I was just on my way to leaving.”
“Sorry to keep you from leaving,” Reina bowed her head slightly to Kaori.
“There is no problem with that,” Kaori smiled before leaving Reina alone.
The wonky-eyed teen continuously researched for another hour, but to no avail, nothing that was considered efficient information was found. With a groan, she finally gave up on the research, threw the papers away, and walked home.
Once again, Reina found herself at the park. “I seem to come here often, eh?” she scratched her head. She looked at the center of the park—where the fountain was, and saw someone sitting on the bench, petting a snake on their lap. Knowing who that person was, Reina walked towards the fountain.
“So, what brings you here again?” Maki called out.
“Nah, just passing by from the library,” Reina ran a bit to the bench, and sat on it.
“Oh? What were you doing in the library?” Maki stopped petting the snake and turned her head to Reina. As she did so, the snake began swaying, as if it wanted Maki’s attention, “What’s with you?” Maki looked a bit annoyed at the snake, but still focused her attention on Reina.
“Was trying to research the Orochi, to see if I can figure out who the rest are,” Reina rested her arm against the bench and leaned on it.
“You’re really into this, aren’t you?” Maki smirked. “Gah!” she winced, the snake had bit her left hand.
How could you do this?! You have me, yet you’re all over another girl! The snake seemed to say. The snake turned away, almost as if saying I thought fate connected our meeting… This is too much, I’m going home to mother! And the snake slithered away, as if it was crying.
“What was that all about?” Maki rubbed her wound.
“Ah!” Reina widened her unique eyes, “Are you alright?”
Maki flexed her hand a bit before saying, “At least the bite isn’t deep, it should heal in a day or two. Anyways, continue.”
“So…” Reina tried to remember where she left off, “Ah! I came across Iida-san at the library!” she clapped her hands, “She said she was going to pick up a book she ordered, but it didn’t come yet.”
“Kaorin? I see...” Maki looked up at the sky, then back at Reina, “Want to go home now? If I stay out here any longer, it might get colder, and you know what that means.”
“Alright,” Reina stood up as Maki did the same. They both walked down the meandering paths out of the park, and the streets, side by side.
“Gah!” a familiar voice shouted, “I am SO not wearing this!” the voice objected. Reina and Maki turned their heads to find two VERY familiar people in a store. Miki with her arms crossed in front of Aya who was holding a rather interesting outfit.
“Come on,” Aya smirked, “doesn’t this remind you of your days as Tsubomi?” she laughed, emphasizing the intense pink and white frilly dress. “It’ll look so cute on you!”
“It does, and I hated that! And I’m so NOT cute in it!” Miki shivered and cringed, “Don’t force me to wear thaaaat!” she whined in a very high voice.
“Ah! It’s you two!” Maki walked towards them, Reina following.
“She’s right Miki, it suits you, frilly dresses,” Reina laughed.
“See? Reina agrees!” Aya then smiled evilly, “I’ll make sure you wear it!” Miki knew that devious look anywhere. The groping devil turned and began to run, but Aya caught her by the ankle and the devil fell over. “You’re not escaping from me~!” Aya said in a singsong voice, dragging the silently complaining Miki into the fitting room.
Reina and Maki both laughed at the completely random event, using each other for support. When Miki stepped out of the stall, she truly looked cute, but ridiculously-outrageously-hilarious cute. Reina and Maki couldn’t hold their laughter yet again, and rolled on the floor laughing.
“Dammit, this is WORSE than the outfit I had to wear as Tsubomi!” Miki made a disgusted face, twirling around a bit in the flamboyant outfit.
“It really suits you m’dear,” Aya patted her back.
“How could you say that with a straight face?!” Miki turned around and shook Aya, who broke out laughing as well.
“What’s the commotion?” someone asked. Everyone looked around to find Kaori, with a shopping bag, signifying that she had just paid.
“Kaorin! Save me!” Miki waved her hand.
Kaori stared at Miki, “…………..Nice dress.”
“Shut uuuup~!” Miki fumed.
“Actually, can you do me a favor? Can you stand over there and answer a question please?” Kaori motioned at the spot Miki ought to be in. The now dolled-up devil moved as Kaori said and waited for the question. “What’s 1+1?”
“Ni*?” Miki said. (*Ni = Two)
FLASH!
“Thank you, this will make an excellent picture to show her.” Kaori said, shutting off the digital camera and stuffing it back in her bag. “Good day to you all!” and Kaori began walking away.
“You aren’t going to show the head, eh?!” Miki ran after Kaori. As Miki ran, she set off the detectors at the entrance of the shop.
“Gah! I need to get the dress back!” and Aya went after Miki. Soon, they went out of sight.
“That was too hilarious!” Reina laughed, supporting herself by holding onto Maki’s shoulder. Maki couldn’t help but laugh along with Reina.
Soon, they both calmed down and decided it was best to leave again. Along the way, they found Miki upset because she couldn’t get the camera back. After the brief talk, Gam went back to the store, while Reina and Maki traversed the streets to reach the apartment.
Stopping in front of Reina’s door, since it was close to the stairs, Maki decided to place her hand on her junior’s shoulder, “I forgot to tell you, but watch out for Kaorin.”
“Huh?” Reina gave a questioning look.
“Well, you see, normally when someone finds out about the curse, the head decides if the person is reliable to keep that secret, if that person isn’t reliable, then their memory is erased.”
“Erased… You can do that?” Reina now has her full attention on Maki rather than the door.
“Yes, well, it’s more of hypnotism, and only the Sixth Orochi head could do that, now I’m about to spoil you, and that Sixth Orochi head is Kaorin.”
“Ah… I see…” Reina frowned.
“So watch out when you are alone with her,” Maki patted Reina. The wonky eyed teen nodded, and retreated to her room after she and Maki exchanged farewells.
Reina plopped herself on her bed and thought about the day’s events. “Eh… I really got a lot to learn about the Orochi… Who are the others…?” she rolled over. Just then, her cell-phone rang a brief tune, indicating that she has a new text messege. “Eh? Maybe a rokkie?” she turned over and grabbed her cellphone. After a few button pressing, she read the messege:
I want you to come by my house immediately. There are important matters I wish to discuss with you.
-Kaori.
Topic: Our Cursed Gift [Chapter 47: Our Final Promise][COMPLETE] (Read 160355 times)