The Moon and Polaris

Chapter 19: Matters of the Heart: Kiki's Side

"I'm home," Kiki announced as she returned to Iori's apartment. Iori lay on the couch, reading a novel.

He took a quick glance at her then looked back down at his book, "Welcome back." Without a word, Kiki trudged over to the bedroom. Iori cocked an eyebrow, set his book down on the coffee table, and followed her. He peeked into the room and saw her flat on her back on the bed. "What's with you?" he asked.

"Nothing," she replied as she kept her eyes to the ceiling. Iori remained at the doorway. Kiki pouted, "It's about Kyo, alright? It's not like you'd care, though."

"Unless it's something that will help me kill him, I won't care," he shrugged, "But I'll humor you. Tell me about it."

"Man, where do I even start?" Kiki sat up and rubbed the back of her neck as she contemplated what to say. With a wry laugh, she began, "Probably should mention me and Kyo were friends when we were kids, huh?"

"What?"

Kiki recounted her meeting with Kyo and Yuki from earlier that day and how she and Kyo were childhood friends. "And look at this!" She fished out her ring pendant from underneath her shirt. "He gave this to me before I moved to America."

Iori squinted at the ring, "And?"

"What do you mean 'and'?" Heat rose to Kiki's cheeks. "Do I gotta spell it out for you?" When Iori answered with a blank stare, Kiki pouted. "He told me he'd wait for me. And when I came back, we would... We would get..." She shook her head vigorously, "Argh! This is too embarrassing to explain to you! It should be obvious what I'm getting at, right?"

With a groan, Iori pinched the bridge of his nose, "You're being overdramatic."

Kiki sighed, "Look, I know I shouldn't be bothered by him getting a girlfriend. It's not like we were dating at all. We were just kids, but..." She grumbled, "Man, I dunno. Mr. Yagami, what do you think?"

Iori shook his head, "You shouldn't be preoccupied with something so insignificant. What's done is done."

"I guess..."

He kept his eyes on the girl, waiting for her to lighten up, even just a little bit. When that moment didn't come, he spoke, "Hey." She raised her head slightly; her expression was still downtrodden. "Stay right there and close your eyes. Don't open them until I tell you to."

She cocked her head at him then closed her eyes, "Okay?" She listened closely; the sound of Iori's footsteps faded out in the direction of the living room, then came silence, then his footsteps came back.

He placed a small box wrapped in plain white wrapping paper on her lap. "Open."

Kiki looked down at the box and lifted up gently as she examined it. She cocked her head at Iori, "A present?" With a simple nod from him, Kiki's face brightened. "Aw, Mr. Yagami, you didn't have to do that. I mean, I still appreciate it and all, but--"

"Just open it already."

With a nod, she peeled off the wrapping paper and took off the box's lid. Inside was a Kyo plush. Kiki's eyes widened, "Oh my gosh, it's so cute!" She held the plush close to her chest and beamed, "I love it. Thanks, Mr. Yagami!"

"Whatever," He patted her head. "Go to sleep. It's getting late."

Kiki smiled brightly at him, "Will do!" With that, Iori left the room and closed the door behind him. Kiki listened closely, waiting for Iori to be out of earshot. When he was, she flopped back down onto the bed and hugged the plush tightly. She lifted the plush up into the air and looked into its eyes. Her face grew red as she brought it back down and kissed it on the lips. She frowned. God, I'm so pathetic.