Interview with the Yokai

Chapter 10

" Shoji you shouldn't spoil her," Noriko said laughing at the two of them.

" No, Noriko-chan, he should, there are rewards to being on my good side," Mari said and started walking towards the door.

" Where are you going?," Noriko asked.

Mari turned and looked at her, " I already know who's going to win the matches, I keep telling you it's not that hard to figure out. You and Shoji can watch the matches, it'll be like a date." Noriko's face went flush and before she could say anything, Mari winked at Shoji and slipped out of the room.

This must have been what Mari thought of has a reward. Shoji and Noriko just stared at each other awkwardly. " You want to sit on my bed Shoji, we're going to be watching the tv so it'll be more comfortable than the floor."

Shoji made his way to Noriko's bed and sat down next to her. Being alone with Noriko in her room was a normal occurrence for Shoji, but Mari calling this a date made it feel different. For a moment Shoji wondered if Noriko had planned the situation, but no, it wasn't Noriko's way, it made more sense for Mari to be causing mischief. Still Shoji was confused, he thought that Mari didn't want him getting close to Noriko. The silence between the two was getting awkward. " Are the Oni Girls your favorite wrestlers?," Shoji asked trying to break the ice.

" Actually no, I like them, but I'm really into Machinegun Michiko, she formed a new stable called Sukeban INC. I know they're heels, but I love cheering for them," Noriko said. The two kept making small talk, with Noriko filling Shoji in on rivalries and bits of wrestling trivia. In no time the awkwardness that Mari had caused was gone and Shoji found himself having a really good time. Noriko also seemed to be more confident being alone with Shoji, she seemed more like the Noriko who ran the anti-bullying campaign than someone who was bashful around her crush.

" You look like you're finally cheering up Shoji-san," Noriko said, turning to look at him.

" Mari-san did make things a little awkward, but tonight has been fun," Shoji said.

" I meant how you've been moping recently, you were shook up about what Benihime-san said at lunch that day weren't you?," Noriko said focusing her full attention on Shoji as a commercial came on. Shoji was surprised that Noriko had guessed part of what was upsetting him. " I guessed right, but it wasn't really that hard. Benihime-san probably thought she was doing you favor by giving you a heads up about how special you are, but it's a big burden to drop on your shoulders during a conversation at lunch."

" It just made me think about what I'm doing in life. You girls all seem to be so sure with what you're doing. Not only are you sure, but you are aiming so high with your life goals. None of you expect to live a simple life, you all have lofty goals, you all are set to be people who are known the world over. I just feel that I'm not part of that world, I can't reach those types of heights," Shoji said letting his frustrations out.

" It's not fair to compare yourself to us, we understood what it means to be a great yokai and we've wanted to be one since childhood. We grew up knowing the influence we have on humans and each one of us, we all enjoy the spotlight. We enjoy being the center of attention and don't like being just another face in the crowd, it's the simple truth. You on the other hand just learned about your connection to Monk Boitan, you haven't been given the opportunity to choose. I will tell you though that not every reincarnation of Monk Boitan, has embraced his natural aura. You can chose to live the simple life if you want. You might attract some attention, but no one becomes great by simply being born, not even a reincarnation of Monk Boitan," Noriko said placing her hand on Shoji's.

" It seems like you're giving me a way out, I can just live the simple life and be happy. It seems wrong though, when I compare my life to how you're living yours," Shoji said feeling his own insignificance against the weighty aspirations of Noriko.