Of Yokai and Hopeless Romantics

Chapter 6

Benihime was still undecided about Shige when Saturday came around. Benihime was a bit nervous about sitting for a painting, it seemed like an intimate act, to sit there for hours with a boy she barely knew staring intently at her body. Benihime was getting cold feet about the whole proposition, but she had given her word. Benihime decided the best thing she could do was bake something. Waking up early and deciding to make some cookies, Benihime knew that immersing herself in her element would give her a calm she could carry with her for the rest of the day. When Benihime pulled the cookies out of the oven and boxed them to take with her, her anxiety over sitting for the painting had faded away. When Benihime turned to walk to her room she was greeted by a smiling Mari who had snuck into the kitchenette unheard.

" I thought you might try to bail on me, but I see you're putting an effort into my matchmaking," Mari said looking at the cookies. She had her backpack with her, which was odd.

Mari had obviously misinterpreted Benihime's baking and she didn't feel like correcting her friend's assumption, " Yes, I thought we could all use some snacks."

" Can I have one now," Mari said reaching out for the box.

" No, you shouldn't eat sweets before breakfast," Benihime said pulling the box away and starting to walk towards the hallway. Mari followed, pestering Benihime and trying to get a hold of the cookie box, the whole way to the dining hall.

As Benihime sat down to eat breakfast with Mari, she couldn't help but keep thinking about how Mari might be passing off Shige off on her. " What made you think that Ukitake-san would be a good match for me?"

" Because he has a kind heart and after talking to Yayaka-chan, I know that is what your boyfriend needs the most," Mari said not batting an eye.

It was true, Benihime did like people with kind hearts, at least now she did, she had been burned by a bad boy once. " How are you so sure that he has a kind heart?"

" Because when he came across an injured cat, he tried to nurse it back to health," Mari said.

Of course, Mari would believe anyone who would help a cat had a kind heart. Benihime decided to get down to what was really troubling her, " but he seems to like you."

" He doesn't like me, he sees me as his muse, plus he's a little frightened of me," Mari said.

" How do you know that?" Benihime asked, thinking that was a very specific answer.

" Because he is only interested in me because of how great his last painting came out. The aura he was able to put into it, gave it something he had been missing in his work. At the same time I let a lot of my aura out, it terrified him, but he can't help staying close for his art," Mari said a wicked smile on her face.

" That sounds really mean," Benihime said reproaching Mari.

" I wanted to test his sensitivity, it was a scientific experiment," Mari said brushing off Benihime's remark. " Anyway rest at ease, if Shige-san was one of those losers looking to confess to me I wouldn't try setting him up with you."

Benihime was once again surprised by just how callous Mari was to her admirers. Sure she had no interest in boys, but she seemed to despise anyone who thought they could be with her.

The two finished their breakfast and then headed to the Arts Studio. When they arrived Shige was already set up and looked to have been there for some time.

" Hello Mari-san, Toyama-san, I have everything set up whenever you are ready," Shige said bowing to both the girls.

" We have to change first, keep yourself busy until then," Mari said.