Interview with the Yokai

Chapter 7

That Tuesday morning was a rough one for Shoji, the night before he had done some soul searching and had to admit to himself that his actions with Benihime were based as much on his dislike of Tanahashi as his want to help Benihime. He had to also admit to himself that the only reason he didn't confess to Benihime like Yayaka thought he was going to, was the fact that Benihime had been absolutely right in how she had described the boys of her year and Shoji was no exception. When Shoji woke up that morning, his body was feeling well rested, but he had a weariness about him that no amount of sleep would have cured. Shoji got dressed, went to breakfast, and ate breakfast in a zombie like state, lost in his own thoughts and his own guilt. He couldn't really follow the conversation Ichin and the rest of his friends were having. When Shoji sat down in homeroom, he was hoping for it to end quickly and classes to begin so he would have something to occupy his mind.

" Boy you look blue Shoji-kun, you need to spend more time with me, i'll keep any part of you from ever feeling blue," Yayaka said putting her hands on Shoji's desk and leaning forward so that Shoji couldn't avoid looking at her bust.

" Hello Yayaka-chan, do you know how Toyama-san is doing?," Shoji asked his guilt still weighing him down.

" Here I am trying to be friendly and all you can think of is Beni-chan, sometimes I think she's the one who can truly bewitch the boys. If you're so blue because of her, don't be. Beni-chan broke up with Tanahashi-san yesterday after his soccer practice was done, in front of the whole team. She marched out onto the field, told him he was a cheater and no good and dumped him right then and there. She came over to my room afterwards and we had some girl time. She'll be fine, so don't beat yourself up, I doubt Tanahashi-san is," Yayaka said being serious.

" Thanks Yayaka-chan," Shoji said feeling a little less guilty.

" Oops, better get to my seat," Yayaka said as Okaga-sama came in. Shoji couldn't help but watch her as she walked away, hips swaying like she was dancing.

Shoji had been right as classes began the lessons forced him out of his own head and his mood improved. It also helped that Benihime seemed to be in a good mood. Some of Shoji's worries and guilt faded when he saw that the girl had returned to normal. When lunch came Shoji was getting ready to go and buy some curry bread, but he was stopped by Benihime.

" Matsumoto-san are you going to buy lunch?," Benihime said.

" Y..yes Toyama-san," Shoji said.

" I've made you a bento if you want, also you can call me Benihime-san if you like," Benihime said holding two lunch bentos in her hands. To say Shoji was surprised would be to call the Sea of Japan wet. Shoji had thought that Benihime would never talk to him unless forced to, but here she was not only asking to eat with him, but having made him lunch.

" Thank you for the bento, we can eat at my desk, Benihime-san," Shoji said.

" Thank you Matsumoto-san," Benihime said and started walking over to his desk. Shoji noticed quite a few eyes in the classroom following the exchange.

" It's no problem, you can call me Shoji-san if you want," Shoji said.

The two sat down at Shoji's desk. Shoji opened the bento that Benihime had made and the smell and look of the food was nothing short of amazing. Shoji would have expected nothing less from Benihime, it was well known that she prided herself on her cooking.

" So how are you doing Benihime-san?," Shoji asked.

" I am doing well, looking to put the past behind me and enjoy my future, thanks to you," Benihime said, her voice soft and delicate.

" If you're going to thank anyone, you should thank us, we did the heavy lifting yesterday," Mari said as her and Noriko pulled a desk next to Shoji's and sat down to eat. Yayaka also came over pulling a chair up next to Shoji.