Bootyful Secrets ~ A Koujaku x Reader

Data 05 ~ Paying Respects

The next morning, Koujaku and I had breakfast which was as good as the service up until then. Koujaku went back to our room for a bit, so I'm waiting in the lounge until he's back. I'm nervous, really nervous. Today was the day, no going back on plans. We were going to visit Koujaku's mother's grave. It would be the same as me actually 'meeting' her for the first time. Damn, if I'm this nervous I can't imagine how this must feel for Koujaku! I started up Pash to talk to her in the meantime.

"It was chilly a bit before, but now the weather looks great again." I remark and Pash nods her little head. "The weather forecast predicted a 0% probability of rain today, you shouldn't have to worry." She replies, and I stroke the feathers on her head. Koujaku soon comes into the lounge, Beni already awake on his shoulder. "Yo, sorry for the wait." Koujaku smiles. "Riiight, is everyone ready?" Beni asks before I can respond. "You seem lively this morning, Beni." I smile at the sparrow. "He's been like that ever since I woke him up." Koujaku adds.

Beni flies over in my direction proudly. "That's 'cause today is different! You never know when some serious enemy's gonna show up!" He says seriously, making me gulp. "S-serious enemy?" I ask and Koujaku wraps his arm around me. "Don't worry, if anyone like that shows up, I'll protect you. Beni's just saying that because we'll be at a place where he can't keep an eye on us." Koujaku explains, and I feel my nervousness fading. Pash flies up to Beni with an angry expression. "You idiot, don't scare (Y/N)!" She warns him.

"Right! On that note! We've had a delicious breakfast, how about we go now?" Koujaku interrupts before anything bad happens. "Yeah! Are we taking a bus from here?" I ask, changing the subject. "Yup. My mother's grave is a bit further into the mountains." He explains. "Oh, the bus is coming in five. If you miss this one you gotta wait until next hour. So hurry it up." Beni reminds us, already sitting on Koujaku's shoulder again. "Well then, let's head to the bus stop!" I suggest. "Yeah." Koujaku responds and we start walking.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

The road to the mountains is very, very wobbly. It feels like the bus is going all over the place. I hold tightly onto the bouquet of flowers I bought for today. I try to distract myself and take a look at the stunning scenery. "Woah! Koujaku, look! The mountains go on forever and the leaves are already turning red!" I say, maybe a little too excited. Koujaku looks over my shoulder and smiles. "You're right. In a little while the whole area will be red." He explains. I'm jealous of Koujaku, he got to see this scenery a lot. The reason why he could... Well, I'd rather not talk about it for now. "It'd be pretty if it all turned red..." I try to imagine with a smile on my face.

"(Y/N), do you know why maple leaves turn red?" Pash asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Ah, I don't... Why?" I ask her. Beni butts in and flies towards Pash and me. "If ya don't know, I'll set you straight. Leaves preform photosynthesis, right? It bathes in light and shiiiiines, right?" Beni asks to which I nod. I don't remember a lot from my biology classes, but this much is familiar. "Then with maple trees, right? They make starch on the inside, got it? So, starch. Where do you think it ends up going, 'cuz it'd be a problem, right? When it's warm the starch flows down to the tree's trunk y'see, right?" Beni continues.

"When the temperature drops, the starch stays in the leaves without flowing to the trunk, which makes the leaves red." Pash goes on for him. That does make sense, yeah. Beni doesn't seem happy about being interrupted at all. "Wha- Oi, Pash! I was explaining it, why'd you go interrupting me in the middle of it?" He asks. "Hmpf! You were getting longwinded so I made it simpler!" Pash says, turning her head. "Longwinded- Listen up, you!!" Beni says with a frown. "Come on, Beni. Don't put Pash and (Y/N) on the spot like that!" Koujaku scolds him.

"Keh! I wasn't putting them on the spot! It was a kindness." Beni says, seeming to get a little red. Koujaku lets out a small chuckle. "Right, right. It's fine already, so come over here, you." He smiles. "Nngg... I guess I can't help it, geeze..." Beni gives in to Koujaku and flies back to his shoulder. "Beni, your feathers are in a circle. Are you cold or something?" Pash asks, turning her head back to us again. "That ain't it! I'm showing how much I can't calm down!" Beni growls. "Ahaha, Beni? Thanks for telling me about maples." I smile at the red bird.