Knight in Shining Tracksuit

Chapter 4 - Five Yen

"My name is Yato, and this is my partner, Yukine. Now... How can we be of help?"

I find myself simply staring at the two men before me. Yato was beaming, but Yukine looked as though he had better things to doing. He probably did... "When did you... How did you.." I begin muttering, at a loss for words. I'm slightly shocked at the sudden appearance of Yato and his partner, but more so I have no idea what to say. I already said he couldn't help me. My problem is practically unsolvable!

Yato kneels down slightly, his smile softening from a grin to that of a kinder, more understanding one. His eyes drifted slightly, seeming to look me over before he spoke again. "Why don't we start with a proper introduction then, since you're still a little shy. You know our names, but we don't know yours." he says kindly. I notice Yukine make a bit of a face and imitate kicking Yato's behind, but he doesn't seem to notice with his eyes on me.

"O-oh. Right. Uh, my name's Miu. Miu Aika.." I reply after a moment. I was lost in Yato's eyes for a moment but found myself finally speaking. "It's a pleasure to meet you. But... how did you know where to find me..? Most people don't even know this section of the park exists.."

"Oh that! Well you see, that's because I'm a god! I know about everywhere and can get where I'm going as quick as I need!" he explains simply. He says it as though it should be obvious, but I simply raise an eyebrow as he keeps going. "And that, my dear miss Aika, is why I'm able to solve any problem!" he adds, giving me a thumbs up and a dorky smile. How could he be so cheerful...? Was everyone like this? Was it just me that felt like this..?

"A god..." I mutter softly. It sounds crazy, but I kind of want to believe him, if only to find hope where I hadn't before.

"The best there ever was!" he replies, before getting a slight smack on his head by the other.

"Not yet you're not. Don't go boasting about something you haven't accomplished yet, Yato!" Yukine scolds. Despite looking younger, it was almost as though he were the one in charge in this moment. Almost... motherly it seemed. That thought makes me smile weakly.

Yato goes about scolding Yukine back, mentioning how a shinki should never hit it's master, but he gets distracted by something. "Hey... You can smile! I was starting to worry there." he says happily to me, smiling a little more. For some reason, his words cause me to start blushing softly. Maybe because I rarely hear people say things like that...

Yato finally stands and stretches, before offering me a hand. "Come on... It's getting late. Even if you don't tell me what your wish is, the very least I can do is make sure you make it home." he says kindly. Yukine shoots him a look but Yato waves it off. I look up at the hand offered to me and hesitate. He seems so nice... Too nice. I gently take his hand after a moment, surprised at how gentle his strong grip seemed as he helps pull me to my feet. "There. Much better, right? Now let's get going, before it gets too dark." he says cheerfully, starting off and waving me along with him.

The three of us begin walking, and I direct Yato and Yukine towards my house quietly. I'm lost in thought almost the whole walk, Yato and Yukine talking amongst themselves for a moment about something that sounded serious if it weren't for Yato's chuckles and smiles. I'm finally pulled from my thoughts as Yato begins speaking to me again.

"Say, you're awful quiet... Something on your mind?" he asks kindly. I hesitate before slowly nodding my head. "Is it what you called me for..?" he asks after a moment. Again, I slowly nod my head. "Well, you might not believe me, but you can talk to me! I won't tell a soul. And I can help if you want to give it a try. Pain free..." he adds with a small smile, before walking ahead again.

I find myself pausing slightly as I think about his words. He acted like he knew something even I don't know, but in an instant he's back to grinning and pointing out silly things along my route home. Finally, I stop in front of my house. "We're here..." I say quietly, glancing up at the small condo left looking almost abandoned. It certainly felt that way...

"This is your house?" Yukine questions, a judging time to his voice before Yato smacks him on the head. "What? It looks like it hasn't been touched in weeks! The grass is long and I can see the dust and spiderwebs on the deck from here." he explains grumpily, rubbing his head with a glare at Yato.

"S-sorry about that. I've been a little too busy the last few days to get to it. I wanted to clean after I did my shopping yesterday but...." I trail off slightly as I gently rub my neck where the feeling linger. Yato gives me a briefly questioning look before smiling.

"No need to apologize! If you'd like, me and Yukine could help. Just this once of course." he offers with a wink. Yukine is about to spout something unhappily when the two seem to share a knowing look. Yukine calms down and nods in agreement.

I instantly wave a hand no, shaking my head too. "No, no! You don't have to. I can get it done tomorrow I'm sure." I try and reassure them. "You don't have to do anything for me. In fact, I'm probably just keeping you from something else since I was the one who called you.."

"Nonsense! It's our job to help those in need." Yato replies proudly. "I just wish we could have helped you more."

I hang my head slightly at his words. He seems so nice... My hands begin fishing around my pockets for my keys when I feel something else in my pocket. I turn around slightly and hold up the five yen coin. "Actually...."