MHG-V3-4 (Initial Draft)

Chapter 14 - Closer to the darkness

*** (samantha talks to mark)

"She wants a human body, you say?" Mark replied, sitting back in his chair.

Samantha stood before him, having just explained about her conversation with Teruko last night. Although it was a wish fraught with sadness, she was relieved. It was an impossible wish. There was no way Mark could use something like that against her.

"Of course its impossible." Samantha said, light heartedly. "But that's what she wants. I guess unless.."

"It is certainly a peculiar request," Mark interrupted. "But in such a world as we live in, I wouldn't say anything is *impossible*."

"Excuse me?"

"Thank you Samantha. You've been very helpful already. You may go now."

"But.."

But Mark had already shifted his attention to his holopane and was ignoring her.

Samantha left the room in a bad mood. What did that mean? There couldn't possibly be a way he could use that information against Teruko, was there?

*** (ken and samantha's date)

Ken stepped out of the taxi and walked along the street looking for the address mentioned in the message: Star Cafe.

It wasn't hard to find, and as he walked up the stairs to the quaint looking coffee shop he noticed Samantha sitting at a seat in the window.

"You came." She smiled, as Ken sat down opposite her at a small two-person table.

"So how come you called me out here?" Ken asked, looking around nervously. It was his first time meeting a girl in a coffee shop, and it wasn't even with Teruko. "You could have just caller, right?"

"I wanted to treat you with my first wage." Samantha said naturally. "So choose something yummy. They have nice cakes here too."

"Ahh.." Ken scratched his head as he picked up a menu and looked over it. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Samantha watching him. He looked up at her and she suddenly diverted her eyes.

"Are you.. okay?" Ken asked.

"Hm? Of course." Samantha said, clearing her throat, "Why?"

"Well.. calling me here like this... isn't it a little bit like a... date?"

Samantha's face suddenly went red and her eyes went wide.

"W-what are you saying? I said I just wanted to treat you! If Teruko could come I would have invited her too!"

"Ah.. sorry." Ken said weakly.

"To be honest I'm surprised Teruko let you come.."

"What do you mean?"

"You two are like this, right?" She crosses her fingers as she spoke, "So she must know about this. You know how jealous she can be.."

"Yeah.. she isn't responding much these days." Ken said sadly, looking out the window.

"What do you mean?"

"Since a few days ago.. it feels like she almost shut down completely. Neither Ayaka or I can wake her up. Its really bothering me.."

"Since a few days ago?"

Samantha guiltily recalled her conversation with Teruko and wondered.. it wasn't because of her, was it?"

Suddenly a waitress appeared.

"Are you ready to order?" She asked.

"I'd like a slice of strawberry cake." Samantha said.