For a moment Kurama had believed them in the clear. Botan need only smile and openly confirm that he was her boyfriend, leaving no shadow of doubt for their unreasonable peers. As it turned out, Botan had been more agreeable in this ploy than he thought. He caught her smile, mischievous as it was adorable, just as her arms came around his body. She delivered a line that went against his previous. Genius. Couples did not always agree on the way things are handled. Even turning her persona into that of a very animated girlfriend was worthy of applause, and helped sell the idea that they were both just hiding themselves away. Botan was doing so well that he didn’t realize just how close she had gotten until she brought their lips together in a sudden, deep kiss. 

Unprepared as he was, Kurama kept his composure in the heat of the moment. His idle hands rose up and planted themselves at her side, neither pushing her away nor bringing her close. The softness of her lips surprised him even more than the act itself. Botan’s ability to get in character was impressive and most welcome. The natural fragrance that scented her body was appealing, adding to the already pleasant closeness she provided. When she tilt her head and pressed in, he had instinctively turned his own in the opposite direction, slowly closing his eyes as well. For a while he wasn’t sure who would break the lock first, but when the pressure of Botan’s lips began to weaken from his own he had known to peel himself away just as she did. Opening them again, their eyes met in a situation that should have been a bit more awkward for pretenders. Strangely, Kurama felt no embarrassment, only excitement.

[color=f7941d][i]‘She’s…’[/i][/color] His thoughts trailed no further, far too wrapped up in her eyes. If it wasn’t for a girl speaking up he wasn’t sure if he would have looked away in time. Even with the kiss broken he could still feel her lips on his own. In the back of his mind, he wished they had a moment longer. Maybe this pretending business wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Turning to the remains of the crowd, Kurama had a story in mind that could be used to cover for them both. Surprisingly, Botan had taken the initiative with a cover story of her own. He watched her from the corner of his eye as she explained her entire story, offering the spectators enough for them to understand that from the very beginning they had formed a connection. Ascending together in a ferris wheel was a popular concept in romantic works, and when you added dinner together following that you had a recipe for an ideal date. As Botan concluded her story, it struck him as odd that she thought of the scenario so quickly. Reaper or not, she also had dreams. Those dreams could include an ideal date with a good person by her side. It may mean a lot to her if he managed to offer her that opportunity in the future. 

The nature of their date had left little room for nonbelievers now. Some scowled at Botan and others hung their heads in disappointment, denied their chances at dates with two of the upper echelon of boyfriend and girlfriend material. Finally, they were alone again.

[color=f7941d][b]“Your lips are very soft,”[/b][/color] Kurama smiled, closing his eyes as a finger brushed across his lips. The tingling sensation hadn't vanished yet.[color=f7941d][b] “I apologize for how sudden this story of ours became romantic, but it was the only thing I could think of to have the other students keep their distance, at least for a while.”[/b][/color] He would believe that the girls would make a voodoo doll of some kind in Botan’s image, hoping for some misfortunate that would make Shuichi available to them. Obviously the boys would wish the same for him. Lust was a powerful emotion. They had shaken off the masses for now, but there may come a time where a couple of them wouldn’t understand the circumstances clearly. Botan was taken. 

Kurama opened his eyes and looked to her spectacles. [color=f7941d][b]“Your explanation of the energy, before we were interrupted?” [/b][/color]

Giving Botan the chance to finish her explanation, the two were then able to finish their lunch and become used to their new role as the latest hot couple at school. The rest of the day was peaceful, save for the several glances of sadness and frustration from men and women alike. This news wasn’t taken well by a small batch, but Kurama was used to ignoring those that resented him. Botan would need to learn, too, if she intended to go about her day with him, especially now that he would start holding her hand to and from school. As the day came to a close, Kurama had done just that, keeping his bag in his left hand and clutching Botan’s hand in his right. With the last of the looks given by their peers as they departed for the day, Kurama was once again ready to speak about matters that didn’t concern school.

[color=f7941d][b]“About your story,”[/b][/color] He tread lightly, giving pause before glancing at her, hand still held closely in his even after passing the iron gate. [color=f7941d][b]“It occurred to me that I know very little about you. I know that you ferry souls. You're intelligent and capable, but what about your dreams? How much of what you told mother and our classmates is true in your heart?” [/b][/color]

Did reapers dream? What did Botan do before this job, and did she intend to do this forever? The more Kurama thought about this now, it was almost insulting to Botan that no one, bar Koenma, might have an answer to these questions. She had been committed to helping them as Team Urameshi in the Dark Tournament, dedicating her time and energy to supporting them and Spirit World as capably as she could. When was the last time anyone had asked about her ambition as a person? Kurama was embarrassed, and rightly so. Botan deserved an ear. She was more than just Koenma's assistant. 

She was a friend.