Luna: I know how people usually go on about how they're a Kallen/Lelouch fan, a C.C./Lelouch fan, a Shirley/Lelouch fan, and so on, but I honestly can't make up my mind. TT_TT I know that my fanfiction 'Tears' was a C.C./Lelouch pairing, but I don't have any preferences; get that straight. Okay, I lied there; I'm a Suzaku/Lelouch fangirl. But if you read 'Fangs', you probably knew that already. ^_^ But seriously! They complement each other perfectly!
Back to the fanfic at hand: This is an AU fanfic (alternate universe, for those who didn't know), as well as a Kallen/Lelouch pairing, if you couldn't tell from the two characters I chose. Kallen is not part of the Black Knights (it's not the Black Knights yet, anyway), so she doesn't have any experience in piloting Knightmares, but she's still capable of it. Since she doesn't have any connections with terrorists, Kallen is able to act freely at school, so the sick and frail cover isn't used here.
Kallen: (DISCLAIMER) Luna does not own Code Geass or any of its characters. She also does not own the Music Teachers' Association of California, which includes the CM program (Certificate of Merit). Luna is not entirely sure if it is necessary to show the previous sentence, but she did it just in case.
Kallen was fuming.
She had been on her way from Ashford Academy to her piano teacher's house, where she had private piano lessons once every week, and in the car, she had gotten into a heated argument with her stepmother (she still didn't trust Kallen with a car, despite her already earning her driver's lisence). This was a usual occurrence, but today, the fight had gotten out of hand. Her idiot of a stepmother had casually insulted her Japanese bloodline, and in the process, the people who had contributed in giving Kallen her Japanese blood, and if there was one thing that Kallen prided herself in the most, it was her Japanese heritage.
So Kallen had done the most sensible thing; she had slapped her stepmother across the face.
Kallen had felt immense pleasure from the action, so she had decided to do it again.
Unfortunately, her stepmother was the one driving, so for the rest of the ride, she had swerved on every turn and had produced as much roadkill as one could in a forty-five minute drive. No, fifteen minute drive, Kallen corrected mentally as she kicked a stone angrily. The crazy woman was speeding, so we ended up arriving thirty minutes early. She snorted. And of course, she had to kick me out of the car as soon as we got here. She even had the nerve to yell at me before I slammed the door- in her face.
"Kallen Stadtfeld, you are a disgrace to your family name!" her stepmother had screeched.
"It's Kallen Kozuki!" she had hollered back.
The red-head sighed and continued to stroll down the long, winding dirt path that led to her teacher's front door. It was a long way from the road to the front porch, so she always had plenty of time to calm down and think before her lesson began. It also gave her ample time to stretch her legs, get some extra exercise, and vent her anger on every plant she passed (and there was a lot of vegetation to yell at).
Kallen could have taken piano lessons at a place close by to her school, but her stepmother had insisted on making her take lessons from the best teacher in the area (if forty-five minutes away even counted as being 'in the area'). She had obviously done it so that their family could seem even more 'honorable' than it already was. And that was how she had ended up as Villetta Nu's student.
Kallen didn't even know why her stepmother had approved of Ms. Nu; she was Britannian, but not of a high position at all- she was a commoner. There was even a rumor (well, Kallen knew that it was a fact) going around that she had a relationship with Kaname Ohgi, a close friend of her and her brother (which was how Ms. Nu knew about Kallen being a 'half-breed'- not even her friends at school knew). The mere fact that Ms. Nu acknowledged Japanese people as equals was enough for Kallen to tolerate the lady.
The fiery seventeen-year-old was halfway down the path when she heard a melodious tune resound from her destination. Curious, Kallen picked up her pace and ran. She slowed down as the oaken front door was in sight, and she swayed to the music as she walked over to it. Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven, she identified. Movement One. Ms. Nu is very talented if she can play the piano like this. The way Ms. Nu played it, though… it was so sad.
She reached the front door before she knew it, and she hesitantly knocked on the hard, wooden surface. Much to her disappointment, the music stopped and Ms. Nu called, "Just a moment!" Kallen didn't even know why she was so disappointed. Sure, she was a dedicated piano player, but she had never been so intrigued by a piece before. So why now?
The door swung open, and Ms. Nu's tanned face appeared. "Why, hello, Kallen," she greeted warmly. "You're early today."
"I know," Kallen replied sheepishly. "I had another argument with my stepmother…"
"Oh," Ms. Nu frowned. She knew about the rocky relationship of Kallen and her stepmother. "She kicked you out of the car?"
"Yeah," Kallen answered, clenching the bag with her piano books tightly.
"Well, come in, come in," Ms. Nu invited, stepping aside to allow Kallen entrance. "Can't have you waiting outside for another thirty minutes."
"Thanks, Ms. Nu," Kallen smiled, and she walked into the house. "I heard you playing before I rudely interrupted… Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, was it?"
"Yes," Ms. Nu responded. "But that wasn't me."
Kallen was taken aback. "It wasn't? But it sounded so professional…"
"I'm flattered that you think that I play as well as the pros do," Ms. Nu laughed. "Here, I'll introduce you to my other student. He has classes before you, but he usually leaves before you arrive. Wait here." She stuck her head around the turn in the hallway. "Lelouch? I'd like to introduce you to someone!"
Lelouch? Kallen wondered. Isn't that the name of the…
"Okay, you can come over now," Ms. Nu said to her before walking down the hall. Kallen obediently followed her into the room where the piano was kept. Seated at the keyboard was a midnight-haired boy with piercing amethyst eyes…
"Hello, I'm Lelouch Lamperouge," the boy greeted. "And you?"
Kallen stared. "Lelouch Lamperouge?"
"Yes," Lelouch replied, standing up and bowing slightly. "You may know me as being part of the Student Council of Ashford Academy."
"How did you know that I go to Ashford?" Kallen asked sharply.
"First of all, I read all the student files," Lelouch explained. "I've also seen you many times around campus." He smirked. "But even if I hadn't read the files or seen you before, I would have known that you were an Ashford Academy student."
"How?" Kallen questioned.
"You're wearing the uniform," Lelouch replied simply, gesturing at her outfit. Kallen reddened in embarrassment as she realized the obvious. She also saw that he was wearing the uniform as well. That did nothing to sooth her humiliation.
"If you've read the student files, then you already know my name," Kallen told him.
"Yes, I do, Kallen Stadtfeld," Lelouch smiled. "Or should I say, Kallen Kozuki."
Kallen froze. "Y-you know-"
"I never said that I only read the student files," Lelouch said. "I do background checks on certain people; people who interest me."
"That's an invasion of privacy," Kallen snapped.
"I prefer to call it research," Lelouch corrected smoothly.
"Now, now," Ms. Nu interjected. "Lelouch, we need to get back to your lesson. Kallen, you can go to the kitchen and grab a snack. Come back if you want, but please don't disturb him while he's playing."
Kallen remembered the song she had heard. "Was that you before? The Moonlight Sonata?"
"Yes," Lelouch replied. "What of it?"
"Nothing," Kallen dismissed. "I'm going to take a quick bite. I'll be back." And she hurried out of the room.
That beautiful music… Kallen thought as she bit into a chocolate chip cookie. It came from Lelouch? She had heard all about the Vice President. Apparently, he was a noble teenager who practically every girl at Ashford admired. He even had his own fan club! She constantly heard praises being showered on him every time he passed by. But to her, he had always been a pompous, arrogant Britannian.
She chewed on the last piece of her cookie and headed back to the piano room. Lelouch was playing another piece now; Raindrop Prelude by Chopin. It was simple yet elegant, and Kallen felt herself immersing in the music, hanging on every note… but it wasn't as intriguing as the previous piece.
After that, he began playing Nocturne in C# Minor by Chopin. Kallen felt sorrowful all of a sudden, and she started to become nostalgic. It was like that drug, Refrain… it brought you back to the old days. For the Japanese, they remembered their lives before the invasion. But this… this was no drug. It was pure bliss, the way it transported you back in time… still, she couldn't figure out why the Moonlight Sonata struck her as the best.
This went on for some time, and before Kallen knew it, thirty minutes was up. Lelouch was packing his books, which Kallen noticed were for Level 10. Level 10? she thought, amazed. I'm only Level 7! How is he so good?
"Good-bye, Kallen," Lelouch waved, stepping outside and shutting the door behind him.
For the rest of the lesson, Kallen could only think about the way Lelouch had said her name.
"Hey, Kallen," Naoto greeted as Kallen stepped out of the car without thanking her stepmother for the ride. She slammed the door shut (again) and ran into her older brother's outstretched arms.
"Hi, Onii-chan!" Kallen replied, squeezing Naoto tightly.
"Whoa, whoa!" Naoto laughed, patting her head. "No need to get so excited!"
"But it's been ages since I last saw you!" Kallen complained.
"Come on, Kallen," Naoto chuckled. "You know I came only last week."
"That's too long," Kallen pouted.
"Let's go inside," Naoto suggested, tugging Kallen into the mansion with him. Kallen groaned, but let herself be dragged into her home- no, the place she lived in. She would never acknowledge the wretched Britannian manor as home. She might have considered it if Naoto still lived with them, but he had moved out into a relatively small house of his own a long time ago. It was more difficult for him to pass of as a Britannian, considering his first name, but since he was the son of a noble, he was allowed more freedom and rights than most Japanese. Naoto often talked about his first name being a burden, but Kallen knew that he really didn't mean it; he was just as proud of their Japanese heritage as she was.
"Good afternoon, Kallen," a woman greeted from the staircase. "Did you have a good day?"
"Yeah," Kallen grinned. She was grateful that her real mother had decided to stay at the Stadtfeld manor to stay with the two siblings, despite all the hardships she had to face. The only way her mother could remain there was if she volunteered as a maid, which she willingly accepted. Kallen was proud of her; she had given up much to stay by her children's side.
"That's good," her mother smiled gently before returning to cleaning the rails of the staircase.
Naoto led her up to her room, shutting the door behind them. He pushed her towards the piano and took a seat on the other side of the room. "Go on, practice," Naoto urged. "I know you always do it right after you come home."
Kallen sighed and took out her Beethoven book. She opened it to the context. It should be somewhere over here… She found what she was looking for and turned to page 306. The redhead adjusted her headband (her favorite accessory, since it was a gift from her brother, who wore a matching headband), took a breath, and began to play. She had never played this piece before, but luckily, she was a great sight reader. However, since it was still her first time, it wasn't as graceful as Lelouch's- not that she had expected it to be.
When she was done, she turned to her brother, who had a thoughtful look on his face. "Mmm… Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven?" Kallen nodded, stunned and impressed. Naoto had never had any kind of musical experience, but she guessed that he had picked up a thing or two from listening to Kallen play all the time. "Why that piece?" he asked curiously. "I know that it's not a piece that Villetta assigned you; it's not in your notebook." He raised a small, scarlet book with Kallen's name on it.
"How did you-" Kallen began, but then she saw her open bag at Naoto's feet. She crossed her arms. "And when did you take that?"
"Umm…" Naoto said sheepishly. "I crept up behind you while you were playing."
"You peeked at the title and composer, didn't you?" Kallen accused. Naoto simply shrugged and grinned. "Sheesh, you're still so childish." She paused. "And I knew that you weren't good enough to be able to guess the piece's title that easily."
"You shouldn't be saying that to your older brother," Naoto rebuked, wagging his finger at her.
"That's precisely why I'm saying that to you," Kallen shot back.
Naoto laid back, his hands behind his head and a lopsided grin on his face. "Whatever."
Kallen spent the entirety of next week trying to catch a glimpse of Vice President Lelouch Lamperouge. Knowing about his reputation and dedicated fangirls, she tried to do it casually, but the sharp-eyed gossips had caught her 'red-handed'. "Kallen's finally getting interested, eh?" they had teased, wagging their fingers accusingly. "That won't do! You need to be experienced in order to even have a chance!"
"Experienced…?" Kallen had echoed.
"You need to know his habits, his history, his daily routine…" they had chorused dreamily.
"You guys are hopeless," Kallen had muttered, walking away.
Looking back on it, Kallen wondered why she hadn't denied that she even had a crush on Lelouch Lamperouge… No; don't think about it! Kallen didn't even want to consider the prospect that she might actually have a crus- Don't. Think. About. It.
"Hey, Lelouch!" Lelouch? Kallen turned. One of the windows on the second floor was wide-open, showing a blue-haired boy with a grin on his face. Rivalz, I think his name was... Rivalz Cardemonde. He's part of the Student Council... and he's talking to Lelouch Lamperouge, who is the Vice President… so that room is presumably the Student Council Room. Say, why is that silent 'z' in there, anyway?
"What is it, Rivalz?" That was Lelouch Lamperouge's voice.
"Wanna go gambling today? I know you're going to skip the next class, anyway…" What? Gambling? Mr. Perfect goes gambling? Wait, since when did I think he was perfect? Argh, Kallen, get a hold of yourself!
"Not today, Rivalz." Lelouch Lamperouge's black hair could be seen now, as Rivalz had moved to the side slightly. Kallen found the sight strangely relieving. Why? Just because the Vice President is there? No, of course not!... right?
"Oh, come on, buddy!" Rivalz complained. "We haven't gone in ages!"
"That's because I've been busy practicing for the CM Test," Lelouch replied. "You know that, Rivalz."
"Oh, you and your CM Test," Rivalz whined. "Can't you take a break for one day?"
"You know that that's not how it works," Lelouch sighed. "It's too difficult for me to spare any time to take a break. Speaking of which, I have to go practice now. See you tomorrow, everyone."
"Bye, Lulu!"
"See you tomorrow!"
"B-bye."
"See ya, Lelouch!"
Kallen realized that Lelouch had to exit through the main building, so she rushed over immediately. She spotted the raven-haired male as she rushed around the bushes. "Hey! Lelouch!" she shouted desperately. "Lelouch!"
The boy turned around and saw her. "Oh, it's you, Kallen. How are you?"
"I'm doing fine," Kallen replied warmly (to a Britannian? God forbid!).
"Did you need something from me?" Lelouch questioned.
"Oh- umm…" Kallen fumbled for words. Why did I call out to him when I don't even have any words to say? "Y-you're going to practice for the CM, right?"
"Why yes, I am," Lelouch confirmed, confused. "Would you like to come with me? Maybe I could teach you a few things."
"If it's not too much trouble," Kallen flustered.
"No, not at all," Lelouch smiled. "Unless you have a problem with having a Japanese maid and a blind, crippled girl around…" Kallen noticed that his eyes had a hint of sadness in them as he spoke.
"Japanese?" Kallen echoed.
"Yes, Japanese. Is there something- oh," Lelouch realized. "Kallen, let me tell you this- I absolutely detest using numbers to refer to living human beings. I also detest the Britannian nobles. So feel free to open up around me, alright? You don't have to hide it anymore."
Kallen's eyes widened. "You know-"
"I know your true feelings about Britannia," Lelouch whispered, making sure no one heard them. "As I said, I share them- although my grudge may even be stronger than yours."
Kallen blinked. "O-okay…"
"Shall we go now?" Lelouch asked casually, walking down the path.
"Y-yes!" Kallen stammered, following suit.
Kallen walked into the clubhouse feeling quite awkward. Having had plenty of time to think about things while heading here in the first place (since they hadn't talked the entire time), she had finally fully processed the fact that a boy- and the Vice President of the Student Council- who was a Britannian, no less- had asked her- a half-Britannian and half-Japanese girl- to come over to his house. However, she didn't feel too upset about him being Britannian. Why was that? Well, he did say that he detested Britannia, so he can't be that bad. Her thoughts were interrupted by a sweet voice.
"Onii-sama? Is that you?" A chestnut-haired girl wheeled around the corner. She was obviously blind, but her smile made up for her eye problems. Her wheelchair signified that she was crippled. Kallen felt at ease around the girl immediately.
"Yes, it's me," Lelouch smiled. Kallen was amazed at the way Lelouch looked at the girl. He had the most comforting aura around him, like he was going to make everything alright just by being there. She now felt extremely grateful that she could see (and she felt horrible for the girl as well) because she knew just how lucky she was to be able to see her brother smile at her. She swore right then and there that she was never going to take Naoto for granted again.
"Is there someone else here?" the girl asked, turning her head.
"Yes, I brought my classmate with me today," Lelouch explained.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Nunnally chirped. "I'm Nunnally Lamperouge."
"I know who you are," Kallen replied. It was true; almost everyone knew about the Vice President's little sister who was in junior high, her condition, and how much Lelouch doted on her. To be honest, she had just assumed that Nunnally was a selfish little brat, but meeting her now… well, her assumptions quickly evaporated on the spot.
Nunnally giggled. "Thank goodness; that makes introductions easier." She smiled. "I didn't catch your name."
"My name is Kallen Stadtfeld," Kallen introduced. She paused hesitatingly before adding, "But I prefer Kallen Kozuki."
"Oh! You're the half-Japanese girl who Onii-sama met at his piano lesson, right?" Nunnally asked. "Onii-sama told me about you! I can't believe I get to meet you so soon! Can you teach me some Japanese customs? I learned a lot from Sayoko, but I want to know more!"
Kallen felt a little proud that Lelouch had even bothered to tell Nunnally about her. She also felt happy that Nunnally wasn't shunning her like most Britannians did once they found out that she was half-Japanese (not that many did know). She wasn't quite sure exactly why she had told Nunnally about her heritage so readily, though, but now knowing that Nunnally admired Japanese people, she was not regretting her decision. So far, she was enjoying the Lamperouge siblings' company.
Then she realized what Nunnally had said. "You call your brother 'Onii-sama'? And who's Sayoko?" She knew that this Sayoko must be a Japanese female, considering her name and the 'ko' suffix at the end of it, but she hadn't expected Nunnally to be associated with other Japanese people.
Nunnally smiled. "As I said, I learned a lot of Japanese things from Sayoko, who is our maid, but I consider her to be more of a friend. She helps me get around, as well as helping around the house." She turned around. "Sayoko! Could you come here, please?"
"Of course, Nunnally-sama," a voice replied. A Japanese maid- Sayoko- came from around the corner. She bowed to Kallen. "Hello, Kallen-sama. Please forgive me for eavesdropping, but as I also serve as Nunnally-sama and Lelouch-sama's bodyguard, I had to make sure that you were safe. Let me formally introduce myself: I am Sayoko Shinozaki."
"N-no, it's alright," Kallen stuttered. "And you don't have to address me with a '-sama'; I'm not your charge or anything…" She seems like a demure kind of woman.
"Don't worry about it," Lelouch sighed. "I tried to get Sayoko to stop calling us that, but she refuses to."
"It shows respect, Lelouch-sama," Sayoko explained, straightening back up.
"Wait… did you say that you were their bodyguard?" Kallen inquired.
"Yes! Sayoko is the 37th Successor of the Shinozaki School of martial arts!" Nunnally chirped.
"So… you're a ninja?" Kallen asked warily.
"Yes, Kallen-sama," Sayoko confirmed. Suddenly, Sayoko didn't look so weak anymore.
"So, why are you here, Kallen?" Nunnally asked curiously. "Onii-sama rarely invites anyone over."
He doesn't? Kallen wondered. Does that mean… no, Kallen, concentrate! "I'm just here to learn some piano-playing tips from him," she explained.
Nunnally giggled. "Onii-sama is really good, isn't he?"
"Yes, he is," Kallen admitted. "Much better than me."
Lelouch smiled, clearly warmed by this compliment. "Come on, Kallen; we can't stand in the doorway all day, you know."
"Right," Kallen smiled. She was going to enjoy her stay here, what with the sweetest girl in the world, a Japanese-tolerating boy, and a Japanese maid as her company.
Kallen swayed to the music that was coming from the piano in front of her. Lelouch's fingers seemed to dance on the keys, playing the notes as if they were born to do so. Kallen didn't quite register exactly what Lelouch was playing, but she just knew that it was beautiful, it was lovely…
…and then the music stopped. Lelouch stood, looking over the piano at Kallen. "Kallen, if you want to learn something, you're going to have to come over here," he called, clearly amused.
"R-right," Kallen agreed, walking over to him. She stood stiffly behind Lelouch as he sat back down again, ready to play another piece. His fingers hovered over the keys for a moment before he set them back down onto his lap.
"Do you have a request?" Lelouch asked, looking over his shoulder.
"Umm…" Kallen thought about it. "Yes. Moonlight Sonata, please."
"Hmm? The one I played back at Ms. Nu's place?" Lelouch questioned.
Kallen merely nodded.
"Very well then," Lelouch smiled (was that a smirk?). He set his hands back down onto the keyboard and began to play. This time, Kallen paid attention to everything; the sound that rose from the piano, the fact that Lelouch played without hesitating, even though he was doing so from memory, the look of concentration that took over his amethyst eyes, the way Lelouch's hair moved slightly in the nonexistent breeze, the way his slender fingers pressed the keys lightly-
Kallen! You're doing it again! Kallen rebuked herself silently. She made sure to concentrate only on the song itself for the rest of the 'lesson'.
When Lelouch finished the piece, he began telling Kallen the most important things to remember while playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, as well as any other piece. Kallen listened attentively, wanting to know as much as she could about it. The time flew by quickly, but she didn't even notice it.
"Kallen-sama, Lelouch-sama," Sayoko called quietly, walking into the room. "I have brought some tea for you two to enjoy."
"Thank you, Sayoko," Kallen replied gratefully, taking the hot beverage gingerly.
"You always pick the right time, Sayoko," Lelouch remarked, receiving his own cup. "Kallen and I had just finished here."
After finishing their tea, the two classmates handed their empty teacups to Sayoko, who rushed out of the room to the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, "Dinner will be ready soon, so come when you're ready, Kallen-sama, Lelouch-sama." Kallen thought that she saw Sayoko wink at her before she left, but she couldn't be sure.
"What did she mean by, 'when you're ready'?" Lelouch questioned, clearly puzzled.
Kallen just stared at him. Isn't he supposed to be an intellectual genius? But then again, I don't really know myself… The two stared at each other for a long, awkward moment, deep violet eyes holding the blue pair's gaze.
"Kallen! Onii-sama! Your dinner is getting cold!"
Lelouch snapped out of his trance and called, "Coming, Nunnally!" He hurried out of the room, looking extremely flustered. Kallen felt the same way as she followed Lelouch dazedly. However, whatever she had been thinking flew out of her reach as soon as she caught a glimpse of the table. It wasn't fancy, but the plates were full of Japanese food! And it wasn't the sad excuse for sushi Britannians made these days; it was real, genuine Japanese food!
And the smell… Wow, Kallen thought in awe. Struck by a sudden sense of respect, she hastily headed to the bathroom to wash her hands. If she had eaten that kind of food with dirty hands, she would have been ashamed to even sit at the table.
Kallen ran back down, unable to wait a second longer. "Itadakimasu!" she cheerfully said, forgetting that the two others who were eating with her weren't Japanese. She picked up her chopsticks (which weren't the cheap wooden kind) and quickly (yet politely) began digging in.
As she was munching on some tempura, Sayoko entered the room with a teapot. "I see that you are enjoying yourself, Kallen-sama," she commented, amused.
Kallen swallowed and sent a smile in Sayoko's direction. "Yes! This food is amazing!"
Sayoko bowed. "I had thought that you might appreciate some of your- our- own cuisine. And it seems that I was correct."
"Yes, you're a fantastic cook," Kallen complimented, still smiling. She acknowledged me as a Japanese person, not a half-breed.
"Sayoko? What does 'itadakimasu' mean?" Nunnally inquired.
"It means, 'I gratefully receive', Nunnally-sama," Sayoko answered. "I can only assume that Kallen-sama said that before eating?"
"Yes," Lelouch replied. "I remember Suzaku saying that."
"Oh, now that you mention it, I did too!" Nunnally exclaimed. "I'll be sure to say it next time we eat, then!" She smiled. "Especially when Suzaku is around!"
"Suzaku?" Kallen questioned. "As in Suzaku Kururugi?"
"Mmm," Lelouch nodded. "He's our friend."
"The son of the Prime Minister?" Kallen asked, less surprised at the fact that the two Britannians had another Japanese friend than at the fact that they were acquainted with the Prime Minister's son. Even though she knew that Suzaku was currently enrolled in Ashford Academy, she found it hard to believe that Lelouch would befriend him just like that.
"Yes," Lelouch responded. "I'm guessing that you're wondering how we become friends?" Kallen nodded. "Unfortunately, that is a story for a later time. All I can say for now is that we met in our childhood."
Kallen, understanding that Lelouch wished to keep the rest a secret, nodded again in acknowledgement and resumed eating. No one brought up the subject again. The meal was generally quiet, only punctuated with meaningless chatter.
"Gochisosama," Kallen grinned, finally finished. "And before you ask, Nunnally, it means 'thank you for the meal'," she added quickly, seeing that Nunnally's mouth was about to open. She leaned back in her chair (but out of respect, she didn't lean the chair back itself), satisfied. "I wish I could take some of this home with me…"
"I made some extra," Sayoko interjected unexpectedly. "It's in the kitchen. I can put it all in a box if you'd like…"
"No, I can't do that," Kallen argued.
"I insist," Sayoko pressed.
"Fine," Kallen sighed, giving in. "Thanks, Sayoko; I appreciate it."
Sayoko left, but she came back soon afterwards, a box in her hands. "Here you go, Kallen-sama."
Kallen thanked her again as she took the box. She happened to glance at the clock, which was behind Sayoko, and she gasped. "Shoot! It's getting late! I need to get back home!"
"You have to leave already, Kallen?" Nunnally pouted. "Aw, that's too bad."
"I'll visit some other time," Kallen promised, already halfway to the door. "But I have to go now."
As Kallen stepped out into the night, Lelouch called after her, "Do you want me to escort you home? It's really late."
Kallen whipped around to see Lelouch framed by the light streaming from inside their living quarters. "Nah, it's okay," Kallen dismissed. "I can get back by myself. I'll just use the subway or something."
"If you're sure…" Lelouch trailed off. "I'll see you tomorrow, then."
"See you tomorrow," Kallen waved, turning back around. The light that shone from behind her narrowed in the night until it finally disappeared. Even though she couldn't see herself (and even if she had a mirror, she wouldn't have been able to see in the darkness), she knew that she was blushing.
And she also knew that she had a crush on Lelouch Lamperouge.
Luna: I was originally going to make this a oneshot, but this was the perfect place to end a chapter and I knew that this fanfic was going to be too long for a oneshot, anyway. ^_^
On a different note, this is the longest chapter I have ever written! Not including the Author's Notes and the lines separating sections of the chapter, this chapter is exactly 4,835 words! Whoo!
Please review! All criticism is welcomed! ^_^
