.:Chapter 1:.
February 18, 1998
A blue-haired seven year old boy just moved into the neighborhood. He seemed not to like his new house… for him it wasn't home. So he just decided to roam around and explore this new place. There's nothing extraordinary for it was a place far from the city and that's the exact reason why he hates it there. It's just an old town, but compared to the industrial level of the city, its level won't have much gap.
"Mom, why do we have to move here?"
"Because our house must have a garden near it."
"Can't we just dig out that dirt on our backyard?"
"I hate dirt, Len."
"You write articles about plants and you hate dirt?"
"Stop this nonsense conversation Len. Do something. Something that will occupy your time instead of bothering me here."
"What am I gonna do? This old apartment is killing me! This has nothing but squeaky doors and rusty windows!"
"Anything! Just – Just let me work!" She faced her computer again, ignoring Len. Len, not wanting to be ignored, stomped his feet and circled Misa, creating annoying noises.
"Len! Okay, okay! Here!" She handed him a notebook. "Count everything you find interesting in this place. Now go leave!"
That's the reason why he is roaming around this place they call 'Pink Palace'. Is this a palace? More like hell! Suddenly, he heard a sound. Hmm. Ave Maria? He kept listening to the sound. By Franz Schubert? Hn. She missed a few notes. but still, it sounded different. It felt like the person playing it weaves her own music, and draws the listener close to her, or his heart. He kept on listening until his gaze fell onto a little girl with short, wavy hair, colored red. He just stood there; until golden orbs pierced into his. She looked away, she seemed afraid of him. She fixed her things and prepared to leave, but Len stopped her.
"Wait!"
She hesitantly turned around to face Len and for the second time, he was stunned by her for at a young age, her beauty shone brightly. He didn't notice he was staring at her for so long she was already walking away from him.
"Wait! Please wait for me!" He ran to catch up with the girl, but unfortunately he tripped on a rock and at the same time, the girl faced him.
And on the eighteenth of February, year nineteen ninety eight, Tsukimori Len had his first kiss.
Len got up first since he was on top, and didn't even dare to look at the girl. He was madly blushing.
"Does that mean I'm already your friend?"
He got surprised at the reaction of the girl. She isn't angry?
"Huh?"
"My Dad always says you only kiss those persons close to you. You kissed me, so that means –"
"No! It happened by accident!"
Great Len. Now you scolded her for doing nothing wrong. Now I'll scare her. Good job.
But the girl just kept on smiling.
"Okay! As you say so… But do you want to be my friend? Me, I want to be yours!"
Lucky he was, the girl was so naïve. Or, she just understands much. She offered her hand. "Friends?"
He shook her hand. "Friends."
"I am Hino Kahoko!"
"Len Tsukimori."
"Len-chii! That's what will I call you!"
"Len-ch-chii?"
"Yeah!"
"But that's so girly!" He said, frowning.
"You're frowning, that's why,"
"What it has to do with my frowning?"
"Every time I say chii, my lips form into a curve and turns into a familiar smile. Try it!"
"Chi." He said, emotionless.
"No! It's chii! Not just chi!"
"Chi."
"Chii!"
"Chi."
"Chii!"
"Chii." It looked like more of a crooked smile.
"Finally! Now say it with my name. Say Kaho-chii."
"Kaho-chii. Kaho-chii!" Now, it looked like a real smile.
He realized it's so easy to say it with her name.
"Here." She handed him a blue plastic ring with a simple string, making it at least look like a necklace. "Keep it as a sign of our friendship. Mine's red."
He showed a confused look. "Isn't rings for newly weds? We aren't husband and wife." She laughed. "Think whatever you want to think of it." Then he made a decision. He stood up and bowed to her. "Then please, be my wife!" She laughed slightly. "But being married means a lot of responsibility, as what Mom says."
"But you said I can think whatever I want to! Right now, I want to be your husband!"
"Husband? But Len-chii…"
"Please, Kaho-chii. Be my wife, would you?"
"Do you like me, Len?"
"Yes! I really really like you!"
"Okay then, you and I are married to each other."
"I'll hunt down every suitor of yours, Kaho-chii. Don't they dare to touch my wife, or else."
She smiled at her promise. She knew by heart… that it was true, and will keep it for the rest of her life. Even though she wasn't so sure, if he will.
"Len-chii, it's getting dark now. My father will be angry if I come home late."
"Okay, take care Kaho-chii." And he kissed her cheek. How cute.
As she disappeared from his sight, he didn't know what tomorrow could bring. But one thing was for sure: He's married to the girl he just met minutes ago.
But that, his first encounter with her, became the last.
x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0
"So that's why I can't accept your confession."
"You're… already married, Tsukimori-kun?"
"Yes."
"But you said you haven't seen that Kahoko for 10 years! You should give up – "
"I won't. And don't ever think of it. Sorry, but if you want me to talk to you about this matter, you're wasting my time."
Our cute Len-chii grew up to be a tall handsome lad admired by many, mostly by girls. But despite how many confessions he's got, he still yearns for his Kaho-chii.
'What if that girl is right? That I'm waiting for nothing? Maybe Kaho-chii herself have forgotten me… her Len-chii she promised herself years ago…'
Then the bell rang. 'sigh. Another boring class. If only Kaho-chii's here, this class will be probably extra special.' Their homeroom teacher, Michiko Yokoyama, entered their room.
"Okay class, we have a new student. You may come in."
A girl with long wavy red hair entered the room. Smiling, she introduced herself. "Good morning everyone. I am Hino Kahoko, sixteen years old, from Mizugaki High School. I'm looking forward to this year with these fresh faces of yours. Please be my friends." She bowed formally.
'She's so pretty!'
'Look at those curls! It fits her perfectly shaped face!'
'She looks kind! I wish she'll go out with me!'
'Idiot! A girl that beautiful probably had a boyfriend!'
'Eh?'
'Why don't you ask?'
A boy raised his hand. "Sensei, may I ask her a question?"
Their teacher nodded. "Yes, you may."
"Hino-san, do you already have a boyfriend?"
A blue-haired lad tilted his head to see her reaction. Yes, the reaction of his Kaho-chii, if she is the real Kaho-chii.
"Nope, I don't have."
A loud squeal was heard from the boys, except Len. A dark aura was surrounding him now.
'How could she forget me? I kept my promise! She… She…'
His sadness was replaced by anger when another boy asked her.
"Then, would you go out with me? On a date?"
'That bastard! How dare he! She's mine!''
Flashback
"Okay then, you and I are married to each other."
"I'll hunt down every suitor of yours, Kaho-chii. Don't they dare to touch my wife, or else."
End Flashback
Len can't take it anymore. He was about to stand up and punch that bastard who tried to steal his Kahoko from him when she answered.
"I'm afraid not," she said, still smiling. "But I hear my husband is studying here; he may beat you up. He's slightly possessive of me since we're young."
.:End Chapter 1:.
Review, please! Lovelots, me.