Chapter 1:

A year has passed since our stay at Seiso Academy High School. Tsuchiara-kun and Kaji-kun took an engineering course at Seiso College, Shouko-chan and Shimizu-kun are in their senior year at Seiso High School, Amou-san is taking up Journalism, Hihara-senpai, Yunoki-senpai and I took a music course at Seiso College, and as for….

"Man, I'm thinking of shifting to the business department. Sensei is going to kill me", Mio said.

"Trust me it's not as easy as you think. I have a business proposal to worry about", Nao replied.

I gave a little laugh. Suddenly Mio looked at me and said, "Hey, Kaho-chan let's go to this new coffee shop."

Nao tapped Mio's shoulder and said, "Looks like Kaho won't be available today. Prince charming is here to pick up his princess." Nao points at the gate. A man with beautiful blue hair wearing a black, long sleeve shirt and blue jeans is standing by the gate, arms crossed. I smile at the sight of him so I rush to his side. He saw me running and gave a cool smile.

"Sorry, have you been waiting long?" I said with an apologetic tone.

"It's OK. I just got here myself", the handsome boy replied.

Finally Mio and Nao joined us. "Hello Tsukimori-senpai", Mio cheerfully greeted. Tsukimori greeted with a smile.

"We'll see you tomorrow Kaho. Have fun on your date", Nao said. I gave a wave goodbye. I felt Len's hand on mine; he took my bag and looked at me. "So, where do you want to go?" he said carrying my bag on his shoulder.

"Hmm…. Let's check out this cute gift shop by the train station. I want to buy mom something for her birthday." I answered.

"OK I'll buy something for her too", Len replied. And with that I held his arm and we started walking. Len and I have been dating for 6 months; he's studying medicine at a different university. He makes it a habit to fetch me after school, which is why he chose a school that's just a 20 minute train ride from ours. Music never left his heart; he is working as a part time music teacher. Most of his students are afraid of him because of his straightforwardness and rudeness at times. But Len will always be Len.

Finally, we arrive at the gift shop. My mom loves cooking and cute things. So I'm thinking of buying her a…

"Ta-dah! Mom will surely love this!" I happily say. Len who was standing behind me sarcastically said, "A duck in a chef's costume. How….cute".

"There's nothing wrong with it. Why? What did you get her?" I said looking at him. Len suddenly felt shy and turned away saying, "U-Uhhh… I couldn't find anything. I just thought your mother MIGHT like this." I saw him gripping a paper bag, he already paid for it. Damn Len, I wonder what he bought?

We approached the counter and paid for the Chef Duck figurine. I was thinking of asking the cashier what my boyfriend bought but it might weird her out. With that, Len took the paper bag and we left the store. I offered to carry the paper bags for him since he was carrying my bag, his bag and the paper bags but he refused claiming he can do it. I still took the paper bags and gave him a if-you-don't-let-me-I'll-scream glare. I believe he got the message and let me do what I want. After buying a few snacks we arrived at the station, bought tickets and boarded the train. Len doesn't like the idea of me fetching him from school, he says that there are lots of perverts in trains plus it's his duty as the boyfriend, Len's pride meter is overwhelmingly high. I just hope someday I'll be able to see his school; I've always wanted to check out a medical university. Finally, we arrive at our street and just around the corner sit our house. We enter our humble abode and my sister is there hanging a banner that says, "Happy Birthday MOM!" She looked at us and said, "Kaho can you help me? I can't reach the top beam." Len puts our bags down and says, "I think I can reach that. Let me handle this." My sister with a grateful expression on her face thanks Len and descends from the ladder. Len climbs up and starts hanging the banner, then my sister looked at me and said, "Oh Kaho help me in the kitchen for a while". I gave her a nod and we went to the kitchen leaving Len.

8:00pm on the clock, the time mom arrives from work, we're all excited. Suddenly, the door opened and mom came in with the lights off. "What's going on?" she said, confused. She turned the lights on and to her surprise we all screamed, "Happy Birthday!" With a laughter and smile she says, "Thank you everyone". With that we went to the kitchen, grabbed a plate and ate. Len and I decided to eat at the living room while watching TV. Its gift opening time, my sister gave my mom a pink shirt that says, "Best Mom Ever". Feeling naughty, I took Len's paper bag and gave it to mom. Len felt shy, his cheeks flushing, he turned to the TV pretending to watch. My mom opened the bag and pulled out an apron with a familiar duck face at the center. I wanted to laugh, I wanted to tell him "and you thought my gift was ridiculous" but I guess I'll save it for later. Finally, mom opened my bag and out came Chef Duck, my sister burst into laughter and Len gave an I-told you smirk. "What's so funny? It's cute, right mom?" I said hoping mom would take my side. My mom smiled and said, "Of course it is. In fact I love all your gifts, thank you." It's already 10:00pm, time for Len to go home. He bids my folks goodbye and I accompany him outside. I couldn't control myself, I laughed and said, "Nice Ducky Apron Len-kun." Embarrassed Len responded, "I couldn't find anything OK!"

"We'll I'll see you tomorrow", I say fresh from laughing. Len nodded and replied, "Try not to oversleep again, OK?" feeling insulted, I answered, "Well pardon me for being Ms. Sleeps A Lot!" Len smiled, he stood in front me and held my chin. We were looking at each other, his eyes bright as the sun. He leaned over and he kissed me! Not on the usual cheek and forehead but on the lips! I closed my eyes feeling his cool, minty lips on mine. Our lips finally unlocked, and with a smile on his face he said, "Goodnight Mrs. Violin Duck." I felt my cheeks flush a crimson red, and then I smiled and replied, "G-Good N-Night." With that he left and I hastily went back inside and up my room. I touched my lips, the sensation still present. I can't believe he kissed me; this was so unexpected of him. But I liked it, I liked it very much. I grabbed my phone, typed a message then hit send.

To: Tsukimori Len~3

From: Hino Kahoko

"Be careful on the road, Duck. "