Tsukimori's Mission

"Hino-san?"

"Yes Tsukimori-kun?"

"It is getting very troublesome outside, perhaps we should call it an evening."
Kahoko looked outside, and mentally cried. The snow was pilling and up the wind was getting stronger. With a heavy heart, she nodded.

Unknown to her, Len was cursing the weather as well. With his departure date looming nearer, he was using every excuse he could find to spend more time with the redheaded violinist. But with the weather as it was, he could not risk her safety and well being with his selfishness.

After a few moments pause, they silently packed up their stuff, put their things on, and began to walk out as Kahoko sighed and her entire countenance seemed to slump as she said, "I am sorry to keep you so long Tsukimori-kun."

Len was not paying attention to what Kahoko was saying but instead thinking of the change. She was usually so bright and cheerful; when he had noticed the change in her body posture he wondered, "Could she be as disappointed as I? Kahoko… I will miss you." He then shook himself and said in a cold voice "It's not that you kept me, but you need the help and to practice more."

"Of course" thought Kahoko "the Ice Prince thinks that I need to practice more… I am just a burden to him..."

Tsukimori was kicking himself… He could see her shoulders sink even more, if that were possible and saw a sort of resignation in her eyes… he felt his heart constrict. He hated to see her like this, he wanted all of his memories of her to be happy "D&#* you Len! You are supposed to be winning her over not pushing her away! You want to see her again someday don't you? Behave like a Gentleman to Our Kahoko!" He was startled and wondered to himself when she had become "His Kahoko" but decided that he liked the way it sounded. Thinking fast, he spoke to try and repair any damage…

"You are not a burden, you are doing well, if you do keep your enthusiasm and match it with practice, then you should progress nicely. I am glad to help you, your company is more tolerable then others."

Kahoko listened to the so-called "Ice Prince" as he read her mind, paid her a complement, said that he liked being around her (if that was what he meant, which it was) and with a pleasant tingling in her limbs and her heart beating faster… and to her horror, sported a lovely shade of red.

"That color looks absolutely stunning on her… I should compliment her more… she looks so… yes definitely more compliments." thought Len and smirked wondering if he could find more ways to make her turn that color. And then with all the grace and casualness he could muster he stopped her at the gate, took her bag in the hand holding his, and held her now free hand in his own and asked "Shall I walk you home?"

"He's holding my HAND!" Kahoko flushed even more, inwardly screamed and could only nod, Len smiled and her last coherent thought was"He's Smiling?!" she felt her face grow hotter and her heart skip a beat…

Len's hold tightened and out of the corner of his eye, watched his Kahoko turn that wonderful shade of red, grinning he thought to himself "Compliment, hold hands, and smile… Mission Accomplished…"