After another day of school I return home with Himeko by my side. It was pouring out and it didn't look like the rain was stopping any time soon. I asked Otoha to start dinner while Himeko and I take a bath to freshen up. It had also rained yesterday, which reminds me.

"So Himeko, how was your date with Souma yesterday?"

"Besides the rain, it was okay."

"Just okay?" she nods her head.

"We just went to a café and had some cake" she said with a small smile, "but," her smile vanishes, "I decided to break up with him."

"Well it's about time, I was starting to go crazy from seeing her with him instead of me."

"Why?"

"I just realized I love someone else."

"And who might that be?"

"Umm…well…"

"Himeko, if you don't want to-"

"You."

"…"

"…"

"Excuse me, what was that again? I didn't quite catch that."

'I must really be taking her break up extremely well because I swear I just heard her say-'

"You Chikane."

We both start to blush, stranded in the silence filling the air.

"I'm…in love with you Chikane."

"I um…"

"It's okay, you don't have to say any-" I grab her hands right away.

"No! It's just that I've been wanting, wishing for you to feel the same way."

"Chikane."

We stare into each other's eyes and move closer and closer until,

"I love you too Himeko."

And finally, our lips met for the first time. 'This is unbelievable, I'm kissing Himeko. The girl I've loved since our first meeting. The girl I would do anything for, just to make her happy. Even if that meant I wasn't happy as well. But this time is different. I'm the person Himeko wants to be happy with, and I don't plan on losing this feeling anytime soon…or ever actually.'

Our lips part and we both are flushed to no end. She has a smile plastered onto her face accompanied with a light giggle. I smile back at her carrying just as much love as hers does.

"We should probably start heading for the bath before we forget where we are."

"…" Himeko starts blushing immediately and adverts her eyes away from me. Did I say something strange?

"Himeko, did I-" then it hit me. 'did she think I wanted to…'

"I-I didn't mean for it to sound like that! I was just saying we should hurry so Otoha doesn't wait too long." She looks back at me and smiles.

"That's okay." She grabs my hand and we start walking again. "I wouldn't have minded either way though."

I turn to look at her only to see a mischievous grin and a light tint over her cheeks. I tried to speak but nothing came out. So instead I just held her hand a little tighter and smiled to myself.

xXx

We arrived at the bath and the air is somehow…different. Was it the new sent coming from the bath, the feeling of knowing Himeko loves me just as much as I love her, or was it noticing Himeko rather excited to take a bath with me…maybe.

"Chikane, could you help me wash my hair?"

"Of course Himeko, I'd love to."

We go into the water and sit down in the more shallow end. I start lathering her hair with shampoo while she sighs contently. Feeling Himeko's hair slipping through my fingers is so relaxing and feels so natural as though I've don't this tons of times before.

I finish and rinse the soap out of her shiny blond hair.

"I'm done Himeko, is there anything else you need?" 'wow that sounded really pervy. I'm such an idiot!'

"I…would like to relax a little. Could I lean on you for a while?"

I nod and she rests her back on my front. Sliding my hands around her waist, I embrace her securely. When she begins to turn around I loosen my grip, never letting go. She wraps her arms around my neck and whispers in my ear.

"I love you Chikane."

I could never get tired of hearing those words. Before I could say the same back to her, she places her lips atop of mine once more. I kiss back with as much love as I could muster. Combined with the fragrance of the water and holding Himeko's body so close to mine, this kiss was intoxicating and only pulled me in deeper. I could feel myself falling into the moment…that was until,

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

"Ojou-sama, exuse the interruption. Dinner is ready for when you wish to eat."

Himeko and I waited for the footsteps toj vanish. Slowly the started to fade away…and it was silent. Himeko had relaxed into me as we both released the breath of air we were holding in. We looked at each other for a moment…awkward.

"we should probably get ready for dinner." I suggested.

"Hmm…" I take it she was too embarrassed to speak.

We get up and out of the water and start putting on our clean clothes. 'don't you dare look over Chikane! Himeko will think you're a pervert.' Struggling with myself, I cave in and take a glance over, only to see a fully clothed Himeko.

She was wearing her pink button up shirt and a skirt that made her look all too cute. And was, starring, directly at me.

"Himeko?" 'my glance backfired!'

"Let me help you Chikane."

"Umm," she reaches out and grabs my blue shirt from the basket.

She happily starts sliding my shirt onto my arms and buttoning it up. From the look of things she's completely oblivious to what she's doing to me emotionally. My racing heart, my sudden pace of breath increase, my face got from blushing, my hands shaking from being nervous.

"Himeko?"

"Yes Chikane?"

"I didn't quite get my…umm bra…on yet."

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't realize!"

"It's okay, I'll just put it on now, nothing to worry about." As I start to unbutton my shirt, I see Himeko's face light up and quickly turn around so her back is facing me. 'did she just realize she touched my bare chest putting on my shirt? I thought she would have noticed…or at least have planned to.' I finish putting on rest of my clothes while her back is still turned. Slowly I approach her and wrap my arms around her waist.

"I'm finished Himeko. Are you ready to eat?"

"Dinner?"

"Of course, what else would you be eating?"

"Umm…nothing."

xXx

Now on our way to the dinning room, the trip is quiet yet comforting. Himeko grabs my hand lightly and leans against my arm as we walk. We approach the dinning room and sit at the table side by side. Some of the maids came out and served us, not minding the close contact between Himeko and I. actually they seemed to be…excited. As if they were waiting for this to happen.

"Chikane, you seem distracted."

"It's nothing really. I'm just happy is all."

We smile at each other and I squeeze her hand a little to show her I'm alright. Otoha walks in with our food on a cart.

"Today's dinner is Italian themed."

"That sounds delightful Otoha."

"Thank you Ojou-sama." She smiles and places the dishes in front of us. Himeko's smile brightens and says,

"Oh, spaghetti and meatballs!"

"Do you like spaghetti Himeko?"

"Mmhm! I love Italian food, it's my favorite."

"Mine too."

I roll up some pasta and I see Himeko raise her fork up to me with a meatball.

"Say ahh."

"I um...a-ahh." 'I cant believe she got me to do this. I'm hopeless.' Being fed my dinner by the girl I love, just made life a little better.

I get some food and hold it up for her as well. She gladly takes the offer and chews happily. We continue to feed each other enjoying the atmosphere of being around each other.

She feeds me the last bite and some sauce gets on my cheek. I get a napkin and wipe it off. One of the maids came by and cleared the plates. Himeko and I are now walking to our room and I see her lost in thought.

Walking in silence gave me time to think. Considering all that's happened today. 'that was a little embarrassing, being fed by Himeko. But it was, how should I describe it…a little romantic?' I look over and see her still thinking. 'I've never noticed before but Himeko can be really romantic when she want to, and even a bit of a pervert at times, but I love it all about her. Especially when she gets really clumsy.' I get a small smile. 'like when she trips over her feet or gets dizzy in the bath from steam. Even when we were eating, she got sauce on my cheek…I wonder.'

While Himeko was still spaced out, I leaned down and licked her cheek a bit. She turns to me baffled and blushing.

"There was…sauce." Her eyes say she's not buying it.

"Thanks Chikane." She smiles and licks my cheek. "The napkin didn't get it all. You should let me do it for you instead."

"Okay, only if I get to do the same to you."

We get to the bedroom and I let her go in first. I shut the door and turn to see Himeko, but instead her lips met mine in a kiss. It's not that I didn't like it, it's just that I felt a dumbstruck when I didn't see it coming.

We part and there's a look of lust in her eyes. She moves closer and my back touches the door.

"Chikane." She presses her lips against mine and the world seemed to vanish. My hands on her waist, her hands gripping the bottom of my shirt. I feel her tongue pass by my lips and I comply by parting my lips and letting her in. My knees shaking from the sensation, I let us drop to the floor where her hands find their way into my hair. Our tongues moving and tasting each others mouths. Our bodies getting hotter by the moment. But unfortunately our body requires are so we stop for only but a moment.

"Himeko…we should move…to the be." I manage to say between breaths.