"Azuma," Kahoko's soft voice cut across the black silence in the cold, dark practice room. He had been taunting her a moment before. Cruel and biting as a snake. But now that the lights were out he could not maintain the same malice.
"Kahoko?" he breathed in return. He felt around in the darkness, trying to follow the weak sound that had escaped from her lips. He felt her cold fingertips and snickered as she jumped. "It's alright," he said reassuringly. He wrapped his fingers around her own, the gentle embrace of their hands. "I'm here," he said.
He felt her head gently plod against his chest. Felt her shaking, so fragile, against his warm body, cold in contrast to his heat. He tried to break from the grasp, but Kahoko was holding on too tightly. Thunder broke the silence, then Azuma spoke.
"You're freezing, Kahoko," he said gently. "I'll help. Just relax your grip." Azuma eased one of his hands from her grasp and pulled it around her, drawing her in up against his chest. "Am I warm?" he asked. Kahoko squeezed his hand, and he felt her head gently moving up and down against his chest.
"Don't worry, Kahoko dear..." Azuma let the words hang in the air. He had not intended for the last word to come out. He struggled to think of a way out of it. "Dear me, what a strange situation we have been thrust into."
Azuma felt like bashing his head against a wall. He had only made it worse. Where was his coolness now? Instinct made him turn to back away, but Kahoko clung to him tighter. "Don't go," she said. "I need you."
"You need me?" asked Azuma in disbelief. He reminded himself of the situation. "Oh..." What was wrong with him? He had insisted so many times that he couldn't like Kahoko, but he was acting so strange. His heart was racing at her close proximity. His mind alive at the opportunity.
It's a dark room. No one will see. The world is far away. Azuma laughed to himself and decided that he didn't care. Whatever happened in this room would be between the two of them. Kahoko wouldn't tell anyone, he knew. He held too much power over her.
It was time, he thought to himself. Now or never. It wouldn't be difficult. He didn't want much after all. He eased his hand from Kahoko's grasp and slowly worked his hand up Kahoko's face, first tracing her neck with his fingers, then her cheek. He put his hand gingerly into her hair, just at the base of her head and tilted her head upwards.
"Kahoko, I lied when I said I didn't like you." The lightning flash illuminated Kahoko's beautiful face as Azuma procured one gentle kiss.