Disclaimer: I don't own Kareshi Kanojo, also known as Kare Kano, and His and Her Circumstances.
Chapter 2. Sakura's Nightmare
Ritsune Okinawa stepped through the door. "Sorry for intruding like this…"
Yukino laughed. "Oh, it's no trouble at all! This is my daughter, Sakura. My sons are still at school."
"Nice to finally meet you Sakura-san, my name is Okinawa Ritsune, please call me Ritsu."
"Ni-nice to meet you too…Ritsu-san…" Sakura stumbled across her words as she spoke.
Ritsu laughed.
"So, my son tells me you're the class rep. That must be a lot of work, right?"
"Yeah…" Sakura half sighed, thinking to herself. More than you could ever know.
"Well," Ritsu smiled, "make sure you don't work too hard, live while you're still young, you know?"
Both Yukino and Ritsu laughed, probably thinking back to when they were still in high school.
"Ah, it's almost time for me to make dinner. Would you and your family like to eat with us, Ritsu-san?" Yukino invited.
Sakura's eyes widened a little.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to be a burden…" Ritsu said innocently.
YES! Sakura thought. Please refuse!!
"No, it's fine! It would be a great chance for our families to meet." Yukino seemed rather excited about having someone other than Asaba.
"If it's really ok…then I'll go get my family."
"Yes, of course!"
Sakura was completely, totally, and utterly horrified. She could not believe what was happening…it had been bad enough that she had just found out that the terror of her school day was her neighbor, and now this. She wished she could scream at the top of her lungs, but she knew it wouldn't help anything, it was too late. A few moments later, the doorbell rang again, and in came the Okinawa family…
"Sakura! So, you live here, huh? Who knew?!" Takero walked in like he owned the place…and didn't even bother to replace his shoes with slippers.
Sakura's eyes grew dark. She could tell from his voice that, of course, he'd known all this time that she lived here.
"Yeah, who knew?"
Yukino raised her eyebrows a little.
Ritsu seemed more than a little startled herself.
"I didn't realize you were already so familiar with Sakura-chan, Takero." She had pointedly emphasized the honorific at the end of Sakura's name.
Takero laughed.
"Yeah, Sakura and I spend loads of time together at school."
Sakura had the hardest time trying to keep her jaw from dropping. She couldn't believe this kid! He was lying through his teeth!
Ritsu smiled.
"Well, I'm glad you found yourself such a nice friend, Takero."
Her husband coughed lightly, as if to call attention to himself.
"Ah, let me introduce you to my husband, Hiro."
"Nice to meet you, sir." Sakura said very politely.
Hiro bowed very deeply. "Please continue to treat my son well. It's so wonderful that he has found such a great person to befriend."
Sakura was starting to wonder if Takero was adopted. How else could he have such sweet parents and be so rotten? Something just wasn't adding up here, and Sakura couldn't figure out why.
