The Intruder

"I'm really sorry. It was my fault." The old man said for the nth time as the two concerned figures were still silent. The woman was sitting on one of the couches and played with her shaking hands while the younger man was pacing along the entirety of the room. "No, it's not your fault. It was mine." The younger man countered.

"No, it was mine. I should have just-"

An exasperated sigh came out from the blue-haired man as the girl tried to join in the conversation again. "S-Sorry." Kahoko mumbled and lowered her head.

It turned out that the room was already taken by the man, Tsukimori Len. He went for a three-week trip abroad prior to Kahoko's inquiry about the rooms. Len thought that he might stay longer so he decided to give the key back for safekeeping, but had a duplicate just in case. He even wrote a small note about his departure on the desk. But for some reason, the note went missing and the key was the only thing that the old man found. Old Tohno phoned Tsukimori to ask about the key but he couldn't reach him. Turned out that the said lad wanted to have an undisturbed vacation and only brought his secret phone with him. Tohno, in turn, called at the owner and inquired. The woman didn't recall that Tsukimori was leaving the apartment for good but she told him that the she did, instead, recall a short conversation about his departure that might take him a long time. Since Tsukimori was often out and about, and left without much notice on the nature of his trips, the lady considered the room for sale. Besides, the room only served as a pit stop for him between his house and his work. If he does return, then she could easily sign him up on one of the other free rooms in her second apartment building. She was secretly being annoyed at his attitude of just going out for long periods of time without notice.

"There isn't any spare room in this building." Tsukimori said to no one in particular as he continued pacing. "I'm afraid so, Tsukimori-san." Tohno replied. "And no sign that somebody would be relinquishing their renting any time soon." He added.

"So…" Kahoko started, casting a careful look at the frowning and ready-to-kill Tsukimori Len. "What do we do now?" she asked meekly. She couldn't find it in herself to just stay quiet while a big problem, which deeply concerned her, was eating them all out.

With another annoyed sigh, Tsukimori stopped pacing, ran a hand over his face and crossed his arms. "I have an idea." He said and sent a sharp look at the red-haired woman. His blood began to boil again at the mere thought of her. "I'll agree to let her stay here until she finds another place for herself." He announced. Kahoko smiled and all her fears and worries melted away like a river at the start of Spring pushing away the snow that covered it during the Winter. "Thank you so much, Tsukimo-"

"Only for a month." He abruptly added. The girl's new and warmer image of the guy instantly changed back to the dark-cloaked and sinister reaper when he uttered the words. Well, she can't really say anything back. He was still the owner of the room and the declaration of the landlady was due to a mistake and a misunderstanding. He still had the final say in this situation. "O-Of course. One…month." She repeated, nodding slowly as she stared back to oblivion. Will she be able to instantly find herself a new place to stay in that short span of time? This place was too good to leave and she doubted that she could find, by herself, a similar unit for herself. She was friendless and on her own now. Just as she thought that she was getting settled firmly on this new ground, she was shoved away by a cruel intruder.

"Let's just deal more about this tomorrow. I've just landed and I don't feel like arguing anymore." Len said and loosened the tie on his neck. Tohno nodded and apologized again before getting out. Kahoko stood as Len took his coat in his arms. "Uhm…" she said as he was heading for the bedroom. "Let me just get my pillow and some blanket so you can sleep on your bed now." She said and stepped forward. "Uh, no." he stopped her, his voice a little softer this time. She saw how weary he looked and she felt a little bit guilty for keeping him awake when he should have been sleeping.

"I'll use the sofa. I suppose the spare pillows and blankets are still there?"

"Yes. Let me get them for you."

"Hino?" he called her softly.

"Is…there something else you need?" she replied in the same manner. The guy shook his head. "Nothing. I was just…confirming your name. Hino Kahoko, isn't it?" he answered. She smiled a little before hurrying to give the man his requested items. Out of protocol, they bid each other good night and called the day to an end.

Kahoko couldn't sleep much. The thought of the one month duration haunted her like a murderer lurking behind the shadows. She tossed and turned on the bed but she felt like sleep was evading her. She thought of her family back home. Naturally, she had to inform them of her current problem. She was sure that they would be much more worried about her. And they would be worrying again about her new lodgings.

Len wasn't used to sleeping on the sofa. He felt very uncomfortable and he kept on thinking about falling to the floor. Also, he was still feeling a little unsettled because he had just landed from his thirteen hour flight. The dizziness was buzzing around him and he got up several times. "And I even have a morning meeting. Great." He said and tossed himself on the sofa, which sent an audible creak. He wondered if he could bear the thought of sharing his prized unit with a total stranger. He wasn't the sociable type of person, that was very much of a given. "Heavens, spare me." He muttered before curling to his side and forcing shut his eyes…

The faint sound of footsteps trudging over the floor stirred him awake. Soon, the smell of freshly cooked hotdogs and eggs were carried on by the wind to him. He squinted at the shaft of sunlight that was illuminating the room. He heard some plates being taken from the cupboard and the sound of utensils being carried on. "Ah, good morning, Tsukimori-san. You're just in time for breakfast." Came the sound of his roommate's voice. He sighed as he got up and shook his head to wake himself. He was just about to tell himself that what happened last night was a wild dream. "What…" he said as he groggily stood. The weariness from last night's long flight was still lingering a bit. "Do you want to use the bathroom first?" Kahoko was beside him now. He gave an audible breath before heading to the said room. Somehow, she was worried if he can carry on with himself inside, considering his state.

"Well, at least he's not glaring." Kahoko told herself then resumed to make some coffee. She wondered if he liked it black or not. After about five minutes, Len got out of the bathroom, his face washed and his hair fixed. He looked a lot better now after getting some rest. He took a seat on the little table and began to eat. Kahoko carefully placed his cup of coffee on his side. "I didn't know what you liked for coffee so it's just black. Do you need the milk or sugar?" she asked, as she placed her own cup beside her plate. Len wiped the sides of his mouth before shaking his head. "No, black's fine. Thank you." He quietly said before resuming eating. Kahoko nodded to herself and took her own seat.

She stared at him through her lashes while they were eating in silence. She wondered if her cooking passed his standards. "So, uhm, I hope that-"

"I'll be out until lunch." He announced before taking a sip on his coffee, and interrupting her. "Do you have work today?" he added as he finished his meal. "Uh…yes, I have work until late afternoon." She responded. Although he spoke sharply, he was kind enough to consider telling her about his schedule. "I-I'll be doing some shopping for more supplies after work so I might be out a bit later." She added.

"Fine. I'll do dinner."

"Eh? Wont it be too much of a bother for you? I mean, you've just returned and you ought to be resting still. I'll just hurry with the shopping so I can get home early."

"I've been living by myself for almost five months so making dinner is not an issue for me." He replied before standing. "I'll just…get prepared and I'll be off. I have a meeting coming up. Excuse me." He said then left, with Kahoko staring at him as he left.

"At least he's not glaring at me." She whispered and finished off her own meal. While she was doing the dishes, and Len still busy preparing, she heard a knock on the door and hurried to get it. But just as she was about to leave the kitchen, the door swung open by itself. Immediately, Len came out from the bathroom, dressed again in a much finer suit, and shot dagger looks at the entryway. "Tsukimori-san…" she said but he held a hand up to shush her.

"I told you to wait for me to open the door for you instead of pick locking it." He announced as footsteps started to come to them. Soon, a woman with curly coffee colored hair and bright blue eyes emerged. "You were taking so long and-" she stopped when she noticed Kahoko. The redhead bowed at her and gave a greeting. "Oh," the new woman replied and a small yet sly smile appeared on her face. "Now this is good!" she exclaimed and proper herself on the nearest couch. "Uhm…shall I get you some coffee?" Kahoko asked, glancing from Len and the woman. "No, thanks. I had one already. You're so sweet, darling." She sang and winked at Len. "What are you doing here?" he asked the newcomer. The woman leaned and stretched her legs. "I heard you came back earlier than expected. Why didn't you tell me?" she said in a tone that depicted too much concern. "I was planning to surprise you. Obviously, it didn't work." He said and a smile appeared on his face. The woman chuckled and sighed dreamily. "I'll be waiting for that day to come." She answered and then looked at the still standing Kahoko. "So…" she said as she ran her eyes all over the redhead.

"Don't speculate too much. This is not what you think it is." Len said and fixed his sleeves. "Oh, then what do you want me to think of this, then?" the woman asked. Kahoko wondered if this woman was Len's lover. She seemed to be the only one who could talk to him that way. And the smile that he had shown was so tender and sweet, like she was very special to him. "It's an accident. I'll explain to you later." He said then looked at his watch. "Will you be riding with me again?" he asked as he got his keys from his pocket. The woman nodded and stood. "Yeah. I hate morning walks." She said then smiled at Kahoko. "You're cute." She remarked and Kahoko could only blush. "Nami, stop teasing her." Len chastised the blue eyed and walked to her. The lady called Nami slid her arm on Len's and they started to leave.

"It was nice meeting you, dear. I'm Nami Amou, this ice block's cousin. I'll see you again tonight!" she said and the two went out, leaving a baffled Kahoko behind the thick mahogany door of Room 271.