Chapter 3

"Do I need to take it off for you?"

Kahoko gasped in utter shock. She didn't know how she would react or what she would say, so instead she searched for something at the side of the bed, and without thinking—or even looking at what it was—Kahoko threw it toward the man. "Go away!" she shouted.

A thud followed afterwards. Sensing that there were no more movements, Kahoko peeked in to assure that whatever she had thrown worked—how she wished it did. She gave a small whimper of dismay, eyes looking warily at the man red in anger.

Panic rushed through her skin like electricity exciting her senses. Kahoko strove to throw more of she could grab on; pillows, and more pillows flew above them. She looked for something painful when it gets hit, but all she could see were pillows. Her sight landed on the side table, a bright lamp caught her attention. She jumped on the farther part of the bed, and took hold of the lamp, unplugging it in the process.

"Don't go near me!" she warned.

"Take off that clothes or do you want me to force you…."

"Eeeh! Go away! I swear I'm going to kill you if you walk nearer." Kahoko stood up, staggering at first yet she had managed to calm her bearing afterwards.

Len grunted, walking closer to the closet and pulled something from it.

Kahoko readied herself. What if he got something to equal her lampshade? What if he knocked her unconscious? No one would ever know whatever he would do to her. They were alone, in that closed compartment, he as the predator and she as the prey. The thought sent chills over Kahoko's shoulder, the tremor of dread weaved in the pit of her stomach like knots.

She tried to inhale, easing the start of hyperventilation threatening to bother her inside. She inhaled once more, however, only to feel a cloth blocking the entrance of her senses—eyes, nose and even ears.

Her vision turned all black when he approached her and throw something. "Wh-what?"

"You are stupid… wear it and I'll be waiting outside." He turned around. "If you're not out until thirty minutes I'll be forced to come in."

Kahoko gawked, stunned at what she was looking at. "Hey, I said I won't meet your visitors. You can do it on yourself."

His feet came to halt. "Don't dare me."

"I'm daring you!" she stuck her tongue out.

Len narrowed his eyes, shooting a piercing look at the lady before striding where she was. As usual, he didn't look like he was joking. Why would he? He is Tsukimori Len after all, he never joke or kid.

"Are you serious?" Kahoko jumped on the other side, her both hands clamped the lampshade, pressing it against her chest. "Don't! I won't hesitate hitting you with this." She raised the lampshade as vehement eyes bored into him.

Len grunted. "You will come with me and join the guest as it supposed to be."

"No!"

"Then you leave me no choice."

"Shoot." Kahoko cursed, looking for a place to go but, sadly, she couldn't find one. She paused as the predator was standing just about her. "W-will you move a little, I forgot, I have something to do first…."

She tried to drag her feet a little. One step he didn't move, Kahoko's heartbeat lessened its thump, she moved again, hoping he wouldn't move but he did. "NO!" she yelled at the top of her lungs.

"Kahoko, Tsukimori-san, your guests are waiting…what are you two doing?" Nami barged in, her hand was busy with her camera while the other with her notebook. Her lips parted in awe. "A-Ah! Amm…" she pointed at the door. "A-Am I interrupting something? I-I guess, I'll be back later."

"Nami!" Kahoko pushed the lad, throwing the lampshade at him.

"Don't worry I'll lock the door."

"Nami! It's not it…take me with you. He's evil…." Kahoko whined running toward her friend.

"Kahoko?"

Len grunted more, placing the lampshade on the table as he grabbed the blue dress . "Will you tell her to wear this?" he coldly muttered.

Nami gazed at him and back at her friend. She chuckled. "Tsukimori-san, we're girls, you cannot force us to wear clothes in front of a guy. Ok I'll take care of this, you may leave now."

Len considered her words, after some minute of contemplating he nodded his head for a brief time and trudged out of the room.

The two women sighed in relief. Nami turned on her friend and smiled knowingly. A glint of amusement evident in her eyes as she spoke, "Kahoko that was epic."

"Nami." Kahoko frowned.

"Ok…ok…I won't tease you anymore, but really, are you that dense? What did you do again?" Nami raised one brow.

"I don't want to go there. And that's final!"

"But why?"

"It's his fault." Kahoko answered, curling her lips upward like a little kid.

"Kahoko, Tsukimori-san is your husband now. You know that he is an influential individual, you have to get used to it." Nami pushed her friend to prepare. "Don't forget that everything is a part of the contract."

Kahoko sighed, what could she do? She hurriedly donned the dress, wearing a new pair of white sandals before turning to Nami.

"So? What do you think?" her voice came in dry humor.

"Beautiful."

Kahoko rubbed her nape. "I don't feel like going there, I look so hideous. Come on, they are freaking gorgeous and I'm not on par with them."

Nami patted her shoulder. "Kahoko you are. Just, don't think about that."

"Nami, I really don't wan—"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, let's go milady, don't be difficult." Nami pushed her friend toward the door, opening it first before allowing the woman to exit.

Len was leaning on the side of her door, waiting. He had changed his clothes in a more casual look.

Kahoko glanced sideways as she noticed the man. Sudden warmth on her cheeks indicated the blush on her face. She bowed her head as an excuse. She was simply embarrassed thinking a darker meaning of the earlier incident. She straightened her dress as her mind started to argue.

However, it wasn't her entire fault. The person just tactlessly said those things to her. What would she do, she was panicking and dense… her blood boiled. I'm not dense!

The lad stared at her face, her feature, which appeared struggling with her inner self. Len cleared his throat. "I do not want to tarnish myself with your dense misunderstanding."

With those words, her reddened face darkened. "I-I…it's your fault. You should at least be aware of your words. I'm a lady, a man like you has a different perception about some…well other things. I know you haven't gotten into a relationship but be sensitive with girls at times."

"If you are capable in better understanding you may not get the wrong idea. Sadly to say, you are not, that is why it happened."

"Mr. Einstein, don't be too nerdish in front of me. I know how knowledgeable you are. Really, it's obvious…nerd." Kahoko hissed, arms akimbo.

His brows were twitching but he remained calm.

"So, Tsukimori-san, what do you think?" Nami interrupted, pointing at her friend as though presenting a model.

Len stared at the said model, sweeping his stare from her head to toe. "Fine."

Nami grunted, she expected more than a mere fine, however what would she expect to that guy. She nodded mentally, thinking that he needed someone to make this plan work. "You should have said beautiful or wonderful or anything related with the two."

Len contemplated first before sighing deeply. "Amou-san, I know you are trying to make this work but, apparently, even though this is a mere lie I still can't stand of saying the biggest deceit. I cannot say she is—"

Kahoko threw her hand on his mouth, covering it to stop him from talking. "I know…I know…I'm hideous."

Len glared back. "Will you please." he thrashed her hand aside.

A little cry left Kahoko's lips, pulling her hand away from him. She pouted, painful wince registered on her face. She was supposed to retaliate but Nami cut her off.

"Stop it already. You had quarreled enough. It's time to meet the guests." Nami pushed the two.

The lad glanced at his wife, handing his hand for her to take. She hesitated a bit but held his hand after sometime of contemplation. They sustained their walks toward the garden.

Guest which merely comprised of employees and some business associates came to congratulate the newlywed. Kahoko flinched a bit when rich looking people came to shake her hand. Their hands were soft as though they hadn't done anything in their life. She couldn't blame them. Kahoko knew that they live regally and most probably, depend much on their maids.

Len tugged her hand, making her look at him and diverting her mind away from her stupor. She greeted him with a frown. "What?"

"She's here. Prepare yourself. Don't make any wrong move or else."

Kahoko's frown leveled up. "I know what will I do, don't be bossy."

"Congratulation, Len, your mother is very happy about the news. Your father and she couldn't come though thus she instructed me to come instead. You have a wonderful wife, is her name Kahoko?" Miss Kanon said, turning her attention over the girl.

Kahoko glanced at Len and back at the woman. She smiled. "Yes it is, Kahoko Hi—" a light nudge from her side caused her to stop. "Kahoko, right. I'm not yet use with a new surname." She nervously laughed.

Miss Kanon chuckled. "You'll get used to it. How old are you anyway, you look young."

"Am… 24." She hesitated.

"Oh! Really? You're two years younger than this boy…right?" Miss Kanon asked, however her look expressed something dark. Len was aware she knew what age he was. She was just testing Kahoko.

Kahoko gulped, she didn't know his age or any personal matter concerning him. Even birthday or what was his favorite food. All she was sure of, without asking, was that he was kind of obsessed with blue things. His clothes merely composed of light blue and his room colored blue, and even their theme for their wedding was blue.

Len abruptly nodded at her, reassured sigh left her lips. "R-Right. He's two years older than me."

"Awe."

Kahoko's heart skipped, did she misunderstand his nod again thinking he was saying that he was two years older. "Is something the matter ma'am?"

Kanon chuckled. "No, why don't we seat, I have a lot of things to ask."

Kahoko exhaled, that was close.

The newly couple looked at each other and nodded.

"So Kahoko, where did you meet Len?"

Kahoko gulped again, fiddling her dress with her hands. "A-Anou…"

Len sighed secretly, they were losing it. The woman wasn't impressed with Kahoko's performance. Kanon's face was dark and serious, as though she was actually looking at her prey readying to eat it at any time.

Len held Kahoko's hand, pulling her closer to him before lowering his lips on her head. "Will you calm yourself? She doesn't believe you." He whispered to her.

Kahoko looked back. At first she was nervous but when she heard his voice again, her anger simmered back. "Do you want me to say everything?" she warned and glanced at the woman.

Kanon feigned a smile, trying to be patient as she waited for Kahoko's response.

Kahoko laughed lightly, nudging the side of her husband as though teasing him. The action seemed convincing as it relaxed Kanon in her seat. Her dark face lightened a bit, however it couldn't consider as a friendly reaction either.

Kahoko cleared her throat to tell her response. "It was funny but I saw him when I was applying in a university."

"Do you mean Seiso?" Kanon muttered afterwards. " Right he was a co-owner of that school. And?"

"Miss Kanon, we love to answer your question but we still have guests to accommodate, may we be excused for a moment. We can talk later." Len interrupted, pulling Kahoko to stand up.

The lady smiled, sipping her red wine before she responded. "Of course."

They both bowed their heads and left.

"Don't ever dare to do that again!" Len glared.

"I don't have much to say. I don't even know anything about you. What should I suppose to say? I'm just doing my job. Improvising isn't that bad anyway, is it?"

He sighed, massaging his temples. "You don't understand."

"I surely don't. Please be informed that you married a dense woman." Kahoko winced with her own comment. However, how much it had deflated her self-confidence, it was, as if, the only wise retort she could give—well, not actually that wise to say. Kahoko realized it too late.

Opening her mouth to redeem her pride, Len cut her words, saying something that rendered her more speechless. "You may go. I can handle this on myself."

"Huh? Really?" a sudden surge of excitement entered her senses. "Are you sure?" she fluttered her eyes.

"I don't want to repeat myself, will you just go, if you want to lock yourself in your room then go." Len grunted. His head ached all of the sudden, as if, the least he wanted right now was to be with the woman.

Kahoko scowled a bit. "You are really rude, can you be kinder. I'm gonna be your wife and as your wife I need a husband with a kinder attitude."

"This is me, deal with it."

"Alright. Sheesh! Bye." She sighed. She knew that arguing wouldn't do any good for both of them. She was, anyway, tired already to waste her remaining strength. She looked at the man. She tiptoed and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Both of them froze, eyes fixed on one another. "Deal with your wife as well." Kahoko broke the silence as she turned around to leave. Her face flamed. She couldn't seem to glance at the man as she was more than embarrassed. She didn't mean to do it. It just happened and she didn't realize she had tiptoed and gave him a peck on the cheek.

Len gritted his teeth. The woman merely ruptured his entire restrained patient. He strode back to the guest however, stopping when he heard a crash behind him. His heart thumped wildly in his chest. Why did he suddenly feel it? He didn't know. He turned around. Shocked expression met his eyes as he looked down.

A little whine, enough for his ears to hear, caught his attention. He jogged to where she was.

"Kahoko…" he didn't realize he was calling her by her name.

The woman opened her eyes and closed it again as a blinding liquid stung her eyes. Her hands unintentionally touched the little fragments on the floor, scraping her soft fingers in the process. She winced a bit, feeling how those fragments cut her skin into two.

An arm wrapped around her, she mechanically held back, damping his light blue shirt with red liquid. She tried to lift her head, tried to look back but the liquid kept on stinging her eyes.

"I'm very sorry Tsukimori-san, it happened so fast…I was holding the tray then she—"

"Enough!"

She heard his voice. It was cold, rather colder than his usual one. She could feel his hold tightened on her legs and as well with her back.

"I-I'm sorry sir…"

"Len, what happened?" Ryoutarou came.

"Oh! Dear, Kahoko." Nami muttered.

She could feel that he turned to face the two. "Tsuchiura, please take care of the guest." he looked at Nami. "Amou-san…"

"Tsukimori, I'll help Kahoko instead. You should change your clothes."

He nodded, however not putting Kahoko down, he turned around and walked inside the house. Nami followed them.

He halted after some long strides. Kahoko was still oblivious to her surroundings, her eyes still closed and she could only depend on her other senses. The place felt cold, cool breeze brushed her bare shoulder, her feet, free from her sandals, wrapped in coldness as well.

He knelt down and placed her on a seeming ledge. Flowing water echoed in the room as at that instant Kahoko realized where they were.

"I-I can't see." she muttered still closed eyes.

"I'm aware of that. That's why I'm here to help you." Len grunted. "Will you shut your mouth for a moment?"

She scowled, opening her lips to talk but she halted. Water flowed down from her eyes down to her neck, damping her dress.

"W-w-wait! What are you doing!" she struggled, opening her right eyes. It stung a bit but she could at least see a blurry image of her companion. "I-I can do this on myself."

"Stupid." was all he said, pouring water on her face.

"Hey, dummy, I said I can do this!"

"Ok. Use you injured hands then." His tone sounded sarcastic.

As the words flowed down to her nerves, processing it in her brain, she flinched a bit. She almost forgot about her hands. It hurts, blood dripping out from it and tiny particles stuck in it. Her hands were useless at the moment, and all she could do was to depend on the guy. She sighed and remained quiet, letting him help her.

Moments later, she could visibly see the person in front of her. A red hue easily crept on her face when she saw their distance. She pushed him away, smudging another red fluid on his stained shirt.

"What's your problem?"

"You!" she shot back, gulping. "You're too close."

"I'm doing this for your own sake." He walked nearer once more, grabbing a box at the side, and glanced at her again.

He grabbed her hands, pulling it closer to the running water. Her face winced, feeling the cold and stingy feeling all coming from her injured hand.

"Will you please be gentle? It hurts you know." She complained, fighting the grimace on her face but she wasn't able to hide it well.

He ignored her. His focus stayed on her hands, examining if there were still broken glass. "You're not just idiotic, stupid and dense, but you are also clumsy."

Kahoko scowled but she couldn't stop herself but to gawk at his own hands at hers.

His hands looked softer and lighter compared to other guys. What she knew were guys have rough hands, rough like sandpaper, and full of blisters. Without of her awareness, she was holding his hand as well, feeling it as the lad rinsed the blood dripping on it.

He put some bandage on it and time to time would look at her to ask if it hurts. The only thing Kahoko could do was staring at him and remained quiet. In that instant, she realized she felt calm and at ease, for the first time, in front of a lad.

A small smile festooned on her lips. He is not bad at all, the words echoed in her mind.

"What kind of deceit would I tell my mother when she returns? You are merely unsightly." He sighed. "You're dense headed and now clumsy…I should have looked for someone instead."

Kahoko, who was intent with his aiding, noticed his comment. Her face turned light red as she glared at the lad, crashing all she had contemplated earlier into pieces and forgetting about it. "How dare you! GO AWAY!"

Len remained kneeling in front of her, head shaking in a mock. His expression made Kahoko's anger flame up. "Can you ple—"

"Dense…" he muttered at last. "How will I suppose to leave if you are still holding my hand? I should be saying let go of my hand first before you try to push me away."

Kahoko glanced at their linked hands, apparently, she was holding his, and thus he couldn't leave. Her face turned warmer again, her heartbeat hammered as her breathing hitched in that moment. "Ah-Ah! Why didn't you say it much earlier?" she hurriedly let go of his hand.

Len grunted. "Naïve."

"Will you leave me alone?"

The lad stood up, dusting his shirt before taking his leave. His eyes met the mirror, noticing his shirt he frowned. Another shirt she newly stained, he mentally sighed and left.

Nami walked in, greeting the lad. "So how was she?" she asked, worried.

Len closed his eyes and opened it again; the weariness obvious on his face. "Physically fine but not mentally," mumbled Len.

Nami chuckled. "I know. Welcome to our world. By the way, Tsukimori-san, what will I do with this package?" she asked.

Len impassively glanced. "Give that to her, I believe she owns it."

"Roger."

~NeKo Meow~

"So how was she?" Ryoutarou approached his cousin.

Len grunted, walked to the vacant sofa and threw himself at ease. "Fine." He massaged his temples and closed his eyes.

"Conversing with her that tiresome to you… or…"

"Shut up!"

Ryoutarou guffawed. "You're so serious!"

"I simply don't have time for nonsense."

"Oh! Come on! Don't be too grumpy, Grumpy. Girls will get scared of you. How can find someone if you keep on harboring that cranky attitude of yours."

"I don't need it. And would you please leave me alone, you're giving me a headache." Len turned around.

"Cousin. Why are you not interested with girls? They are cute and sexy… you're the only guy in town who hate or…hmm." Ryoutarou paused to heave a good word. "Horrified of them…are they scary? Well, our school librarian looks like a guy but it doesn't mean all girls have the same qualities as she. Kahoko is beautiful, why don't you give her a try?"

"Not interested, I'm even doing this because I am forced. I'm simply doing this for the business and nothing personal."

"Yeah, you love your business so much. Anyway, we're already talking about business. There is a change in plan." Ryoutarou leaned his back on the sofa.

"What now?" Len glanced back, annoyed.

"Parents won't be coming until next month."

"WHAT!" Len shouted.

"Keep it down cuz. That's why it's a change in plan. Kahoko will stay with us until the next month."

"Can she just return when mother and father visit us?"

"Not bad. But not for the next three days," responded Ryoutarou. He swiveled forward to look at his cousin's expression.

"What is it supposed to mean?"

"Miss Kanon, gave me these tickets. We're going on a vacation!" Ryoutarou face turned jolly, shimmering imagination came to his mind. Len didn't need to know what it was, he already knew that it were all related to girls, and if he was not mistaken, if they would go to a beach or something like an island, girls in their two piece are what he imagined.

"Don't put that twisted face of yours." Len muttered.

"Oi, did you say something?" Ryoutarou looked at his cousin, oblivious to what Len had said.

"Nothing." Len stood up. "Why do we need to go on this vacation, I have to deal with the corporate meeting this weekend."

"Sorry to tell you, you are on leave."

"What do you mean?" Len's eyes glazed.

"The management approved your leave." Ryoutarou jumped.

"I didn't request such."

"But I did, no more complaints just enjoy this vacation."

"I'm not coming."

"No, you should, it's imperative."

"And how did it become important?" Len asked.

"Your mother requested to observe everything that will happen there."

"Hn?" was his response, only to say that Ryoutarou should continue.

"Everything about both of you. So yes, Kahoko will come with us in the vacation."

"Three days?"

"Yes, cuz. Three days with her." Ryoutarou grinned.

"Hell, you are."

"Yes I know cuz."