"Playful Love"
Chapter Three:
When they arrived inside, Kahoko leaned her back in the door and slide until she is sitting at the floor.
"Phew." She breathed in relief and blushed when she realized Len was staring at her.
She stayed in the same place and continued blushing.
She heard a laugh and looked up. Len is actually laughing and he's not hiding it behind a façade. He is laughing without masking it and showing his careless expression.
She was amazed. She saw the Ice Cube laugh for the very first time in Seiso Academy and it made her heart beat faster. He looks so refreshed and sociable. Like a very happy-go-lucky guy; a guy that you can always stay with. The guy I would love forever.
She slowly stood up and smiled in delight. She saw tears of joy in his eyes and wiped it with the back of her hand.
Len stopped from laughing and just continued to smile carelessly. "I, I'm sorry, Kahoko…Your expression was just so funny and I never thought that you are that scared to Tsuchiura. I couldn't help myself anymore. I'm so sorry to laugh at you—it was rude." He muttered between chuckles.
Her smile became wider and sweeter so she started to giggle as well. "Ne, Len…I never thought I would see you laugh like this."
Len blinked. "Like what?"
"Hm, like a careless and happy guy. Like you are the opposite of who you are outside." She explained.
There was a long silence and Kahoko became terrified.
Oh no, don't say I ruined the mood. "S-sorry!" she apologized.
Len shook his head and sighed. "It's very rare for me to smile…And, I never really wanted to be this cold towards others but I just grew up like this. Always being compared to others; I always want to surpass others and I always want to be like my parents. Hence, I guess I did become a humanic-robot." He muttered as he began to open his violin case and take it out.
Maybe this is the kind of life he got especially when his relatives –parents- are always away from him. Kahoko thought and looked at Len sadly.
"Wait." She mumbled.
Len looked at her surprised. "Hn?"
She smiled and took his hand. "Can I play a piece for you as a sign of my gratitude?" she asked.
"Kahoko, like I said earlier—" he was cut off when she placed her forefinger infront of his lips.
"Shh, just let me do it." She whispered and positioned herself.
She looked at the lad she loves as he sits in the piano bench and watching her with inspector eyes. But, she can still see the sadness behind them. I will erase your bad memories and we'll do good and new ones! She took a deep breath and started playing "Debussy Claire De Lune"
Len listened as she continued to play one of his mother's favorite pieces. When she comes home—he always plays it for her as a welcome home gift. That, alone, can make his mother happy.
Now, Kahoko is playing it for him as a 'thank you' gift and he couldn't help but smile. She's sweet and she knows when he feels emotions that he doesn't want to express. When he gets reminded with memories he doesn't want to remember. Kahoko, the girl he loves, is the only one who truly knows him. Inside and Out and he couldn't keep anything from her anymore. It's like he's transparent.
When she finished—her smile became like the sun that shone in his day and the moon and stars that brighten his nights. "How was it?" she asked excitedly.
He hid a smile and sighed heavily. "Like before. You still have some mistakes and some are out of tune but—"
She was beginning to pout when he said 'but' it faded and blush crept at her cheeks as his hair got blown with the wind and the smile that was hidden got revealed.
"You played very well." He continued. He looked outside and sighed once again. "Kahoko,"
She turned and found his façade back. Aw, too bad. "Yes?"
"Will it be alright for you if well play duet tomorrow instead? It's getting dark and I need to accompany you back home."
What? "N-no! No need, Len! I'll be fine going home alone!" she protested.
He stared at her and it's like few more minutes and she'll melt. "Kahoko," he warned.
She looked down and nodded like a puppy. "Ok,"
There are inside the train and waiting for the right station where they will climb down. They beside each other and silence fill the atmosphere.
She glanced at Len and found his eyes already closed. She mentally gasped and realized he is sleeping. She smiled to herself and placed his head on top of hers as she placed her hand on top of his.
Soon enough, their hands became intertwined and they both fell asleep. Kaho in Len's shoulder and Len on top of her head.
After several minutes, someone shook them and they both woke up. It was the smiling conductor. "Um, you are at your destination." He informed and both quickly went out of the train.
Unaware that their hands are still intertwined they continued to walk.
Kaho felt pain when he released her hand and noticed him massaging his left shoulder once again. "Len,"
He blinked and looked at her.
"Is something wrong with your left shoulder, you were massaging it for several times now and when someone bumps you in that area, you wince—which you don't usually do or feel."
"It's actually none of your business." He coldly answered.
She narrowed her eyes and glared. "It is my business. Now, let me see it."
"No."
"Len!"
He shook his head. "N-o."
She sighed and when they are in an empty street she stopped and when he was caught off guard—she touched it and felt something like swelling. Len groaned in pain so, she remove her hand quickly. "Come on Len, let me see it." She begged so, surrendering, he nodded and opened his shirt to let her see the swelling part of his shoulder.
She gasped. "Oh my, what happened?"
He looked away. "Nothing."
"Let's treat it when we arrive at our Residence."
"No need." Len disagreed.
"Len!" she nearly shouted.
"Fine, fine." He mumbled and they continued their journey.
When they arrived at Hino's Residence. Hino let him come in since her parents are not there because of work and treated his injury. She placed ice inside a towel and placed it on the swelling part for a little while. When he feels nothing, she put ointment and then bandage so when it's hit—he won't feel that much pain. "Done." She exclaimed.
"T-thank you." He whispered and arranged his uniform.
She smiled. "Oh! It's time for you to go home right? Thank you, Len! For everything; agreeing with my request, pretending with me and accompanying me back home."
He blushed with pinkish cheeks and nodded. When he was about to stand up; she placed him back and kissed his cheek. His eyes widened.
She is blushing but whispered in his ears, "Goodnight Len. Sweetdreams."
He couldn't help but smile and blush as he went home. It's worth the wait.
The next day, when she went out of the house to go to school, there was a car parked in front of their house which causes commotion. "E-eh?" she mumbled.
The backseats' door opened and revealed Len with his refreshed yet, stern/cold expression. "Will you please quit standing there like an idiot and hurry up. Or else we'll be late." He scolded.
She hurriedly locked the door and Len dragged her inside. It was quiet the whole trip and curiosity kills Kahoko. "Len…why did you pick me up?"
Len glanced at her from the book he was reading and sighed. "If you want them to at least believe our acting—I know how to make moves to pretend just like this. Of course, if you two are going out you usually go to school together." He explained.
Oh. "A-Arigatou…and,"
Len raised an eyebrow. "And?"
She smiled shyly and slowly looked at him. "G-Good morning, Len."
Len's heart thumped loud. "Go-good morning." He replied in a whisper and hid his face behind his book as he blushed. What the hell?
"How's your shoulder?" Kahoko asked as she slowly touched it.
"It's fine now. It doesn't hurt that much and I can play more comfortably than before when it had no bandage." Len answered.
"Thank goodness." She breathed in relief.
Like a true couple, they decided that they will meet at the practice room instead of Len picking her up. It was catching too much attention and both of them don't want such.
Happily, Kahoko held her violin case and started walking to the practice room and she greeted back those who greet her on her way to the practice rooms.
But, she didn't expect to collide with Tsuchiura on the way especially on the stairs where they first met.
He smiled and patted her head. "Yo."
"K-Konnichiwa Tsuchiura-kun." She greeted back.
"Looks like we collided on the place where we first met huh." He muttered and laughed. He's thinking the same as me.
She nodded mutely.
She turned her back from the stairs as she watches every Tsuchiura's steps and expressions. "Er, are you…going to practice?"
He shook his head. "I'm going to eat first. Wanna join me?" he offered.
"N-no, thanks." She declined.
He narrowed his eyes. "Don't say you are scared of me…" he mumbled.
"Of course…I-I am not!" she stuttered.
He took a step forward towards her and she also took a step backwards. They continued stepping oppositely until Tsuchiura noticed the steps behind her.
"Hino, wait…Look be—"
"Tsuchiura-kun…please, leave me alone. I'm just going to meet Len." She muttered and took few steps backward.
"No—" he started.
"Please, I—" she begged and then her foot slipped in the step of the stairs and then, in a heratbeat she's in the air. She screamed and got ready for the impact.
There was a thud! And when she opened her eyes, she realized she's being wrapped with warmth and that she fell on something…lean and muscular?
She breathed and smelt a cologne which seems very familiar. She tried to clear her blurred vision and saw that the jacket is a Music Department's uniform…
"Oi, Tsukimori, Hino…daijoubu?" Tsuchiura asked.
Tsukimori…? No way! She eased up and finally saw Len under her. Wrapping his arms around her to protect her body from being injured in the fall. But, how about his?
She shook him and started to sob. "Len! Len!" she shouted as she continued to shake the lad's body.
His eyes are closed and his expression is pained. "Len, wake up." She whimpered and finally the lad's eyes opened slowly.
"K-Kahoko?" he mumbled. "Were you hurt?"
She shook her head and helped him sit up as Tsuchiura ran to the clinic to get something for him to take. "No, I'm perfectly fine. How about you? Were you hurt? How about your shoulder?"
She opened his shirt and found the swelling back and found out that he couldn't move it like he usually does. She quietly sobbed as they went to the infirmary –by Tsuchiura's help- and were treated and checked-up.
Kahoko wasn't injured anywhere just a little trauma from the fall while, Len –because he hit his already injured shoulder- was given new medicines to take for the swelling and pain to go away. They treated his shoulder and told him that he can use it after few weeks then was instructed what to do everyday to make the pain go away.
After that, they were given the whole afternoon periods to rest in the infirmary and excused from their classes.
Kahoko sat on her bed as Len –as adviced from the nurse- he laid down and rest. "Kahoko, why don't you get some rest first?" Len asked.
She shook her head mutely. It was my fault why Len can't play his violin for few weeks. It's my fault why he is hurt more badly. It is also my fault why we need to be excused from our classes even though, I'm sure he wants to attend them.
"Kahoko," he called. He sighed and sat down. When he saw her still frozen in place and mutely frowning—he stood up and sat beside her. "Let me guess, you are blaming yourself with what happened, aren't you?"
She looked down and frowned more.
Len sighed heavily and took her in his arms. "Kahoko…Kahoko. I saw you two talking and you were taking steps backward because you thought that he might actually grab you again like before. He was trying to warn you but who can blame you when you doesn't want to listen to him after all that had happened? Good thing, I was walking to your room to check you and passed on time. I stopped mid-way when I saw you in the air. I act according to my instinct and jumped as I wrapped my arms around you. Kahoko, it was me who chose to fall with you." He whispered in her ear.
She started to sob and buried her face in his chest. "Len…I thought you'll be angry with me."
How can I be mad at you when you cry like this? When I see that you truly care for me? "No, I'm not." He replied and continued to hold her in his arms.
When she calmed down, she began to get sleepy and asked, "Can I sleep at your arms? It's quite cold in here." She unawarely requested.
How much his chest hurts when his heart thumped loud, he couldn't say no when she gave him those puppy eyes and concerned expression.
Len leaned on the headboard as Kahoko lay down and placed her head in his chest. Both of them started to fall asleep and took a dreamless rest.
Tsuchiura leaned on the door outside. He was about to go in to check both when he heard them talk and as she requested to stay on Len's arms…his eyes darkened and he stopped himself from going inside. Damn, I was distracted from Kahoko falling from the stairs that's why I forgot to take my move. Well, there's next time. He thought and dropped the snacks he was to give them on the table and walked away.
A/N: Oh my! Guys I was so happy with all your reviews! Didn't expect to have so much! Thank you so much for your continuous support to my fanfiction.
I hope you like this third chapter as well.
Thank you for your reviews!
Oh, and sorry for any mistakes; I am quite sleepy right now.
REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW PLEASE!
Sneak Peek:
He pinned her in the wall as he stared at her eyes. "Hino, answer me...Do you have any feelings for Tsukimori."
She looked down and blushed more. "I…I do have…" she trailed off.
His expression hardened. "How about me? Who am I to you?" he asked without hesitation.
She looked up. "You are my—" she was cut off when he leaned his lips to hers to shut them.
When he let her go and she was left speechless. She heard a noise from behind and quickly turned around. It was Len watching them with wide eyes and astonished expression. She gasped as her eyes widened. No! "I'm sorry for interrupting." He muttered and started to walk away.
"No, Len!"
He didn't turn when she called and continued walking away. He hurriedly went inside his waiting car and left.
No…Len, come back. It's not like what you think of.
