A/N: Another Cinderella Story.

Here's the final chapteeer~ Hope you all enjoyed my short story. Well... kind of short story, ahahahahaha. :'D

I really do like the idea of Len being my kind of prince, knight in shining armor. And Hino does kind of suit the role of being a cinderella, better yet a Juliet, right? ...or not.

Anyways, back to the story, enjoy!

I began to pack my things unto my suitcase. All my clothes - at least the decent ones, - a few valuables and the money I saved from my job at the diner were all stored there. I knew traveling would be a piece of cake for me since I only had so little luggage to bring around.

After finally packing everything, I sat on my bed and sighed. "Do I really have to go?" I asked myself. I felt convinced enough to know that this was the right thing to do but still, I felt unsure. I'd be leaving my family behind, leaving my mother and father to fend for themselves and all my other friends here. Amou-san, Hihara-sempai, Tsuchiura-kun, Minami-san...

...and even Tsukimori.

"Ugh," I shook my head, irritated at the thought of him. "Forget him. He wouldn't care one bit about this, why should I?"

Knock! "Kahoko, dear?" My mother called out to me. I opened the door for her with a smile.

"Hi, mom. I'm just about ready to leave."

She frowned to my surprise, "So soon? Won't you even have some lunch with us? A young lady with you shouldn't leave on such a long journey without a full stomach."

"I'm fine, mother, really. I wouldn't want to bother you anymore, it's best if you save the food for you and dad."

My mother sighed as she stared at me with sadness in her eyes, "Do you really need to leave town, dear? I know we still lacking money but money isn't everything, dear. Money is all we want but we already have what we need -- us."

I clamped my mouth into a hard line, sometimes my mom always knew what to say. She was always right no matter what. I sighed, "But mother, who's going to pay for the bills? The house rent? We barely even get through the day without having to panic about what to food to buy. I know money isn't everything but it's the only thing that could help us live, mother. I don't want us to starve to death better yet get you sick again."

"I won't be sick again, Kaho. And your dad's able to work part-time now, he's gotten a better salary than his previous one."

I shook my head, disagreeing. "No, no. Mother, I have to go. I'll have a fresh start there, start a new business if ever and when the time comes, I'll be able to take care of everything." I kissed her forehead and smiled. "Have a little faith in your daughter, mama."

My mom sighed once more and hugged me tight, "I'll miss you terribly. I've always been proud of you, child. Remember that."

"I know, mom, I know." I patted her back. "But don't worry, I won't be leaving until late at night. I have a few things to do first." I assured her and my mom simply nodded.

Later on, my dad came to bid me goodbye. I gave him a big hug and kissed his cheek before I walked out of the house. The last place to visit was the diner so I could save goodbye to my friends for the last time.

Minami-san stood in front of the door and so she was the first to see me, "Hino-san! What a surprise! ...why the long face?"

I gave her an apologetic smile, "I'm leaving tonight, Minami-san."

Her eyes widened and her lips parted slightly, "Tonight already? Why so soon?"

"I need to get to my destination soon. I came to say goodbye to you and the others before I go."

"Oh, Hino." For a second, her eyes softened but she composed herself right after. Minami-san got something beside her and it looked like a violin case. Why would she...? "I have a present for you."

"W-wha -- " My hand flew to my lips, I was taken completely by surprise. "A violin? Minami-san, you didn't need - "

"Of course, I did." She winked at me. "It's for being such a wonderful kid and a good sport. I didn't know my daughters have been bullying for you so long..."

"No, it's okay..."

"But anyways, I've been told you've always wanted one and you're quite a gifted violinist. I would hear you in the music room in the academy and I've got a good ear to know that you truly have a talent in music." She handed me the case and as I opened it, a beautiful violin was inside. I finally have my own violin.

"T-thank you so much, I don't know what to say..." I bit my lip and blushed. Minami-san was always like a second mother to me. I never knew she felt so much love for me to give me a present, a violin even. "I'll miss you very much, Minami-san. Working in your diner really helped my family a lot and I owe you so much."

She shrugged casually with a roll of her eyes, "You don't owe me anything at all. You've been a very good employee of mine and it'll be hard to find someone who can work just as hard as you do, Hino-san. I wish you well on your journey, the others are still inside. I'll tell them you're here."

"No need, I'll go in." I smiled and entered the diner. My friends were in their assigned positions; Hihara was in the kitchen cooking meals, Tsuchiura acted as a waiter and took orders from different costumers and Amou-san supervised the rest and also helped do some cleaning. I felt my smile wobble, I sure will miss my friends. I'll miss being with them everyday because they were the ones who helped me get through work and they encourage me to do the best I can in everything I do.

I walked towards the counter and rang the bell, catching their attention. "Order up!" I giggled and they all smiled as they saw me.

"Kahoko !" Amou rushes towards me, tackling me with her arms and crushed me into a tight hug. "I missed you!"

"It's only been twelve hours that we haven't seen each other, Amou-san. But, I missed you too and I really will." And with that, she stiffens around me, pulling away with a look of shock on her face.

"...What do you mean?" Her eyebrows pulled together in confusion and later on, she had realized just what I meant. I saw her lips quiver and she softly whispered, "So soon." I felt my throat tighten, affected by her reaction. I simply nod.

Her mouth opens by an inch, "B-but why? I... didn't realize it'd be so soon. I thought you'd take a few weeks off and not so..." She couldn't finish her sentence once her eyes started to glisten from the water and I find myself sobbing with her as well.

I shook my head, a frown forming on my lips. "I won't be long, sure it might be a year after we see each other again but we're still best friends, right? Amou-san, you've been such a wonderful friend to me, almost like a sister - Oh, what am I saying? You are my sister." I smile despite the tears that escaped my eyes. Amou-san muffled a sob with her hand over her mouth and hugged me once again.

And then all of a sudden, I feel a new pair of arms wrap around both of us. It was Hihara-sempai. I laugh.

"Hihara-sempai!" I giggle and smile up to him but he frowns sadly at me. Very rare for him to frown.

He sighs, "We'll all miss you, Hino-chan. You have no idea." His frown deepens and it only makes my heart break worse.

Until I couldn't hold it in much longer, I burst out crying, letting it all out in front of my friends because they're the only ones who I could cry in front of and never feel embarrassed or ashamed. Because they're the ones who accept me for who I really am.

After a few more hugs and goodbyes, there was someone missing. Tsuchiura.

"Where is he?" I asked Hihara. He shrugged.

"He said he had some things to do in the back, he's probably there now. Peeling potatoes and all." He teased with a wink. I chuckled and headed to the back of the diner and Hihara was right, he was there. Leaning against the wall with his gaze up in the sky, he looked thoughtful. But the frown on his face didn't make him seem peaceful at all but disturbed.

"Tsuchiura?" I called out to him and he immediately met my eyes. He gave a smile but it looked wrong, it didn't touch his eyes at all.

"Hey, Hino. Said your goodbyes already?" He muttered, almost a little too bitter. I gulped.

"I haven't said all, there was just one person left." He chuckled at my reply but it seemed forced. "Tsuchiura, what's wrong?"

He pulled away from the wall and walked towards me until we were a foot away, "How long have we known each other, Hino?" He asked, completely ignoring my previous question.

I didn't have to think too much, "4 years. Ever since I started working at the diner."

"It's been quite awhile, huh?"

"Yeah.." I murmured, feeling a little confused. "What's this about?"

He walked one step forward until he was only at arm's length, "I want to confess something, before you go. And, if you don't mind, I want your answer right away since we don't have much time left."

I only nodded.

He took a deep breath before speaking, "I... like you, Hino. I have ever since you came at the diner. But the longer that time went, I realized that it's more than a crush now. We've been so close to the point that there aren't any secrets between us, right?"

'Uh, oh. Don't tell me. He - '

"That's right, I know about your little magical night at the ball. Sorry but I overheard."

I felt my eyes widen and my palms sweat, embarrassed and upset at the same time. "W- why - how could you do that to me? It was only meant for Amou to hear and - "

He raised a hand to stop me, "I know, I know and it's my fault. But I must tell you that I'm not the only one who overheard your conversation. To be honest, Hino, your whispering isn't exactly whispering." I frowned at his attempt at humor, it only made things worse.

I crossed my arms in front of me, "The twins, I know. I kind of figured that out on my own, Tsuchiura."

"Oh."

I blushed, the event playing back in my mind including the rather rude rejection of Tsukimori. "...it's a long story."

"I think I know." He muttered, mostly to himself.

"Come again?"

"Nothing." He shook his head, "So... do you... feel the same way about...er, me?"

My lips slightly parted, realizing that he wanted my answer right away. But... "Tsuchiura, I..." I stammered and lowered my gaze to the ground. Guilt washed over me when I heard him sigh loudly.

"I get it already, I think I already have ever since..." I think I heard him say 'the ball' but I may be wrong.

"I'm so sorry."

"Nah, it's nothing. I just wanted to make sure, wanted to see if I had a chance." He shrugged as if it was no big deal but I couldn't help but notice the clench of his jaw and the slight stiffness in his posture.

"Are you sure? You know you'll always be my best man, you know me more than anybody." I smiled and thankfully, he did too.

"I guess I'm okay with that. You should get going, right?"

The sky was darker shade of blue, the sun already setting. "Yeah."

He ruffled my hair playfully, ignoring my protest and laughed. "Sure will miss you."

"Me too." I walked towards him to give him a hug.

The day passed quickly by each minute and the closer I was to leaving my hometown.

Hino Residence;

"Thanks for the delicious dinner, mom." I wiped my mouth with a napkin before I stood up and smiled towards my parents, "I should be getting on my way."

"Wait - ! " My mom caught my hand, "Why don't you try out that violin of yours? I haven't heard you play in awhile and I'd want to hear you again, before you go."

I sighed, oh how could I refuse my mother? "Of course."

I opened the violin case and held the violin and bow carefully, it felt so new and yet it was the right one for me. Oh, I would have to give Minami-san a thank you gift soon.

I readied the violin as I positioned myself, placing the violin on my shoulder and leaning my chin on it's rest. I breathed in and out before I swung my arm to play my favorite piece, Ave Maria.

A smile spread across my face as I began to play it, remembering the days as a child when I had such a hard time memorizing the notes and now, it was just so effortless to me. But with every single performance I made, I did it with my heart. And now, infront of my two people who I love with all my heart, I pushed myself more to play better.

Then there was the night I also played for someone who has captured my heart but gave it away just a few days after.

I felt something wet touch my cheek and I realized it was a tear that came from my eye. " - oh."

"Hino?" I heard someone call my name but it wasn't my mother. Nor my father. And yet it sounded so familiar.

I turned around to see two golden eyes stare right at me, a young handsome man was standing right in front of our door wearing simple clothes and not his usual royal garments. Tsukimori came here but, for what...?

"You - what're you doing here?" I asked him, my voice sounding a little harsh. I didn't expect him to come here nor did I want to. Or did I?

My mother stood up from her seat, "Who is this lovely young man, Hino?"

Tsukimori bowed down in front of us in respect, his face was apologetic. "Excuse me for intruding, I came here for Hino Kahoko."

"What for? To embarrass me in front of my parents? I think I had enough at the palace, your 'majesty'." I hissed the word 'majesty'.

Tsukimori frowned, "Let's please discuss this at a more private place and not in front of your parents, Hino. And no, I don't intend to do that. Not again."

I looked at my mom and she nodded me to go with him. "We'll leave you two alone then." She said, pulling father with her.

When mother shut the door behind her, I was the first to speak up. "What do you want?"

"I want to apologize for my mistake, you were right. I am unworthy of being a prince, I was immature back there but I wanted to tell you. I wasn't myself back there, I was blinded by anger and I had let go of the person who I wanted to meet again, the woman who I had longed to see."

"Well whatever, you blew your chance. I'm leaving and not just leaving this house - this town as well."

Shock flashed across the features of his face, "What?"

"You heard me right. My family doesn't have enough financial resources to live in this town so I plan to move. I'm going to start new somewhere else and I can do that without your money, okay? I can do that without being such idiot of a lady to mess with a guy like you because that's not me. I would never do that and I just wished you knew sooner." I got put my violin back in it's case and got my suitcase as well, heading for the door. Until he blocked my way and held my wrist.

"Don't go. I know I was a jerk back there but please give me a chance."

"Sorry, I'm not up to second chances." I struggled to escape his grip but he refused to. He was so annoyingly strong.

"I don't want to unless I'm forgiven."

"Forgiven or not, you still hurt me back there. Now let me go!" I pulled away from his grasp, letting go of my luggage in the process but then he pulled my wrist towards him and I was forced to bump into him.

His arms wrapped around me in a tight embrace with one hand cupping my chin upright for me to look at him and he brought his face closer to mine, his lips touching mine into a kiss. The second I realized he had surprised me with a kiss - just like he had done that night - I felt myself relax into his body and my legs felt like jelly. Jelly, jelly, jelly.

"Mhmph - !" It took every single cell in my body to pull away from him but he only allowed me to move an inch. One second our eyes met and the next, I was blushing while I stared at the floor. He still held me against his chest.

"Harassing me with a kiss isn't going to do the trick, Tsukimori. That was a dirty move right there." I grumbled and felt really annoyed that I couldn't stop the blood from rushing to my cheeks. He chuckled darkly.

"Your face doesn't say so."

"Well, your face will be written pain all over it if you don't let me go."

"Oh, fine." He released me but kept me at arm's length, "I'm still not forgiven? Do I have to beg, get down on one knee? If that's what it takes, I'll do it." Once he said that, he literally kneeled in front of me but I pulled him up to make him stand.

"No, none of that please. You came here to apologize right? And not to be pitied on?"

"Yes."

I rolled my eyes, "Well then, you are. You can go now, go back to your room while I go find a ship to go to. I'm already late enough as it is." I walked passed him, retrieving my baggage and opened the door.

But I stopped when Tsukimori attempted to trap me again in his arms, his chest touching my back from behind. "I forgot one thing, I won't go... unless you choose to stay." He whispers softly in my ear and it sends shivers down my spine. "Well?"

"So what if I do?"

"I'll help you and your family," he murmured, keeping me tight in his embrace. "I'll help you start your business, build you a new house - anything to make you stay. Just here...with me." As he said this, he leaned his cheek on my shoulder.

I look up at the moon and sigh, my brain tells me to go towards the goal that I've been trying to make my whole life but my heart echoes the words my mother told me earlier this afternoon, 'Money is all we want but we already have what we need -- us.'

"At the palace? No, that simply won't do. I'd rather not leave my parents alone...unless they come too." I say sarcastically but giggle to let him know that I give up. I'm done holding myself back because I simply cannot do so for so long. Not when I'm this close to him and I could feel the beat of his heart on my back.

"I - is - is that a yes?"

I turn around and hold his face in my hands, "You are so dense you know that? But I guess that's part of your charm, yes - yes I will stay."

He simply smiles in a way that makes my heart melt and throws all my doubts and worries out the window. I'm in his arms and I'm staring at the most beautiful set of eyes I've ever seen, my hands on his strong shoulders and my lips touching his soft and warm mouth.

He pulls away momentarily to murmur, his eyes staring right at mine lovingly. "I'm sorry I made you wait too long. I should've gotten you on the night of the ball right there and then."

I chuckle and give him a soft kiss before replying, "It's okay."

And this is my happy ending.

THE END.

WOOHOO.

YAAAAAAY.

I hope you guys liked it ! Please leave a review. And again I remind, this story isn't following the whole cinderella plot thingy just incase you guys were confused. :-)

AH I'M DONE ALREADY. Now I can work on my other one but it'll be posted shortly before school starts here in the Philippines. Hopefully, I'll be able to update as fast as I can together with completing my homework. So for my next one, I'll ask you guys to be a little patient since I'll be juggling fanfiction and school at the same time. :-) Plus basketball.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR REVIEWS. 20 and counting ! That's a lot for a short story, ahahahahaha.

WELL GOODNIGHTY GUUUYS. Have a great summer while it lasts. ;)