Returning to the Inn Lucy spotted a small moving van and a pile of boxes outside one of the other rooms. So she really is moving in here. Lucy wanted to tear the presumptuous little girl apart. The only thing that held her back was the fear of how that would affect Kouta. Kami or fate or just plain random chance had given her this chance, she just couldn't waste it.

Going into her room she looked over the clothes she had available and tried to decide what she would wear tomorrow. Her selection was limited to the handful of outfits she'd been able to stuff into a back pack. I need to buy more clothes, and make up! I need to buy make up too! Attending class today she had noticed how most of the other girls wore make up, at the very least they had lipstick. She was also sure that Kouta would notice if she started wearing the same clothes over and over again every day.

She went into the closet and pulled up the corner of the rug to reveal the envelope with money and a plastic bag with some gold earrings and necklaces. She counted up her money; 494,211 yen ($4,942.11) was that a lot? She didn't want to sell the jewelry so soon after stealing it. Could she afford clothes and make up and oh yeah, books for her classes. That was another worry she hadn't thought of. She had been totally lost in every one of her classes. Not surprising given that before today she hadn't been in a classroom in nine years. How was she going to manage passing her classes? What would Kouta think if she failed? She could get Kakuzawa to pass her but what about the other classes?

She looked at her reflection in the mirror above her dresser. She had her beret on so she didn't have to look at the horns she hated so. Her hair looked a little frayed and she had no makeup on and her clothes were wrinkled. How could she compare to other girls? Not only Yuka but all the other coeds who surrounded Kouta in every class. They'd had normal lives, they all had lots of clothes, they all knew how to put on makeup properly so they didn't look like clowns. And they would all be a lot smarter than her. How can I even compete?

There was a knock at her door. "Can I come in?" Kouta called.

"Oh, sure Kouta." She quickly fluffed her clothes a little.

He slid open the door and looked in on her. Despite seeing him all day her heart still skipped a beat top have him looking at her. Even just this was a dream come true.

"Since Yuka is busy moving in I thought I would just order in tonight. How do you feel about pizza?"

"That's fine Kouta," she said. "We'll be eating together right?"

He nodded. "All three of us."

She tried to laugh but it came out a little hollow. "Well as long as I get to eat with you that's fine."

She saw him blush just a little. "I… I hope you're not upset about Yuka. Even though she's kind of pushing things moving in like this you can understand it."

"No I can't," Lucy said.

"Well we're cousins and she's worried something might happen," he told her.

"Yes she thinks I might rob you or something."

"Heh, actually she's probably more afraid that I might do something to you." Kouta said, his blush getting a little darker.

"Oh, like what?" This sounded kind of interesting.

"Well, I am a guy, and you are a really beautiful woman," he said.

"I… I am?" Her heart beat faster. "Do you think that Kouta? Do you think I'm beautiful?"

"Well of course I do! You're not only beautiful but I've seen you body and… and well…" He struggled trying to complete the thought.

"You'd like to do things with my body?" After her experiences with Kakuzawa she was technically a virgin but a long way from innocent.

"What?! No I mean I wouldn't try anything like that! I mean even if you are amazing I wouldn't do something like that."

"I wouldn't mind," she said quietly.

He stared at her. "What?"

She slowly approached him. "I… I wouldn't mind, not if it was you Kouta," she quietly slid the door shut. Yuka was right next door but they had at least a momentary privacy. "When we were children I fell in love with you," she told him. "You… you were my first love." My only love!!

"I'm so sorry I can't remember that," he told her honestly. "I would like to know what I felt back then."

"We kissed," Lucy blurted out. "You were my first kiss." That was a lie. They never had kissed. She still had never kissed. She didn't know why she'd said that, some sudden impulse had made her.

Hearing that brought a smile to Koua's lips. "Then I really wish I could remember that time. I hadn't kissed before that summer so it would have been my first kiss too. That's something I'd like to remember."

"Would, would you like to kiss me now then?" She could feel her cheeks getting hot and her heart really starting to beat fast. "You know, just to see what it was like? We can pretend it's our first kiss all over again."

Kouta looked at her not believing this amazing girl was saying something like this. His eyes drifted to her soft full lips. Catching his breath he finally answered. "Okay, just… just to see what it was like then."

She carefully nodded and prayed she didn't look as scared as she felt. "Just to see what it was like then."

She took a cautious half step forward and leaned up. She felt his hands carefully take hold around her hips. He closed his eyes and lowered his face, gently touching her lips with his. It was a warm sweet innocent kiss, their lips touching and slowly pressing together. It was indeed what a first kiss between a little boy and girl might be like.

Her eyes were closed and she put her hands on his shoulders. Kouta…

When he slowly separated his lips from her they both opened their eyes and looked at one another. His hands remained on her and hers remained on him. Looking into each other's eyes they could see a reflection of the simple joy they were feeling.

In silent agreement he leaned down and kissed her again. This kiss just a little more passionate, a little less unsure. She could feel his hands slip around to her back and she stepped forward to press her chest up against his. She dug her fingers into his shoulder a bit adding a little more pressure, adding a little more friction.

When their second kiss ended they were looking into each other's eyes again and both of them were feeling more sure of what the other wanted.

"Kouta do you…"

"Kouta! Where are you?!" Yuka's voice shouted. "I need to get the truck unloaded and returned by eight or I have to pay for another day!"

Kouta suddenly let go of her and stepped back as though he'd been caught in the act. "I… I need to help Yuka, I'll see you at dinner." He quickly slid out the door before she could try and persuade him to stay.

At that moment if Yuka had been in front of her Lucy would have cheerfully torn the girl into pieces.

Standing there she slowly ran a finger over her lips. Kouta kissed me. She thought in amazement. Kouta thinks I'm beautiful. She'd known that Kakuzawa considered her a goddess but what that animal thought didn't matter to her at all.

Despite the unfortunate interruption she was filled with renewed hope. So what if she didn't have make up and lots of clothes? Kouta thought she was beautiful! Kouta had kissed her! And they were living in the same place and attending all of the same classes. She would definitely be able to make him love her!

"Kouta where were you? I need help now grab that box over there!" Yuka's annoying voice drifted in.

"And if that damn cousin gets in the way she'll have an accident," Lucy said in a harsh whisper.