Chapter 7


"E-Etou-kun w-wha -" Kahoko exclaimed with a shaky voice and a face in full bloom.

Etou placed his jacket across one shoulder and stopped close up against Kahoko.

He pointed at the wet spot in the same place as his heart.

Kahoko looked carefully at his long fingers.

"E-eh s-sorry ..." she stammered.

The other guys were gathering around them, Kaji looking slightly restless.

"Oi-" Tsuchiura started but was pulled backwards by the collar by Kanazawa.

"Take it easy."

Tsuchiura was frowning deeply.

Etou bend his head downwards towards Kahoko's ear and whispered cheeky and fast; "You'll receive a fair punishment later, Kahoko."

Kahoko backed away, her heart beating with horror in her chest.

"Hino-san." Kaji said softly, her name turning into something divine whenever he pronounced it.

She could tell that what he really meant by saying her name was 'are you okay?'.

Kahoko nodded towards him.

She was fine … for now.

Etou smirked at her, not even bothered by hiding his embarrassing approaches towards her.

Amou stood observing the many participants as they all seemed tense.

She intended to sneak around later to perhaps get to solved the matter further, of course, accompanied by her all-eating camera.

She giggled secretly, still watching the group in front of her.

Kanazawa sighed.

"Moe, enough with the sighing sensei." Amou said harshly.

Kanazawarolled his eyes at her.

"Let's go inside then." Etou gestured towards the group.

None of them understood quite what was going on.

Tsukimori sighed.

"Kanazawa-sensei?" Yunoki questioned.

Kahoko watched Yunoki closely as his mouth bend into the most fake out of all the smiles hidden in his gallery of smiling masks.

He granted her a smile too.

She was startled, horrid thoughts of him going to create further trouble for her later.

She sighed.

Amou cast her arms around Kahoko from behind, whispering sneaky in her ear; "Ne Kaho-chan, so many boys to choose from and so little time. Who's the new charmer?"

Kahoko blushed.

Etou, Yunoki and Kaji were all staring at them.

"E-eh, e-eh ah … AMOU-SAN!" Kahoko yelled embarrassed, trying to hide her face.

Kahoko turned around, facing Amou and said in a low voice; "Find me later, when I'm alone … I'll tell you what you want to know."

Kahoko sighed to make her fake promise sound believable.

She wasn't a good liar.

Amou's face lit up.

She blinked at Kahoko, replying in a whisper; "That's a promise!"

She really bought it! Kahoko thought relieved.

"Help yourselves. I'll get someone to show you your rooms." Etou said, amused by Kahoko.

"Eh, do you know the ones living here?" Hihara asked with a happy face.

Tsuchiura stood gazing at Kahoko as she was watching Etou with a fairly blushing face.

Why are you blushing? Stupid … he thought, smiling at her, yet also somewhat annoyed.

Tsukimori sighed.

Tsuchiura's smile faded at the sound of Tsukimori's presence near him.

He would definitely be troublesome, the mister-want-be-perfect.

Etou smiled, answering; "Yes, you can leave it at that."

The group turned around and was heading for the huge residence.

Kaji walked close behind Kahoko, beside Tsuchiura, both wanting to keep an eye out for Etou.

The both gazed at Kahoko as she lowered her shoulders.

The scent of her newly washed hair was swiftly blown to them by the increasing wind, baring her pale neck...