Kyohei awoke to the hot sun burning down on his face. Hopping to find shelter he pulled his covers over his head. Despite his hopes he quickly became overcome with the hot fire of his shelter. The heat was far more intense than he had imagined. Throwing the covers off his body he rolled off the bed and laid on the floor with sweat drenching his face. Why were the summers always so hot here, he wondered. He looked at the clock on his wall and saw that it was nearly noon. Sunako must be cooking right about now.

With the thought of Sunako on his mind he rolled over onto his side and rested his head on his arm. He thought of how she had looked the other night in that dress. No doubt the others had conned her into going out on a date. If it wasn't because of the expression on her face as she was chaperoned down the hall then it was definitely the rope Takenaga held her by. A trick he had learned from Kyohei of course.

He should feel grateful, he supposed. Whatever they were doing they hadn't added him to the plan which was a nice change. This way was much smoother and didn't get on his nerves as much. Still, there was this feeling he had lately. It made him think he was sick, yet no amount of sleep or food helped it to go away. This lukewarm pain that struck him hard in the stomach.

Thinking it was due to the others he had avoided them, but it didn't help. If anything it seemed to be getting worse. Lately he barely had the strength to even stand and leave the room. Reaching down he rubbed his sore stomach. Maybe he should go get some food from the kitchen. After several minutes of just lying without thought he finally dragged himself to his feet.

Not wanting to deal with a nosebleed from Sunako he pulled on a loose black shirt and ripped jeans. Brushing away his tangled blonde hair from his face he left the room not even bothering to shut the door behind him.

Down the hallway he passed the other guys sitting in a room. Yuki was watching TV with his hands and knees pulled up to his face. Takenaga and Ranmaru were poured over papers on the table deep in conversation. None of them even noticed his presence. Vaguely he wondered what they were working on, but quickly decided he didn't want to know. Whatever it was, it would probably just end up pissing him off.

After several minutes he finally found himself at the kitchen door. The smell of sweet miso soup and fried chicken reached his senses. It smelled like heaven, yet he felt so empty. Walking inside he stopped and stared at Sunako. As he watched her he slumped against the door frame.

She stood with her back to him. Her hair was pulled high into a pony tail. She seemed to be wearing a white t shirt and baggy jeans. The thick sound of chopping echoed through the kitchen.

Looking at her he thought of how they had first met her. What a frightening creature she was. Always shaking and bleeding, saying rude things and throwing anything she could at them. She was always so kept to herself, not much different from now, but something had changed. He couldn't say what it was, but it was something. Any yet, everyone was so sure they liked each other. How stupid. Of course he liked her, but he didn't want her that way and he knew there was no way in hell she felt anything beyond friendship for him.

Smirking he called out, "Oi! Sunako Nakahara!"

With a sudden slam Sunako stuck her blade deeply into the wooden cutting board and turned to glare at Kyohei. She hated to be disturbed at any point, but more so when cooking. It was her one joy, her craft, and no one was to come in a distract her from it's precise element.

Kyohei frowned at the sight of her agitation, yet shrugged it off with a smile.

"What are you cooking," he asked getting closer.

Turning back to cutting her vegetables she muttered the meal of miso soup, fried chicken, and tempura she was busy preparing. Kyohei pulled out the orange juice from the fridge and poured a glass. Coming to stand just beside Sunako he took a sip before wiping his mouth and asking for shrimp.

"No," sunako said sharply not even bothering to look at the expression she knew was plastered over his face.

"Why not?" he demanded not even hiding the irritation and shock in his voice.

"We had it last night as well as the night before. Hell, we have it almost four times a week. That's enough shrimp for one week."

"But, I don't want chicken. I want shrimp!"

Finally looking him straight in the eye Sunako blankly said, "Tough."

For a moment they only looked at each other in silence before Sunako looked away blushing madly fighting the urge to bleed right on the spot. Struggling with the heat rising in her cheeks she only continued to cut more feverishly.

Catching this look on her face Kyohei smiled evilly. Running his hand through his hair he caused it to only stick out more. Leaning close he spoke softly letting his breath tickle her ear as he spoke.

"What shall I do than to get you to do as I ask, Sunako chan?"

Shaking Sunako turned to look him in the face, her eyes seeming to shrink as she looked into his blindingly bright face that was mere inches from her face. Slowly he touched her face and smiled coyly. Unable to control herself Sunako fell over the counter nearly fainting in the process. Several objects fell to the floor with a loud clatter. Laughing hysterically Kyohei gripped his stomach to stop the aching. Suddenly Sunako looked up with a glare. She still felt weak, but her anger grew stronger.

The slap of the hot wet towel on his face stopped the laughing real quick. With a cry, Kyohei threw off the towel and glared daggers at Sunako who in turn glared back.

"What the hell did you do that for?" he cried, "that was hot."

"You baka. How many times must I tell you to stay out of my kitchen. You're a distraction and you wreck my space." she shouted with fury. Standing up straight she didn't look away or blink.

"Wreck your space? I've done no such thing. It's your fault for not controlling yourself. I didn't throw you over the counter or knock the dishes to the floor."

But Sunako wasn't listening. She just turned and started a slow walk out of the kitchen. This enraged Kyohei who decided to pursue her.

"HEY!! I'm talking to- ," started Kyohei when he stopped at the feel of something warm on his bare foot.

Looking down Kyohei felt his breath caught in his throat. Tiny splatters of blood glittered on the clean floor. Following the trail he watched as it lead straight to Sunako as she limped slowly from the room. Feeling guilt pound through his body Kyohei walked over to Sunako and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't move," he said softly.

With one swift move he bent down and picked her up. She squirmed and squealed as he thought she would, but it didn't matter. She was hurt and it was his fault. Quietly he carried her to the counter where the first aid was kept and sat her on top. Sunako felt her cheeks grow hot as he looked down at her foot that slowly dripped blood. In silence she watched him as he examined and then grabbed out the first aid bandages, wraps, alcohol and a clean wet towel.

"S-stop. I'm fine. It's no big deal. I can take care of myself." she struggled desperately. To be care for by him absolutely scared her.

"Shut up," he said softly as he wiped away the blood from her foot.

She grimaced at the feel of tweezers in her skin, but stayed quiet all the same. It felt like she was there with him forever, but really it was only a few minutes. Then he sat her down on the floor and left to get a broom and dust pan. Why was he like this she wondered? So cold and yet so kind. Without another thought Sunako returned to her spot only to move the food to the other counter and finished what she was doing. She didn't look up when he came back or when he left. She wasn't even aware of how he stared at her for a second before he left. She was only aware that she was alone now. There was no need for words then. There wasn't anything to say.